Marquette Area Public Schools is proposing a $60 million bond to address urgent building repairs, improve safety, and modernize learning spaces across all district schools. Eric Smith argues that this plan focuses on cost-effective renovations—not replacements—to enhance student learning environments, ensure accessibility, and invest in the region’s future workforce.
More Articles
What it Means to Be a Citizen of the United States of America (Part 3 of 3)
Barry Kaye concludes his analysis of what it means to be an American citizen in Part Three of this series.
A chance to reclaim your state government
Tom Watkins wrote in Michigan Advance recently about the need for a Constitutional Convention in Michigan.
Rural Voices
Global Service from Upper Peninsula Roots: Talking to Karen Ogle About Her Foreign Service Career
In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Karen Ogle, a Marquette native who has carved out a distinguished career in the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Service.
Diplomatic Paths: From Marquette to the World with Robert Hilton
In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Robert Hilton, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army and a Marquette native with a storied international career.
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The Issues
More From Our Articles
Zero Migration: Implications for the U.P.
New analysis highlights how strict immigration policies and declining birth rates are reshaping population trends—especially in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. With more deaths than births and fewer immigrants arriving, long-term population decline and labor shortages may pose serious economic challenges for the region and beyond.
What it Means to Be a Citizen of the United States of America (Part 2 of 3)
What does it mean to be a U.S. citizen? Barry Kaye continues his discussion around this question in Part 2 of 3 in this series.
Michigan Political Parties Holding Nominating Conventions, and Some Trivia
Michigan Political Parties Holding Nominating Conventions, and Some Trivia. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
Research
Assessing Socioeconomic Trends and Disparities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: A County-by-County Analysis
We occasionally publish research by NMU students, and this article is an…
Earned Income Tax Credit: Max Steele’s Analysis
Rural areas have several demographic components that lend themselves to having a…
Recent Population Changes in the U.P. Amidst the Pandemic
The population dynamics of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are well documented. Its population,…
Boom and Bust: Calumet and Keweenaw National Historical Park 30 Years On
Many communities throughout the Upper Peninsula have developed their sense of place…
Survey Shows Diversity of NMU’s Student Veterans
Diversity is something that members of America’s armed forces inadvertently come to…