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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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Keeping It Real with Dave Bondy is adding a new voice of authority to the team. John Hartman, a retired police chief with decades of experience in law enforcement, has joined as our legal and law enforcement expert.

Hartman’s career began in Pennsylvania, where he led one of the state’s regional police departments serving as many as ten communities across three counties. Under his leadership, the department handled complex cases and grew into a model for multi-municipality policing. He retired in 2018 but has remained active in training, investigations, and private consulting.
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School Board Member Alleges Information Withheld in Proposed $40 Million School Sale

SWARTZ CREEK, Mich. — Tensions flared at a recent Swartz Creek School Board meeting after a board member claimed he was not given key information about a potential $40 million sale of Moorish Elementary School to a state-backed development project.

Board member Chuck Melki alleged that documents related to the proposed sale were withheld from him and the public. The school sits within a large industrial site in Mundy Township where the state of Michigan has already spent $259 million to clear land for a potential factory project. Despite the investment, several companies have declined to move in, leaving the land vacant.

“I wasn’t given all the information about the possible sale of this school,” Melki said during the meeting, adding that he recently learned documents existed as far back as May indicating the property could be sold. He accused the district’s former superintendent, who has since left for another district, of withholding the paperwork.

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Michigan’s Failing $259 Million Mega Site Project Could Now Claim a $40M School

The state of Michigan has spent over $259 million in taxpayer money buying land in Genesee County for a “mega-site” project aimed at attracting a large company, but no firm has committed to the site. A proposed $55 billion project recently fell through, leaving the land vacant. Now, officials are considering buying Morris Elementary School for $40 million to add to the site, despite uncertainty over whether a company will ever build there. Supporters say it could bring jobs, while critics argue it’s a waste of public funds.

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Read Before You Sign: Why School Paperwork Could Change What Your Kids Learn
What parents need to know as another school year kicks off

As a new school year begins, parents are being reminded that the papers sent home in the first week of class are far more than routine forms. From permission slips to technology agreements, many schools are increasingly using opt-out policies that automatically enroll students unless a parent actively declines. That means a missed signature or overlooked deadline can result in children taking part in controversial surveys, lessons, or tests without families even realizing it.

Education advocates say the start of the year is the most important time for parents to slow down and carefully read every document. Experts recommend a few key steps: check for vague language, ask questions if terms are unclear, keep a copy of every form you return, and know your state’s rules on parental consent. Some districts have been criticized for blurring the lines between “opt-in” and “opt-out,” leaving parents frustrated when they later discover their children were automatically included.

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Survey Sparks Complaints in Massachusetts

In Burlington, parents were outraged this spring when middle school students were given the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey included explicit questions about sex, drug use, and gender identity. Some families had filed opt-out forms, but their children were still required to take the survey, and teachers allegedly failed to note that participation was voluntary. Parents filed complaints under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which requires parental consent for surveys involving sensitive topics. In response, Burlington schools suspended future surveys and began a policy review

Supreme Court Sides With Parents on LGBTQ-Themed Books

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, who objected on religious grounds to lessons featuring LGBTQ-themed children’s books. The 6–3 decision held that families must be given advance notice and the ability to opt out of such material, citing constitutional protections for religious liberty. The case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, is expected to shape parental rights battles across the country.

Testing Opt-Out Fight in Texas

In Texas, parents continue to push back against mandatory participation in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams. Some Houston families reported that students who opted out were still presented with exams during make-up testing sessions, sparking frustration and formal grievances. The Texas Education Agency requires schools to hit a 95 percent participation rate to meet federal rules, but parents argue that the pressure undermines their rights.


Why It Matters

Advocates say these incidents underscore the importance of parental vigilance. An unchecked box, a misunderstood signature, or an unsigned paper can carry significant consequences.

 

“Parents need to be vigilant,” said Karen England, a parental rights advocate. “If you do not know what you are signing, you could unintentionally give permission for things you never would have agreed to.”

With the school year underway, experts stress that parents should treat permission slips and agreements with the same seriousness as legal documents. In today’s classrooms, awareness is just as important as backpacks and pencils.

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News they don't want you to see
Tuesday August 19, 2025

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Michigan welfare fraud doubled from 2023-2024

Reported food stamp fraud and other welfare fraud in Michigan more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, according to the Michigan State Police Crime Dashboard and information obtained through open records requests.

Criminals steal from a $254 million monthly fund that is given to 1.4 million residents using outdated magnetic strip cards that can be subverted in a variety of ways.

Criminals can install fake versions of card readers that process payment cards, such as debit and credit cards, at gas stations, grocery stores and liquor stores.

In 2023, there were 351 crimes, 332 victims, 351 offenses and 345 incidents of welfare fraud throughout Michigan, according to the state police. The number of reported crimes more than doubled in 2024, with roughly 733 crimes, 703 victims, 733 offenses and 720 incidents. These statistics encompass all law enforcement agencies throughout Michigan, not just the state police. Click here to read more.

 

Tax Foundation study shows avg $3,151 tax cut for Michiganders after One Big Beautiful Bill

A new analysis from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation projects Michigan taxpayers would see significant savings and job growth under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax cut package the White House calls the largest middle-class tax cut in U.S. history.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the study “confirms” the bill’s nationwide benefits. “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is the largest, most consequential tax cut on the middle class ever,” Kelly said. “Their study found that the Big Beautiful Bill will reduce federal taxes for taxpayers in every state. In Michigan, Michiganders will save $3,151 on average and see 23,357 jobs added statewide.”

The Tax Foundation’s report estimates that, in 2026, the average Michigan taxpayer would see a $3,151 tax cut. Click here to read more.

