Up North Lowdown

After only a few months of operation, the Prism News’s network of more than 200 AI-generated publications – posing as local newsrooms and hobby sites – has closed. This includes one focused on Grand Traverse County, which produced AI-generated news articles about northwest Michigan. Emily Horne wrote about Prism News in her substack Spin Class. She joins IPR's Maxwell Howard and Ed Ronco to talk about what happened. And if you've ever wondered about the etymology of 'pink slime' as a term for AI news, stick around to the end for an answer.

A mass shooting on Friday claimed the lives of six people and left a 16 year-old girl severely injured in Missaukee County. We'll have an update on what we know so far. Also, FEMA money is making its way to northern Michigan after April flooding. Vivian La tells us where those funds are headed.

And a second petition to recall Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop will be in front of the Board of State Canvassers this morning. Austin Rowlader tells us what to expect.

Puzzle master Jonathan Baude tries to stump this week's IPR Puzzle winner Marilyn Kaczanowski from Mancelona. She plays a puzzle on-air that highlights some familiar places around the region (and the world).

Also, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians wrote checks totaling $1.66 million dollars this year through their 2% allocations. We'll hear about a township on Beaver Island that received some of the funding.

For many seniors, food assistance from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is a lifeline to afford their monthly groceries. Drastic cuts this month caught some Traverse City seniors off guard. We'll hear from people who were affected. Also, a Line 5 permit approval and piping plover protections (and pronunciation).

An 87-year-old village president. Another village almost voting itself out of existence. And a model of government that predates the Civil War. These are some of the problems facing Michigan's rural townships and villages. We talk with Ron French at Bridge Michigan about what that means for how we pay taxes, vote and even live in our communities.

Patrick Preusser left a job as the COO of public transit in Denver, Colorado. Now he's the new CEO of BATA. He jumped on board the #2 line with IPR's Austin Rowlader.

Also, an update on Camp Grayling's drone testing facility, and a possible expansion of uses for opioid settlement funds in Grand Traverse County.

The Traverse City Food and Wine Festival is coming up August 19 - 23. Whitney Waara from Traverse City Tourism fills us in on the more than 80 events happening around Traverse City.

Also, what do The Accidentals think about roundabouts? Find out in today's episode.

What do pickles and jazz music have in common? Austin Rowlader finds the answer from a couple of musicians hanging out in their mom's garage.

Also, the people own the lakes — not the government. Vivian La's got the scoop on how the recent MI Supreme Court decision on Line 5 strengthens the public trust doctrine, with far-reaching implications for other big projects in the future.

Bart Stupak was the last Democrat to represent northern Michigan in the U.S. House. He weighs in on the road ahead for Callie Barr, running in the 1st District. And a new study shows a whole world of rock-eating fungi on the Antrim Shale.

An unknown Senate outcome (as of recording), decisive gubernatorial decisions, and a rematch in the 1st District: We'll take a look at election results for the 2026 midterm primaries with Votebeat Michigan reporter Hayley Harding. We'll also hear from voters, poll workers, and a township clerk in an audio postcard from Antrim County.