3/24/2026

ONTONAGON COUNTY – A Citizen Journalist in Ontonagon County wanting more transparency from local government started recording and posting meetings online, but is getting some pushback. A man from Carp Lake in Ontonagon County is gaining attention for his grassroots effort to record and publish local government meetings online to promote greater public transparency. “Willie” began recording township meetings and uploading them to YouTube because accessible information was lacking. While his efforts increased engagement, they also have caused tension. Bergland Township officials recently adopted restrictive recording rules after Willie started filming their meetings, which Willie claims violated Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. Advocates see Willie’s work as citizen journalism filling a void left by declining traditional media.

3/24/2026

N. WISCONSIN – Spring is technically here and the Open Water fishing season is almost here.  Be aware of some changes the DNR has implemented.  Traditionally, Northern Wisconsin Musky season has begun on Memorial Day weekend. This year, the DNR has moved that date to the first Saturday in May.  The musky season will begin statewide on May 2.  About 67,000 muskies are harvested every year with many catching and releasing their catch.   

3/24/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - For high school seniors, college application season can be stressful, but for students in rural communities, the challenges can involve more than deadlines and essays. Experts say rural students face a range of challenges when trying to continue their education after graduation. Sheneka Williams, a professor at Michigan State University, specializes in rural education. She says one major issue is that students in small communities are often overlooked in the recruitment process.

                    0:12  "Particularly big state institutions, or highly selective institutions. They are not necessarily doing a deep dive to try and recruit the rural student."

National data reveal about one in five public school students across the nation attend a rural school. Research shows about 90-percent of rural students graduate high school, compared to roughly 82-percent of urban students, but fewer go on to enroll in college.