News

Essay: Responses to Suffering

By karen anderson • Jul 26, 2019

When my young daughter was diagnosed with cancer, we were all shocked and terrified.  Then, gradually, we found the strength to go forward—and it was a long journey, a hard journey.  Strangely enough, what sometimes made it harder was responses from friends and family and even from health care workers. 


Points North, Ep. 22: Climate change and fruit farming

By • Jul 25, 2019
Cherry canker has prevented this sweet cherry tree from fruiting this year. The blossoms in the foreground are an attempt by the tree to reproduce after the spring blossoms were destroyed by the infection.
Peter Payette / Interlochen Public Radio

This week on Points North, how climate change is causing diseases to thrive in Michigan’s fruit crops. Plus, winemakers Up North pursue more disease-resistant grapes.

 


Climate trends harming fruit growers

By • Jul 25, 2019
Peter Payette / I

Fruit growers in northern Michigan are having a tough time with all the rain this year, because that moisture helps fungus and bacteria thrive.

Environmentalists want Arcadia Bluffs to remove golf balls from Lake Michigan

By • Jul 24, 2019
Wikimedia Commons

Environmentalists are calling for Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club to remove golf balls from Lake Michigan. Arcadia Bluffs is a popular course north of Manistee.

Tribe in northern Wisconsin sues to force Line 5 shutdown

By • Jul 24, 2019
Enbridge Energy

A tribe in northern Wisconsin is suing Enbridge Energy to try to force the closure of Line 5.

Michigan starts its first cybercrime hotline in Grand Rapids

By • Jul 24, 2019

Michigan now has a cybercrime support and recovery hotline. Kent County residents can dial 2-1-1 if they are the victim of cybercrime and be connected to resources to help them figure out the next steps.

Candidates file for TC Mayor, City Commission spots

By • Jul 23, 2019
Dan Wanschura

Candidates for Mayor and City Commission in Traverse City have been announced. Mayor Jim Carruthers will run for re-election against Shea O’Brien.

Five of the seven seats on the City Commission will also be open. Katy Bertodatto, Evan Dalley, Dave Durbin, Roger Putman, Amy Shamroe and Ashlea Walter are running for terms on the City Commission that run through November, 2023.

Tom Mair and Christie Minervini are running for partial terms that run through November, 2021.

Elections will be held on November 5, 2019.

   

TC Methodist church pursues LGBTQ inclusion

By • Jul 23, 2019
Creative Commons

In February, the global United Methodist Church approved legislation strengthening a ban on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriages. 

On Tuesday, Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City announced it will join the Reconciling Ministries Network in opposition of that ban. 

Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is a union of Methodist communities across the country that embrace the full inclusion of LGBTQ members. 

Governor Whitmer signs bill designating portion of M-10 freeway 'Aretha Franklin Memorial Highway'

By • Jul 23, 2019

A former Detroit superstar will now have a portion of the freeway named in her honor. The Aretha Franklin Memorial Highway will run along a section of the M-10 freeway, between Livernois and I-94 in Detroit.

The Hero Takes the Zenith: this week on the Storyteller's Night Sky

By Mary Stewart Adams • Jul 22, 2019

This season the mighty constellation of the hero Hercules sweeps across the zenith, the uppermost part of the night sky, bearing mystery in his wake.

Essay: Post Office Cure

By karen anderson • Jul 19, 2019

A cloud is following me around today, casting a shadow on my life.  I feel lonely and discouraged—but when I try to figure out why, nothing comes to mind.  In an effort to get out of the house and out of my self, I take up my list of errands. 


Stateside: Young activists and the NAACP; decline of bobwhite quail; Traverse City tech economy

By Stateside Staff • Jul 18, 2019

Today on Stateside, as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) prepares to hold its 110th National Convention in Detroit this weekend, how can the organization attract and empower young activists? Plus, why a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is addressing a group of world leaders at the United Nations in Geneva this week.

Points North, Ep. 21: Pit Spitters

By • Jul 18, 2019
The Traverse City Pit Spitters are trying all sorts of ways to get fans to the ballpark, including letting them bring their dogs on ‘Bark in the Park’ night.
Dan Wanschura / Interlochen Public Radio

This week on Points North, Traverse City’s new baseball team dominates on the field, but getting fans in the seats has been another matter. Plus, a review of Kathleen Stocking’s collection of essays “From the Place of the Gathering Light.”


Fans slow to notice Pit Spitters' success

By • Jul 18, 2019
Despite the Traverse City Pit Spitters' winning record and engagement efforts, fan attendance numbers have been low.
Dan Wanschura / Interlochen Public Radio

This spring, a lot of fanfare accompanied the announcement the Pit Spitters baseball team was coming to Traverse City. Billboards went up declaring, “New Team. New Fun.” Now free pocket schedules can be found at just about any gas station you stop at in northern Michigan. But for all these efforts and the team’s recent 18-game winning streak, fans have been slow to respond.

 


Stateside: Funding roads with local taxes; risks of Kratom; MI astronaut on Apollo 11's legacy

By • Jul 17, 2019

 


 

Today on Stateside, Republican state legislators are considering ways to pay for road repairs, including one proposal that would allow counties and cities to levy their own local gas tax. Plus, Jerry Linenger was just 14-years-old when he watched the moon landing on a small black-and-white television screen. That moment would inspire him to pursue a career as an astronaut for NASA, where he manned three missions and traveled some 54 million miles in space. 

 

Glen Lake eyes candidate for superintendent

By • Jul 17, 2019
Morgan Springer

 

The Glen Lake School Board has identified a likely candidate to be their new superintendent. 

The district, which has been dealing with conflicts since last year, just added three new members to its board last week.

AG’s office to argue both sides of 'Adopt and Amend' in front of MI Supreme Court

By • Jul 17, 2019

Lawyers from the state Attorney General’s Office will be in front of the Michigan Supreme Court Wednesday. The twist? They’ll be arguing both sides of the same issue.

Stateside: Facial recognition tech controversy; SE MI transit plan gets update; women aviators

By • Jul 16, 2019

 

 


Today on Stateside, another attempt by the RTA to bring coordinated mass transit to Southeast Michigan. Plus, the Detroit Police Department’s attempts to fund facial recognition surveillance sparks criticism. 

Michigan hospitals warn of blood shortage

By • Jul 16, 2019
Wikimedia Commons

 

Some Michigan hospitals are experiencing a critical shortage of blood. Blood banks say supply is typically low in the summer because high school students, who make up a bulk of donations, are on break. But this year is especially bad. 

Spectrum Health, which has hospitals in west Michigan, says its reserve is down 84% from normal levels. Statewide blood banks are now issuing an emergency call for people to give blood.

Stateside: Free speech on Twitter; consequences of high deductibles; volunteer firefighter shortage

By editor • Jul 15, 2019

Today on Stateside, how does the right to free speech apply when it comes to the personal Twitter accounts of elected officials? Plus, we hear about how a nationwide shortage of volunteer firefighters is affecting communities in the state.

July 16 A Day to be Reckoned With: this week on the Storyteller's Night Sky

By Mary Stewart Adams • Jul 15, 2019

The Moon will be Full this week on July 16th, a rather peculiar day in history, and one to be reckoned with. Let’s consider:

Attorneys grapple with 'Diminished Capacity' defense for Inman trial

By • Jul 15, 2019
Michigan House of Representatives

State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) is accused of extortion, soliciting a bribe and lying to the FBI. He has plead not guilty to all charges.

The trial is set for August 6 in Grand Rapids.

Prosecutors say Inman texted a lobbyist from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCCM) in June 2018 and offered to vote ‘no’ on a prevailing wage bill if MRCCM and other trade unions would donate more to his campaign.

Jeffrey Epstein tied to Interlochen Center for the Arts

By • Jul 13, 2019

 

Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire financier accused of sex crimes against many young women, visited and donated to Interlochen Center for the Arts. He was a student camper at Interlochen in the late ‘60s.  

 

A spokesperson for ICA says Epstein made contributions to the school and sponsored the building of a visitors cabin on campus.

 

Epstein stayed at that lodge for a week in August, 2000. But the school says there are no accusations against Epstein from current or former students. 

Essay: Meadow

By karen anderson • Jul 12, 2019

I stay in the tent until my husband tells me the coffee is perking. It’s one of the few luxuries available out here in the woods. Slowly, I roll out of my sleeping bag and pull on cold blue jeans. Dick has built a small fire and I drag my canvas chair close to the warmth. 


Prosecutors want Inman trial delayed

By • Jul 11, 2019
Michigan House of Representatives

Prosecutors want to delay the trial of State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) by 30 days in order to prepare for his defense.

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