This originally appeared in our Dec. 27 newsletter. Sign up and be among the first to hear what's happening at IPR!
A friend at my last job once asked her 6-year-old son what he thought she did for a living, and he described her as a "newser." I thought that was a good name for all of you, too, who have followed us via this newsletter.
So, newsers, let's talk about 2025, and what's ahead next year, shall we? Because 2025 really could have stunk. We spent the early months dreading a possible cut in federal funding for public broadcasting and then saw it actually happen this summer.
But you know what? It didn't stink. Sure, we had a bumpy ride, but ultimately, it was a transformative year for our newsroom. Among the many reasons:
- You all stepped up in a huge way during our summer and fall drives, after Congress eliminated our federal funding. It was the financial shot in the arm we needed, but also an emotional one, too — a reminder that you care deeply about what we do, and want us to keep doing it.
- IPR and Bridge Michigan, with funding from Press Forward, worked together to create the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative, which has boosted the number of in-depth stories IPR has written this year.
- We strengthened our connections with the community through events like the State Bird CAWcus and our foray into taking "Morning Edition" on the road.
- We added new programs to our lineup, including "Native America Calling," a second airing of "Stateside," and evenings with music.
- IPR reporters had numerous stories shared with a national audience, on Marketplace, Morning Edition and The Indicator.
Those great things happened because of you. You told us you wanted more local news that looked deeply at northern Michigan and illuminated big issues. You told us you wanted community connection with us and with each other. And you made it very clear that a little uplift every once in a while is important alongside the weighty issues of the day. And yeah, a lot of you donated to help make it happen.
So 2025 did not stink. And I am beyond excited for 2026. Some reasons:
- The Up North Lowdown podcast returns starting Jan. 12, now five times a week. It has been on hiatus since the late summer as we retooled. It will be on the air every weekday at 8:42 a.m., and in your podcast feed shortly afterward.
- Our new climate solutions reporter, Vivian La, arrives next month. We're excited to continue this partnership with Grist, which has funded a climate reporter in our newsroom since 2023. Vivian comes to us from a fellowship at WBUR in Boston, and we're excited for you to hear and read her reporting.
- We'll be spending more time hanging out with you, through events and "Morning Edition On the Road," where we take our local news broadcasts out of the studio and into the community.
Good things lie ahead, newsers. Thank you for your time, attention, feedback and support.
We know the future is never guaranteed to turn out the way we plan, but if 2025 was any indication, we're going to do just fine together. Wishing you (and all of us) the very best in 2026.
— Ed Ronco, News Director
