Our POLITICS + POLICY category provides users with an extensive list of articles dealing with past, present, and future issues relating to politics and policy throughout the UP.

Recently Published

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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Covid 19 and Population Change in the Upper Peninsula 2020-2021

Michael Broadway takes a look at the effect Covid-19 has had on population in the Upper Peninsula from 2020 to 2021 using data from the Census Bureau, and discusses the conclusions that can be drawn from this data.

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Mandatory National Service

What does it mean to be an American citizen? Should public service be required of…

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The Upper Peninsula’s Food Price Premium

Higher food and gas prices are part of the cost of living in a remote area, and the latest food price increases have only added to those costs. This article illustrates the added price premium that UP residents in remote areas pay for basic food items by examining the total cost of 13 commonly-purchased food items, and the impact dollar stores have had on availability of healthy food choices.

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A Conversation with Steve Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at NMU

In the latest episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down to chat with Steve Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Northern Michigan University. Topics covered include NMU’s search for a new President, and the various challenges facing higher education and how the board and NMU is addressing those challenges.

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