Big Fish and Gray Skies
2024-02-20
Great Lakes muskellunge, optimizing solar panels for snow, and another short winter.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/02/big-fish-and-gray-skies/
Waves of Change: Meet Wisconsin Green Muslims founder and director Huda Alkaff
2024-01-29
Waves of Change is a new online interview series highlighting the diverse faces and perspectives shaping the environmental justice movement throughout the Great Lakes region.
This month, we spoke with Huda Alkaff, an ecologist, environmental educator and the founder and director of Wisconsin Green Muslims. The group’s work touches a variety of climate issues, including renewable energy.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/01/waves-of-change-meet-wisconsin-green-muslims-founder-and-director-huda-alkaff/
Buried Relics and Falling Water – Episode 2401
2024-01-23
A Great Lakes archeological dig site and power generation along the Niagara River.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/01/buried-relics-and-falling-water-episode-2401/
Surf and Slide – Episode 2203 Rebroadcast
2024-01-02
Sailing on ice, Lake Ontario winter surfing and three Lake Michigan news stories.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/01/surf-and-slide-episode-2203-rebroadcast/
Great Lakes Now sits down with director of Flint water crisis film “Lead and Copper”
2023-12-22
William Hart, director of a documentary about the Flint water crisis called “Lead and Copper,” joined Great Lakes Now’s Anna Sysling for a discussion about the film.
The small team began producing the film in 2016, and with the 10-year anniversary of the beginning of the crisis coming up in April 2024, Hart said they wanted to get it out and ready to screen around that time.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/12/great-lakes-now-sits-down-with-director-of-flint-water-crisis-film-lead-and-copper/
Waves of Change: Meet Executive Directer Alicia Smith
2023-11-28
Waves of Change is a new online interview series highlighting the diverse faces and perspectives shaping the environmental justice movement throughout the Great Lakes region.
This month, we spoke with Alicia Smith, executive director of the Junction Coalition, a community nonprofit based in Toledo, Ohio made up of four pillars of justice: Environmental, Social, Economic and Peace Education.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/11/waves-of-change-meet-exec-director-alicia-smith/
Rivers of Water and Sand – Episode 2311
2023-11-21
Explore Indiana’s shoreline erosion dilemma and Michigan dam removal efforts.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/11/rivers-of-water-and-sand-episode-2311/
Waves of Change: Meet herbalist and forager Monica Cady
2023-10-30
Waves of Change is a new online interview series highlighting the diverse faces and perspectives shaping the environmental justice movement throughout the Great Lakes region.
This month, we spoke with Monica Cady, a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa who is a forager and herbalist living in Hessel, Michigan — a place that is part of her tribe’s ancestral homelands in what is now known as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/10/waves-of-change-meet-herbalist-and-forager-monica-cady/
Waves of Change: Community organizer Justin Onwenu
2023-09-25
Waves of Change is a new series all about highlighting the diverse faces involved in the environmental justice movement throughout the Great Lakes region.
The first guest in our inaugural episode of Waves of Change is Justin Onwenu, an organizer with extensive experience in environmental organizing, specifically protecting the water and air quality for people living in and around Detroit.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/09/waves-of-change-community-organizer-justin-onwenu/
eFoiling and Unpaid Bills – Episode 2307
2023-07-25
An encore presentation of stories about eFoiling, water infrastructure, and The Catch.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/efoiling-and-unpaid-bills-episode-2307/
The TED Countdown Summit is coming to Detroit
2023-06-29
TED wants to bring Detroit to the world and the world to Detroit. As the city at the heart of the automotive industry grappling with building a sustainable future, Detroit was a deliberate choice for this year’s Countdown Summit.
