Up North Lowdown

It’s a big dose of nature on this week’s Up North Lowdown: How storm debris can turn into electricity, our gardening expert guides us through good fertilizer for northern Michigan soil, and we receive a shipment of bees!

This week on the Up North Lowdown, we’ll meet the host of a new podcast from Classical IPR called Intermezzo ... plus OUR host Ed Ronco goes on stage in Traverse City and dies. But on purpose.

Northwestern Michigan College made a big plane purchase in hopes of chipping away at a waiting list for its popular aviation program.Also, a local film — "Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake)" — had its world premiere at Sundance this week.We take you out on frozen Black Lake for a state of northern Michigan culture.Oh, and the results of our State Bird CAWcus.Stories included in this episodeNMC adds more aircraft to its growing aviation program'Sunfish' film, shot in Interlochen, makes splash at Sundance festivalAnd the winner is …Lake Sturgeon Shivaree marks start of Black Lake's quick fishing season

This week on the Up North Lowdown ... a walk through the garden. Yes, it is the dead of winter, but we are going to hear a little history of the Botanic Garden and a little more about its past and future at the Historic Barns Park. We will also dive into the question of Michigan’s state bird. Is the robin cutting it for us anymore? Your thoughts … in the latest episode of the Up North Lowdown, from Interlochen Public Radio. Listen at iprnews.org or wherever you get your podcasts.Stories featured this episode:- IPR's 'State Bird CAWcus'- A few moments in Traverse City's Botanic Garden, despite the snow

Michigan is the Great Lakes state as you know. So naturally we have a lot of wetlands as well. They filter water, and mitigate flooding. But human activity, including large-scale farming, has greatly reduced them over the years. What might Congress do about that? Also, efforts here in northern Michigan to support first responders dealing with their own mental health. And a trip to an artist residency in Elberta. One of the stories in this episode references suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide or is in crisis call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988First responders can also contact the Front Line Strong line: 1-833-34-STRONG or 1-833-347-8766.

This week on the Up North Lowdown… Chris Bzdok is a local lawyer working to get the country off coal. Plus, Michigan’s hot dry summers are causing… better wine?

It’s Climate Solutions Week and boy do we have some problems. We’ll find out how to get a tax break on your used electric car. And we’ll check out a composting operation in Emmet County that some are calling a model for other local programs.

Lots of talk of millage spending ahead of the primary... it's fun I promise.

This week: Hear from the Frankfort man sentenced for diverting the Platte River in 2022. A string quartet is popping up in unexpected places. And it was great spring for a tiny fruit fly that causes trouble for cherry farmers.

This week: A Chevy pickup, nearly destroyed by the Gaylord tornado, comes back to life. Plus, a conversation with Joyce Fetrow, who is working to address northern Michigan's opioid crisis.