This will be my last post for a bit here, because I don't want to feel as if I'm taking over this community or spamming. If you read any of my blog posts, please read this one. I had a fun time writing it and investigating the happenings surrounding it.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/18958681

> Panasonic FZ70

Source: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/Resources/Partners-in-Democracy/Elections_SameDayVoter.pdf

Be sure to vote today, if you're able! Do your best!

Got to submit and tabulate my absentee ballot during early voting! Got the best sticker too.

Howdy! I am planning to move to the southeast part of Michigan around this new years. I am excited to get out of my state and see what other parts of the USA have to offer. But one thing that really worries me, and that I wanted to reach out about, is the winters in the north.

I'm moving from Texas, so for the most part, snow or ice is rare, and it usually meant the whole city shut down for a few days if it happened that year. And now I need to coordinate a moving truck up to Michigan, which from what I know, snow is to be expected? Do y'all have any tips for dealing with this?

I'll also be moving into a suburb area, is there anything I need to know about that? I've heard shoveling snow is kinda important, is that true? How often do you need to shovel snow?

Thanks y'all

For those not in the know: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howell,_Michigan#20th_century

They are probably right,

> “Wayne Disposal is a Subtitle C landfill that is highly engineered with multiple safety measures in place and frequent inspections...It’s probably vast overkill, but that’s okay

but getting ahead of the OMGosh! [!this is fine meme](https://libranet.de/photos/fu/image/194829575166d0b28aeaac9360388314)greatlakesnow.org/2024/08/sout… @michigan

of course what Miller misses is that all of this government oversight really messes with the actual price of water. I for one suspect water is far greater value than the capitalists claim candgnews.com/news/miller-advo…

Republicans and Democrats qualify for the ballot automatically. The West campaign did the hard work by collecting over 25,000 signatures of Michigan voters attesting they think their neighbors should have a right to vote for him, but the SOS denies that because an official in Colorado didn't dot her i's correctly. freep.com/story/news/politics/…

Always wondered what happened to them. So happy they're safe & sound!

Michigan is famous for its fruit festivals. Visitors can sample cherries at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City or blueberries at the National Blueberry Festival in South Haven.

The Apple Festival in Charlevoix and the Romeo Peach Festival feature fruit later in the season.

As a diverse crop-producing state and the top producer of asparagus in the country, Michigan has an agricultural scenery that is a picturesque blend of crop fields and fruit trees.

However, beneath this facade lies a harsh reality of precarious work and exploitative labor practices for Michigan’s farmworkers, who are often invisible to people who enjoy the fruits of their labors, according to the Michigan Farmworker Project’s ongoing research.

Let me recommend: Bill's Hot Dog Stand in Ypsilanti.

It's a drive-in. Open your window and eat in the parking lot. Get their dogs with everything on it + a mug of root beer. If you don't eat dogs, at least get the root beer!!! I don't even like root beer that much, but I now dream about the root beer from Bill's.

Absolute reasonable prices, too: got 4 dogs & 2 mugs of root beer for around 10$ total!

What's your recommendation for unexpectedly good food in Michigan?

> Michigan lawmakers didn’t just pass an $83 billion budget early Thursday, they also approved nearly 100 other bills during a marathon 19-hour session before finally breaking for summer recess.

> Some of the bigger policy changes, such as opening the Legislature and governor’s office to Freedom of Information Act requests and expanding unemployment benefits to 26 weeks, made immediate headlines.

Read on to learn more about the "Taylor Swift bot ban" and the bill against the ludicrous "Gay Panic Defense." *** Anger or hatred is like the fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it. -- Gautama Buddha !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

> According to the state, a small population of juvenile spotted lanternfly was recently detected in Lambertville [Monroe County]. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the findings last week.

!Spotted lanternfly

_{Adult spotted lanternfly. Photo: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, bugwood.org}

> “The infestation was detected through spotted lanternfly monitoring traps deployed by Michigan State University (MSU), as part of collaborative survey initiatives with MSU, MDARD, and the USDA,” MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. Steve Carlson said in a statement. “This work is a critical component of our ongoing efforts to identify and limit the spread of spotted lanternfly in Michigan.”

> The spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia. It was first found in the U.S. in 2014 and spread rapidly.

See it. Squish it. Report it.

