IPR News
@iprnews.bsky.social
Providing northern Michigan news and culture since 1963. Home of "Points North" - a podcast about the land, water and inhabitants of the Great Lakes. About our journalism: https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/about-our-journalism
Are we tossing an episode of the Up North Lowdown at you on July 4th? Yes we are. Is it a fun one? Yes it is.
Joining the band
For some, the National Cherry Festival Marching Band in Traverse City is a chance to keep marching. For others, it's an opportunity to try something new. It certainly was for Cindy Monroe.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Twin Flames Universe — the subject of a 2023 Netflix series portraying it as a cult — is under investigation by Michigan's attorney general. Authorities carried out raids Tuesday in Leelanau County. We talked about it with journalist Jacob Wheeler, of the Glen Arbor Sun. Listen:
The raid of Twin Flames Universe
Michigan's Attorney General is going after the Twin Flames Universe, a spiritual organization based in Leelanau County that's widely considered to be a cult.
interlochenpublicradio.org
A new schedule comes to IPR News Radio on Monday. We're excited to add some new shows!
'Native America Calling,' new music shows, and more Michigan on IPR
Interlochen Public Radio is changing some of its programming on WICA, WLMN and WHBP — its three news frequencies known as IPR News Radio.
interlochenpublicradio.org
The opening of a privately run immigration detention center in Lake County has raised a lot of questions, including its impact on nearby Baldwin.
As ICE plans to move into Baldwin prison, residents hope jobs will stay
In Lake County — population 12,000 — a new ICE facility is opening in a shuttered private prison, promising to create hundreds of jobs in the poorest county in the state. Many residents have doubts ab...
interlochenpublicradio.org
A few people in Benzie County were motivated by “a combination of traffic safety and turtle safety coming together, and also being concerned about the people like us who like to help turtles." Turtlefest is returning this weekend - as are the crossing signs. for @iprnews.bsky.social @grist.org
On the move: Turtlefest and crossing signs return to Benzie County
It's all about turtle safety at the second annual Turtlefest in Benzie County.
interlochenpublicradio.org
IPR is the winner of 3 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards! www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-05-21/c...
Copper mines, Star Wars and old engines: IPR stories win honors
Interlochen Public Radio is the winner of three Regional Edward R. Murrow awards, the most of any public radio station in Michigan this year.
interlochenpublicradio.org
We hope you'll join us at this event on May 28! And even if you can't, maybe you can help us right now, by sending us your questions/thoughts: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-05-15/a...
Ask an Expert: Climate and our community
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 7:00pm - What do you wonder about the way extreme weather and climate change might affect our communities here in northern Michigan?
interlochenpublicradio.org
The sweep began on Tuesday and appeared to conclude today.
UPDATE: Traverse City clears 'The Pines' as new ordinance takes effect
A yellow police line encircled the area after the sweep displaced about 14 people who had been living in tents among the trees near 11th and Division streets.
interlochenpublicradio.org
We're considering some programming changes on IPR News Radio. Learn more and take a survey here: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-05-05/w...
What shows do you love? Take the IPR News programming survey
IPR News wants your opinion as we consider changes to our programming.
interlochenpublicradio.org
President Donald Trump’s executive order declared a national energy emergency, which cleared the way for energy projects to receive emergency status. While the tunnel project’s emergency status will speed up the Army Corps’ review, it’s not clear exactly how much faster it will be.
Army Corps to fast track review of Line 5 tunnel project
The federal review of the Line 5 tunnel project will be sped up through new emergency procedures under an executive order from President Donald Trump.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Do you catch Cheryl Bartz's "What's Up Outside?" essays on Sundays? If not, here. If yes, listen again, because they're really fun. www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-04-07/t...
The Helpful Leech
There are many species of leech in Michigan but only a few feed on mammal blood.
interlochenpublicradio.org
IPR News Radio is looking for its next "Morning Edition" host! Learn more here:
Love local news? Maybe you should be our next morning news host
Come be an indispensable morning voice for people in one of the most beautiful parts of the United States.
interlochenpublicradio.org
An update on the ice storm response, including U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman on his tour of the damage and the potential for federal assistance: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-04-05/i...
Ice storm latest: A power update, and Bergman sees damage up close
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman made visits to Gaylord, Atlanta and Cheboygan as response and recovery efforts continue from the March 29-30 storm.
interlochenpublicradio.org
BREAKING: Commissioner Rob Hentschel will not face criminal charges after a special prosecutor said Friday that there’s "insufficient evidence to prove a crime took place beyond a reasonable doubt."
BREAKING: Special prosecutor decides against charging Grand Traverse Co. commissioner
Commissioner Rob Hentschel had been accused of sexual assault, but a prosecutor says there’s not enough evidence to prove a crime took place ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’
interlochenpublicradio.org
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman wrote in a letter to President Trump: "... a visit from you would be a powerful reminder that we are not alone in this recovery." www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-04-03/b...