This invite-only gathering will take place from July 11-14 in Michigan Central, the Fillmore Detroit and other locations around the city.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/ted-countdown-summit-is-coming-to-detroit/
A Better Future – Episode 2306
2023-06-20
A community fights for a cleaner future, creatively tackling food waste, and The Catch.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/a-better-future-episode-2306/
Freighter Madness – Episode 2305
2023-05-23
Breaking down an old Great Lakes freighter and feeding a giant freighter’s crew.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/freighter-madness-episode-2305/
The Catch: National PFAS limits
2023-05-11
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a story about national regulations on PFAS.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/the-catch-national-pfas-limits/
Maple Syrup and Storing Energy – Episode 2304
2023-04-18
Climate change impacts maple syrup and a Toronto company’s push toward renewable power.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/04/maple-syrup-and-storing-energy-episode-2304/
Sustainability and fighting climate change with University of Michigan President Santa Ono
2023-04-04
Join Great Lakes Now Wednesday, Apr. 5 at 12 p.m. for a conversation on sustainability and fighting climate change with University of Michigan President Santa Ono.
Ono has put sustainability and fighting climate change among the top priorities for his administration. In addition to several programs and initiatives that are being expanded or developed, the university is serving as the lead institution for the University Climate Change Coaltion that convenes 23 leading North American universities to work toward climate action on campus, in communities, and at a global scale.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/04/sustainabilityfightingclimatechangeono/
Fading Stars and River Bugs – Episode 2303
2023-03-21
Citizen scientists chart the night sky, measure the health of a river and The Catch.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/03/fading-stars-and-river-bugs-episode-2303/
Ice Climbing and Offshore Wind – Episode 2302
2023-02-21
Ice climbing in northern Michigan and a controversial wind energy project on Lake Erie.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/02/ice-climbing-and-offshore-wind-episode-2302/
Smart Sewers and Sunken Aircraft – Episode 2301
2023-01-23
A high-tech solution for sewage and recovering WWII aircraft from Lake Michigan.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/01/smart-sewers-and-sunken-aircraft-episode-2301/
Shrinking Winter Update: Researching ice coverage, documenting Great Lakes life
2022-12-29
In “Shrinking Winter,” scientists work to understand the causes and potential effects of less ice cover on the Great Lakes, a documentary photographer and three longtime ice anglers reflect on changes to the winter fishing season, and a competitive speed skater reflects on the joys of “wild ice.”
This episode originally aired in February and was one of the team’s favorites this year, so we brought it back around for the holiday season with updates.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/shrinking-winter-update-ice-coverage-great-lakes-life/
Shrinking Winter – Episode 2202 Rebroadcast
2022-12-21
The science of shrinking ice coverage, Great Lakes ice fishing and skating on wild ice.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/shrinking-winter-episode-2202-rebroadcast/
The Catch: Meet the author behind “Nibi Chronicles”
2022-12-20
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a conversation with Staci Lola Drouillard, a new Great Lakes Now contributor.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/the-catch-meet-the-author-behind-nibi-chronicles/
The Catch: Robots Tackle Shoreline Trash
2022-12-19
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a story about high tech helpers studying and removing plastic pollution.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/the-catch-robots-tackle-shoreline-trash/
The Catch: The Latest on Enbridge Line 3
2022-12-16
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a story about Enbridge Energy.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/the-catch-latest-on-enbridge-line-3/
Drinking Water News Roundup: Report urges Michigan water-affordability strategy, $191 million to target Minnesota water and infrastructure projects
2022-12-01
From lead pipes to PFAS, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle.
Keep up with drinking water-related developments in the Great Lakes area.
Click on the headline to read the full story:
Illinois:
- Midwest river towns looking for answers after forever chemicals found in water – Illinois Newsroom
This fall, the towns and rural farmsteads along the Mississippi River received alarming news about their drinking water.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/drinking-water-news-roundup-report-michigan-water-affordability-strategy-191-million-target-minnesota-water-projects/
Great Lakes Wildlife – Episode 2211
2022-11-20
Seeking a small, venomous catfish, highlighting a Great Lakes docuseries and “The Catch.”
