Curious about the origins of "ope"? Project lead Dr. Betsy Sneller (alongside clips from our diarists) recently appeared on Michigan Public to introduce the leading theories about this mysterious little Midwesternism's history, meaning, and usage. Listen to the full story here: https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2026-01-23/where-does-ope-come-from

Now that the penny is no longer being minted, will people keep using penny-related figures of speech? A recent USA Today article features project lead Dr. Betsy Sneller's two cents on how people's speech is changing. She shares how Michiganders of different ages use penny-related phrases, and notes that at least one penny saying may actually be gaining ground with younger generations! Read the complete article here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/11/15/penny-discontinued-sayings-disappear-coin-discontinued/87253256007/

Curious about how MI Diaries started? In this radio interview, project lead Dr. Betsy Sneller shares why the project is important and how it began. She also explores the difference between an accent and a dialect, the distinctions and history of the Michigan dialect, and the ways regional dialects are currently changing. Listen to the complete interview here: https://www.wmktthetalkstation.com/podcast-3/episode/3044d2b4/the-michigan-accent

Many Michiganders don't think they speak with an accent. In this WJR interview, project lead Dr. Betsy Sneller explains that Michigan English has a distinct sound—and that it's changing! Listen to the complete interview here: https://thegreatvoice.com/Episode/what-is-a-michigan-accent/39060.

Project lead Dr. Betsy Sneller is featured in this WoodTV 8 interview and article about changes in the Michigan accent. View the entire interview by watching this video: You can also read the full article by going to https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/study-shows-the-michigan-accent-is-changing/.

Project lead Dr. Betsy Sneller is featured in this Detroit Free Press article on the Michigan English accent. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/05/19/michigan-accent-language-msu-speech-dialect/83720693007

Project lead Dr. Betsy Sneller talked with a reporter from CBS News Detroit about the project and the grant that she was awarded to continue and expand the project over the next several years. Congratulations Dr. Sneller! View the entire interview by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePqya4qJ-GY You can also watch the interview by going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePqya4qJ-GY.