Up North Lowdown

This week, we check in with our environment and climate reporters about two big northern Michigan stories, with significant updates on both. We also speak with filmmaker Rich Brauer about his "Dogman" series of movies and the magic of cinema. And a local musician is about to tour with a superstar.

A business in Empire puts energy improvements on hold amid a federal funding freeze. We hear your thoughts on the next four years. And the alligator under the bed.

Why a Leelanau County township's cease-and-desist notice had little effect on the use of sewage as farm fertilizer. We'll also hear about the competitive race to get kids registered for a summer camp in Traverse City, and what it says about child care in northern Michigan. And we talk with author Howard Lovy about his debut novel — partly set at Interlochen in the mid-1980s.

As Traverse City's airport expands, officials see an opportunity to address climate change. Also, the difficulty of tracking how opioid settlement dollars are spent. We'll hear how an old asylum in Traverse City inspired a new novel. And we meet the journalist behind a newsletter that's by, for and about the Indigenous people of Michigamiing (Michigan).

This week we have three conversations we think you need to hear.A lawsuit against Benzie County in federal court alleges that sheriff’s deputies could have prevented a murder. We hear from the victim’s son, who is bringing the case.And, federal job cuts hit close to home. A conversation with a Cadillac woman who lost her job at the Forest Service.Also, in his career as a freelance trumpeter, Interlochen alumnus Aaron Smith has played for TV and film, in the pit orchestras of national touring musicals, even backed up Beyonce. Now, he’s talking to us about his career. And, the tragic turkeys of Suttons Bay.That's all this week on the Up North Lowdown from Interlochen Public Radio.

Our stories this week are about finding community. Come with us to Death Club, a gathering of people in Traverse City who meet to talk about loss — and to find human connections and maybe even joy along the way.We'll also preview Sauna Fest, which begins Feb. 28. The organizers say they're hoping to bring together an increasing number of sauna enthusiasts in our region and maybe even appeal to some skeptics.Plus, spend a few moments learning from a local teacher who just brought home a top national honor.

Much of the money for wildlife management at Michigan's Department of Natural Resources comes from people paying for hunting and fishing licenses. But the system might not hold up much longer. We'll also try our hand at the card game "Spitzer," a northeast Michigan classic with a dedicated band of folks trying to keep it alive. And we hear from Matthew Fletcher, whose new collection of short stories, "Stick Houses" draws on his own life experiences to dispel stereotypes about Indigenous people.