According to Michigan.gov's Michigan Invasive Species website…

> Spotted lanternfly feeds on more than 70 different plants including grapes, apples, hops and hardwood trees. The insects cause direct damage by sucking sap from host plants and secreting large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. This honeydew and the resulting black sooty mold can kill plants and foul surfaces. The honeydew often attracts other pests like yellow jackets, flies, and ants, affecting outdoor recreation and complicating crop harvests. *** Anger or hatred is like the fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it. -- Gautama Buddha !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

If you need a car or truck, can't afford the massive depreciation hit from a new vehicle but want to express pride in Michigan's manufacturing base, you still have options.

|Category|Make|Model|Years|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Coupe|Ford|Probe||Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|| |Coupe|Mazda|MX-6||Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|| |Coupe|Mercury|Cougar|1999-2002|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Buick|Skylark|1992-1998|Lansing Car Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Corporation|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Ford|Focus|2012-2019|Michigan Assembly Plant|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Ford|Focus|2008-2011|Wayne Stamping & Assembly (now Michigan Assembly Plant)|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Ford|Focus|1998-2007|Wayne Stamping & Assembly (now Michigan Assembly Plant)|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Oldsmobile|Achieva|1992-1998||Lansing|General Motors Company|Wikipedia| |Sedan, compact|Pontiac|Grand Am|1992-1998|Lansing Car Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Corporation|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Chevrolet|Classic|2004-2005|Lansing Car Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Corporation|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Chevrolet|Malibu|2008-2012|Orion Assembly|Orion Township|General Motors Corporation (later General Motors Company)|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Chevrolet|Malibu|1997-2003|Lansing Car Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Corporation|Wikipedia |Sedan, mid-size|Dodge|Stratus|2001-2006|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|DaimlerChrysler|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Dodge|Stratus|1994-2000|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|Chrysler Corporation (later DaimlerChrysler)|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Ford|Fusion|2013-2016|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International (later Ford Motor Company)|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Mazda|6|2003-2013|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Oldsmobile|Alero|1999-2004|Lansing Car Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Corporation|Wikipedia| |Sedan, mid-size|Pontiac|Grand Am|1999-2005|Lansing Car Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Corporation|Wikipedia| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|2015-2023|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|2005-2014|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|AutoAlliance International (later Ford Motor Company)|Wikipedia| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|1994-2004|Dearborn Assembly Plant|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|Wikipedia| |Sports-utility Vehicle|Jeep|Grand Cherokee||Jefferson North Assembly|Detroit|Fiat Chrysler Automobiles||

Assembly

|Category|Make|Model|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Crossover|Buick|Enclave|Lansing Delta Township Assembly|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Crossover|Chevrolet|Traverse|Lansing Delta Township Assembly|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Crossover|Ford|Bronco Sport|Michigan Assembly Plant|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|website| |Crossover|GMC|Acadia|Lansing Delta Township Assembly|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Electric vehicle|Cadillac|Escalade IQ|Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly|Detroit|General Motors Company|Wikipedia| |Electric vehicle|Chevrolet|Silverado EV|Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly|Detroit|General Motors Company|Wikipedia| |Electric vehicle|Cruise|Origin|Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly|Detroit|General Motors Company|Wikipedia| |Electric vehicle|GMC|Denali EV|Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly|Detroit|General Motors Company|Wikipedia| |Electric vehicle|GMC|Hummer EV|Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly|Detroit|General Motors Company|Wikipedia| |Electric vehicle|N/A|N/A|Orion Assembly|Orion Township|General Motors Company|website| |Electric vehicle|Ford|F-150 Lightning|Rouge Vehicle Electric Center|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|website| |Electric vehicle|Jeep|Grand Cherokee 4xe|Detroit Assembly Complex - Jefferson|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Electric vehicle|Jeep|Grand Cherokee 4xe|Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Luxury sedan, small|Cadillac|CT4|Lansing Grand River Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Company|website| |Luxury sedan, mid-size|Cadillac|CT5|Lansing Grand River Assembly|Lansing|General Motors Company|website| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|website| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang GT|Flat Rock Assembly Plant|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|website| |Sports car|Ford|Mustang Dark Horse|Flat Rock Assembly|Flat Rock|Ford Motor Company|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Wagoneer|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Wagoneer L|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Grand Wagoneer|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, full-size|Jeep|Grand Wagoneer L|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Dodge|Durango|Detroit Assembly Complex - Jefferson|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Jeep|Grand Cherokee|Detroit Assembly Complex - Jefferson|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Jeep|Grand Cherokee|Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Sports-utility vehicle, mid-size|Jeep|Grand Cherokee L|Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack|Detroit|Stellantis|website| |Truck, compact|Ford|Ranger|Michigan Assembly Plant|Wayne|Ford Motor Company|website| |Truck, full-size|Chevrolet|Silverado|Flint Truck Assembly|Flint|General Motors Company|Wikipedia| |Truck, full-size|Ford|F-150|Dearborn Truck Plant|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|website| |Truck, full-size|Ford|F-150 Raptor|Dearborn Truck Plant|Dearborn|Ford Motor Company|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Classic Crew Cab|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Classic Quad Cab|Warren Truck Assembly|Warren|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Crew Cab|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size|Ram|1500 Quad Cab|Sterling Heights Assembly|Sterling Heights|Stellantis|website| |Truck, full-size, Heavy Duty|Chevrolet|Silverado HD|Flint Assembly|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Truck, full-size, Heavy Duty|GMC|Sierra HD|Flint Assembly|Flint|General Motors Company|website|

Components

|Category|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Axle assemblies|Saginaw Metal Casting Operations|Saginaw|General Motors Company|website| |Axle assemblies|Grand Rapids Operations|Wyoming|General Motors Company|website| |Battery, EV|Brownstown Battery|Brownstown Charter Township|General Motors Company|website| |Valvetrain|Grand Rapids Operations|Wyoming|General Motors Company|website|

Propulsion

|Category|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |Components, Engine|Bay City GPS|Bay City|General Motors Company|website| |Cylinder heads|Saginaw Metal Casting Operations|Saginaw|General Motors Company|website| |Engines|Dundee Engine Plant|Dundee|Stellantis|website| |Engines|Flint Engine Operations|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Engines|Romulus Propulsion Systems|Romulus|General Motors Company|website| |Engines|Trenton Engine Complex|Trenton|Stellantis|website| |Transmissions|Romulus Propulsion Systems|Romulus|General Motors Company|website| |Engine blocks|Saginaw Metal Casting Operations|Saginaw|General Motors Company|website|

Stampings

|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Flint Metal Center|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Lansing Regional Stamping|Delta Township|General Motors Company|website| |Pontiac Metal Center|Pontiac|General Motors Company|website| |Sterling Stamping|Sterling Heights|Stellantis|website| |Warren Stamping|Warren|Stellantis|website|

Tooling

|Plant|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |North American Engineering Tooling Center|Flint|General Motors Company|website|

Logistics

|Facility|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Davison Road Processing Center|Burton|General Motors Company|website| |Flint Processing Center|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Lansing Redistribution Center|Lansing|General Motors Company|website| |Pontiac Redistribution Center|Pontiac|General Motors Company|website| |Willow Run Redistribution Center No. 58|Belleville|General Motors Company|website| |Ypsilanti No. 87|Ypsilanti|General Motors Company|website|

Testing

|Facility|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Milford Proving Ground|Milford|General Motors Company|website|

Other Facilities

|Facility|Location|Company|Reference| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Durant-Dort Factory One|Flint|General Motors Company|website| |Detroit Renaissance Center Global HQ|Detroit|General Motors Company|website| |Global Technical Center|Warren|General Motors Company|website| |Pontiac Engineering Center|Pontiac|General Motors Company|website|

Archaeologists made an intriguing find this week at Michigan's Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinac State Historic Parks officials said, an 18th century brass trade ring.

Researchers with the archaeological program at the Mackinaw City museum identified the piece as a trade good sometimes known as a "Jesuit Ring," parks officials announced in a press release.

"It's incredibly exciting," Dominick Miller, chief of marketing for Mackinac State Historic Parks, told The Detroit News.

Possibly following in the traditions of Christmas decorations in November and summer Black Friday sales, some municipalities have been celebrating American Independence Day weeks in advance. Much of a super-genius as I am, I never really understood what's the rush. In any case, the linked article from our pals over at BridgeMichigan lists the pyrotechnic spectacles planned and already passed here in the Great State of Talktothehand-and-Belial.

Just to—ehmmm—present the other side of the coin for those who appreciated a pretty explosion, here's Planet Detroit's "Michigan fireworks add to air quality problems".

Screw humans: maybe it is time to consider a different way to celebrate the Fourth of July: from the Humane Society: "Fireworks: An explosion of fear for animals"

Oh, and a premature Happy Canada Day to our friends to the North…uh, and South! You know…the ones with better beer and better health care… *** What We Want Now !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

> Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation on Wednesday — which also was Juneteenth — to celebrate the contributions of Black athletes in the Negro National League. The Detroit Stars was one of the original eight teams represented at the birth of the league in 1920.

> May 2 will be known as “Negro Leagues Day” in Michigan, the day in 1920 that its first game was played.

> Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) who sponsored the legislation to recognize the league, told a legislative committee in May 2023 that the league and its athletes stood up against racism and pursued greatness. “Without the influence of these exceptional players and the Negro League, Major League Baseball wouldn’t be what it is today, and America wouldn’t be the country that it is today,” Scott said during a state House Governmental Operations Committee hearing last year. *** Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts. -- Gautama Buddha !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

From our friends over at BridgeMichigan, Sneha Dhandapani writes about the spreading idea in the Michigan legislature of a statewide ban on cellphones in school. Some state representatives and school districts don't think that's such a good idea…

> While there is currently no bill in the Legislature to implement a statewide ban in Michigan, some individual schools and districts are experimenting with the policy, hoping to improve academics and curb rising levels of anxiety and depression tied to social media.

> A study by Central Michigan University surveyed more than 600 students between seventh and 12th grade and found learning increased with a decrease in smartphone use, including at school and during homework. A separate study found that students who did not have cell phones in a classroom had higher levels of course comprehension, lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of mindfulness than those with cell phones.

Whether you're a parent or not, aren't higher comprehension, lower anxiety and higher mindfulness qualities we want in our students?

> State Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, a former teacher, said he “would be uncomfortable with a state mandate on (cell phone bans in classrooms) as no two communities are the same.” Koleszar emphasized support for local control and allowing teachers to make their own decisions regarding cell phone use policy.

> [Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles,] called a potential statewide ban “one of the worst ideas that we could come up with as legislators.” He emphasized that allowing schools and districts to make their own decisions regarding cell phone policy is important because “this is a cultural learning issue where kids are gonna have to learn how to deal with these distractors at some point in their life.”

Ironically enough, Rep Paquette, one of your own proposed exactly this idea in 2022…

> In Michigan, then-state Rep. Gary Eisen, R-St. Clair Township, sponsored a 2022 bill that would have required districts to prohibit cell phone use during the school day. The proposal died in committee, however.

One of the weakest excuses I've heard against any cellphone ban is from parents, saying "what if I need to contact my child in case of an emergency?!" Is calling the school not an option? *** My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right? -- Charles Schulz !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Following up on !michigan@midwest.social post Tribes urge U.S. to weigh in on Line 5 case as appeal sits in court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has dragged back kicking and screaming a court case that should have never left the State judicial system…

> “This case never should have left state court in the first place, and after this long delay caused by Enbridge’s procedural manipulations, we’re elated to welcome Nessel v. Enbridge back to its rightful judicial venue,” Nessel said in a statement. “The State has an obligation and imperative to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of pollution, especially the devastating catastrophe a potential Line 5 rupture would wreak upon all of Michigan. As we’ve long argued, this is a Michigan case brought under Michigan law that the People of Michigan and its courts should rightly decide.”

!Enbridge Line 5 Map

_{645 miles from Superior to Sarnia. Graphic: Laina G Stebbins}

> When a coalition of 63 tribal nations from the U.S. and Canada submitted a brief in support of returning the case to state court, David Gover, managing attorney for the Native American Rights Fund said in a statement that a rupture in the pipeline would destroy the right to hunt, fish gather and continue living in land ceded by the Anishinaabe in 1836.

> “This is another step towards enforcing the permanent shut down of Line 5. We appreciate Attorney General Nessel’s persistence in the fight to protect our waters from a catastrophic oil spill in the heart of the Great Lakes,” [legislative and political director for the Michigan Sierra Club Christy] McGillivray said. “Michiganders have every right to protect themselves from the most dangerous oil pipeline in America, and Attorney General Nessel is representing the will of the Michiganders she works for. It’s past time Line 5 was shut down once and for all.” *** Everything I say is a lie… !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

Some days, those who would command govern represent us just make it too easy for, among other things, finding "post fodder."

In the shadow of Michael William Nash's demonstration of his 2^nd Amendment rights on Saturday, according to The News…

> Twelve Michigan House Republicans have sponsored a bill this month to the name the AR-15 "the official rifle of this state," drawing criticism from opponents who labeled the proposal unserious and inappropriate.

For those who don't know, the AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle. Bear that in mind when reading the following.

> State Rep. Brian BeGole, R-Antrim Township, a former Shiawassee County sheriff, was the primary backer of the AR-15 measure and said in a statement issued Tuesday that thousands of people in Michigan own an AR-15. […] “This distinction recognizes these law-abiding gun owners who are often vilified just for having a firearm as a hobbyist or to keep their homes and families safe," BeGole said.

That's some hobby. Keep their homes and families safe. Safe from the government BeGole has represented most of his life, according to the oft-debated 2^nd Amendment.

> However, Ryan Bates, director of End Gun Violence Michigan, said BeGole's bill was about "worshiping the rifle that is the preferred weapon of mass shooters." […] Bates noted that on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks, a rapid-fire gun accessory that was used in a mass shooting at a music festival Las Vegas in 2017.

> "That shooter used 23 AR-style rifles modified with bump stocks to kill 58 people and injure nearly 500 in mere minutes," Bates said. "We now live in a world where any deranged person can turn an AR-style rifle into a machine gun capable of firing 400-800 rounds per minute, a level of firepower that quite simply overwhelms law enforcement."

We all know that rabbit and pheasant can get pretty mean. And who doesn't like their venison pre-ground? To quote my favorite philosopher and thinker, myself…

> It’s forever High Noon in this nation of cowboys.

Ah, almost forgot! Use it everyday!

Alt link for your convenience via archive.is *** If you can't see the crazy person on the bus, it's you. !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

From BridgeMichigan's Paula Gardner, having truckloads of cash and no real vision adds up to circa one billion US dollars in hemming, hawing and broken promises…

> The spending so far is roughly half of the $2 billion-plus Michigan has pledged since 2022 to five companies: Ford Motor Co., Gotion Inc., LG Energy Solution and Our Next Energy for battery factories, and General Motors Corp. for a battery factory and expanded EV production.

> [Gov Gretchen] Whitmer announced the companies would invest $16 billion total and create 12,000 jobs. But all the projects are behind schedule and two have downsized, reducing best-case job expectations by 13%.

> And records refute claims from state officials that companies won’t receive money unless they meet hiring goals. “[…]the money hasn’t gone out the door,” Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and a member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet, told Bridge in late May.

> Bridge used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain records showing that Michigan has already given $51 million in loans and spent at least another $600 million on utility hookups and factory equipment, in addition to the land purchases for two of the five battery megadeals, Ford and Gotion. GM has received at least $468 million of the state’s combined $600 million incentive promise for a battery factory in Delta Township and an expanded EV factory at Orion Assembly in north Oakland County.

> Originally expected to open this year, both remain under construction.

> GM won’t say when either factory may run at full capacity. *** Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy! !detroit@midwest.social ☆ !michigan@midwest.social ☆ !music@midwest.social

This weekend there is a planned "MAGA Boat Parade" across Lake St. Clair to celebrate Donald Trump's birthday. Some local Libertarians, in honor of nominating the gayest presidential candidate in American history, want to give them a nice friendly Detroit welcome with Chase Oliver's Big Gay Boat Ride.

Would you like to help out?

Do you have a boat(s) that would like to host such a big gay ride?

Can you help out with: 1. Rainbow Flags and Decorations: Adorn the boat with rainbow flags and other LGBTQ+ symbols to make it stand out and convey a message of pride and inclusion.

Music and Dancing: we want upbeat music and to encourage dancing. A legit DJ would be awesome

Drag Performers?: Any local drag queens and kings to perform. This would be fabulous ha

Inclusion and Unity: We want to Make sure to emphasize messages of love, unity, and acceptance and Have signs and banners that promote these values.

Safety? PFDs and other safety gear are always welcome

Things to Avoid: [A.] Confrontation: We want to focus on creating a positive and joyful experience.

[B.]Exclusion: We want to Make sure the event is inclusive and welcoming to all, even if you are not Libertarian, or don't want to vote for Chase Oliver, we want everyone to have a good time regardless of their political views or backgrounds. EVERYONE WELCOME #NoNazis

Found this over at one of our regular sites, Michigan Advance, but honestly, it reads like a (not-very) covert ad for author Dave Liske's new book The Flint Coney. Flint Coney?!

That said I'm linking to the updated PBS video from which this comes from which plays less like one big book plug.

Moar Coney! BONUS:

• the original 2015 Made In Detroit broadcast about Detroit's coneys

Tell me you're not craving a couple of dogs now. What's that? You say you're vegetarian? Vegan? Well then…

• Velvet Peanut Butter!, with one of the greatest logos in the modern world ever! "Fresh! Pure! Delicious!"

!Fresh! Pure! Delicious!