Features

Feature Story Houghton city officials and beautification committee members pose with the trophy from the Michigan Municipal League.

Houghton's waterfront 'vision' earns honors from Michigan Municipal League

Houghton is the second U.P. community to earn the Community Excellence Award from the Michigan Municipal League. The Keweenaw Peninsula city was honored for the transformation of its waterfront and improved connections to the downtown and the community.

Feature Story miners

Art installation revives human presence at Quincy Mine

The stories of the miners and their families have largely faded from the mines of the Keweenaw Peninsula. But a new art installation at Quincy Mine aims to change that, reviving a human presence at the historical site.

Partner Content bucksporthopediner

Marquette-based Northern Initiatives helps rural entrepreneurs build businesses, community

Founded in Marquette and now working throughout the state, Northern Initiatives helps underserved rural entrepreneurs realize their business dreams. The nonprofit lender helped Port Hope Diner in the Thumb. Efforts in the U.P. include the newly opened Red Hen Foods and Goods in Nisula.  

Feature Story Local public health works alongside families.

U.P. campaign affirms “Local Public Health Cares”

The six Michigan health departments covering the whole Upper Peninsula teamed up to promote the importance of public health in their communities and raise awareness about the many services they provide.

Feature Story jeansbakerydisplaycase

Mother-daughter team mix the right ingredients in their Menominee bakery and cake shop

After years of baking cakes as a side business, Jean Moran teamed with her daughter to open their own bakery in Menominee. Jean's Cakes & Bakery sells cakes, scones, bread and more.

Feature Story marquettetrails

The trail to sustainabilityMarquette County aims to preserve and maintain trail network

A coalition of trail users and others have come together to create a strategic plan to maintain and protect Marquette County's 900 miles of non-motorized recreation trails.

Feature Story sunrisephotographer

Capturing the sunrise: A Marquette photographer's years-long mission

Bugsy Sailor has taken a photo of the sunrise every morning of every day for nearly six years straight. In 2019, he started the Year of the Sunrise project, and today has a gallery of photos on display online, and at his store, the Upper Peninsula Supply Co.   

Feature Story The view of Lake Superior from Takka

Finnish tradition coming to Hancock

The success of a public sauna at Fresh Coast Cabins near Eagle Harbor has prompted the owners to open another -- in Hancock. Takka Saunas, the first public sauna in Hancock, is slated to begin welcoming guests in mid-October.

Feature Story The Autonomous Surface Vessel en route to Lake Superior.

Autonomous vessel to map the Great LakesBut first it will solve Lake Superior mystery

The Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University this week launched its Autonomous Surface Vessel. The unmanned vessel will map the Great Lakes and help answer decades-old questions involving the whereabouts of more than 200 unaccounted for shipwrecks and plane crashes in Lake Superior. 

Feature Story marquetterendering

Community welcomes Seven Grandfather Teachings to Marquette’s waterfront

Marquette unveils Seven Grandfather Teachings, a sculpture honoring the region's Indigenous past and a centerpiece of the City Shoreline Cultural Trail.

Longform Danielle Atkinson, founder and national director of Mothering Justice, has been instrumental in advocating for paid leave in Michigan.

Paid sick leave and family leave are moving forward in Michigan. Here's what's next.

For more than a decade, Michigan advocacy groups and some legislators have been working to expand paid leave from work for Michiganders – and this year, their efforts are paying off in two major ways.

Feature Story Media participated in a ride on the electrified trail in June.

What's it like riding the U.P.'s electrified trails?

The U.P. is home to the country's first-of-its-kind electrified trail network, allowing off-road vehicle enthusiasts the opportunity to explore 125 miles of the countryside without having to worry about charging. What's it like to ride this trail on an electric ORV? Is this the future of ORVs?  

Feature Story marquetterendering

Marquette honors its Indigenous roots with a sculpture

Marquette honors its indigenous past with the unveiling next week of a sculpture, Seven Grandfather Teachings, by Anishinaabe artist Jason Quigno. 

Feature Story An apartment balcony using mass timber.

Mass Timber Construction: Improving forest land use in the U.P.

Mass timber construction promises many economic benefits for the U.P., improving the use of the region’s vast forests while creating jobs for residents, environmental protection, and economic growth for timber, wood products and construction industry.

Feature Story marquettetrails

Central U.P. studies potential of electric trails

Interest in electric recreational trails continues to grow in the U.P. The Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development and Innovate Marquette SmartZone are pursuing an electrified trails feasibility study for the central U.P.

Feature Story The comfortable meeting room at 1Q1.

Co-working spaces support remote work -- and quieter lifestyle -- in U.P. and beyond

Looking for a remote place to work? Considers one of these co-working spaces in the U.P. and beyond. These spaces are ideal for solo work and also to collaborate with others. The amenities include more than an endless supply of coffee.

Feature Story hatcherieswork

A hit with anglers, U.P. fish hatcheries reel in tourists, too

It's been a successful fish stocking season for the Upper Peninsula and Michigan. Three U.P hatcheries contributed to that success and are luring anglers and visitors curious about the operations.

Special Report marquettewaterfront

Marquette Rising: Outdoor recreation and intentional development fuel growth

With an abundance of outdoor recreation assets, including a spectacular Lake Superior shoreline, and thoughtful downtown development, Marquette is among the small cities across the upper Midwest experiencing population growth. 

Feature Story Downtown Ironwood.

Ironwood: A community ready for redevelopment

Located in the far-flung western U.P., Ironwood is a city poised for redevelopment, recently earning a Redevelopment Ready Community designation from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Feature Story Chef Alexandria Palzewicz in her kitchen.

A Marquette chef's journey to transform local food systems

Barrel + Beam’s Northwoods Test Kitchen has gained a reputation for using sustainable and locally sourced food. Now, thanks to a grant, the popular eatery and brewery is expanding access to locally grown food.

Development News

Second phase of Soo Locks project completed


Birondo named executive director of The Rozsa Center


Billerud taps Schwartz as North American leader


Houghton wins MML Community Excellence Award


Northern Initiatives helps business become 'Climate Resilient'


Enrollment rises at NMU, Michigan Tech


Michigan program seeks proposals to help stop invasive species


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