Points North | Great Lakes. Great Stories.

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Nature vs. National Security Sep 02, 2022

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Northern Michigan is the perfect place to be outdoors with its extensive forests and pristine rivers. The irony is, it’s also the perfect place to simulate warfare. A proposed expansion is putting some residents and the Michigan National Guard head-to-head.

Thin As a Rail Aug 19, 2022

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Rails are secretive marsh birds, and they’re on the decline. But a researcher playing their recorded calls over a loudspeaker could help bring them back – by tricking them.

Untreated Lyme Disease Can Be Severe. Are Doctors in the Midwest Ready for a Growing Number of Infections? Aug 05, 2022

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Lyme disease is increasing in the Upper Midwest. The illness is caused by a bite from an infected black-legged tick. But the disease can be hard to spot. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause arthritis and nervous system problems.

Asian Carp or Copi? Pushing Back Invasive Fish With a Rebrand Jul 22, 2022

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After years of rapid growth, experts are trying everything they can to push back the leading edge of invasive Asian carp in the Illinois River. Their most recent strategy? A new name.

Bat Gadgetry: High-Tech Solutions to a Deadly Problem Jul 08, 2022

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A deadly fungal infection is pushing some bat species to the brink of extinction. As scientists scramble to track the spread of white nose syndrome, they’re also testing novel ways to treat it.

The Culvert King of Acme Township Jun 24, 2022

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Dick Mallery is tired of quick fixes to his 50-year-flooding problem; he wants a nearby culvert replaced. But even that will only keep floodwaters away if it’s designed to withstand the new normal. As climate change brings heavier rainfall and more frequent floods to the Upper Great Lakes, our infrastructure needs an overhaul.

Crude Oil Catastrophes Part 3: A Tale of Two Treaties Jun 10, 2022

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The Constitution refers to treaties with other sovereign nations as “the supreme law of the land.” But what happens when promises have been made that are potentially in conflict? Two different treaties with the U.S. could lead to very different outcomes for Line 5 – a controversial pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.

Crude Oil Catastrophes Part 2: 'A Perfect Storm' May 27, 2022

Show notes

In 2013, a train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. The dangers of oil trains are part of the controversy around Enbridge Line 5 – a pipeline running through the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan. In part two of this series, we look at the risks of transporting crude oil by pipe and by rail.

Crude Oil Catastrophes Part 1: 'Our Darkest Day' May 13, 2022

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There’s no safe way to move crude oil across an entire continent. So what risks are we willing to take? And who bears the brunt of that risk? Over the next couple episodes, we'll be looking at two times when transporting oil went horribly wrong. Today, we’ll hear about a pipeline that ruptured. Next time, we’ll consider the alternative.

The Ethics and Economics of Trading Water Futures Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

Most of the freshwater in the U.S. is in the Great Lakes. That’s why some in the region worry western states will come after it. But others say the real danger is commodifying water. Next time on Points North, the ethics and economics of trading water futures.