Up North Lowdown

This week on the Up North Lowdown: How a northern Michigan woman's effort to get people writing letters helped hundreds of people find pen pals ... and human connection.

This week on the Up North Lowdown: A natural gas expansion in Mesick, the perils of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes and a Petoskey architect's quest to build 100 houses.

This week, the Up North Lowdown is all about where you look: at a dark patch of sky, upward from the path of totality, in a vernal pool deep in the woods, or into yourself for exactly the right words.

Come with us this week to a pro wrestling event in Kalkaska. Also, a new film explores the quest to restore an old movie theater marquee in Marquette.

Why the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians did NOT tap their sugar maples this year. Also, get ready for "Maritime Time!" And we drop in on the Soo Locks.

This week: Dealing with construction along U.S. 31 in downtown Traverse City, new apartments get a warm reception in Boyne City, and impersonating Charlie Chaplin.

This week: An impasse over the future of the air show at the National Cherry Festival. And Elk Rapids high school students make the prom a little more climate friendly.

This week: Michigan tribes say a federal lawsuit out of Wisconsin could affect their sovereignty, summer roadwork already getting started in Traverse City, and Kate Botello takes us to the spelling bee.

Two stories about pressure: One on youth mental health in the Grand Traverse region, and the other about a local singer-songwriter feeling pressure to produce new work.

This week: Saving whitefish and what microplastics do to minnows — both important species for the Great Lakes. Also, art and cults. (Two different stories, to be clear.)