https://www.wcmu.org/northern-michigan-journalism-project A reporting project made up of new outlets from across the region, led by Bridge Michigan and Interlochen Public Radio, and funded by Press Forward Northern Michigan. en-US Copyright Tue, 05 May 2026 21:16:54 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-05-05/northern-michigans-wine-growing-region-adapts-to-a-changing-climate Grape growers are planting hybrid grapes that can withstand colder temperatures, irrigating their vines rather than relying on natural rainfall and turning to new strategies to ensure healthy soil. Tue, 05 May 2026 21:16:54 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-05-05/northern-michigans-wine-growing-region-adapts-to-a-changing-climate Miles MacClure, for the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-27/watch-michigan-corrections-officers-reach-breaking-point-amid-staffing-crisis A years-long staffing shortage has turned 16-hour mandatory shifts into a daily reality for corrections officers in Michigan's prison system, impacting the safety and wellbeing of nearly everyone inside prison walls. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:11:21 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-27/watch-michigan-corrections-officers-reach-breaking-point-amid-staffing-crisis Jamie Mankiewicz https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-27/michigan-not-alone-in-prison-crisis-theres-no-one-silver-bullet Michigan has tried raises, bonuses, and prison safety initiatives, but nothing has moved the needle on corrections officers vacancies. No state has found a lasting solution. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:10:39 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-27/michigan-not-alone-in-prison-crisis-theres-no-one-silver-bullet Claire Keenan-Kurgan https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-27/michigan-prisons-in-a-death-spiral-as-officer-vacancies-overtime-pile-up Things are especially dire in the Upper Peninsula, where a quarter of prisoners are housed but nearly three-fourths of staff assaults happen and as many as 1 in 3 positions are open. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:10:12 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-27/michigan-prisons-in-a-death-spiral-as-officer-vacancies-overtime-pile-up Mardi Link, For the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-01/family-of-michigan-ice-detainee-offers-mutual-aid-for-fellow-immigrants After their father was detained at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, two sisters from Grand Rapids committed to helping other detainees. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:49:30 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-01/family-of-michigan-ice-detainee-offers-mutual-aid-for-fellow-immigrants Jacob Wheeler, Glen Arbor Sun https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-03-23/northern-michigan-school-goes-no-screens-to-boost-literacy-is-it-the-right-approach Elementary students in Mesick Consolidated Schools will no longer be using computers in the classroom as the district shifts gears towards a focus on literacy education. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:20:01 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-03-23/northern-michigan-school-goes-no-screens-to-boost-literacy-is-it-the-right-approach Daniel Schoenherr, Cadillac News https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-03-06/township-keeps-zoning-blocking-trustees-gravel-mine-may-amend-mining-rules The effort to repeal zoning rules was spearheaded by Marv Rubingh, a township board member who is trying to gain approval for a gravel mine on his property. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:31:39 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-03-06/township-keeps-zoning-blocking-trustees-gravel-mine-may-amend-mining-rules Austin Rowlader https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-03-03/northern-michigan-township-set-to-vote-on-abolishing-zoning-laws A longtime resident of Banks Township in northwest Michigan's Antrim County is seeking approval to build a 183-acre gravel mine on his property. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:39:07 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-03-03/northern-michigan-township-set-to-vote-on-abolishing-zoning-laws David Nicholas, Austin Rowlader https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-02-18/new-michigan-program-aims-to-help-farms-continue-by-connecting-buyers-with-sellers Michigan has lost thousands of farms in recent years as farmers retire or sell their land. A new program connects aspiring farmers with farmers looking to retire so those farms might continue. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:08:05 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-02-18/new-michigan-program-aims-to-help-farms-continue-by-connecting-buyers-with-sellers Miles MacClure, for the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-01-16/trump-weather-balloon-cuts-have-michigan-meteorologists-debating-forecasts Workforce cuts made by the Trump administration at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are prompting meteorologists to debate the reliability of weather predictions. Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:10:03 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-01-16/trump-weather-balloon-cuts-have-michigan-meteorologists-debating-forecasts Austin Rowlader, Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative