Rural Insights

MSU scandal starts where it should stop: With governing board

John Lindstrom’s article in the Detroit Free Press, “MSU is getting attention for the wrong…

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Michigan Public Policy Survey: UP Local Government Leaders Most Likely to Report Housing Shortages

The Michigan Public Policy Survey recently published a UP-focused piece on housing shortages, based on data from their September 2023 survey.

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Brookings Institution: Public schools heavily rely on women’s labor. Why do they pay female teachers less?

In recognition of Equal Pay Day, The Brookings Institution published a policy brief that summarizes the findings of their recent study investigating gender wage gaps among public school teachers–most notably that male public school teachers earn $2,200 more than their female colleagues of similar contexts and with comparable qualifications.

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Revisiting Our Conversation With Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham, CEO of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham was recently appointed to the NMU Board of Trustees, and so we wanted to revisit the podcast discussion we recorded with her back on November 2021. We think you’ll find it interesting if you haven’t watched or listened yet!

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Chatting with Duane DuRay, Airport Manager at Sawyer International Airport

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Duane DuRay, Airport Manager for Sawyer International Airport–the Upper Peninsula’s largest airport.

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CRC: Growing City Tax Rates Approach Rate Limits

The Citizens Research Council recently released a report that examines how municipal property tax rates have changed from 2004 to 2020. In this article, the Michigan CRC explores the extent to which local governments have approached and surpassed tax rate limits.

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Looking Back: Talking to Gina Thorsen, Stormy Kromer President and Co-Owner

Occasionally we will be republishing transcripts of Rural Insights Podcast episodes we’ve done in the past. Here is a conversation we had with Gina Thorsen, President and Co-Owner of Stormy Kromer, originally published May 17, 2022. If you missed this episode when it was posted originally, you’ll want to check this out!

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Catching Up With Brian Chapman, Sault Ste. Marie City Manager

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Brian Chapman, City Manager for Sault Ste. Marie to catch up on the latest issues surrounding municipal finance and rural government.

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Talking to Gina Thorsen, Stormy Kromer President and Co-Owner

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Gina Thorsen, President and Co-Owner of Stormy Kromer, one of the most well-known and successful UP brands and manufacturers.

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Discussing the New Office of Rural Development with Gary McDowell

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down once again with former U.P. legislator and current director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Gary McDowell to discuss the newly-created Office of Rural Development.

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