 

Illegal Given Commercial Driver’s License By California’s Newsom Charged In Fatal Semi Truck

An illegal immigrant who the State of California reportedly granted a commercial driver’s license allegedly made an illegal U-turn and killed three people at an “Official Use Only” turn on the Florida Turnpike.

On August 12, just south of the St. Lucie County north border in southern Florida, a collision occurred when a semi tractor-trailer made an unauthorized U-turn. The crash with an oncoming black 2015 Chrysler Town & Country van killed all three occupants, “a 30-year-old Florida City man, a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man,” according to TC Palm. Click here to read more.

 

ICE Rescues 27, Including 10 Children, From Human-Trafficking Ring

Immigration enforcement authorities rescued 27 human-trafficking victims in Nebraska last week. Among the victims Immigration and Customs Enforcement rescued were 10 children under the age of 12, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

“Our brave ICE law enforcement rescued these children and women, who were being sexually exploited and trafficked,” said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant DHS secretary.

The human-trafficking ring was being run by illegal aliens, according to the DHS.

President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristin Noem “will not allow children and women to be victims of these heinous human-trafficking rings,” McLaughlin said. “Our message to human traffickers is clear: We will dismantle your networks, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That’s a promise.” Click here to read more.

 

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

Students are returning to Chicago Public Schools on Aug 18 Many will return to see empty seats around them.

But for the hundreds of thousands of students enrolled in Chicago’s schools, there is a lot of room for improvement in the new school year.

The most recent teset scores for Chicago Public Schools show fewer than 1-in-3 students could read at grade level. Fewer than 1-in-5 could do math at grade level.

Each year the district gets more money to educate fewer, and proficiency is still far behind where it should be compared to spending.

It doesn’t help when newest data shows 41% of students were chronically absent in CPS. Absenteeism has continued to hover well above the pre-pandemic rate of 24% in 2019. Chicago schools continue to struggle to engage students, especially low-income and minority students. Click here to read more.

Read full Article
News they don't want you to see
Tuesday August 19, 2025

Welcome! I rely on paid subscribers to support this work. For less than $1 a week, you’ll get exclusive content plus access to my live Keeping It Real After Hours show with my wife and me every Saturday night. Click the red button below to upgrade your subscription.

 

 

 
 

Michigan welfare fraud doubled from 2023-2024

Reported food stamp fraud and other welfare fraud in Michigan more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, according to the Michigan State Police Crime Dashboard and information obtained through open records requests.

Criminals steal from a $254 million monthly fund that is given to 1.4 million residents using outdated magnetic strip cards that can be subverted in a variety of ways.

Criminals can install fake versions of card readers that process payment cards, such as debit and credit cards, at gas stations, grocery stores and liquor stores.

In 2023, there were 351 crimes, 332 victims, 351 offenses and 345 incidents of welfare fraud throughout Michigan, according to the state police. The number of reported crimes more than doubled in 2024, with roughly 733 crimes, 703 victims, 733 offenses and 720 incidents. These statistics encompass all law enforcement agencies throughout Michigan, not just the state police. Click here to read more.

 

Tax Foundation study shows avg $3,151 tax cut for Michiganders after One Big Beautiful Bill

A new analysis from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation projects Michigan taxpayers would see significant savings and job growth under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax cut package the White House calls the largest middle-class tax cut in U.S. history.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the study “confirms” the bill’s nationwide benefits. “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is the largest, most consequential tax cut on the middle class ever,” Kelly said. “Their study found that the Big Beautiful Bill will reduce federal taxes for taxpayers in every state. In Michigan, Michiganders will save $3,151 on average and see 23,357 jobs added statewide.”

The Tax Foundation’s report estimates that, in 2026, the average Michigan taxpayer would see a $3,151 tax cut. Click here to read more.

 

Illegal Given Commercial Driver’s License By California’s Newsom Charged In Fatal Semi Truck

An illegal immigrant who the State of California reportedly granted a commercial driver’s license allegedly made an illegal U-turn and killed three people at an “Official Use Only” turn on the Florida Turnpike.

On August 12, just south of the St. Lucie County north border in southern Florida, a collision occurred when a semi tractor-trailer made an unauthorized U-turn. The crash with an oncoming black 2015 Chrysler Town & Country van killed all three occupants, “a 30-year-old Florida City man, a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man,” according to TC Palm. Click here to read more.

 

ICE Rescues 27, Including 10 Children, From Human-Trafficking Ring

Immigration enforcement authorities rescued 27 human-trafficking victims in Nebraska last week. Among the victims Immigration and Customs Enforcement rescued were 10 children under the age of 12, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

“Our brave ICE law enforcement rescued these children and women, who were being sexually exploited and trafficked,” said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant DHS secretary.

The human-trafficking ring was being run by illegal aliens, according to the DHS.

President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristin Noem “will not allow children and women to be victims of these heinous human-trafficking rings,” McLaughlin said. “Our message to human traffickers is clear: We will dismantle your networks, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That’s a promise.” Click here to read more.

 

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

Students are returning to Chicago Public Schools on Aug 18 Many will return to see empty seats around them.

But for the hundreds of thousands of students enrolled in Chicago’s schools, there is a lot of room for improvement in the new school year.

The most recent teset scores for Chicago Public Schools show fewer than 1-in-3 students could read at grade level. Fewer than 1-in-5 could do math at grade level.

Each year the district gets more money to educate fewer, and proficiency is still far behind where it should be compared to spending.

It doesn’t help when newest data shows 41% of students were chronically absent in CPS. Absenteeism has continued to hover well above the pre-pandemic rate of 24% in 2019. Chicago schools continue to struggle to engage students, especially low-income and minority students. Click here to read more.

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