Cherry famous is way better than data center famous

Posted on by farlane
Leelanau Tart Cherries Ready for Harvest by Andrew McFarlane

Last night on Facebook, Erin Brockovich shared:

Michigan, the state famous for its cherries, has been reaching out for months with concerns about proposed AI data centers in local communities.

I’ve heard from residents in Marshall, Saline Township, Lowell, Dowagiac, Dorr, and many other towns. People are very engaged and asking important questions. The issues being raised echo what we’ve seen nationwide: water impacts/rights, utility costs rising, 765kV transmission lines, rezoning disputes, NDAs, zero transparency, among other issues.

She adds that she appreciates everyone who has shared information through the Brockovich AI Data Center Reporting website. They are working to raise community awareness nationwide about the fast-moving wave of data centers & how communities are working to block them or shape the impact on their water and power resources and the the fabric of their communities.

And yes, she is THAT Erin Brockovich.

This photo is mine, taken July 5, 2007 on the Leelanau Peninsula and processed by me. I decided to use my own photo so people aren’t being mean to someone else on behalf of data centers. If you are thinking of being a champion for these strange & secretive facilities that somehow have to be everywhere and also guarded by robot dogs, I will remind you that data centers are impacting water health & access or that datacenters increase power prices & reduce power availability. That’s probably why 7 in 10 people Americans don’t want a datacenter in their community, and they are strongly opposed by nearly half of us.

Please consider all of that before you uncork your brainless “how come you still use computers & the internet” attack on a person who has been using the internet to share stories since you had to capitalize Internet. If you do want to ride for Artificial Intelligence, I encourage you to educate yourself about the Facts & Myths around AI datacenters.

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Michigan data centers coming at a “surreal” pace

Posted on by farlane
Data Base by Terry Johnston

Data Base by Terry Johnston

I’ve been wanting to share The Gander’s Michigan Data Center Tracker (embedded below) for a while now. It documents how despite organized opposition in several dozen communities, more than 30 AI-related projects have been slated for Michigan since 2024.

Last week mLive editor John Hiner published an engaging editorial in which he observed that datacenters are coming at a surreal pace & Michigan policy makers need to catch up fast. It says in part:

The numbers alone boggle the mind. The project, dubbed “The Barn,” sits on roughly 1,000 acres. It will include about 1.7 million square feet of enclosed space for computers – the equivalent of 11 Costco warehouses under one roof. It’s expected to require 1.4 gigawatts of electricity – enough to power 1 million homes.

Residents in Saline Township, Lyon Township, Van Buren Township and elsewhere have raised concerns about electricity demand, water use, land use and quality of life. National polling suggests roughly seven in 10 Americans do not want to live near a data center. Some opposition is rooted in the specifics of individual projects. Some reflects a broader unease about artificial intelligence itself – what it may mean for jobs, creativity and society.

(mLive MLive investigative reporter Lucas) Smolcic Larson believes those concerns deserve to be taken seriously. But he also sees something larger at work: “A sort of power and information imbalance … where you’ve got a tiny community up against Google, which is one of the largest companies in the world.”

The debate is often framed as being for data centers or against them. That’s too simplistic. They are rapidly becoming essential infrastructure for a digital economy running on cloud computing and AI. The more important question is whether Michigan has built a public conversation – and a regulatory framework – that can keep up with the speed of development, while addressing that imbalance between mega-corporations and ordinary citizens.

It’s clear after watching Gov. Whitmer stand shoulder to shoulder with Sam Altman as they cut the ribbon on the controversial Barn project as she said “We’re used to people saying ‘f— no,’ and then doing it anyway” that Michigan has not come close to creating anything approaching public dialog beyond “We don’t want to lose data centers to Ohio.”

It’s been a while since I’ve featured a photo from Terry aka powerbooktrance. I hope he’s doing well! See more in his Reflective Windows gallery on Flickr.

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Michigan’s roads of the future: paid for by cannabis

Posted on by farlane
Cannabis in the Mist by Grasshopper Farms

Cannabis in the Mist by Grasshopper Farms

Jordyn Hermani of Bridge Magazine shares that Michigan lawmakers passed the nearly $81 billion dollar budget early this morning. Highlights include almost $2 billion for roads, cuts of “ghost employees” in government jobs, and continued free meals for Michigan K-12 students. The key to the whole deal is a new 24% wholesale marijuana tax in January that is anticipated to bring in a conveniently estimated $420 million a year. The article is an excellent overview of the budget and says in part:

Marijuana industry advocates have decried the plan, arguing it will lead to higher prices for consumers, force companies out of business and benefit the illegal black market.

