Articles by Regional Reporter, Michigan Vivian La
Vivian La is the Michigan regional reporter for Grist and Interlochen Public Radio. Her work has appeared in WBUR, Science Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, and Illinois Public Media. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
All Articles
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![Looking out over the expansive blue lake waters to the largest island on Lake Michigan, Beaver Island.]()
![Looking out over the expansive blue lake waters to the largest island on Lake Michigan, Beaver Island.]()
This island in the Great Lakes wants to tap waves for energy
Hydrokinetic energy from the waves surrounding Beaver Island could improve electricity reliability and push an emerging technology forward.
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![Floating yellow weather station buoy on blue Lake Michigan.]()
![Floating yellow weather station buoy on blue Lake Michigan.]()
What federal cuts to science funding could mean for the Great Lakes
Facing another round of cuts, NOAA-funded researchers worry about undermining public safety, the maritime economy, and health on the Great Lakes.
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Becoming a farmer is hard. This Michigan program wants to help.
“Nobody gets into farming for sane reasons, other than the sanity of knowing where your food comes from,” said one student at the Great Lakes Incubator Farm, which gives aspiring farmers a place to experiment without risk.
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![Snapped utility poles and wires from an ice storm]()
![Snapped utility poles and wires from an ice storm]()
A simple — yet expensive — way to climate-proof the grid: Bury the power lines
Underground power lines are far less vulnerable to extreme weather, but burying them doesn't come cheap. After a historic ice storm in northern Michigan, utilities there are reconsidering the cost.
