It's a great Michigan debate; what is the line or the place that marks the end of the southern part of the state and the beginning of that mystical land we call Up North?

The answers vary from emotional to philosophical. But there's also an ecological answer that helps us better understand why we feel different when we go Up North. 

Check out the Michigan Natural Features Inventory website for a ton of cool stuff about our natural world.

GUESTS ON TODAY'S EPISODE:
Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan
Joshua Cohen, lead ecologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory at MSU Extension

Got a question you'd like to have answered on On Hand? Submit your questions about Michigan here.

It's a great Michigan debate; what is the line or the place that marks the end of the southern part of the state and the beginning of that mystical land we call Up North?
The answers vary from emotional to philosophical. But there's also an ecological answer that helps us better understand why we feel different when we go Up North.&nbsp;
Check out the <a href="https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/">Michigan Natural Features Inventory</a> website for a ton of cool stuff about our natural world.
GUESTS ON TODAY'S EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan</li>
<li>Joshua Cohen, lead ecologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory at MSU Extension</li>
</ul>
Got a question you'd like to have answered on On Hand? <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">Submit your questions about Michigan here</a>.

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund

On Hand

Where does "Up North" begin?

MANY of you wrote in to say that the reason the roads are seemingly always in terrible shape in Michigan is because of truck weights - and the fact that Michigan often doubles truck weight limits from those of federal guidelines. Today we're hearing and feeling your anger, and talking to an engineer about what heavy trucks do to roads, and why it's only one part of the equation for road conditions.

GUEST ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Craig Atwood, managing director of Allegan County Road Commission

 

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

MANY of you wrote in to say that the reason the roads are seemingly always in terrible shape in Michigan is because of truck weights - and the fact that Michigan often doubles truck weight limits from those of federal guidelines. Today we're hearing and feeling your anger, and talking to an engineer about what heavy trucks do to roads, and why it's only one part of the equation for road conditions.
GUEST ON TODAY'S EPISODE:
Craig Atwood, managing director of Allegan County Road Commission
&nbsp;
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Your Stories: The trucks are too heavy

Are Michigan's roads really so bad that we need to be repairing them all the time? What's really going on with our orange-barrel forests? For this episode of On Hand, we tackle a listener's question about road repairs by talking to two actual road engineers. We'll also get externally-verified facts about road quality, and hear some real talk about road politics in Lansing. We even bump into someone who started her own guerilla road crew. 

Guests:
Hamtramck resident Maritza Garibay


Brent Schlack, Director of Engineering, Washtenaw Road Commission


Adam Lape, Director of Operations, Washtenaw Road Commission
Lauren Gibbons, Bridge Michigan reporter
Adrian Hemond, CEO, Grassroots Midwest

 

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Are Michigan's roads really so bad that we need to be repairing them all the time? What's really going on with our orange-barrel forests? For this episode of On Hand, we tackle a listener's question about road repairs by talking to two actual road engineers. We'll also get externally-verified facts about road quality, and hear some real talk about road politics in Lansing. We even bump into someone who started her own guerilla road crew.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Hamtramck resident Maritza Garibay</li>
<li>
Brent Schlack, Director of Engineering, Washtenaw Road Commission
</li>
<li>
Adam Lape,&nbsp;Director of Operations, Washtenaw Road Commission
</li>
<li>Lauren Gibbons, Bridge Michigan reporter</li>
<li>Adrian Hemond, CEO, Grassroots Midwest</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Why are we always fixing Michigan roads?

For many Michiganders, Up North begins at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge. One listener defends the Upper Peninsula as true north. And another listener says the southern border of the mitten is also Up North for many people.

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:

Ken Raisanen, retired teacher and lifelong Upper Peninsula Michigander

Keith Baker, City Manger of Coldwater

Want to submit your own story or question to On Hand? Do it here!

For many Michiganders, Up North begins at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge. One listener defends the Upper Peninsula as true north. And another listener says the southern border of the mitten is also Up North for many people.
GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
Ken Raisanen, retired teacher and lifelong Upper Peninsula Michigander
Keith Baker, City Manger of Coldwater
Want to submit your own story or question to On Hand? <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">Do it here!</a>

Where does "Up North" begin?

In 1 playlist(s)

On Hand

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips