Great Lakes Today

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Great Lakes Today, a collaboration of public media stations, was created to highlight issues affecting the lakes. All reports are available to stations for free -- whether or not the station is in the Great Lakes region.

The main partners in the collaboration are WBFO (Buffalo), ideastream (Cleveland) and WXXI (Rochester); other stations in the region will also contribute reports. Great Lakes Today is funded through a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Series

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4 Pieces

Drownings at Great Lakes beaches often have a common cause: dangerous currents similar to those found along the ocean. Over the past decade, some 500 drownings and rescues have been attributed to structural, longshore and rip currents. This four-part series examines the issue from various perspectives, including a grieving mother, scientists developing a warning system, and a Michigan beach where drownings are concentrated. NOTE: Stories can run as a series or individually. Intros and outros are customized

Caption: Victor Small gets help for his asthma at an East Baltimore clinic., Credit: Angelica A. Morrison
3 Pieces

Minorities in the Great Lakes bear the burden of environmental problems such as air pollution, water contamination and waste dumps. This series examines the issue through residents of Cleveland, Buffalo and an indigenous community in Ontario, Canada.

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3 Pieces

The environmental movement is being redefined. Many advocacy groups are reaching out to minorities and addressing issues important to them. This three-part series explains how the movement has changed -- and what still needs to be done.

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5 Pieces

A look at the impact of President Trump's proposed budget cuts


Pieces

Caption: Coast Guard boat, Credit: Elizabeth Miller/ideastream
The Coast Guard reports more than 160 false distress calls made this year in the Great Lakes region compared to 55 last year.

Bought by WLPR , WKSU, WRVO Public Media, and WBFO


  • Added: Jul 06, 2017
  • Length: 01:02
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Port of Oswego, 2016, Credit: WRVO file photo
Historically high water levels on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are presenting the shipping industry with both challenges and opportunitie...

Bought by WLPR , WMUK, WCMU Michigan, WKSU, North Country Public Radio and more


  • Added: Jul 03, 2017
  • Length: 01:10
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Lake Erie, Credit: Elizabeth Miller/ideastream
By this time of year, Lake Erie usually reaches its peak water level, beginning a seasonal decline with drier conditions. But this year has been a...

Bought by WKSU


  • Added: Jun 30, 2017
  • Length: 01:02
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: An empty car on Centreville Amusement Park's log flume., Credit: Veronica Volk
Flooding has continued along Lake Ontario for two months -- like some slow-motion natural disaster. And it’s still creating problems in Toronto, th...

Bought by WRVO Public Media, WCMU Michigan, WBFO, North Country Public Radio, WCPN and more


  • Added: Jun 30, 2017
  • Length: 03:34
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Albany Symphony Orchestra musicians Jamecyn Morey and Mitsuko Suzuki at Lock E-2 in Waterford, N.Y. , Credit: Gary David Gold
The Albany Symphony is holding a series of concerts in towns along the Erie Canal, to mark the beginning of construction in July, 1817.

Bought by WCMU Michigan, WCPN, North Country Public Radio, and WBFO


  • Added: Jun 30, 2017
  • Length: 03:33
  • Purchases: 4
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The National Wildlife Federation issued a statement in response to the discovery of an Asian Carp found just a few miles outside of Lake Michigan o...

Bought by WBFO and WCPN


  • Added: Jun 23, 2017
  • Length: 01:06
  • Purchases: 2
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The issue of clean water was at the forefront of a demonstration this morning in Western New York. It was an event hosted by the Sisters of Mercy o...

Bought by WBFO and WCPN


  • Added: Jun 23, 2017
  • Length: 01:42
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Mouth of sea lamprey, Credit: Angelica A. Morrison
A new report on the health of the Great Lakes is out this week. And it shows a grim outlook for Lake Erie.

Bought by WBFO, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WCMU Michigan, WXXI Rochester, WCPN and more


  • Added: Jun 21, 2017
  • Length: 01:41
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Niagara Falls (N.Y.) Mayor Paul Dyster, Credit: WBFO file photo
Mayors from the Great Lakes region are gathering this week in Montreal. And from that meeting comes a major announcement about climate change.

Bought by WBFO, WRVO Public Media, WMUK, WXXI Rochester, WCMU Michigan and more


  • Added: Jun 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:17
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Flooded gas dock at a marina in Rochester, New York, Credit: Alex Crichton, WXXI News
The US Army Corps of Engineers predicts that water across the Great Lakes will remain high for the duration of summer, and even into the fall.

Bought by Interlochen Public Radio, WCMU Michigan, WKSU, WRVO Public Media, WCPN and more


  • Added: Jun 12, 2017
  • Length: :38
  • Purchases: 7