Dave Bondy
Politics • Culture • News
News they don't want you to see
Wednesday December 18, 2024
December 18, 2024
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CHICAGO, IL - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson booted members of the public from a city meeting on his proposed 2025 budget on Monday after residents vocally protested against extensive funding for migrants.

While Johnson's 2025 budget narrowly passed on Monday, it was only after the mayor ordered a temporary recess to allow police to clear residents from the hall to allow council members to vote.

It took six weeks of debate for Johnson to secure the 26 votes necessary to pass the budget plan, with the opposition succeeding in removing a proposed $300 million property tax.

The plan also adopts a $40 million short-term loan that allows the city to delay paying off its debt, a major point of criticism for many of the protesters.

"You caused all this money to go to illegal immigrants," one resident told Johnson during the public comment period. "Anything that you all pass is not genuine."

Another resident accused Johnson of failing to "protect the people of Chicago from invasion." Click here to read more.


 

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SEATTLE, WASH - Over a dozen school districts in Washington, one of the country’s most left-leaning states, are proposing banning males from playing in girls’ sports.

A group of 14 school districts has proposed an amendment to the handbook of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, which governs athletics at middle and high schools, that would ban trans-identifying boys from playing on girls’ sports teams.

The proposal comes after 17 years of trans-identifying public school students in Washington being able to play on the team of the opposite sex.

The group of school districts also have a second proposal that would establish a new “open division” that would allow trans-identifying students to play.

The amendments must pass with 60% approval at an April meeting of the Association in order to take effect. Click here to read more.

 

NEWARK, NJ - Belleville, New Jersey, Mayor Michael Melham connected a string of mysterious drone sightings to a report of a radioactive shipment that went missing earlier in December.

Melham said the drones have been hovering over critical infrastructure and residential areas in his state for at least four weeks, suggesting that their grid-like flying patterns indicate they are searching for something specific.

“We know very little,” Melham told the hosts of Good Day New York on Tuesday.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) confirmed in an event report Friday that a Ge-68 pin source shipped by New Jersey‘s Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) went missing from the Port of Newark on Dec. 2. Melham said the materials were lost in transit.

“It was a shipment. It arrived at its destination. The container was damaged, and it was empty,” he told the hosts. Click here to read more.

 

NEW YORK, NY - Federal agencies reported $161.5 billion in improper payments during fiscal year 2024, according to data released by the Office of Management and Budget in November.

President Joe Biden will leave office having lost $925.7 billion to improper payments — money sent to the wrong person, for the wrong amount or the wrong reason — during his four-year term. Adjusted for inflation, Biden’s term will have lost $986.2 billion.

That’s the worst for any president since reporting began in 2004, even adjusted for inflation.

Key facts: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wasted $87 billion in improper payments, more than any other government entity. Medicare reimbursements to health providers had a 7.7% mistake rate this year, the worst since percentages were first reported in 2019.

Another $4 billion was sent to recipients who had issues regarding their citizenship, including $824 million in unemployment insurance from the Department of Labor. Click here to read more.

 

LANSING, Mich - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a measure allowing Michigan transportation to install “an automated speed enforcement system” in work zones to penalize motorists who break the law.

House Bill 4132 would allow the Michigan Department of Transportation to create an “automated speed enforcement system unit.” The agency would be empowered to set the criteria for prioritizing a work zone, such as a freeway, for installing such a system.

Critics of the cameras say the cameras may provide a false sense of security for employees in work zones, and potential mission creep in the use of cameras for purposes other than monitoring drivers in traffic construction areas.

“Whether you’re driving on them or working on them, we’re focused on fixing the damn roads and making sure people are safe on the damn roads,” the governor said in a post to X.

Under the measure, transportation officials would need to place a sign one mile before the work zone starts, and an automated speed enforcement system would digitally display an approaching vehicle’s speed.

The House passed the bill initially last year, but it languished in the Senate until last month.