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/great-lakes-wildlife-episode-2211/
Drinking Water News Roundup: Illinois EPA invests over $70M in drinking water projects, students receive funding for Ohio water quality research
2022-11-14
From lead pipes to PFAS, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle.
Keep up with drinking water-related developments in the Great Lakes area.
Click on the headline to read the full story:
Illinois:
- Illinois EPA invests over $70M in wastewater, drinking water projects – Daily Journal
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will make more than $70.6 million in water infrastructure loans to local governments and sanitary districts for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/drinking-water-news-roundup-illinois-drinking-water-projects-students-ohio-water-quality-research/
The Catch: Secrets of Lake Mendota
2022-11-11
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a story about a canoe that is thought to be made by ancestors of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/the-catch-secrets-of-lake-mendota/
The Catch: Cruising the Great Lakes
2022-11-09
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a story about cruising the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/the-catch-cruising-the-great-lakes/
The Catch: Record Number of Piping Plovers
2022-11-07
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a story about Great Lakes piping plovers.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/the-catch-record-number-of-piping-plovers/
Surf and Turf – Episode 2210
2022-10-18
Exploring a debate over Great Lakes land use, eFoiling on Lake Huron, and The Catch.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/surf-and-turf-episode-2210/
The Catch: Why lightning bug population is dimming
2022-10-14
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features why lightning bugs are in trouble.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/the-catch-lightning-bug-population-dimming/
The Catch: New freighter in town
2022-10-12
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a new bulk freighter that is making waves in Great Lakes shipping.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/the-catch-new-freighter-in-town/
The Catch: Historic land transfer
2022-10-10
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features a story on the return of 100 acres to the Onondaga Nation.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/the-catch-historic-land-transfer/
Drinking Water News Roundup: New water infrastructure funding, projects, programs
2022-10-10
From lead pipes to PFAS, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle.
Keep up with drinking water-related developments in the Great Lakes area.
Click on the headline to read the full story:
Indiana:
- Water renovation project extends municipal water access to hundreds – The Indiana Gazette
Prior to the approximately $12 million project that connected Plumville and Crooked Creek water treatment plants, most residents in the area as well as the school district relied on well water.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/drinking-water-news-roundup-new-water-infrastructure-funding-projects-programs/
Sinkhole Science and other underwater research
2022-09-21
The mysterious sinkholes in northern Lake Huron, discovered 20 years ago, have attracted researchers from around the world who are working to understand their origin and science.
Great Lakes Now wrote about the work in the article “Ancient Analog: What can Lake Huron’s cyanobacteria tell us about the earth’s past or about other planets?” and took you there with this segment:
Producer David J.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/sinkhole-science-and-other-underwater-research/
Finders, Keepers – Episode 2209
2022-09-21
Scanning the bottom of the Great Lakes, a giant library of preserved fish, and The Catch.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/finders-keepers-episode-2209/
Great Lakes News Collaborative nets US Water Prize
2022-09-14
In front of an international crowd of water researchers, policymakers, community organizers and other officials, the US Water Alliance announced the Great Lakes News Collaborative as the recipient of the 2022 award for “Outstanding One Water Communication.”
The awards presentation took place during the Alliance’s One Water Summit in Milwaukee.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/great-lakes-news-collaborative-nets-water-prize/
The Catch: Coal ash regulation
2022-09-12
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features stories from “Poisonous Ponds: Tackling Toxic Coal Ash,” a collaborative project featuring the reporting work of students at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications on Great Lakes Now and Energy News Network programs and websites.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/the-catch-coal-ash-regulation/
A look back on Queen Elizabeth’s Great Lakes tour
2022-09-09
Queen Elizabeth II left her mark in the Great Lakes region, from joining President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway to sailing on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Following the Thursday news of the longest-reigning British monarch’s passing, PBS stations across the nation broadcasted programs commemorating her life and local news organizations reported on the late queen’s special connection to the region, highlighting the 45-day tour of Canada and the Great Lakes she took in 1959.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/look-back-on-queen-elizabeths-great-lakes-tour/
Mapping the HABs: Click to see your state’s reports
2022-09-09
“The Erie Situation,” a new documentary about toxic algae blooms will air simultaneously on six PBS stations in four states at 9 p.m. ET on Monday Sept. 12. To see if your station is one of them, click HERE.
