Northwoods Dispatch
@northwoodsdispatch.bsky.social
Live from the Upper Peninsula. Writing about community, democracy, and rural public policy whenever we get around to it. getnorthwoodsdispatch.substack.com
Pinned
A Skunk at the Party
Reflections on the Affordable Care Act, Bart Stupak, and the profound discomfort of compromise
open.substack.com
Hello, Bluesky. This week we wrote about a piece of Michigan 1st Congressional history. open.substack.com/pub/northwoo...
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
We are truly doomed. Quadrillions of invasive mussels are damaging the Great Lakes, documentary shows. #mymichigan www.wpr.org/environment/...
Quadrillions of invasive mussels are damaging the Great Lakes, documentary shows
Since the late 1990s, the lake whitefish population has declined as much as 80 percent in parts of the Great Lakes. The culprit is a tiny invasive species called the quagga mussel.
www.wpr.org
March 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
We are truly doomed. Quadrillions of invasive mussels are damaging the Great Lakes, documentary shows. #mymichigan www.wpr.org/environment/...
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
The National Weather Service is THE ONLY source of weather data in the US. Every weather app, local broadcaster, and weather forecast map is based on NWS data from NOAA. This is a ridiculously stupid own goal for the US that will disrupt all kinds of social and economic activity, and endanger lives.
BREAKING: The mass firing of upwards of 1,800 workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including top climate scientists and weather forecasters, has begun.
The firings reportedly include workers at the National Weather Service.
The firings reportedly include workers at the National Weather Service.
February 27, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The National Weather Service is THE ONLY source of weather data in the US. Every weather app, local broadcaster, and weather forecast map is based on NWS data from NOAA. This is a ridiculously stupid own goal for the US that will disrupt all kinds of social and economic activity, and endanger lives.
Accurate weather forecasting can be a matter of life and death in northern Michigan.
BREAKING: The mass firing of upwards of 1,800 workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including top climate scientists and weather forecasters, has begun.
The firings reportedly include workers at the National Weather Service.
The firings reportedly include workers at the National Weather Service.
February 28, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Accurate weather forecasting can be a matter of life and death in northern Michigan.
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
The CopperDog 150 is just a few short days away and they are looking for volunteers. Anyone interested? This is up in the Keweenaw Peninsula. www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/02/25/l...
Last call for CopperDog 150 trail crossing, dog-handling volunteers
Trail crossing volunteers are the most needed this year.
www.uppermichiganssource.com
February 26, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The CopperDog 150 is just a few short days away and they are looking for volunteers. Anyone interested? This is up in the Keweenaw Peninsula. www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/02/25/l...
“Meteorological spring” is a cruel joke designed to heighten the vitamin D FOMO of Upper Midwesterners
wapo.st/41bVpPP
wapo.st/41bVpPP
What to know about meteorological spring, which begins Saturday
A temperature roller coaster is expected during the first half of March.
wapo.st
February 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
“Meteorological spring” is a cruel joke designed to heighten the vitamin D FOMO of Upper Midwesterners
wapo.st/41bVpPP
wapo.st/41bVpPP
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They’re cutting Medicaid
REPORTER: Can you say unequivocally that down the line, there won't be cuts to Medicaid programs?
MIKE JOHNSON: Medicaid is hugely problematic because it has a lot of fraud, waste, and abuse.
MIKE JOHNSON: Medicaid is hugely problematic because it has a lot of fraud, waste, and abuse.
February 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
They’re cutting Medicaid
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
The American Fisheries Society stands strong in our support of the federal fisheries professionals who serve as the stewards of our aquatic natural resources. Read our new statement on the Future of Public Trust Resources: fisheries.org/2025/02/futu...
February 24, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The American Fisheries Society stands strong in our support of the federal fisheries professionals who serve as the stewards of our aquatic natural resources. Read our new statement on the Future of Public Trust Resources: fisheries.org/2025/02/futu...
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
This is just the start of Trump's assault on our national parks www.cnn.com/2025/02/24/u...
Mass firing hits national parks ahead of busy summer season | CNN
Visitors to America’s national parks can expect shorter hours and longer lines after the Trump administration fired 1,000 park employees as part of its latest effort to dramatically reduce the federal...
www.cnn.com
February 25, 2025 at 1:30 AM
This is just the start of Trump's assault on our national parks www.cnn.com/2025/02/24/u...
The Forest Service owns 1,800,000 acres of land in the Upper Peninsula. They have a huge impact on logging, forest products manufacturing, and tourism - not to mention being an employer.