“This is going to drive Michigan customers out of the legal market,” said Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, who opposed the bill. “This is telling customers from other states, ‘Stop bringing your money to Michigan.’”

If you’re interested, this story has some thoughts from industry operators & additional comments from Senator Irwin on how this will feed the non-legal market & mirror California’s mistakes, and this one explores the impact on retailers & consumer prices.

...The budget will continue to make school meals free for all students, a top priority of Whitmer and Senate Democrats. It includes $201.6 million to cover meals for students who don’t qualify for no-cost programs through the federal government. The budget includes a record $10,050 in per-pupil funding for Michigan schools, up from $9,608 this year, and also provides full funding for cyber charter schools. Those changes will cost the state $593.5 million. It also adds $321 million for mental health and safety grants that are available to both public and private schools.

These photos are from one of my favorite companies in the Michigan cannabis industry, Grasshopper Farms. One of the reasons for this is how lovely their outdoor cannabis farm looks, and another huge one is how they work to be a part of their community in the Paw Paw area! Here are some more photos from the farm – follow them on Facebook & Instagram for more.

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Flame Out: Twin Flames cult leaders raided in Northern Michigan

Posted on by farlane
FBI Twin Flames Raid in Suttons Bay by Glen Arbor Sun

FBI Twin Flames Raid in Suttons Bay by Glen Arbor Sun

The Glen Arbor Sun shares that yesterday morning (July 1) federal, state and local law enforcement officers raided the Leelanau County home of Jeff and Shaleia Divine, leaders of the Twin Flames Universe organization, which critics and multiple documentaries have described as a cult that manipulates its online followers:

…Early in the afternoon on July 1, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a press release that announced an ongoing investigation into the Twin Flames Universe as well as a second raid against people associated with the coercive group. According to Nessel’s office, the search warrants were carried out by special agents from the Department of Attorney General, along with the U.S. Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, and law enforcement officers from Michigan State Police, the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office.

A blue Michigan State Police vehicle was seen outside the Divine residence, as well as several unmarked vehicles. A Leelanau County Sheriff’s vehicle was seen leaving the neighborhood on M-22 following the raid.

“Today, my office executed multiple search warrants upon individuals atop the Twin Flames Universe (TFU) organization and its associated properties, under the authority of a judge finding probable cause that crimes have been committed by TFU and their leadership,” said Nessel in her statement. “Anyone with information about potential criminal conduct regarding Twin Flames Universe, or their members, are encouraged to contact my office, and may do so anonymously.”

In a YouTube video announcing the investigation, Nessel added that Christine and Jason Emerick were also targets of the investigation. Emerick has been listed as the TFU’s chief operations officer and has a mailing address outside of Traverse City.

You can read lots more in the Sun and also check out other stories including this in-depth story of the uproar around the Twin Flames cult published after the release of the Netflix documentary.

If you have information about Twin Flames Universe that you think would aid the Attorney General’s investigation, please email the investigative team (AG-TFUinfo@michigan.gov) or visit their online TFU tip form (mi.gov/agtfu).

Twin Flames Cult Leaders Jeff and Shaleia Ayan in downtown Suttons Bay by Glen Arbor Sun
Twin Flames Cult Leaders Jeff and Shaleia Ayan in downtown Suttons Bay via Instagram
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NOAA’s Michigan 2024-2025 Winter Outlook

Posted on by farlane
Chill Out by PeeblesPair

Chill Out by PeeblesPair

I’ve been hanging onto this post so long I was worried we’d have snow before I shared it!! The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released their seasonal outlook for Winter 2024-2025 which says (in part):

This winter, NOAA predicts wetter-than-average conditions for the entire northern tier of the continental U.S., particularly in the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes region, along with northern and western Alaska.

“This winter, an emerging La Nina is anticipated to influence the upcoming winter patterns, especially our precipitation predictions,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch of the Climate Prediction Center. La Nina conditions are expected to develop later this fall and typically lead to a more northerly storm track during the winter months, leaving the southern tier of the country warmer and drier.

