Up North Lowdown

John James Witherspoon was 28 when he died while fighting Russian forces in January of 2025. His remains were recently released and returned to the United States.

Today, we have two stories about how we use ice — from temporary caves along Lake Michigan to 'cryofarming' in the Upper Peninsula.

Michigan has designs on making the state a hub for "geologic hydrogen." IPR climate solutions reporter Vivian La dug deep into what this potential clean fuel source is and why Michigan might be a pretty good place to look for it right under our feet.

As far as anyone knows, there's no data center eager to locate in Hayes Township, north of Charlevoix. Still, community officials have imposed a 180-day moratorium on such projects. Why?

Michigan is losing farms. Farmers are retiring and there are fewer people to take over their work. A new program wants to change that by acting as sort of a matchmaker.

Every four years, everyone goes crazy over curling. It shows up in the Olympic Games, which seems to give it a boost in popularity (at least in the countries where it's not already popular). And, since the games get underway tonight, we sent Austin Rowlader out on the sheet at the Traverse City Curling Club, to see what all the hype is about.

Data centers, and how to regulate them. Plus, Michigan moves toward lifting the ban on deer baiting in the lower peninsula.