Up North Lowdown

Last year, northern Michigan Congressman Jack Bergman received one of the largest individual donations given to a Michigan congressional candidate. The $289,100 donation from a California couple, including Elliott Broidy, highlights the growing influence of megadonors in Michigan politics. Reporter Maxwell Howard walks us through the details. We also round up some headlines from around the state and remember a Michigan culinary legend.

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a massive logging project in the Ottawa National Forest, which covers the furthest western corner of the Upper Peninsula, where it borders Wisconsin. The proposed project could log more than 80,000 acres of forest land. An environmental assessment by the federal government says the project would have, quote, “no significant impact.” But environmental groups say despite efforts to the contrary, there could still be unintentional harm. We talk with reporter Laura Herberg, from Bridge Michigan.

A taxpayer-funded report on Michigan’s tribal boarding schools was shelved by the state and never released to the public. Bridge Michigan's Ron French talks about what was in the report and why it was covered up. Read the full article on Bridge Michigan's website.

Also in this episode, senator Gary Peters reacts to the Trump Administration's war in Iran.

About 11 months ago, a devastating ice storm hit northern Michigan. Trees snapped. Utility poles snapped. Roads were impassible. Hundreds of thousands of people were without power, and a lot of them took shelter at warming centers. Climate solutions reporter Vivian La tells us about a storytelling event this week where people shared their tales of the storm. And Ellie Katz brings us the story of a Purple Heart medal separated from the family of its recipient and, hopefully soon, returned back to them.

About a year ago, Grand Traverse County created a job in its jail — aimed keeping people who didn't need to go to jail from ending up there. A year later, the sheriff is calling the move a success, and hoping to expand it. IPR’s Maxwell Howard has that story. Plus, "Big Gretch, Out!" Those were the final words of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's final State of the State address. Our capital bureau chief wraps it all up for us in about 4 minutes.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday about whether state or federal court will have the final say on the future of the controversial Line 5 pipeline.

Though the question before the Supreme Court is a procedural one — whether courts can excuse Enbridge from missing the deadline to request moving the case to federal court — the justices recognized that the decision could have far-reaching ripples, including for U.S.-Canada relations.

IPR climate reporter Vivian La breaks down the arguments.

James Beard nominations. Accolades from the press. Northern Michigan's food scene is booming, from counter-service diners to high-end restaurants. Today, we talk about why. Emily Stewart and Andy Elliott, the husband-and-wife chef team that co-owns Traverse City's "Modern Bird," says the region itself plays a big role. They tell us more over lunch at one of their favorite places in town to eat. And then Austin Rowlader takes us to McDonald's for some emotional nourishment.

Skiier Kaila Kuhn, from Boyne City, and her teammates won gold in the mixed aerials at Milan on Saturday. She was, as you'd expect, ecstatic. Journalist Ed Klajman tells us all about it, and what Kuhn says she'll do when she returns to Boyne City. Also, two Michigan cases are in front of the U.S. Supreme Court this week. We'll hear the details of each and some other Up North headlines.

The controversial project planned for Gogebic County was considered for a huge state grant, but that never came through. Now it's starting to get nibbles from other funding sources. IPR's Ellie Katz gives an update. Plus, Interlochen hosts "Winterlochen" this weekend.

Winter Vinecki, from Gaylord, and Boyne City's Kaila Kuhn didn't medal in freestyle aerial skiing this week, but journalist Ed Klajman says they have a lot of reasons to be proud. Kuhn's hometown fans have been following Klajman's coverage in the Boyne Citizen. He talked with IPR about the athleticism and artistry needed to compete in aerials, and the backstories of the two northern Michigan athletes.