The Issues
Recent Articles
‘Marquette Ending Hunger’ Group Schedules Events, Thinking About SNAP Benefits, and a Welcome to NMU’s New President
Marquette ‘Ending Hunger’ Group Schedules Events, Thinking About SNAP Benefits, and a Welcome to NMU’s New President. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
Recent Changes in U.P. Employment and Unemployment
Tourism remains the U.P.’s economic lifeline, but rising unemployment and slowing job growth show how vulnerable the region is to national and global shifts.
Balancing Tradition and Technology
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, small-town policing is finding a balance between tradition and technology. From body cameras to drones, U.P. law enforcement agencies have rapidly adopted new tools over the past decade–boosting safety and accountability while navigating questions about privacy, cost, and community trust. Tristin Smith explores how these innovations are reshaping rural policing and what it means for the close-knit communities that define the U.P.
New NMU President Deliberations, Michigan Tech Honored, Pot for Potholes, Great Opportunity for K-12 Students at NMU, & Good News for Michigan Workers
New NMU President Deliberations, Michigan Tech Honored, Pot for Potholes, Great Opportunity for K-12 Students at NMU, & Good News for Michigan Workers. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
Letter to the Editor: Reflections on a Fading American Dream
One reader reflects on a lifetime of hope, progress, and now disillusionment as he answers the question: “Is the American Dream still alive?”
UP Hospital Closes Birthing Unit, Higher Ed Degree Attainment, NMU and MTU Have Fall Enrollment Increases, The American Dream, Turning Point Vigil, and a Letter from the Editor
UP Hospital Closes Birthing Unit, Higher Ed Degree Attainment, NMU and MTU Have Fall Enrollment Increases, The American Dream, Turning Point Vigil, and a Letter from the Editor. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
To Mow or Not to Mow? Marquette’s Changing Lawn Landscape
America’s obsession with manicured lawns—once a status symbol of wealth and order—faces growing backlash over water waste, chemicals, and loss of biodiversity. From “No Mow May” to native plant rebellions, cities like Marquette are seeing a quiet shift toward pollinator-friendly, sustainable yards despite ordinances and HOA rules.
Veterans Day of Caring and Services, Busy Labor Day Around the UP, Copper Mine Status, and Third Grade Reading Scores Down Across State
Veterans Day of Caring and Services, Busy Labor Day Around the UP, Copper Mine Status, and Third Grade Reading Scores Down Across State. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
Canadian Tourists, Boycotts and the Eastern U.P.: An Update on Summer 2025
Canadian tourism to the Eastern U.P. has dropped sharply in 2025 due to tariffs, political tensions, and travel boycotts. Border crossings and tourism-related searches are both down, with Sault Ste. Marie and Chippewa County seeing the biggest impact. Mackinac Island, however, continues to thrive thanks to strong domestic tourism.
The Big Beautiful Act, Medicaid and the Upper Peninsula
The new “Big Beautiful Act” slashes $1 trillion from Medicaid and CHIP, cutting at least 10.5 million people from coverage. For the U.P., this means fewer insured residents, struggling hospitals, job losses, and longer drives for care.