It would create a new fund in the state treasury, the Work Zone Safety Fund, and according to an analysis from the Senate Fiscal Agency, MDOT indicated “there would be a small cost associated with this program.” Click here to read more.

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Neighbors helping neighbors in Kerr County, Texas

I spoke with Janice Riley, who lives just two miles from the deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas.

Janice is stepping up to help her neighbors in the wake of the flooding. If you’d like to support relief efforts, visit the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for a list of reputable organizations accepting donations.

00:11:54
Some people are blaming the Trump administration for the flooding.
00:01:35
Despite Gunfire and a High-Speed Chase, Police Say New Michigan Laws Stopped Them from Jailing Seventeen-Year-Old

GRAND BLANC, Mich. — A 17-year-old suspect was released Friday following a high-speed police chase that ended with a handgun being thrown from the vehicle and discharging into the car, according to law enforcement officials.

The pursuit occurred June 27 and involved multiple agencies, including the Michigan State Police, Genesee County Sheriff's Department, and police from the cities of Grand Blanc, Flint, Burton, and Davison Township.

Authorities say the juvenile attempted to discard a handgun from the moving vehicle. The firearm discharged into the interior of the car during the attempt. No injuries were reported, and the suspect was taken into custody—but later released.

Law enforcement officials say the release was due to changes in state law. In October 2021, Michigan enacted a “Raise the Age” law that reclassified 17-year-olds as juveniles, meaning they could no longer be lodged in adult county jails. Previously, the suspect would have been held in the Genesee County Jail.

In ...

00:01:54
When I worked at a local tv station my news director tried to get one of the meteorologists to make the red on the screen look darker during severe weather. He thought that would bring in better ratings. True story. Good news, the meteorlogist told him t

When I worked at a local tv station my news director tried to get one of the meteorologists to make the red on the screen look darker during severe weather. He thought that would bring in better ratings. True story. Good news, the meteorlogist told him to go fly a kite.

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President Trump scolds reporter for asking about Epstein during cabinet meeting this morning.

President Trump scolds reporter for asking about Epstein during cabinet meeting this morning.
https://open.substack.com/pub/davebondy/p/president-trump-scolds-reporter-for?r=m9vqj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

President Trump was just asked by a reporter about the Epstein list. Trump scolded the reporter for asking the question saying there is more important things to discuss.

President Trump was just asked by a reporter about the Epstein list. Trump scolded the reporter for asking the question saying there is more important things to discuss.

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DTE Says St. Clair County Crossed the Line on Solar Farm Regulations
DTE claims local officials are overstepping and threatening major solar projects.

PORT HURON, Mich. — DTE Electric Company filed a lawsuit against St. Clair County, its Board of Commissioners, and Health Department on July 3, 2025, challenging new regulations on solar farms and battery storage projects.

The suit, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, claims the rules are illegal and violate state laws promoting renewable energy.

The dispute centers on Public Act 233 (PA 233), a 2023 Michigan law that sets uniform standards for large-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects. PA 233 allows the Michigan Public Service Commission to oversee permitting unless local ordinances match its standards.

Support my independent journalism by signing up to my free newsletter. Also, if you aren’t already consider becoming a paid subscriber for less than $1 per week. I rely on all of you to keep this work going.

 

 

DTE argues the county’s regulations exceed these standards and conflict with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.

St. Clair County’s regulations, adopted May 1, 2025, require solar and battery storage facilities to obtain Health Department approval before construction. They limit noise to 45 decibels at non-participating property lines, stricter than PA 233’s 55-decibel cap, and prohibit tonal noise.

I talked to Dr. Remington Nevin in February about this issue. Watch below:

Facilities must be visually screened from roads and adjacent properties using fencing, berms, or vegetation.

The rules also mandate a decommissioning plan with financial assurance of at least $100,000 per megawatt, adjusted for inflation, compared to PA 233’s more flexible requirements. A $25,000 nonrefundable fee is required for each application, covering review costs.

