Bergman Announces Guest for Trump’s Joint Address to Congress: Famed U.P. Meteorologist, Now State Rep. Karl Bohnak

Washington, March 4, 2025
Today, Rep. Jack Bergman announced that State Representative Karl Bohnak will join him as a special guest for President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.

Bergman issued the following statement:

“Karl Bohnak is a true picture of U.P. grit and I’m honored to have him join me for President Trump’s historic address tonight. Karl has been the face of the Upper Peninsula’s weather for four decades and is now serving his first term as State Representative in Lansing. When it comes to addressing the needs of his District, Karl has hit the ground running to help Yoopers.”

Background:

State Rep. Karl Bohnak was first elected to the State House of Representatives in November 2024. He serves the 109th House District, which includes the counties of Alger, Baraga, Marquette, and portions of Dickinson, including the townships of Breen, Felch, Norway, Waucedah, and West Branch, as well as the cities of Ishpeming, Marquette, Munising, Negaunee, and Norway.

Committees:

Bohnak serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Economic Competitiveness. He also serves as a member of the Natural Resources and Tourism, Health Policy, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.

Personal:

A love of snow drew Bohnak north to the Upper Peninsula nearly 40 years ago, where he became chief meteorologist at WLUC-TV6 in Marquette. He’s been there ever since. Weather has been Bohnak’s passion since his youth; to this day, he is captivated by learning about and informing people of interesting, extreme weather.

But Bohnak is more than just a meteorologist.  He is also an author and historian. His award-winning book, So Cold a Sky, was released in 2006. His next effort, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Almanac, was co-written with Ron Jolly. His latest book, Sunburns to Snowstorms, Upper Michigan Weather in Pictures and Stories, is a collaboration with photo historian Jack Deo.

Bohnak and his wife, Liz, live in Deerton with their beloved cat, Gracie. He has two sons and a twin sister who live in the Milwaukee area. He also has three grandchildren.