Upper Michigan Today celebrates 70 years of TV6 as Upper Michigan’s Source

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - Tuesday’s edition of Upper Michigan Today brought generations of TV6 personalities together for a very special day.

April 28 marks 70 years of TV6 serving as Upper Michigan’s most trusted news source. The U.P.’s first television station (now WLUC-TV) debuted as WDMJ-TV on this day in 1956.

70 years later, TV6’s legacy lives on, ever evolving to suit the needs of Yoopers in the modern world. With the TV6 mobile news app, the TV6+ streaming app and strong social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X), TV6 & FOX UP is still Upper Michigan’s go-to for all things news, weather, sports and local entertainment.

Watch the Upper Michigan Today TV6 70th Anniversary Special below for a blast from the past as well as a look into TV6’s bright future ahead.

Don Ryan is a TV6 legend. Having worn many hats at the station, from anchor to weatherman to general manager and more, the Ishpeming native can tell you many stories about the early days of this television station.

He recently wrapped The Ryan Report, a weekly news interview program featuring leaders from government, business and the community since 2003. Ryan continues his TV6 legacy with special projects each week.

Alongside Ryan was Tony Stagliano, TV6 marketing director, Negaunee native and spearhead of the TV670 celebrations. Stagliano has big plans in store to share the station’s history across Upper Michigan. (Stay tuned!)

Upper Michigan Today initially aired in the mid 1970s. Originally hosted by Carl Pellonpaa and Sue McQuaide, the program had an 18.5-year run.

Generations of UMT collided Tuesday as current co-hosts Audrey Stetson and John Redfield got to know former hosts Scott Zerbel and Cynthia Thompson. Watch below for a glimpse into the early days of Upper Michigan Today before its original iteration concluded in 1992.

Connecting through shared experience (though 30+ years apart), Stetson and Redfield had a heartfelt conversation with Zerbel and Thompson. The former Upper Michigan Today hosts reflected on their memories exploring and representing the U.P., also offering words of advice to a new UMT generation.

You know her, you love her... it’s the driving force behind Upper Michigan Today’s 2022 rebirth, Elizabeth Peterson! Peterson shared how her vision to bring UMT back started by wanting to spread a little goodness with viewers across Upper Michigan each morning, beyond the morning newscasts.

Those same viewers welcomed her and co-host Tia Trudgeon into their homes, for nearly three years, and hearts, to this day. Now, Peterson has some kind words encouraging Stetson and Redfield to show up each day as themselves and make Upper Michigan Today their own.

TV6 continues to celebrate its 70th anniversary throughout 2026. Stay tuned for special longform content exploring a rich history behind Upper Michigan’s Source.

Until then, you can stream your TV6 newscasts, special programs and historic videos from the vault on TV6+. Download now with Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV apps.

Upper Michigan Today wants your story ideas! To feature a person, place or thing you feel makes the U.P. “Someplace Special,” submit an easy form here. You can watch Upper Michigan Today weekdays at 9:00 a.m. ET on FOX UP or stream it on your smart device with TV6+.