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Iosco Township Considers Conditional Rezoning for Solar Energy Projects Amid Community Concerns
Proposal highlights growing tensions over large-scale solar projects in Michigan as critics question feasibility and impact on rural communities.
January 12, 2025
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IOSCO TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — DTE Electric Company has proposed a conditional rezoning plan to establish utility-scale solar energy systems in Iosco Township, part of a broader push for renewable energy across Michigan. The project aims to cover two districts with approximately 1,283 acres of gross available solar area, taking into account environmental constraints such as wetlands and wooded areas.

While DTE highlights the project’s alignment with the township’s 2021 Master Plan and promises economic benefits, opposition is mounting from residents and critics who argue that solar energy may not be the best solution for Michigan’s energy needs. This proposal follows the controversy surrounding the Gaylord Solar Project in Otsego County, where environmentalists and residents objected to habitat fragmentation and potential harm to wetlands, sparking debates about the state’s approach to renewable energy.

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Solar Energy’s Limitations in Michigan

Critics of large-scale solar developments, including the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, argue that solar power has inherent limitations in Michigan due to its geography and climate. The state averages fewer sunny days per year compared to regions in the Southwest, where solar energy production is more efficient and reliable. Additionally, Michigan’s long winters and cloud cover further reduce the viability of solar as a consistent energy source.

The Mackinac Center has also raised concerns about the economic inefficiency of solar power, noting that utility-scale solar projects often require significant subsidies, taxpayer support, and regulatory mandates to remain viable. According to their research, reliance on solar energy risks creating an unstable energy grid, particularly during peak demand in winter when solar production is at its lowest. This instability, they argue, could lead to increased costs for consumers and potential energy shortages.

Community Concerns and Potential Impact

Residents of Iosco Township have expressed concerns about the visual and environmental impact of the proposed project, particularly the disruption to the area’s rural character. The plan includes a 300-foot buffer from non-participating residences and a 50-foot setback from property lines and roadways, but critics worry that these measures may not sufficiently mitigate the visual intrusion of rows of solar panels.

DTE has pointed to findings from a CohnReznick LLP study, which concluded that similar solar projects in Michigan, such as the Assembly Solar Farm and DeMille Solar Park, had no consistent negative effects on surrounding property values. However, some residents remain skeptical, citing concerns over the long-term effects on their community.

Balancing Renewable Energy and Practicality

Proponents of solar energy highlight the potential economic benefits, including eligibility for Michigan’s Renewable Ready Communities grant, which could bring in more than $500,000 for the township. DTE has also emphasized the job opportunities and increased tax revenues that could result from the project.

However, critics argue that Michigan’s renewable energy policies should prioritize a diverse mix of sources, including nuclear and natural gas, which provide more consistent energy production. The Mackinac Center suggests that policymakers should consider the cost and reliability of energy sources rather than focusing exclusively on solar and wind, which are intermittent and require backup from fossil fuels or batteries.

The Iosco Township Planning Commission is set to review the proposal in the coming months. As the debate continues, the project highlights the challenges of balancing environmental goals with the practical realities of energy production in Michigan.

 

NOTICE: Dave Bondy works as the digital video manager for ther Mackinac Center

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Bloomington, MN police chief is now calling the Tesla vandal a “victim” because people were saying mean things about her online. They will also not be prosecuting her.

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No, keeping it real after hours tonight

Katie and I are both not feeling well so there will be no after hours show tonight.

News bias?

This morning, the Trump administration announced that one of the top MS 13 gang members was arrested on the East Coast of the United States. Fox News is the only network to lead with this during the 9 a.m. hour.  The other networks lead with old news.

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News they don't want you to see
Monday April 7, 2025

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LANSING, Mich - A Grosse Pointe Schools trustee is defiant after receiving an apparent death threat during a March 31 school board meeting.

“Fortunate for you, I’m no Luigi,” local activist Ian Seaman said in a video clip posted to a local Facebook group. “But to some disgruntled teen with his or her father’s pistol or rifle, any of the other things you prefer in school other than rainbow flags, you might be a Brian Thompson.”

The comment was a reference to Luigi Mangione, who allegedly shot and killed UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City in December. Video shows Seaman wearing a backpack, as Mangione did during the shooting of Thompson. The audience applauded after Seaman's comments, the video shows.

Seaman's comments were directed at Trustee Sean Cotton, whose family previously owned hospitals in the region.

Seaman claimed to be upset over school policy on hanging gay pride flags in classrooms. Cotton noted that the Grosse Point Public School System's Policies & Guidelines document does not contain policies related to flags. He told Michigan Capitol Confidential he believes Seaman has been radicalized by political opposition whose "months of reckless demagoguery that used me as a boogeyman contributed directly to his actions and the threat he made against my life."

Cotton and other board members expressed shock after Seaman's statement.

“You don’t always have your life threatened right here, and that guy Ian Seaman, he absolutely just did threaten my life,” Cotton told the assembled crowd. “From my exercising representative government and democracy and the First Amendment, that’s pretty disconcerting.”

After ensuring that Seaman had left the location, Cotton filed a report with the Grosse Pointe Farms police department, he told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an email. Click here to read story.

 

A high school-aged transgender-identifying track athlete reportedly came in last place against junior varsity boys two years before switching to compete against varsity girls and taking home first place.

Zachary Rose, who now identifies as Lia Rose, formerly competed against boys at Ida B. Wells High School in Portland, Oregon, according to a New York Post report. But after switching to girls’ varsity, Rose recently won the high jump at the Portland Interscholastic League Varsity Relays with a height of 4 feet, 8 inches. The athlete bested the girls in the competition by at least two inches.

