Up North Lowdown

Rebecca Amidon will be the first woman to represent the 32nd District in the state Senate. She talked to a lot of voters — in part because opponents published her personal cell phone number.

Leelanau County chose a new drain commissioner, a job that comes with a surprising amount of power and responsibility. And what happens now that Benzie County has again rejected a millage? Also, Amanda Sewell introduces us to a collaborative pianist who is about to be the soloist with an orchestra in a piano concerto — a notable change, if you'll excuse the pun.

Two Lowdowns in one day! There must have been a big election. We hear about the vibe inside Callie Barr's election night party and about what brought northern Michigan voters to the polls. IPR reporters Astrid Code and Maxwell Howard weigh in on last night's midterms.

Our reporter roundtable walks through local election returns and reactions from last night's tabulations in northern Michigan, where incumbents largely had success.

Melissa McKenna, assistant director of outreach & adult services at the Traverse Area District Library, talks to IPR about the value of libraries, after winning a lifetime achievement award from the Michigan Library Association.

Heading into Election Day, we'll take a quick look at interesting ballot questions across the region. Plus, an exhibit hoping to change the story of how we're a divided nation.

Four more days until the 2026 campaign has run its course. What can we expect from local races? And in such a toxic political climate, we hear a political professor's take on American democracy.

The idea for an opera began with a text message. Two years later, these two high school seniors are leading a production of "Enea," a chamber opera in two scenes, which takes to the stage Friday.

When IPR's Austin Rowlader discovered a bat flapping around his house at 6 one morning, it began an odyssey of rabies shots and reporting, that led him to learn we've seen a record number of the flying mammals interacting with humans this year.

This November, Michiganders aren’t just voting for candidates to represent them in office. They also have some questions to answer. One of those questions asks whether voters want to limit corporate money in state politics, and it's put electric and gas utilities in the political crosshairs. Grist & IPR climate solutions reporter Vivian La helps break it down.