Rural Insights

NMU Grads, Young City Leaders: Discussion with Nick Sizeland, Mitch Foster, and Brian Chapman

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Northern Michigan University alumni Nick Sizeland, Mitch Foster, and Brian Chapman to discuss their current roles as young leaders in three Michigan cities and the challenges they are currently facing, and how they are working to overcome those challenges in their respective cities.

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Cybersecurity and Technology in the UP with Lois Ellis, Evan Rice, and Doug Miller

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with several UP leaders to discuss issues relating to technology and cybersecurity in the Upper Peninsula.

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Discussion with Marquette Mayor Jenna Smith and City Commissioner Cody Mayer

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes talks to Marquette Mayor Jenna Smith and City Commissioner Cody Mayer to discuss the challenges currently faced by rural cities like Marquette, and what their thoughts are on where the future is headed for rural cities in the Upper Peninsula.

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Interview with David Jahn, President and CEO of Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David sits down with David Jahn, President and CEO of Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital. In this episode, David discusses healthcare in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and the difficulties that are being faced not just at his facility but in hospitals throughout the UP.

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Interview with Don Wotruba, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Boards

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David sits down with Don Wotruba, UP native and Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Boards, one of Lansing’s biggest educational associations and one of the most powerful in the state.

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Interview with U.P. State Representative Sara Cambensy

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes talks with Sara Cambensy, State Representative for Michigan’s 109th District. Rep. Cambensy talks about some issues affecting the U.P. that the legislature will be working on in the current legislative session, and how rural areas like the U.P. can achieve greater influence in Lansing.

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Discussion with Dickinson County Leaders Lois Ellis, Theresa Caylor, and David Holmes

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes talks with Dickinson County leaders Lois Ellis of the DAEDA, Theresa Caylor of Systems Control, and David Holmes of the Breitung Township School District about the work being done and progress being made between the area’s educational sector and the manufacturing employment base.

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Interview with MDARD Director and Former U.P. Legislator Gary McDowell

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sat down with Gary McDowell, current director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. Gary also served three, two-year terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. He grew up in Rudyard, MI, where he still resides, and is a farmer by trade.

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An Overview of Childcare Costs and Solutions

Rural Insights student researcher Max Steele recently published a new report detailing the costs of childcare in the United States and an overview of some of the main initiatives in place to help ease the burden of high childcare costs for Americans.

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New Report: Hidden Homelessness in the Upper Peninsula

Rural Insights student researcher Max Steele recently published a new report on hidden homelessness in the Upper Peninsula–a problem that varies county-by-county and is a bigger issue than it often appears to be on the surface.

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