Welp.
Trump voter: "Why the fuck are we firing NP/FS workers?... All of my hobbies revolve around the outdoors..." 🫠
Trump voter: "Why the fuck are we firing NP/FS workers?... All of my hobbies revolve around the outdoors..." 🫠
February 25, 2025 at 1:37 AM
The Forest Service owns 1,800,000 acres of land in the Upper Peninsula. They have a huge impact on logging, forest products manufacturing, and tourism - not to mention being an employer.
You will run into these folks and some of them will have voted for Trump. Please extend empathy and a handshake.
A C-SPAN caller from West Virginia shared that their insulin cost skyrocketed from $6 to $80 for a 28-day supply after Trump took office. After assuming office, Trump rescinded Biden's executive order on drug pricing.
February 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
You will run into these folks and some of them will have voted for Trump. Please extend empathy and a handshake.
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
Trump never has valued US forests, public lands and national parks, beyond viewing them as real estate to exploit.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
These people protected US forests and lands. Their jobs have now vanished due to Trump
Former federal employees devastated by president’s mass firings: ‘We’re at risk of losing our public lands to the billionaire agenda’
www.theguardian.com
February 25, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Trump never has valued US forests, public lands and national parks, beyond viewing them as real estate to exploit.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
NEW podcast!
On the latest Editors Roundtable: how DOGE could impact downballot races and which congressional districts have the highest number of federal workers.
Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-will-doge-impact-downballot-races/id1765349026?i=1000695549736
On the latest Editors Roundtable: how DOGE could impact downballot races and which congressional districts have the highest number of federal workers.
Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-will-doge-impact-downballot-races/id1765349026?i=1000695549736
February 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
NEW podcast!
On the latest Editors Roundtable: how DOGE could impact downballot races and which congressional districts have the highest number of federal workers.
Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-will-doge-impact-downballot-races/id1765349026?i=1000695549736
On the latest Editors Roundtable: how DOGE could impact downballot races and which congressional districts have the highest number of federal workers.
Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-will-doge-impact-downballot-races/id1765349026?i=1000695549736
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
One of my biggest pet peeves. You’re just making them less likely to vote the way you want!
Just saw a thread about a guy calling into cspan saying his diabetic supplies increased from 5 dollars to 80 dollars and somebody in the comments, probably multiple people but I stopped reading, replied “FAFO” and I can’t stress enough how much you need to stop doing that shit
February 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
One of my biggest pet peeves. You’re just making them less likely to vote the way you want!
1. These days you gotta be strong so I do a push up, sing a song
2. Pick on my guitar and stamp on my tambourine
3. And dream good all night long
4. Rise up and sing my song
5. They say life is hard, and they’re not wrong - so keep that Hope Machine running strong.
youtu.be/VkBFg1O3ZxM
2. Pick on my guitar and stamp on my tambourine
3. And dream good all night long
4. Rise up and sing my song
5. They say life is hard, and they’re not wrong - so keep that Hope Machine running strong.
youtu.be/VkBFg1O3ZxM
Hope Machine - The Okee Dokee Brothers
YouTube video by The Okee Dokee Brothers
youtu.be
February 24, 2025 at 12:55 AM
1. These days you gotta be strong so I do a push up, sing a song
2. Pick on my guitar and stamp on my tambourine
3. And dream good all night long
4. Rise up and sing my song
5. They say life is hard, and they’re not wrong - so keep that Hope Machine running strong.
youtu.be/VkBFg1O3ZxM
2. Pick on my guitar and stamp on my tambourine
3. And dream good all night long
4. Rise up and sing my song
5. They say life is hard, and they’re not wrong - so keep that Hope Machine running strong.
youtu.be/VkBFg1O3ZxM
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
A group of Marquette women have been making these for more than 20 years. #upperpeninsula
February 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
A group of Marquette women have been making these for more than 20 years. #upperpeninsula
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
“Normal” politics is always critical even in times of dire emergency.
www.slowboring.com/p/mailbag-wh...
www.slowboring.com/p/mailbag-wh...
February 21, 2025 at 11:47 AM
“Normal” politics is always critical even in times of dire emergency.
www.slowboring.com/p/mailbag-wh...
www.slowboring.com/p/mailbag-wh...
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
The budget the Republicans are putting on the floor tonight will cut essential services that millions of American families rely on.
All so they can pay for tax cuts for their billionaire buddies.
I'm going to spend all night fighting back.
All so they can pay for tax cuts for their billionaire buddies.
I'm going to spend all night fighting back.
