Up North Lowdown

Major highways in Antrim County were washed out after last week's rain storm. One local farm is seeing a flood of support.

Also, singer/songwriter Mason Via, Old Crow Medicine Show, is launching a new solo career. We caught up with him while he was making his car and heading north for a show in Frankfort this Friday.

Reporting for this episode by Austin Rowlader.

Abigail McKiernan was having a rough time in life — behind on bills, struggling with a domestic violence situation — when she started "Spark in the Dark," a Facebook group that began with about 50 members in Traverse City. Now it has tens of thousands of followers and has grown into the platform HelpLink. We talk about hope, dignity and the willingness of people to help each other.

Yeah, probably.

Jonathan Baude is a local puzzle master whose crosswords have been published in The New York Times. Today he delivers a puzzle too tough for IPR's Ed Ronco.

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.