The regulations stem from a November 2024 memorandum by Dr. Remington Nevin, the county Health Department’s medical director. Nevin cited potential public health risks from solar farms, including noise, visual pollution, and environmental hazards from improper decommissioning. He argued rural residents are a “particularly vulnerable population group” needing extra protection.

DTE, Michigan’s largest electric utility, is developing solar and energy storage projects in St. Clair County. In August 2024, the company presented plans to the Greenwood Township Planning Commission, advocating for ordinances aligned with PA 233.

DTE claims the county’s rules hinder these projects and its property interests.

The lawsuit argues the Health Department lacks authority to regulate land use, a power reserved for counties, townships, cities, or villages under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Since all St. Clair County townships have their own zoning ordinances, DTE says the county cannot impose additional rules.

The suit also claims PA 233 preempts stricter local regulations.

On April 4, 2025, the Health Department announced a public hearing for April 16 to discuss the proposed rules. DTE submitted a letter on April 14, arguing the regulations were preempted and arbitrary.

The Health Department adopted the rules on April 25, and the Board of Commissioners approved them with immediate effect, citing public health concerns.

DTE seeks a court order declaring the regulations invalid and unenforceable. The company argues they undermine Michigan’s clean energy goals, targeting 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2040.

St. Clair County’s legal counsel, Gary Fletcher, said the county will defend the regulations, citing authority under the Michigan Public Health Code.

The Health Department referred questions to the county. Attempts to reach St. Clair County for further comment were made, but no response was received by press time. DTE’s attorneys, from Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, declined to comment.

A court hearing is expected later this year.

Read full Article
post photo preview
DTE Says St. Clair County Crossed the Line on Solar Farm Regulations
DTE claims local officials are overstepping and threatening major solar projects.

PORT HURON, Mich. — DTE Electric Company filed a lawsuit against St. Clair County, its Board of Commissioners, and Health Department on July 3, 2025, challenging new regulations on solar farms and battery storage projects.

The suit, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, claims the rules are illegal and violate state laws promoting renewable energy.

The dispute centers on Public Act 233 (PA 233), a 2023 Michigan law that sets uniform standards for large-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects. PA 233 allows the Michigan Public Service Commission to oversee permitting unless local ordinances match its standards.

Support my independent journalism by signing up to my free newsletter. Also, if you aren’t already consider becoming a paid subscriber for less than $1 per week. I rely on all of you to keep this work going.

 

 

DTE argues the county’s regulations exceed these standards and conflict with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.

St. Clair County’s regulations, adopted May 1, 2025, require solar and battery storage facilities to obtain Health Department approval before construction. They limit noise to 45 decibels at non-participating property lines, stricter than PA 233’s 55-decibel cap, and prohibit tonal noise.

I talked to Dr. Remington Nevin in February about this issue. 

Facilities must be visually screened from roads and adjacent properties using fencing, berms, or vegetation.

The rules also mandate a decommissioning plan with financial assurance of at least $100,000 per megawatt, adjusted for inflation, compared to PA 233’s more flexible requirements. A $25,000 nonrefundable fee is required for each application, covering review costs.

The regulations stem from a November 2024 memorandum by Dr. Remington Nevin, the county Health Department’s medical director. Nevin cited potential public health risks from solar farms, including noise, visual pollution, and environmental hazards from improper decommissioning. He argued rural residents are a “particularly vulnerable population group” needing extra protection.

 

 

DTE, Michigan’s largest electric utility, is developing solar and energy storage projects in St. Clair County. In August 2024, the company presented plans to the Greenwood Township Planning Commission, advocating for ordinances aligned with PA 233.

DTE claims the county’s rules hinder these projects and its property interests.

The lawsuit argues the Health Department lacks authority to regulate land use, a power reserved for counties, townships, cities, or villages under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Since all St. Clair County townships have their own zoning ordinances, DTE says the county cannot impose additional rules.

