When Music Meets Climate Crisis: A New Concerto Echoes the Planet’s Fragility - Great Lakes Now Grammy-nominated harpist Yolanda Kondonassis unveils latest collaboration, “Terra Infirma,” shaped by wildfire, ancient musical traditions with a call to environmental action.

Grammy-nominated harpist Yolanda Kondonassis unveils latest collaboration, “Terra Infirma,” shaped by wildfire, ancient musical traditions with a call to environmental action.

www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/21/w...

Explore the Great Lakes like never before!

This Earth Day, dive into the fish city in the waters near one of the largest nuclear power plants on the planet. Plus, have your questions answered in real time!

See you April 22 at 10 AM: www.facebook.com/events/12830...

Here's how to prepare, as more rain falls on northern Michigan - Great Lakes Now A guide to go-bags, staying safe, evacuating, documenting damage and more.

With waters rising around Northern Michigan, the risk of flooding and dam failure is affecting people across the region.

@grist.org and @iprnews.bsky.social published a guide to prepare for more flooding: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/20/h...

Climate experts say spring is coming earlier. How will that affect agriculture and ecosystems? - Great Lakes Now An earlier spring affects when migratory birds arrive, leaves emerge and fruit ripens — among plants and animals that determine ecosystem health.

An earlier spring affects when migratory birds arrive, leaves emerge and fruit ripens — among plants and animals that determine ecosystem health.

Story by @grist.org: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/16/c...

Michigan feared Cheboygan Dam danger for years before rains pushed it to brink - Great Lakes Now Local, state and federal officials were aware of the dangers posed by the Cheboygan Lock and Dam for years before floodwaters pushed it to the brink of collapse, records show.

Local, state and federal officials were aware of the dangers posed by the Cheboygan Lock and Dam for years before floodwaters pushed it to the brink of collapse, records show.

Story by @bridgemi.com: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/17/m...

MSU study: PFAS can affect immune response - Great Lakes Now Compounds from the family of chemicals known as PFAS can suppress the body’s ability to mount a defense against new pathogens — and the effects can last well into adulthood.

Compounds from the family of chemicals known as PFAS can suppress the body’s ability to mount a defense against new pathogens — and the effects can last well into adulthood.

Story by @michiganpublic.bsky.social: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/13/m...

Once a week, first and second graders at Tower Rock Elementary School in Sauk County step into a classroom without walls.

Nature-based education and outdoor classrooms are expanding in Wisconsin and across the country: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/16/n...

Visiting the least visited national park - Great Lakes Now For National Park week, Ian Solomon recounts his time visiting Isle Royale for a much-loved episode of Great Lakes Now.

Isle Royale is officially open for the 2026 season!

Ian Solomon recounts his time visiting the national park for a much-loved episode of Great Lakes Now: www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/04/23/v...

Which Great Lakes states are advancing balcony solar? - Great Lakes Now Dozens of states are considering legislation to allow residents to use DIY plug-in solar. Follow the efforts here.

Dozens of states are considering legislation to allow residents to use DIY plug-in solar. Follow the efforts here.

Story by @canarymedia.com: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/10/w...

Michigan mulls changes in elk hunt regulations - Great Lakes Now The Michigan Department of Natural Resources received a record 47,493 applications for 260 elk licenses in 2025.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources received a record 47,493 applications for 260 elk licenses in 2025.

www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/10/m...

Canada Water Agency wasn’t quite sure how to explain Carney’s budget cuts to the public, documents show - Great Lakes Now A $5 million budget cut meaning the loss of about 13 jobs comes right as the agency takes on creating Canada’s first National Water Security Strategy.

A $5 million budget cut meaning the loss of about 13 jobs comes right as the agency takes on creating Canada’s first National Water Security Strategy.

Story by @thenarwhal.ca:
www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/15/c...

Ohio energy corruption case goes nowhere after jury deadlocks over bribery charges - Great Lakes Now More energy news as the Trump administration keeps coal plants on life support and unveils plans for a colossal data center with its own natural gas plant.

Ohio prosecutors are back to square one in their corruption case against two former FirstEnergy executives, the Trump administration ordered two aging Indiana coal plants to be kept open another 90 days and more Great Lakes energy news.

www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/08/o...

Data centers are straining the grid. Can they be forced to pay for it? - Great Lakes Now As backlash grows, a nationwide search is underway for solutions to the AI energy crunch.

As backlash grows, a nationwide search is underway for solutions to the AI energy crunch.

Story by @grist.org:
www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/14/d...

Are the Great Lakes America's climate refuge? | Freshwater People YouTube video by Great Lakes Now

Are the Great Lakes truly a climate haven? Is climate migration to the region actually happening?

We spoke with Great Lakes Now contributor @stephenstarr.bsky.social about his investigation into climate migration to the Great Lakes: youtu.be/RnYEUrz0LOs

Forest Service workers in Wisconsin may have to move after reorganization, union leader says - Great Lakes Now Trump administration officials say the restructuring will bring the agency closer to communities they serve.

Trump administration officials say the restructuring will bring the agency closer to communities they serve.

www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/08/f...

Residents across Michigan unite for solar discounts - Great Lakes Now Grassroots ‘Solarize’ programs have expanded across Michigan cities and counties, helping residents access group discounts on solar installations even as federal incentives have been cut.

Grassroots 'Solarize' programs have expanded across Michigan cities and counties, helping residents access group discounts on solar installations even as federal incentives have been cut.

