NPR Series: Michigan's Upper Peninsula: A Trip U.P. North https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113226016 This week, <em>Weekend Edition Sunday</em> is exploring the culture, traditions and economy of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 11:08:05 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Series: Michigan's Upper Peninsula: A Trip U.P. North https://www.npr.org/series/113226016/michigan-s-upper-peninsula-a-trip-u-p-north U.P. County Tops State Unemployment Rate Michigan's Baraga County has the state's highest unemployment rate, and at around 25 percent it's the third highest in the nation. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Baraga Village Manager Roy Kemppainin. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251646/u-p-county-tops-state-unemployment-rate https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251646/u-p-county-tops-state-unemployment-rate Michigan's Baraga County has the state's highest unemployment rate, and at around 25 percent it's the third highest in the nation. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Baraga Village Manager Roy Kemppainin.

]]> U.P. TV Anchor Moonlights At Target Host Liane Hansen profiles TV Anchor Vicki Crystal of Marquette, Michigan. Crystal not only works as a full time anchor and reporter, but she also works part-time at Target. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251614/u-p-tv-anchor-moonlights-at-target https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251614/u-p-tv-anchor-moonlights-at-target Host Liane Hansen profiles TV Anchor Vicki Crystal of Marquette, Michigan. Crystal not only works as a full time anchor and reporter, but she also works part-time at Target.

]]> The Civil War That You Never Heard About Stories about war are common. Unusual is the true story of an American war with no casualties. One of the spoils of the Toledo War was the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And the early 19th century combatants were the Michigan and Ohio militias. Host Liane Hansen talks to State Representative Mike Lahti about the often-forgotten war. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251642/the-civil-war-that-you-never-heard-about https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251642/the-civil-war-that-you-never-heard-about Stories about war are common. Unusual is the true story of an American war with no casualties. One of the spoils of the Toledo War was the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And the early 19th century combatants were the Michigan and Ohio militias. Host Liane Hansen talks to State Representative Mike Lahti about the often-forgotten war.

]]> In Contrast, This U.P. Town Is Thriving In a country that's seen its share of downtown decay, central Marquette seems to be thriving. There's a bustling farmer's market, and along Washington Street there are coffee shops and quirky businesses including hockey and bingo supply stores. Host Liane Hansen pays a visit to Getz's Clothiers, a business dating from the 1880's that now draws 80 percent of its sales from online business. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251650/in-contrast-this-u-p-town-is-thriving https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251650/in-contrast-this-u-p-town-is-thriving In a country that's seen its share of downtown decay, central Marquette seems to be thriving. There's a bustling farmer's market, and along Washington Street there are coffee shops and quirky businesses including hockey and bingo supply stores. Host Liane Hansen pays a visit to Getz's Clothiers, a business dating from the 1880's that now draws 80 percent of its sales from online business.

]]> What's A Yooper? The people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula are nicknamed Yoopers. Weekend Edition Host Liane Hansen explores what defines the Yooper identity. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251618/whats-a-yooper https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251618/whats-a-yooper The people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula are nicknamed Yoopers. Weekend Edition Host Liane Hansen explores what defines the Yooper identity.

]]> Iron Mine At Core Of U.P. History, Culture Host Liane Hansen visits the Cliffs Natural Resources iron ore mining operation near Ishpeming Michigan. Mining has long been a part of the U.P. economy, and Cliffs has been operating there since 1847. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251610/iron-mine-at-core-of-u-p-history-culture https://www.npr.org/2009/09/27/113251610/iron-mine-at-core-of-u-p-history-culture Host Liane Hansen visits the Cliffs Natural Resources iron ore mining operation near Ishpeming Michigan. Mining has long been a part of the U.P. economy, and Cliffs has been operating there since 1847.

]]> Initially, Michigan's Upper Peninsula This week's puzzle is in honor of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Because U.P. is short for Upper Peninsula, each answer has "U" and "P" in it. The first clue is: "U" and "P" are the initials of a common two-word phrase naming something holding a street lamp. What is it? Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113240257/initially-michigans-upper-peninsula https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113240257/initially-michigans-upper-peninsula This week's puzzle is in honor of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Because U.P. is short for Upper Peninsula, each answer has "U" and "P" in it. The first clue is: "U" and "P" are the initials of a common two-word phrase naming something holding a street lamp. What is it?

]]> Will Shortz In Michigan's U.P., Visitors Welcome, Just Don't Stay Folks from Michigan's Upper Peninsula — or "Yoopers," as they call themselves — want you to know how lucky they are to live in such a beautiful place, how hard it is to do that, how their jokes about themselves are funnier than anything you've heard — and why you shouldn't move there. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:38:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113216252/in-michigans-u-p-visitors-welcome-just-dont-stay https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113216252/in-michigans-u-p-visitors-welcome-just-dont-stay

Folks from Michigan's Upper Peninsula — or "Yoopers," as they call themselves — want you to know how lucky they are to live in such a beautiful place, how hard it is to do that, how their jokes about themselves are funnier than anything you've heard — and why you shouldn't move there.

(Image credit: Ned Wharton)

]]> Liane Hansen Often Left Out, U.P. Ducks Michigan's Worst Woes If there's a Michigan map in your mind, it probably looks like a mitten. The Upper Peninsula — separated from the rest of the state by the Great Lakes — often gets left off the map entirely. While that can be irksome, the remote nature of Michigan's northern section can also insulate it from the rest of the state's economic distress. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:01:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113225148/often-left-out-u-p-ducks-michigans-worst-woes https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113225148/often-left-out-u-p-ducks-michigans-worst-woes

If there's a Michigan map in your mind, it probably looks like a mitten. The Upper Peninsula — separated from the rest of the state by the Great Lakes — often gets left off the map entirely. While that can be irksome, the remote nature of Michigan's northern section can also insulate it from the rest of the state's economic distress.

(Image credit: Ned Wharton)

]]> Liane Hansen Pasties: The Meaty Center Of 'Yooper' Food The meat turnovers were brought to Michigan's Upper Peninsula by immigrant miners from Cornwall, England. "Yoopers" — the local population — are very opinionated about them. A pasty isn't just a meal — it's a heritage. Here's the recipe, too. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:01:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113207915/pasties-the-meaty-center-of-yooper-food https://www.npr.org/2009/09/26/113207915/pasties-the-meaty-center-of-yooper-food

The meat turnovers were brought to Michigan's Upper Peninsula by immigrant miners from Cornwall, England. "Yoopers" — the local population — are very opinionated about them. A pasty isn't just a meal — it's a heritage. Here's the recipe, too.

(Image credit: Ned Wharton)

]]> Liane Hansen