Peter Payette
Executive DirectorPeter joined IPR in 2000, directed news beginning in 2001 and became the Executive Director in 2016.
His job is to make sure IPR remains a vibrant source of music, news and stories for people in northern Michigan and beyond, exploring life in the upper Great Lakes and sharing the wealth of artistry at Interlochen with our neighbors.
In his former role, he reported on a wide range of issues critical to the culture and economy of northern Michigan.
Many of his favorite stories are about obscure fish in the Great Lakes or the new arrivals changing the food web. He also admires the people keeping the rock 'n' roll revolution alive in the woods of northern Michigan and enjoys any story that reconnects the past to the present.
His work has been featured on NPR, Michigan Radio, Bridge magazine and won awards from Public Media Journalists Association, the Associated Press and New York Festivals.
He has taught journalism and audio storytelling to students and adults at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Peter has vacationed in Benzie County his entire life and became acquainted with IPR through radios that were always on in family cottages on the south shore of Crystal Lake.
His wife Sarah is his biggest fan. They have four children, Isabelle, Amelia, Emmet and Juan, and they live happily in Traverse City's Kids Creek Neighborhood.
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There’s a lot of interest in solar energy in Michigan as the technology becomes cheaper and more efficient, and utility companies set ambitious renewable…
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For public land advocates in Michigan, Christmas comes the first week of December each year.That’s when the Michigan Natural Resources Trust fund board…
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For public land advocates in Michigan, Christmas comes the first week of December each year.That’s when the Michigan Natural Resources Trust fund board…
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The number of black bear sightings in northern Michigan is on the rise, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “The increases are…
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The number of black bear sightings in northern Michigan is on the rise, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “The increases are…
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Cherry growers mixed business and politics this election season. That's not something the industry has been known to do.In September Jill Biden toured…
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According to unofficial election results, Republican John Roth has kept Michigan’s 104th State House District red. Roth won a clear victory for the GOP…
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Young trees have a tough time growing in many northern Michigan forests. That might sound strange since our region is full of trees, but many hardwood…
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On the ballot this election is a proposal to change how Michigan spends the money it gets from oil and gas production. Right now the state uses oil and…
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Sleeping Bear Dunes turns 50 this month. It’s a destination that brings well over a million visitors to the dunes along Lake Michigan every year. But it…