The Urban Collaboratory’s work includes a focus on community water systems and health impacts related to contaminants like microplastics and PFAS.

Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Public health focus on the built environment improves health for Michiganders

Rylee BarnsdaleTuesday, January 14, 2025

Public health and infrastructure go hand in hand, as organizations across Michigan work to address the built environment's critical role in shaping health outcomes.

Feature Story

Community Development

Beyond books: Libraries in the U.P. and rural Michigan expand services

Rosemary Parker | UPword StaffWednesday, January 8, 2025

It's not just about books at libraries. Libraries in the U.P. and across rural Michigan have expanded their services to meet the needs of their communities. Those services range from costume and tool rentals to household repairs to Notary needs.

Feature Story

Snowmobiles line up outside the Bear Trap restaurant in Van Meer,

Economic Development

Winter tourism bounces back in the U.P.

Brice BurgeWednesday, January 8, 2025

With heavier than usual snowfalls early in the season, outdoor recreation businesses, hotels and restaurants in the U.P. are upbeat about winter tourism.

Feature Story

Dr. Rehab (Ruby) Alhajjar is the founder of FlowShield-Nano and holds a doctorate in biological sciences, specializing in water microbiology and nanotechnology, from Michigan Technological University.

Entrepreneurship

Houghton entrepreneur develops real-time monitoring of water contaminants

UPword StaffWednesday, December 18, 2024

A Houghton startup has developed a prototype of a monitoring device that can test for contaminants in water and beverages in real time.

Feature Story

Advanced Motorsports student analyzes data on computer.

Kids and Education

Enterprise program connects students with industry

Jennifer DonovanWednesday, December 18, 2024

The Enterprise Program at Michigan Technology University teams students with companies and industries to help them build skills and gain real-world experience for future jobs.

Feature Story

Arts and Culture

NMU's Wildcat Willy extends paw to South Dakota

Brice BurgeWednesday, December 11, 2024

What's in a logo? Everything. Northern Michigan University found a positive solution to work out a copyright infringement with a South Dakota school that had unknowingly used the university's familiar Wildcats logo.

Feature Story

Arts and Culture

4-H art exchange program connects U.P. and rural Michigan students with China and beyond

Dawn KempWednesday, December 11, 2024

School children in the U.P. and across rural Michigan have been exchanging their artwork with students in China and elsewhere. Thanks to the Michigan 4-H China Project, students don't have to travel across the globe to gain cultural awareness.

Longform

The program reduced postpartum depression by 50% among participants.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

MSU public health researchers seek to expand successful preventive postpartum depression program

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, December 10, 2024

ROSE program trains expectant mothers on how roles and relationships change postpartum and teaches assertiveness skills so expectant mothers can ask for the support they need.

Feature Story

Economic Development

NCAA extends partnership with U.P.-based court provider

UPword StaffWednesday, December 4, 2024

Connor Sports, the U.P. company responsible for the intricate arena floors for the Final Four and other championship games, has officially extended its partnership with the NCAA.

Feature Story

A Feeding America truck delivers food in Northern Michigan.

Healthy Communities

Groups work to address food needs in the U.P.

Jennifer DonovanWednesday, December 4, 2024

With concerns about food insecurity on the rise, organizations in the U.P. and across Michigan are working to provide local food and support food distributions.

Partner Content

Healthy Communities

One Hospital, One CommunityMyMichigan Medical Center Sault expands medical access while maintaining community-centered focus

Gabrielle HaidererWednesday, December 4, 2024

MyMichigan Medical Center Sault recently received the Governor’s Award of Excellence, among other recognitions, for its impact and contributions to the health of the community. Looking forward to the next 100 years of serving the community, the hospital is expanding medical access and making care more convenient for locals.

Feature Story

The EO Canopy is fully powered by sustainable sources and is being tested in a remote area of the U.P.

Technology and Innovation

Five promising Michigan startups get backing from the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund

UPword StaffWednesday, November 20, 2024

The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund's second round of investments support five innovative startups looking to change the way we enjoy the outdoors and more.

Feature Story

Technology and Innovation

Stormy Kromer uses U.P.-grown wool to create new cap

Jason M. KarelWednesday, November 20, 2024

Two of the U.P.'s family-owned heritage brands have come together to create a limited-edition cap, crafted from wool produced in the Upper Peninsula.

Feature Story

Houghton's waterfront before the improvements were made.

Community Development

What does Houghton mean to you?

UPword StaffWednesday, November 13, 2024

Houghton is tapping residents, visitors and others to help in branding the city with an official logo and perhaps a motto. The city has long used the image of a miner as a logo, honoring Houghton's mining past.

Feature Story

Economic Development

Copper Peak moves closer to return of competition

RIch JenkinsWednesday, November 13, 2024

Renovations are expected to begin in the spring at Copper Peak, a ski flying hill that once attracted international athletes. Advocates hope to bring international competitions and visitors back to the famed tower in the western U.P.

Feature Story

The calendar has reminded residents of how large the art community is and events like the Range Art Tour.

Community Development

Free online calendar brings together rural Michigan and Wisconsin towns

Michelle Miron Wednesday, November 6, 2024

A free online event calendar draws people together in the rural communities along a river dividing the western Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin.

Feature Story

Technology and Innovation

Game developer with U.P. connections gets major funding for new launch

UPword StaffWednesday, November 6, 2024

Co-founded by a Marquette native, a video game developer recently received major funding to launch new, action-packed game called Sparkball.

Feature Story

Economic Development

Grants help lumber company upgrade, protect jobs

Rosemary Parker Wednesday, October 30, 2024

A lumbering operation in Houghton County will remain intact and receive some upgrades, thanks to state and federal grants. The improvements also will help retain 85 high-paying jobs.

Feature Story

The second floor of the former bank in Manistique is being turned into apartments.

Economic Development

A small but important step in housing

UPword StaffWednesday, October 30, 2024

The former Manistique Bank is being transformed into commercial and residential space. A recent Build MI Community Grant Initiative will help fund renovation of the second floor into residential apartments.

Longform

Jae Gerhart, manager of farm programs for Trinity Health Ann Arbor, at The Farm at Trinity Health in Ypsilanti. The Farm offers a produce prescription program for those who struggle to afford healthy food.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Medicaid funding could expand and sustain Michigan's produce prescription programs

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 24, 2024

Michigan is seeking approval for a new funding structure that could use Medicaid dollars to pay for programs that offer "prescriptions" for free fresh fruits and vegetables.

Load More Stories