The suit also claims PA 233 preempts stricter local regulations.

On April 4, 2025, the Health Department announced a public hearing for April 16 to discuss the proposed rules. DTE submitted a letter on April 14, arguing the regulations were preempted and arbitrary.

The Health Department adopted the rules on April 25, and the Board of Commissioners approved them with immediate effect, citing public health concerns.

DTE seeks a court order declaring the regulations invalid and unenforceable. The company argues they undermine Michigan’s clean energy goals, targeting 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2040.

St. Clair County’s legal counsel, Gary Fletcher, said the county will defend the regulations, citing authority under the Michigan Public Health Code.

The Health Department referred questions to the county. Attempts to reach St. Clair County for further comment were made, but no response was received by press time. DTE’s attorneys, from Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, declined to comment.

A court hearing is expected later this year.

Read full Article
post photo preview
DTE Says St. Clair County Crossed the Line on Solar Farm Regulations
DTE claims local officials are overstepping and threatening major solar projects.

PORT HURON, Mich. — DTE Electric Company filed a lawsuit against St. Clair County, its Board of Commissioners, and Health Department on July 3, 2025, challenging new regulations on solar farms and battery storage projects.

The suit, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, claims the rules are illegal and violate state laws promoting renewable energy.

The dispute centers on Public Act 233 (PA 233), a 2023 Michigan law that sets uniform standards for large-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects. PA 233 allows the Michigan Public Service Commission to oversee permitting unless local ordinances match its standards.

Support my independent journalism by signing up to my free newsletter. Also, if you aren’t already consider becoming a paid subscriber for less than $1 per week. I rely on all of you to keep this work going.

 

 

DTE argues the county’s regulations exceed these standards and conflict with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.

St. Clair County’s regulations, adopted May 1, 2025, require solar and battery storage facilities to obtain Health Department approval before construction. They limit noise to 45 decibels at non-participating property lines, stricter than PA 233’s 55-decibel cap, and prohibit tonal noise.

I talked to Dr. Remington Nevin in February about this issue. Watch below:

Facilities must be visually screened from roads and adjacent properties using fencing, berms, or vegetation.

The rules also mandate a decommissioning plan with financial assurance of at least $100,000 per megawatt, adjusted for inflation, compared to PA 233’s more flexible requirements. A $25,000 nonrefundable fee is required for each application, covering review costs.

The regulations stem from a November 2024 memorandum by Dr. Remington Nevin, the county Health Department’s medical director. Nevin cited potential public health risks from solar farms, including noise, visual pollution, and environmental hazards from improper decommissioning. He argued rural residents are a “particularly vulnerable population group” needing extra protection.

DTE, Michigan’s largest electric utility, is developing solar and energy storage projects in St. Clair County. In August 2024, the company presented plans to the Greenwood Township Planning Commission, advocating for ordinances aligned with PA 233.

DTE claims the county’s rules hinder these projects and its property interests.

The lawsuit argues the Health Department lacks authority to regulate land use, a power reserved for counties, townships, cities, or villages under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Since all St. Clair County townships have their own zoning ordinances, DTE says the county cannot impose additional rules.

The suit also claims PA 233 preempts stricter local regulations.

On April 4, 2025, the Health Department announced a public hearing for April 16 to discuss the proposed rules. DTE submitted a letter on April 14, arguing the regulations were preempted and arbitrary.

The Health Department adopted the rules on April 25, and the Board of Commissioners approved them with immediate effect, citing public health concerns.

DTE seeks a court order declaring the regulations invalid and unenforceable. The company argues they undermine Michigan’s clean energy goals, targeting 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2040.

St. Clair County’s legal counsel, Gary Fletcher, said the county will defend the regulations, citing authority under the Michigan Public Health Code.

The Health Department referred questions to the county. Attempts to reach St. Clair County for further comment were made, but no response was received by press time. DTE’s attorneys, from Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, declined to comment.

A court hearing is expected later this year.

Read full Article
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