Up North Progressive
Politics and commentary for Northern MichiganBlog Archives
When You Don’t Vote on November 7 You Make Special Elections Cry
Monday , 6, November 2017 Candidates, Elections Leave a commentOn Tuesday, November 7, 2017, special elections will be held in Michigan. Only a few regions are electing candidates to fill open seats, but almost all parts of the state have millage elections for schools, 911, libraries, and other municipal services that must be approved by voters to continue. This year, it’s very important that […]
US Court of Appeals Rules to Keep Michigan Wolves on Endangered Species List
Tuesday , 1, August 2017 DNR, Upper Peninsula, Wolf Hunt Leave a commentThe U.S. Court of Appeals ruled today to keep wolves in the Great Lakes on the endangered species list after U.S. Fish and Wildlife ruled enough animals lived in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota to remove them from the list in 2011. In 2014, a Federal Judge put them back on the endangered species list after […]
Democratic Party Primary Election for District 109 State Legislature Seat Set for August 8, 2017
Saturday , 22, July 2017 Candidates, Elections 2 CommentsThe election scheduled for August 8, 2017 will provide voters an opportunity to make their voices heard on local issues in many Michigan counties. In the state house 1st and 109th districts, primary elections for new state representatives will take place. Former District 109 State Representative John Kivela died on May 9, 2017 after committing […]
Kalkaska Village Council Special Meeting Set for July 19, 2017
Saturday , 15, July 2017 Community, Kalkaska 1 CommentThe Kalkaska Village Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, to discuss the economic impact of Village President Jeff Sieting’s social media hate speech on area businesses. Sieting’s support of Trump and his calls for genocide against a religious faith are not the first time racist speech or actions came to […]
Kalkaska Village President Tells His Constituents He Won’t Resign for Hate Speech: Residents Fearful for Reputation of their Town
Friday , 14, July 2017 Community, Sad! Leave a commentRecently, Up North Progressive visited the fine town of Kalkaska, Michigan, home of the really big fish – a welcome sign from childhood years signaling we were almost to Grandma’s house. The residents work hard to maintain a positive reputation as a community where people will want to visit as they travel up north. After […]
New Grand Traverse Academy Parent Organization Now Accepting Non-Tax Deductible Donations
Tuesday , 4, July 2017 Dr. Ingersoll, Section 16 1 CommentThe Traverse City Record-Eagle reports a new parent organization to help for-profit charter school Grand Traverse Academy formed recently with the mission statement: To establish and develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parental involvement, as well as grow and nurture a close relationship between parents, teachers, and students to support the […]
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Finally) Admits there are Cougars in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Thursday , 29, June 2017 DNR Leave a commentThe Michigan DNR confirmed there are cougars in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan today, releasing a photograph of the large cat strolling through a Clinton County neighborhood. This is not the first sighting of cougars in the Lower Peninsula, but it is the first time the DNR admitted it. The Michigan DNR to date confirmed […]
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Publicity: How Trump and Gumball Machines Spark a Huge Protest in Kalkaska
Saturday , 24, June 2017 Sad!, Trumpenreich 5 CommentsThis is Jeff Sieting. He’s the Village President of Kalkaska, Michigan. This pure up north town is known for trout fishing. They celebrate the sport with a giant trout fountain on Main Street. Jeff Sieting owns the Hotel Sieting across the street from the fountain. He’s worked hard for the village making things better, and […]
GEO Group Files Statement With the State of Michigan North Lake Correctional Facility Will Close For Good on June 20, 2017
Tuesday , 25, April 2017 Community 1 CommentTwo years ago North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Michigan, opened its doors to receive out-of-state prisoners from Vermont and Washington State. On April 19, 2017, the prison filed notice with the State of Michigan it would permanently close on June 20, 2017, laying off 107 employees due to non-renewal of the client contract. Of […]