Citing athletic.net, the Post noted that Rose, while competing on boys JV track in 2023, finished dead last with a jump of 4 feet, 6 inches.

Rose competed against males in 2024, too, before apparently switching to compete against girls.

Despite proponents of boys in girls’ sports suggesting it’s exceedingly rare that trans-identifying athletes are taking opportunities and trophies from girls, these events are becoming more and more common. And in turn, females are refusing to compete in protest, citing safety and fairness. Click here to read more.

 

Elon Musk appeared to split from the Trump administration on tariffs overnight — as he lashed out at trade adviser Peter Navarro and said he hoped for a “zero tariff situation” between the US and Europe.

The world’s richest man made the comments after President Trump announced sweeping tariffs against virtually every U.S. trading parner last week.

The resulting stock market crash saw $11 billion wiped off his net worth.

The Tesla and SpaceX guru made very public swipes Saturday against Navarro, who is widely seen as one of the top architects of Trump’s tariff regime.

“A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing. Results in the ego/brains>>1 problem,” Musk vented on X Saturday in response to a user touting the trade adviser’s explanations of tariffs.

Another user chimed in, saying that Navarro was “correct” in his assessment of tariffs, prompting Musk to retort, “He ain’t built sh—.” Click here to read more.

 

DETROIT, Mich - A teen and her family are counting their blessings after the 14-year-old survived a terrifying situation last month.

On March 12, Alyssa Atkinson was doing a normal warm-up during track practice at Allen Park High School when things took a quick turn for the worst.

“I just remember doing two warm-up laps and then doing our regular program in lines, but that’s all I remember from that day,” she said.

Alyssa’s next memory was waking up in a hospital with family by her side.

The 14-year-old later learned she went into sudden cardiac arrest.

“I was very grateful to be even awake, but it was also scary to know that happened to me,” she said.

It was a surreal moment, especially for Alyssa, as she had never shown any signs of a heart problem previously.

“She does her sports physical every year for sports activities in high school and middle school. So, this was sprung upon us and we had no idea,” her mother, Kelly Dolan, said. Click here to read more.

 

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump this week called on Congress to swipe all public dollars from public media outlets PBS and NPR.

“NPR and PBS, two horrible and completely biased platforms (Networks!), should be DEFUNDED by Congress, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump said. “Republicans, don’t miss this opportunity to rid our Country of this giant SCAM, both being arms of the Radical Left Democrat Party. JUST SAY NO AND, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump also told reporters this week he’d “love” to defund NPR and PBS.

“I think it’s very unfair – it’s been very biased, the whole group,” Trump said. “The kind of money that’s being wasted – it’s a very biased view… I’d be honored to see it end.”

“We’re well-covered,” he said. “We don’t need it. It’s a waste of money.”

Florida’s Voice Founder Brendon Leslie penned an op-ed this week calling for Florida lawmakers to make a similar move.

“Florida’s 2024-2025 budget includes millions of dollars for public media,” Leslie wrote. “Florida needs to, once again, lead on a national issue: defund NPR and PBS.” Click here to reads more.

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Grand Blanc Man Charged with Embezzling Thousands from Youth Football Program
Man accused of stealing thousands from local youth sports program over several years.

FLINT, Mich. — A Grand Blanc, Michigan man has been charged with felony embezzlement for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from a local nonprofit youth football organization over a span of several years.

According to a felony complaint filed in Genesee County's 67th District Court, Richard Merrell is accused of embezzling between $1,000 and $20,000 from the Grand Blanc Youth Football Club, a nonprofit organization, between 2019 and 2024.

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The complaint alleges that Merrell, who was acting as an agent, servant, or employee of the organization, converted money or property to his own use without the consent of the nonprofit. The funds were allegedly taken while under Merrell’s control by virtue of his role within the organization.

The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $15,000, or three times the amount embezzled—whichever is greater. If convicted, Merrell may face a consecutive sentence if the court determines the nonprofit status of the victim warrants additional penalties.

The warrant for Merrell’s arrest was authorized on March 27, 2025, by the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office.

No further details have been released regarding the specific amount allegedly taken or how the embezzlement was discovered. Merrell’s first court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

The case is being handled by the 7th Judicial Circuit Court and the 67th Judicial District Court in Flint.

I have reached out to Merrell and thge youth group for comment but have not yet heard back from anyone.

This is a developing story.

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Report: Michigan Review Finds 15 Likely Non-Citizens Voted in 2024 Election, Sparking Debate Over Voter ID Laws
Secretary of State's office says illegal votes were rare but serious; GOP lawmakers push for stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements.

The Detroit News reports a recent review by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office found that 15 individuals who are likely not U.S. citizens voted in the November 2024 presidential election.

The News reported, the review, conducted since December, is the most comprehensive of its kind in Michigan in years and adds to the case of Haoxiang Gao, a Chinese student already facing felony charges for allegedly voting illegally.

The Secretary of State’s office has referred 13 of the 15 cases to Attorney General Dana Nessel for further investigation. One of the individuals is deceased, and the other is under further review. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, has argued that non-citizen voting is rare and can be addressed without imposing harsh voter ID laws.

Critics, including Republican State Rep. Bryan Posthumus, are using the findings to push for a constitutional amendment requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register and vote. Benson’s office, however, maintains that Michigan’s system is secure and emphasizes preventing disenfranchisement of legal voters.

The article also notes that similar reviews in Iowa and Ohio found a small number of non-citizen voters, reinforcing the point that while rare, enforcement is key to keeping it that way.

Click here to read the entire article.

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