February 20, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The budget the Republicans are putting on the floor tonight will cut essential services that millions of American families rely on.
All so they can pay for tax cuts for their billionaire buddies.
I'm going to spend all night fighting back.
All so they can pay for tax cuts for their billionaire buddies.
I'm going to spend all night fighting back.
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
How do you get a collar on a 1,000 pound, 6'5" beast of an animal? Michigan's DNR knows — and they say it involves darts, helicopters and a brave crew:
DNR explains how they collar moose in recently-launched study update
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) — An update has been released on the recently-launched study on the Upper Peninsula moose population.
www.myupnow.com
February 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM
How do you get a collar on a 1,000 pound, 6'5" beast of an animal? Michigan's DNR knows — and they say it involves darts, helicopters and a brave crew:
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
"Dozens of workers focused on lamprey control were among scores of Michigan federal workers fired without notice in the past week"
'I'd like to ask them why ... it doesn’t seem like they realize who they’re getting rid of, and the impact it’s going to have.'"
via @bridgemi.com
'I'd like to ask them why ... it doesn’t seem like they realize who they’re getting rid of, and the impact it’s going to have.'"
via @bridgemi.com
Trump firings hit Great Lakes sea lamprey program, Michigan forestry workers | Bridge Michigan
Fish and wildlife officials tasked with holding back a species that would otherwise decimate the Great Lakes fishery were among those caught up in a mass purge of federal workers. Dozens, if not hundr...
www.bridgemi.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:23 PM
"Dozens of workers focused on lamprey control were among scores of Michigan federal workers fired without notice in the past week"
'I'd like to ask them why ... it doesn’t seem like they realize who they’re getting rid of, and the impact it’s going to have.'"
via @bridgemi.com
'I'd like to ask them why ... it doesn’t seem like they realize who they’re getting rid of, and the impact it’s going to have.'"
via @bridgemi.com
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
I've noted some of the procedural things Democrats could be doing in Congress, but this point from @edgeofsports.bsky.social's great piece in the Nation deserves emphasis.
This is basic politics, and it's baffling that every Democrat isn't doing it every day.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
This is basic politics, and it's baffling that every Democrat isn't doing it every day.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
February 19, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I've noted some of the procedural things Democrats could be doing in Congress, but this point from @edgeofsports.bsky.social's great piece in the Nation deserves emphasis.
This is basic politics, and it's baffling that every Democrat isn't doing it every day.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
This is basic politics, and it's baffling that every Democrat isn't doing it every day.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Cuts to the lamprey program are a direct hit to the U.P. and northern Michigan.
And this, from a young forester who voted for Trump: “If I had known that this was going to happen, I wouldn't have voted for him.”
www.bridgemi.com/michigan-env...
And this, from a young forester who voted for Trump: “If I had known that this was going to happen, I wouldn't have voted for him.”
www.bridgemi.com/michigan-env...
Trump firings hit Great Lakes sea lamprey program, Michigan forestry workers | Bridge Michigan
Fish and wildlife officials tasked with holding back a species that would otherwise decimate the Great Lakes fishery were among those caught up in a mass purge of federal workers. Dozens, if not hundr...
www.bridgemi.com
February 20, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Cuts to the lamprey program are a direct hit to the U.P. and northern Michigan.
And this, from a young forester who voted for Trump: “If I had known that this was going to happen, I wouldn't have voted for him.”
www.bridgemi.com/michigan-env...
And this, from a young forester who voted for Trump: “If I had known that this was going to happen, I wouldn't have voted for him.”
www.bridgemi.com/michigan-env...
Wisconsin, our Northwoods sister state, wants to AUDIT HEALTH INSURERS who deny access to care. We love to see it!
You should be able to get the healthcare you need when you need it. But folks tell me all the time they feel like they’re getting ripped off by the healthcare industry.
Wisconsinites aren’t getting a fair shake when it comes to healthcare. I want to change that.
Wisconsinites aren’t getting a fair shake when it comes to healthcare. I want to change that.
February 20, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Wisconsin, our Northwoods sister state, wants to AUDIT HEALTH INSURERS who deny access to care. We love to see it!
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
Reposted by Northwoods Dispatch
As I wrote repeatedly at the time, the Obama formula for inclusiveness was effective and morally right, and abandoning it, as Obama noted, was a mistake nymag.com/intelligence...
February 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
As I wrote repeatedly at the time, the Obama formula for inclusiveness was effective and morally right, and abandoning it, as Obama noted, was a mistake nymag.com/intelligence...