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Michigan’s battery bet backfires
More than a decade after Michigan lost $141 million on failed battery company A123 Systems, the state gave another $70 million to a different energy startup run by the same man — and that company now appears to be faltering.
Our Next Energy, founded in 2020 by Mujeeb Ijaz, a former A123 Systems employee, promised to bring a $1.6 billion investment and 2,112 new jobs to Van Buren Township. But just two years after receiving state support, the company has laid off most of its staff and is leaving its facility without creating 2,000 jobs.
Ijaz, a team leader in the development of the Ford EDGE and holder of 31 patents, according to his Detroit Chamber of Commerce resume, has been here before.
A123 Systems admitted in a 2011 annual report that it was never profitable. Michigan awarded the company more than $141 million in state credits and subsidies, while the federal government added $249 million in stimulus funds before the company filed for bankruptcy. Click here to read more.
Will the Supreme Court upend the Voting Rights Act?
The Supreme Court may very well upend one of the last remaining central pieces of the Voting Rights Act – that elections or voting practices cannot discriminate based on race.
And, in doing so, the high court may bolster efforts by Republican state legislatures to redraw congressional maps to expand the party’s majority.
The justices’ ruling could actually crush minority representation in Congress.
According to two voting rights groups, Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund, a ruling gutting the race provision would let the GOP nationwide redraw up to 19 House seats to favor the party.
It could also prevent Black voters from challenging political maps they believe don’t accurately represent them. Click here to read more.
60 Percent Majority of Young Liberals Endorse Violence to Stop Deportations
Sixty percent of young liberals say it is “acceptable to go beyond peaceful protest in response to immigration raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” according to a survey by Cygnal.
“42 percent of liberals said it was acceptable to go beyond peaceful protest even if that meant breaking the law,” said A press statement from Virginia-based Cygnal, which added: “The number jumps to 60 percent of liberals under the age of 30. ”
“Liberals are shockingly okay with breaking the law to go against government action they don’t agree with, like ICE raids,” said Cygnal President and pollster, Brent Buchanan. He continued:
One side of America’s political spectrum, whether directly engaged in the behaviors or not, now openly accepts breaking laws if it means advancing their political agenda. Considering their justification of illegal immigration and insistence that it’s not a criminal act if the act is desperate, this might not be such a surprise. Click here to read more.
FBI Seized Enough Fentanyl ‘to Kill 55 Million Americans’ in 3-Month Span, Patel Says
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the results of Operation Summer Heat, the FBI’s three-month mission to target violent criminals.
“In just a three-month span, you had 8,700 arrests of violent criminals. You had 2,200 firearms seized off the streets permanently, to safeguard our communities,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “You had 421 kg of fentanyl seized. Just to put that in perspective, that’s enough to kill 55 million Americans alone.” The 421 kilograms is the equivalent of 928 pounds.
“You have 28,600 arrests of violent criminals in just seven months alone, because of your leadership,” Patel said, citing the president.
Trump has deployed National Guard to cities including Washington, D.C.; Memphis, Tennessee; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago. The president said he would next like to start looking at cleaning up San Francisco. Click here to read more.
Florida bill would require minors to get parental consent for STD testing
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — A new bill was proposed that, if passed, would require parental consent for minors to receive treatment for certain sexually transmitted diseases.
This bill, SB 166, proposed by Senator Erin Grall (R), would also prevent health care providers from supplying minors with maternal health or contraceptive information and services without permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Included in this are circumstances where, in the opinion of the physician, the individual may suffer probable health hazards if such services are not provided.
This amended bill also states that the consent of a parent or guardian would not be a prerequisite for an examination, but no treatment could be issued without written proof.
Failure to comply with the consent requirements could result in administrative fines or penalties.
If passed, this bill would take effect July 1, 2026. Click here to read more.
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