Finding news about harmful algal blooms is easy – a Google News search provides headlines of the latest outbreaks.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/mapping-the-habs/
The Catch: Bitcoin mining and coal ash
2022-09-07
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
This month, The Catch features stories from “Poisonous Ponds: Tackling Toxic Coal Ash,” a collaborative project featuring the reporting work of students at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications on Great Lakes Now and Energy News Network programs and websites.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/the-catch-bitcoin-mining-coal-ash/
Join Great Lakes Now on the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant podcast
2022-09-06
If you’re a Great Lakes lover and podcast listener, you probably already know about the “Teach Me About the Great Lakes” podcast produced by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.
But if not, maybe we have one more reason for you to tune in: Great Lakes Now news is now part of the program.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/join-great-lakes-now-on-the-illinois-indiana-sea-grant-podcast/
“The Erie Situation – and beyond”
2022-09-01
Whether you go out on a boat, to a beach or get your drinking water from Lake Erie, you know harmful algal blooms are a problem.
But these mucky, green blooms are not limited to the southernmost of the Great Lakes. The blooms are a bigger threat in the northernmost lake, the connectors like the Detroit River and Lake St.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/the-erie-situation-and-beyond/
On the Airwaves: Great Lakes Now’s Anna Sysling talks “Poisonous Ponds”
2022-08-31
As the Great Lakes Now-Northwestern University journalism project “Poisonous Ponds: Tackling Toxic Coal Ash” continues to publish, Great Lakes Now producer Anna Sysling made a return to public radio to share more about the issue with Detroit audiences.
Sysling, who left WDET, Detroit’s NPR station last year to join Great Lakes Now full-time, spoke with Morning Edition Host Pat Batcheller about the project.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/08/great-lakes-now-anna-sysling-talks-poisonous-ponds/
“Poisonous Ponds: Tackling Toxic Coal Ash” featured on One Detroit program
2022-08-26
A special segment for Detroit Public Television’s public affairs program, “One Detroit,” features Great Lakes Now’s collaborative reporting project about coal ash.
A toxic substance, coal ash is what’s left over after burning coal. While the use of coal is declining across the Great Lakes region, the ash that remains from decades of producing energy with it is a problem.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/08/poisonous-ponds-featured-on-one-detroit-program/
The Catch: Lake Erie birding
2022-07-13
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
Want to head out to the Great Lake Erie Birding Trail?
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/07/the-catch-lake-erie-birding/
The Catch: Pollution problems … and solutions
2022-07-13
Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.
In Milwaukee, officials are working to eliminate combined sewage overflows that can pour pollution into local waterways including Lake Michigan.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/07/the-catch-pollution-problems/
Episode 2206 Lesson Plans: The Great Lakes “Vampire”
2022-06-30
This lesson will explore the phenomenon of invasive species in the Great Lakes, specifically the sea lamprey, to help students learn how predator-prey relationships affect populations in an ecosystem, why invasive species like the sea lamprey pose a threat to the Great Lakes, and which efforts can most successfully control them.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/2206-invasive-species-lesson-plan/
The Catch: Shoreline shipwrecks
2022-06-30
This month of The Catch features a look at shoreline shipwrecks in Michigan.
Author and editorial director of MichiganTrailMaps.com Jim DuFresne published a “Landlubbers Guide to Shoreline Shipwrecks,” and takes Great Lakes Now on a virtual tour of some of his favorites which include wrecks on the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes and Isle Royale National Park.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/the-catch-shoreline-shipwrecks/