Two Northern Michigan University alumni collaborated on a 20-minute independent documentary titled The Iron Town, which delves into Negaunee's mining history, current issues, and the key role that outdoor recreation is playing in guiding the city's future. Both will discuss the making of the film, with a screening to follow, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum. The project premiered at the 2022 Fresh Coast Film Festival. 

NMU Philosophy Professor Antony Aumann is featured prominently in a "New York Times" story on how students' increasing use of A.I. chatbots is prompting universities to restructure courses and take preventive measures. He continues to field numerous interview requests as other media worldwide have focused on the topic. Aumann said a red flag went up in response to a paper submitted in his world religions class last semester. After confronting the student, who ultimately confessed to using ChatGPT to write it, Aumann planned to implement changes in his courses this month. 

As Russian forces continue with heavy artillery shelling and frequent missile strikes that have resulted in thousands of deaths and extensive destruction in Ukraine, Northern Michigan University alumnus Matt Maki has no plans to leave the country he has called home for the past decade. The Negaunee High School graduate lives in Kyiv, the nation's capital and most populous city.

NMU theater alumnus and Marquette native Orion Couling has been profiled by pridesource.com for directing short fan films inspired by “Lord of the Rings” and “Star Wars” that portray differently abled people as heroic protagonists. He recently walked the red carpet alongside four actors with Down syndrome to celebrate the world premiere of his second project, “Gemseeker.” His first film, “No Easy Target,” was about a colony that welcomes people of all abilities and proves their worth to a violent and dismissive First Order commander.

WNMU-FM, Public Radio 90, is inviting students from the region in grades 5-8 and 9-12 to enter National Public Radio's Student Podcast Challenge to compete for a chance to have their work featured on NPR. The contest is open now and closes April 28.