Rae took this photo at Point Betsie Lighthouse on January 1st of this year. Follow her on Flickr & on Instagram for more!

The 2024-2025 U.S. Winter Outlook map for temperature shows the greatest chances for cooler-than-average conditions in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. (Image credit: NOAA)

The 2024-2025 U.S. Winter Outlook map for precipitation shows wetter-than-average conditions are most likely across the Great Lakes region of the U.S.. Drier-than-average conditions are forecast for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast. (Image credit: NOAA)

The 2024-2025 U.S. Winter Outlook map for precipitation shows wetter-than-average conditions are most likely across the Great Lakes region of the U.S.. Drier-than-average conditions are forecast for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast. (Image credit: NOAA)

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Farewell Megatron? Detroit Lion Great Calvin Johnson to Retire. Maybe.

Posted on by farlane

Megatron Calvin Johnson by Chris Arace

Megatron. Calvin Johnson., photo by Chris Arace

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Detroit Lions all-time greatest receiver Calvin Johnson is apparently headed for retirement. He reportedly told his family and close friends the 2015-16 season would be the last, and told gave coach Jim Caldwell the same message the day after the season ended.  If he does follow through, he will join Barry Sanders in retiring at 30 and in having a Hall of Fame career while never making it to a Super Bowl.

Should we put an asterisk on that retirement for now? The NFL has released this awesome highlight video with the somewhat cryptic title of “Top 10 Calvin Johnson Career Highlights…So Far” – do they know something we don’t?

Back in October of 2011, Chris Arace had the opportunity to work Monday Night football for the Lions, who won 24-13 to move to 5-0. View his photo bigger, see more of his work on his website, and definitely follow him on Instagram at instagram.com/thereason.

More Detroit Lions on Michigan in Pictures!

A fond farewell to Michigan Radio’s Tamar Charney and the importance of local news

Posted on by farlane

Tamar Charney On the Mic

On the mic, everyone pitches in, photo by Michigan Radio

“I’ve heard many people dismiss local news as parochial ‘not in my backyard’ disputes or worse, merely coverage of the latest house fires. But there are many local stories that should, and do, become national and even international news when they are told right.
~Tamar Charney, Michigan Radio

I’ve been telling the stories of Michigan for over a decade, and one person who’s always been there digging deeper on the stories of our state that matter is Michigan Radio’s Tamar Charney. No longer, as she announced that she’s moving on to work for NPR One. Her column A farewell reflection on Flint, local news, and Michigan Radio tells why she believes that local news still matters:

…The water crisis in Flint is an example.

Michigan Radio reporters have been toiling away on this story for months. It’s taken a while for it to get traction as revelation after damning revelation came out. But eventually this ‘local’ Flint story has become international news. The problems with the drinking water have roots in racism, poverty, failures of government oversight, and our country’s aging infrastructure. These are problems shared by communities all across the nation. It’s an incident that taps into our fears about the safety of our water and of our children. It calls into question whether we can trust our government.

We look down our noses at developing countries with unsafe water. We scoff at places weighed down by corrupt and incompetent governments. We pride ourselves on our American technological know how. But here is a city, right here in the US of A, where you can’t drink the water, where government failed the people, and the technical knowledge about how to keep lead out of the water wasn’t employed.

Telling this kind of story is what Michigan Radio does. It is what local news can and should be.

There’s all kinds of cynicism about journalists. But I have to tell you, the journalists at Michigan Radio are some of the most idealistic kind hearted people I know. They got in the business because they think the world will be a better place and our democracy will work better when citizens have information. These are people committed to finding out the truth and getting answers. It saddens me that society undervalues the work journalists do and even worse, blames them for causing the problems they cover.

The Flint water problems were being swept under the rug and nothing might have been done if it weren’t for a mom, a researcher, a pediatrician, and yes, reporters. It’s a story I’m proud to say Michigan Radio has been at the forefront of telling.

In this era of vanishing local journalism, it’s good to have people like Tamar and outlets like Michigan Radio still working hard. I urge you to consider a donation to Michigan Radio.

View this photo of Tamar bigger and see more in Michigan Radio’s A Day in the Life of a Pledge Drive slideshow. You can share your photos in the Michigan Radio Photo Group as well!