We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mark Overstreet. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Mark, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Quick Briefing and Information Review (15-20 minutes)
Review overnight news updates, ratings, and viewer feedback.
Scan key emails and messages for urgent issues.
Check the station’s social media and digital platforms for any overnight developments or trending topics.
Staff and Department Check-ins (20-30 minutes)
Brief meeting or calls with department heads (news director, programming director, sales manager, technical director) to get updates on any critical issues, content schedules, or operational challenges.
Address any immediate concerns or decisions needed.
Align on key priorities for the day.
Review Programming and Schedule (20 minutes)
Review the day’s programming lineup and any special broadcasts.
Confirm that all technical and staff resources are in place for live shows or major content.
Review advertising and sponsorship schedules with sales and programming teams.
Strategy and Planning (20 minutes)
Reflect on strategic goals and any ongoing projects.
Plan any meetings or discussions needed with external partners, advertisers, or regulatory bodies.
Review competitor activity or industry news relevant to the station.
Open Time for Unexpected Issues (10-15 minutes)
Allow flexibility for addressing any urgent matters or crises that arise unexpectedly.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Mark Overstreet is the Chief Executive Officer for the Michigan Broadcast stations owned and operated by Morgan Murphy Media. The stations: WBKB-WBUP-WJMN-WBKP-TV. My career in broadcasting, spans over 25 years, with roles including President, VP, and General Manager at various stations.
My UP Now is a news media outlet based in Marquette, Michigan, that covers the entire Upper Peninsula. It was formed in September 2024 by combining two existing newsrooms, WBUP-TV and WJMN-TV, and offers news, weather, and sports through its website, a mobile app, and broadcast on Zeam. The outlet provides local stories, in-depth reporting, weather forecasts, and live newscasts, reaching communities from the Keweenaw Peninsula to Menominee.
About My UP Now
Launched on September 9, 2024, by combining the newsrooms of WBUP-TV (ABC 10) and WJMN-TV (Local 3).
Coverage: Reports on local stories, weather, and sports across the Upper Peninsula, including Marquette, Escanaba, Ironwood, Houghton, and Sault Ste. Marie.
Mission: Focuses on delivering in-depth, local reporting on topics like crime, public policy, severe weather, and community events.
Team: Staffed by individuals who are natives of the Upper Peninsula and members of the community.
How to access their content
Website: myupnow.com.
Mobile App: The “My UP Now” app is available on the Apple App Store and provides access to live and on-demand newscasts, articles, and a weather team with interactive radar.
Television: Broadcasts can be viewed on Zeam, a platform that partners with MyUPNow.com.
YouTube: Content is also available on the My UP Now YouTube channel.
Social Media: Active on Facebook.
My UP Now” (WJMN-TV/WBUP-TV) is a local news organization and broadcaster in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. My UP Now reports on local news, including various community developments and construction projects in the Marquette area.
As of December 2025, My UP Now has reported on several ongoing and upcoming projects in Marquette and Marquette Township, including:
Marquette County Road Commission Projects: Various primary and local road paving and bridge/culvert construction projects are ongoing across Marquette County in 2025.
Renovare Workforce Housing: A plan has been approved to build 48 units of workforce housing off County Road 492 in Marquette Township, with development expected to begin after the land sale is finalized.
Michigan Veterans Home: A new $96 million, 108-bed skilled nursing facility for veterans is planned for a 38-acre property in Marquette Township, intersected by Venture Drive.
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Health Center: The tribe recently opened a new health center based in Marquette.
Lakeshore Boulevard Revetment: A project is underway to place a stone revetment along the shoreline to prevent further erosion and restore the area, with public amenities like a boardwalk also planned.
New Retail Development: A site plan for a new 13,000-square-foot retail space in Marquette Township, near Texas Roadhouse and Panera Bread, has been approved, though the specific store has not yet been disclosed.
My story in Marquette involves:
Leading Local News Consolidation: In August 2024, Overstreet oversaw the merging of the newsroom operations for WBUP-TV and WJMN-TV, rebranding them collectively as “My UP News” to expand local news coverage in the Upper Peninsula.
Commitment to Community News: He has expressed a strong commitment to providing news “uniquely designed for people in the Upper Peninsula,” emphasizing a focus on local issues and community service.
Professional Background: Broadcaster for ‘LIFE”.
Personal Philosophy: In a 2024 interview, Overstreet shared a defining personal moment was choosing to finish his college degree rather than become a UPS driver, a decision that shaped his career trajectory. He credits his neighbor Gerald, a smart man of many trades who worked in sales, as a significant male role model after his father passed away at an early age.
In summary, Mark Overstreet’s story in Marquette is one of a local media executives focused on building and expanding community-oriented news services in the Upper Peninsula.
Family: Andrea Overstreet wife and two lids.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The bonds between people can be broken by various factors, including:
Lack of Trust: When trust is betrayed through dishonesty, secrecy, or unreliability, relationships suffer.
Poor Communication: Misunderstandings, lack of openness, or ineffective communication can create distance.
Conflict and Resentment: Unresolved conflicts, persistent disagreements, or harboring grudges erode connections.
Neglect: Not investing time, attention, or care in a relationship can cause emotional distancing.
Differences in Values or Goals: Diverging priorities or beliefs can create incompatibility.
Hurtful Actions: Betrayals, insults, or harmful behaviors damage bonds.
Restoring bonds often involves:
Honest Communication: Open, sincere dialogue to address issues and express feelings.
Apologies and Forgiveness: Acknowledging wrongs and letting go of resentment.
Rebuilding Trust: Consistent and reliable actions over time to regain confidence.
Empathy and Understanding: Seeing things from the other’s perspective to foster connection.
Quality Time and Attention: Investing effort to reconnect and reinforce the relationship.
Shared Experiences: Engaging in activities and creating positive memories together.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Great News Directors truly listen and have the largest staffs in the station.
When people listen, several positive things can happen both for the listener and the speaker:
Understanding: Listening allows the listener to truly comprehend the speaker’s thoughts, feelings, and intentions, which builds clarity.
Connection: Active listening fosters empathy and trust, strengthening the emotional bond between people.
Validation: When people feel heard, they often feel valued and respected, boosting their confidence and openness.
Conflict Resolution: Effective listening helps to identify underlying issues, reduce misunderstandings, and facilitate finding common ground.
Learning: Listening opens the door to gaining new perspectives, knowledge, and insights.
Cooperation: Listening encourages collaboration and problem-solving by making everyone feel included in the conversation.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Keanu Reeves comes to my mind. In real life he is a down-to-earth human being. Based on the news stories he is described as a kind and generous person. He has quietly donated large amounts of money to charity. Of course, he is famous for all of his Matrix and John Wick movies in Hollywood.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If immortality were real, what would you build?
A Knowledge Legacy: An extensive, ever-growing library or digital repository of human knowledge, culture, and history to preserve and share wisdom for eternity.
Sustainable Communities: Self-sustaining, eco-friendly cities or habitats that harmonize with nature and provide a high quality of life for endless generations.
Art and Culture Institutions: Museums, theaters, or creative centers that celebrate and continuously evolve human artistic expression.
Scientific and Medical Research Centers: Facilities dedicated to advancing understanding and innovation to solve humanity’s biggest challenges.
Mentorship Networks: Platforms and organizations to guide, educate, and nurture future generations, emphasizing empathy and ethical leadership.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myupnow.com
- Instagram: https://twitter.com/myupnow
- Linkedin: linkin.com/in/mark-o3a35587
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/myupnow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyUPNow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MyUPNow
Image Credits
Copyright-Morgan Murphy media 2025