Story by @planetdetroit.org:
www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/09/r...

Where do you put a thousand-year flood? YouTube video by Great Lakes Now

In Milwaukee, every flush and drain leads to Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Executive Director Kevin Shafer. When a thousand-year storm overwhelmed the system in August 2025, he faced an important decision.

This story was made in partnership with @iprnews.bsky.social: youtu.be/GHYHEKzhy5M

After Chemical Industry Lobbying, EPA Considers Dropping Clean Air Protections for Plastic Waste Recycling - Great Lakes Now Environmental advocates are bracing for a potential exemption from the Clean Air Act to promote so-called “advanced” or “chemical” recycling through pyrolysis.

Environmental advocates are bracing for a potential exemption from the Clean Air Act to promote so-called "advanced" or "chemical" recycling.

Story by @insideclimatenews.org:
www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/07/a...

On Earth Day, we're diving beneath the surface of Lake Huron.

Join us April 22 at 10 AM for a LIVE exploration of the water surrounding one of the largest nuclear facilities in the world. Experts will be on-hand to answer your questions in real-time.

See you there: www.facebook.com/events/12830...

U.S. EPA announces action on microplastics, but Michigan critics say it's not enough - Great Lakes Now The federal government announced a new $144 million program to study microplastics and the risks they pose to human health. But some environmental groups say the action isn't aggressive enough.

The federal government announced a new $144 million program to study microplastics and the risks they pose to human health. But some environmental groups say the action isn’t aggressive enough.

Story by @michiganpublic.bsky.social: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/07/u...

Trump administration plans closure of 4 Michigan forestry research centers - Great Lakes Now The closures are part of a broader consolidation and reorganization that will move the US Forest Service headquarters from the nation’s capital to Salt Lake City.

The Trump administration plans to close four US Forest Service research facilities in Michigan, shifting scientists out of the state as it reorganizes and consolidates the agency.

Story by @bridgemi.com:
www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/06/t...

Line 5 opponents raise concerns over report on geologic conditions for proposed tunnel - Great Lakes Now Opponents said they’re worried about potentially unsafe conditions, like weak bedrock, high water pressure and dangerous gases beneath the Straits.

Opponents said they’re worried about potentially unsafe conditions, like weak bedrock, high water pressure and dangerous gases beneath the Straits.

Story by @iprnews.bsky.social and @grist.org: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/06/l...

Michigan shuts down Belle Isle redevelopment plan critics call 'dystopian' - Great Lakes Now The state is dismissing a long-shot proposal to buy Belle Isle for $1 billion and convert it into a privately funded entertainment and residential district.

The state is dismissing a long-shot proposal to buy Belle Isle for $1 billion and convert it into a privately funded entertainment and residential district.

Story by @bridgemi.com: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/03/m...

How Ann Arbor, Michigan, is creating its own clean energy utility - Great Lakes Now Investor-owned utilities have been slow to ditch oil and gas. The city of Ann Arbor plans to boost access to renewables through a new dual-service model.

Investor-owned utilities have been slow to ditch oil and gas. The city of Ann Arbor plans to boost access to renewables through a new dual-service model.

Story by @grist.org: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/03/h...

Thousand-Year Storms and False Springs | Great Lakes Now | Full Episode YouTube video by Great Lakes Now

How do you manage a thousand-year flood?

Our latest episode explores how a difficult decision was made when rainwater overwhelmed Milwaukee’s sewers, why false spring shows up every year and how the Great Lakes region is increasingly being seen as a climate haven: youtu.be/ylzWd-DIvN4

What’s next for Ohio’s former green steel project? More coal, it seems. - Great Lakes Now Cleveland-Cliffs won a federal grant to install hydrogen-ready tech. Now, it wants to revamp its Middletown blast furnace, raising questions about its use of funds.

Cleveland-Cliffs won a federal grant to install hydrogen-ready tech. Now, it wants to revamp its Middletown blast furnace, raising questions about its use of funds.

Story by @canarymedia.com: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/01/w...

How Two Teens in Niagara Falls Are Confronting Pollution and a Mental Health Crisis - Great Lakes Now Finding hope and resilience in a city burdened with environmental pollution and generational trauma.

Once celebrated as the honeymoon capital of the world, Niagara Falls is now better known for its environmental and mental health challenges.

Story by @insideclimatenews.org: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/01/h...

Golden oyster mushrooms are spreading fast, altering how Ontario’s forests grow, decompose and nurture important native mushrooms.

Story by @thenarwhal.ca: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/03/31/t...

The northern Michigan ice storm battered the electric grid. Is burying power lines the solution? - Great Lakes Now It's been a year since the devastating ice storm. Poles and wires have since been replaced, but some residents wonder whether it makes more sense to bury them out of the reach of increasingly damaging...

It’s been a year since the devastating ice storm. Poles and wires have since been replaced, but some residents wonder whether it makes more sense to bury them out of the reach of increasingly damaging snow and ice.

Story by @iprnews.bsky.social and @grist.org: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/03/30/t...

Where do you put a thousand-year flood? | Great Lakes Now | Episode Preview YouTube video by Great Lakes Now

When a thousand year storm overwhelmed Milwaukee, one man faced a critical decision. Plus, why does false spring show up every year? And are climate migrants already arriving in the Great Lakes region?

Watch it MONDAY, 3/30 at 7:30p ET on Detroit PBS: youtu.be/R4S3OlOQdjA