The Issues
Recent Articles
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.
Blues on the Bay, Housing for Teachers, Federal Cuts to Radio and TV, Possible Hole in Michigan Budget, and Stats from Beyond the UP
Blues on the Bay, Housing for Teachers, Federal Cuts to Radio and TV, Possible Hole in Michigan Budget, and Stats from Beyond the UP. Read this week’s Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
Charging Into the Future: Can EVs Thrive in the UP?
Electric vehicles remain a rare sight in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula due to limited charging infrastructure, cold climate challenges, high vehicle costs, and slow-moving local policy. But with the right investments and political will, EV adoption in the UP could unlock new economic and environmental opportunities for the region.
Calling All Veterans, Public TV and Radio Cuts Felt in UP, School Libraries Facing Loss of Librarians, and Child Care Crisis
Calling All Veterans, Public TV and Radio Cuts Felt in UP, School Libraries Facing Loss of Librarians, and Child Care Crisis. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
President Trump, Canada and the Upper Peninsula
Canadian travel to the U.S. is down sharply in 2025, and border towns like Sault Ste Marie are feeling the impact. Michael Broadway and Joslin Brown’s latest article explores how Trump-era policies are straining one of North America’s closest relationships.
Singapore U.P. Land Purchases, Michigan Population Growth from Immigrants, Government Officials Being Threatened
Singapore U.P. Land Purchases, Michigan Population Growth from Immigrants, and Government Officials Being Threatened. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
NMU Search Process Adds to President Search, K-12 Funding Advocacy Group Formed, New Marquette Campground, and Mackinac Island Ferry Prices Increase
NMU Search Process Adds to President Search, K-12 Funding Advocacy Group Formed, New Marquette Campground, and Mackinac Island Ferry Prices Increase. Read this week’s Rural Whispers, Noise & Rumors by David Haynes.
Bridging Divides: The Ford School’s Resilient Democracies Initiative Encourages Conversations Across Differences
At the University of Michigan, leaders like Jenna Bednar are working to revive civil discourse through respectful dialogue—not debate. The Ford School’s Resilient Democracies initiative and speaker series bring together diverse voices to help students learn how to listen, find common ground, and engage across differences.
