Surfing the Great Lakes amid pollution
The heavy industry along Lake Michigan's shore, including a U.S. Steel plant, is impacting the surfing culture there.
Points North
The magnificent sky dance of the American woodcock
At dusk in fields in Pennsylvania and throughout the Great Lakes region in spring, an odd-looking bird takes to the sky for an elaborate, acrobatic display. We take you there.
Rock hunting helps a woman in addiction recovery
Joyce Fetrow said rocks inspire her to keep on track with her sobriety.
The Sunrise Guy
For almost seven years, Bugsy Sailor has been on a mission to watch every sunrise. But now, he wonders if the inspiration that started this project will also be the thing that ends it.
These century-old apple trees could have rare genes to fight off new threats
On a remote Great Lake island, some old apple trees could have very rare, never-before-discovered genes that could help fight off future threats.
How U.S. bluegill became an invasive fish in Japan
In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago’s mayor presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. What happened next would change the underwater world of Japan forever.
A smartwatch that runs on slime mold. Could it help prevent e-waste?
A researcher wanted incorporate a living organism into a device, like a watch. She tried plants, mushrooms and algae. Then she discovered a not-so-picky bright yellow blob: slime mold.
The search for a solution to an irritating plague: swimmer’s itch
Ron Reimink knew how uncomfortable and annoying swimmer’s itch could be. He spent much of his career trying to eradicate it in lakes. Then one day, he realized he was completely wrong.
The Longest Paddle: Circumnavigating the Great Lakes
The story of Traci Lynn Martin's quest to become the first person to circumnavigate all of the Great Lakes by kayak in one year.
Points North: Bear Trouble
When a black bear woke up from hibernation in the middle of winter and attacked three people and a dog, researchers were left with one question: Why?
