Vivian La
Climate Solutions ReporterVivian La covers how climate change is impacting northern Michigan communities for IPR through a partnership with Grist.
She previously worked at WBUR in Boston as their environmental reporting fellow, producing radio stories about everything from coastal real estate along rising oceans to non-native creatures called sea squirts. Vivian has also worked for Science Magazine, the Chicago Tribune and Illinois Public Media. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in biology.
When she's not thinking about climate and environment stories, Vivian enjoys reading and spending time outdoors. Preferably at the same time.
Reach her at vivian.la@interlochen.org.
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After hitting local permitting hurdles, the developer of the 375-megawatt solar farm will likely use a new state law for approval, one that limits local governments’ ability to say no to large-scale renewable energy projects. -
Farmers in the region are facing decisions about how to best keep land in production as land values rise, climate change threatens operations, and a younger generation chooses not to farm. -
The state will put $7.5 million toward research and development for geologic hydrogen. It's a clean energy source with a lot of potential to decarbonize heavy industries like transportation, experts say. -
The Township Board unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on Tuesday, which Township Supervisor Joe McManus said will allow officials to better plan for future proposals. -
The proposal to replace an aging segment of the Line 5 pipeline in the Great Lakes still needs state approval. Tribal nations say a permit approval by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was a breach of treaty rights. -
Nearly $5 million has gone to counties in northwestern lower Michigan counties so far, according to FEMA. The application period for homeowner and renter aid closes at the end of the month. -
Justices vacated a permit for the pipeline, while also issuing a consequential ruling for state environmental reviews on several fronts — including the state’s public trust doctrine. “It is literally breathing life into the law,” said one legal expert.
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University of Michigan researchers found evidence that life in the ancient geologic formation known as the Antrim Shale might be as diverse as a drop of ocean water. "It's pretty mind-blowing," said one researcher. The findings could change how the field thinks about carbon cycling underground. -
Grape growers and experts in northern Michigan say “smoke taint” from this month’s hazy skies isn’t an immediate threat, but is likely a new impact of volatile weather that the industry might need to adapt to. -
Facing a crowd of local residents — the majority of whom were against the project — the Wexford Joint Planning Commission on Monday unanimously recommended against a zoning amendment that would’ve advanced a plan for a 1,500-acre solar array.
