We're talking tourism, tradition, farming and aerial stunts on this special edition of the Up North Lowdown. This episode was broadcast live from the Traverse City Visitor Center on the day before the festival opens.

License plate reading cameras are catching on in northern Michigan. Grand Traverse County has 28. Antrim County has eight, with the possibility of three more on the way. Also: Youth homelessness numbers are down in northwest lower Michigan, despite adult stats holding steady. We'll hear from a local group working to end the crisis. And how about those storms last night?

For decades, people in Frankfort and Elberta have spent the Fourth of July week looking for a little medal. We talk to an organizer of the annual tradition and an enthusiast. But that's not all in this episode! Hear about our biggest picture yet on how PFAS chemicals are impacting the Great Lakes. And listen to an excerpt of "Pink Pony Club" by the OUT Ensemble!

A new Michigan law requires some local elected officials to wait a certain amount of time before assuming office. And so far this session, it's the only election measure to receive bipartisan support in Lansing. We hear why the new law went into effect, and what it means for those chosen to lead their communities.

Ownership over a Grand Traverse County park has local residents worried about its future. Also, Ludacris cancels his performance at the Cherry Festival sighting “an unforeseen scheduling conflict.”

Traverse City this week hosted a statewide competition for recycling initiatives. Competitors were awarded cash prizes. IPR's Vivian La takes us to the NextCycle Showcase, and introduces us to some of the ideas on display. Plus, we hear from IPR's Red Pine Radio. Producer Helen Raica-Klotz talks with Holly Polich about a pancake that brings back some great memories.

Leelanau County hired Jim Dyer in late 2024 to be county administrator, hoping to bring stability to a dysfunctional workplace. A year and half later, Dyer is the subject of multiple complaints, has been cited by several former employees as a reason for resigning. Even before Dyer was hired, showed up in a 2024 study of the county offices.

It’s summer, folks. There are a lot of people going swimming. There are a lot of people going out on their boats. Then, of course, there’s a lot of people walking on the shoreline with their heads down.

Did they lose their keys?

Are they checking out their new toenail polish?

No. We'll tell you what they're doing in this episode.

Also, a local composting company is making their pitch at the NextCycle pitch competition.

Get the latest on Randy and Victoria Bishop's defamation lawsuit. Also, large scale solar array plans in Wexford County.

During a 2024 broadcast of "Our Defending Fathers," Randy Bishop's conservative talk radio program, he told his listeners an Onaway businessman, Tom Moran "shipped in illegal immigrants" to work at his metal fabrication business.

Moran sued Bishop and the radio station for defamation.

The radio station airing the comments was owned by Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop, who has recently come under scrutiny from the Michigan Bureau of Elections for making illegal changes to the state's Qualified Voter File (QVF).

Her access to the QVF was recently revoked by the bureau.

The Bishops are also under investigation from the Michigan State Police for a February incident where a member of the Antrim County custodial staff saw Trucker Randy at Victoria's computer unsupervised.

The Bishops have refused to cooperate with the courts in their defamation lawsuit and have spoiled evidence pertaining to the case.

This prompted Judge Aaron Gauthier [gaw-THeer] of Cheboygan’s 53rd circuit court to enter a default judgment, holding Trucker Randy and Victoria Bishop’s radio station liable for defamation.

This week, jurors will decide how much in damages will be awarded to Tom Moran and his business.

Also in this episode, Kate Grumke from Harvest Public Media tells us about the re-emersion of the serviceberry or Juneberry.