https://www.wcmu.org/tags/rural-michigan Rural Michigan en-US Copyright Fri, 17 Apr 2026 23:34:30 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-17/michigan-feared-cheboygan-dam-danger-for-years-before-rains-pushed-it-to-brink Records show that federal officials failed for years to force repairs at a hydro plant connected to the Cheboygan Dam. ‘This was not handled properly,’ a county commissioner says. The county sheriff blames private ownership: ‘There’s only so much we can do.’ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 23:34:30 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-17/michigan-feared-cheboygan-dam-danger-for-years-before-rains-pushed-it-to-brink Paula Gardner, Kelly House, Ron French https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-08/urgent-care-clinics-move-to-fill-abortion-care-gaps-in-rural-michigan When the only clinic that offered abortions in Michigan’s rural Upper Peninsula closed, an urgent care facility stepped in to fill the gap. Now, others are considering similar moves as brick-and-mortar clinics close in blue states. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:31:49 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-08/urgent-care-clinics-move-to-fill-abortion-care-gaps-in-rural-michigan Kate Wells, KFF Health News https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-07/ice-storm-recovery-may-take-a-lifetime-for-michigan-farmers Northern Michigan farmers are still dealing with the damages after last years devastating ice storm. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:15:11 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-07/ice-storm-recovery-may-take-a-lifetime-for-michigan-farmers Emma George-Griffin https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-03/new-scholarship-targeted-to-help-high-schoolers-in-rural-michigan The Michigan Democratic Party's Rural Caucus is launching a scholarship program to help students in rural areas attend college and trade school. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:22:20 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-03/new-scholarship-targeted-to-help-high-schoolers-in-rural-michigan Emma George-Griffin https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-02-20/emma-george-griffin-joins-wcmu-reporting-staff George-Griffin is WCMU's new rural life & agriculture reporter. The Mount Pleasant native returns home after graduating from Michigan State University and working for WDET, the Detroit Free Press and Eye On Michigan. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:32:18 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-02-20/emma-george-griffin-joins-wcmu-reporting-staff Tina Sawyer, Emma George-Griffin https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-02-12/why-michigans-rural-residents-are-reluctant-to-drive-electric-vehicles New U-M survey finds only about 5% of rural Michigan residents say they would choose an electric vehicle as their next car. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-02-12/why-michigans-rural-residents-are-reluctant-to-drive-electric-vehicles Bauyrzhan Zhaxylkov, Capital News Service https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-11-18/shortage-of-rural-doctors-wont-end-anytime-soon-report-says For at least the next dozen years, rural areas will continue to have only about two-thirds of the primary care physicians they need, according to a report released Monday. Tue, 18 Nov 2025 22:28:11 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-11-18/shortage-of-rural-doctors-wont-end-anytime-soon-report-says Nada Hassanein, Stateline https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-10-21/michigans-rural-flights-to-continue-despite-federal-shutdown-for-now The federal essential air service program subsidizes airlines that serve low-traffic rural airports. Amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, essential air service funding is set to expire in early November. Airlines providing essential air service said they would continue flying even if funding expires. Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:39:38 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-10-21/michigans-rural-flights-to-continue-despite-federal-shutdown-for-now Justin A. Hinkley https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-05-07/state-data-says-michigan-needs-about-400-more-dentists-to-meet-demand WCMU's David Nicholas spoke with Bridge Michigan's Justin Hinkley about his reporting on the shortage of dentists and how it impacts rural areas up north. Wed, 07 May 2025 21:35:25 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-05-07/state-data-says-michigan-needs-about-400-more-dentists-to-meet-demand David Nicholas, Justin A. Hinkley https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-09-05/tim-walz-discusses-rural-issues-housing-and-drug-prices On Thursday, the Democratic Party's nominee for vice president Tim Walz spoke to WCMU about issues impacting rural Michiganders, and residents across the state. Thu, 05 Sep 2024 23:00:53 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-09-05/tim-walz-discusses-rural-issues-housing-and-drug-prices Alvin (AJ) Jones