Bergman invites Trump to come see northern Michigan storm damage
The Republican congressman says a visit from the president would bring national attention to the disaster and encourage first responders.
interlochenpublicradio.org
We are struggling with keeping some of our transmitters on the air in the aftermath of the big ice storm. IPR News in Harbor Springs and Classical IPR in Mackinaw City are both affected. Details: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-03-29/i...
BREAKING: Lack of fuel has been among the main concerns in the region. Gov. Whitmer also said she would temporarily lift restrictions on weight and commercial driver hours to allow energy supplies to move quickly to northern Michigan.
Whitmer deploys National Guard to help ice storm recovery
The governor also expanded a state of emergency declaration to add Alcona and Antrim counties as thousands are still without power.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Should you use a warming station, be prepared and bring toiletries, medication, clothes and nonperishable food items.
No power? Find a warming station to shelter from ice storm
Officials are urging the public to stay home and off the roads as a historic ice storm batters the region. But some communities have set up warming stations for people who need electricity.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Great Lakes Energy said in a statement that it "advises members to prepare for a five-day to multi-week outage event." More winter weather is expected in northern Michigan on Wednesday morning.
Great Lakes Energy: 'Prepare for a five-day to multi-week outage'
Utility crews continue trying to repair outages ahead of more precipitation in northern Michigan, already battered by a damaging ice storm.
interlochenpublicradio.org
A tree topples over in Hayes Township, near the Charlevoix/Emmet County line, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Meteorologists expect the thaw to take a few days. Video courtesy of Jessica Schmidt of Charlevoix.
Crews are working to restore power to more than 100,000 customers who were left in the dark, after an ice storm brought down trees and power lines.
Widespread outages, damage from northern Michigan ice storm
The weekend ice storm put more than 100,000 customers in the dark as responders dealt with downed power lines and trees across roadways.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Officials from Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties say they're still in the "information gathering stages" as they form oversight committees and survey populations.
Some tip-of-the-mitt counties waiting to spend opioid settlement dollars
As millions of dollars flow to Michigan communities from opioid distributors, some up-north counties are electing to wait to start spending.
interlochenpublicradio.org
When his owner checked out of his motel room in Cheboygan, Wally the alligator stayed a little longer.
Live alligator found under the bed draws police to Cheboygan motel
“He didn't try biting anybody or anything. But ... he hissed at me and that was probably pretty much to say, 'Leave me alone.'”
interlochenpublicradio.org
One measles case has been confirmed in Michigan already, but officials in northern Michigan say low vaccination rates in some counties are causing real concern for a potential outbreak.
Officials: Northern Michigan ‘just as vulnerable’ to measles outbreak
One measles case has been confirmed in Michigan already, but officials in northern Michigan say low vaccination rates in some counties are causing real concern for a potential outbreak.
interlochenpublicradio.org
The chances of being struck by lightning are higher than being attacked by a black bear. But one morning, about a week before Christmas it happened to Bill Vagts and his dog. So, what went wrong? Find out in the latest episode of Points North:
Bear Trouble
When a black bear in Minnesota woke up from hibernation in the middle of winter and attacked three people and a dog, researchers were left with one question: Why?
interlochenpublicradio.org
We're still looking to answer your questions about how new immigration policy will impact northern Michigan. Submit a question on our Speakpipe:
Send a voice message to IPR_Questions
As the Trump administration promises one of the biggest deportation efforts in U.S. history, what questions do you have about how this relates to northern Michigan? What’s on your mind as you think a...
speakpipe.com
Last spring, a farmer in Leelanau County started applying a kind of fertilizer to his fields: Sewage pumped from septic tanks, often called septage. That kicked off a local fight about whether it’s legal to apply that waste in Centerville Township.
In Leelanau County, a dispute over using sewage as farm fertilizer
The conflict has led to a lot of questions and confusion, and could be discussed at a meeting this week.
interlochenpublicradio.org
I took a drive to an inflatable planetarium at Sleeping Bear Dunes this weekend (also working on other stuff) - listen in: @iprnews.bsky.social
The Week Ahead: Cherry Capital Airport, federal layoffs and the night sky
Each Monday on Morning Edition, an IPR journalist brings you up to speed on what’s going on in northern Michigan, and what IPR is working on this week.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Love seeing Michael Livingston build off @kffhealthnews.org's reporting/resources to investigate how opioid settlement $$ is being spent in his own community for @iprnews.bsky.social! If you're in northern Michigan, follow his ongoing coverage. www.interlochenpublicradio.org/ipr-news/202...
KFF: Many ways of spending opioid settlement dollars but it's not all easy to track
Aneri Pattani, senior reporter for KFF Health News breaks down the differences in transparency between states that are spending opioid settlement dollars.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Spring is a dangerous time for wildfires because everything’s so dry and can burn easily. Here’s how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is preparing before the snow melts.
Michigan DNR prepares for wildfire season - WDET 101.9 FM
Spring is a dangerous time for wildfires because everything's so dry and can burn easily. Firefighters prepare before the snow melts.
wdet.org