In order to make my application to the Tiny News Collective as complete as possible, I’ve put together a Community Canvas survey that I’d really like you to fill out.

About a third of the application is about the community I want to serve, and I thought the best way to answer it is likely to ask directly. It might be a habit at this point.

Even if the Tiny News Collective doesn’t accept my application, the responses from this survey will still be incorporated into the nonprofit’s business plan. The survey is anonymous, so please at least take a look at the questions. I’d really appreciate your input.

[Click here to check out the Community Canvas survey]

If you know someone else who has feelings on local journalism, be sure to share the survey with them, too.

If you’re a Patreon subscriber, don’t forget to join me on Zoom Sunday, at 3 p.m. for a live discussion about the survey and Late Edition’s recent and future coverage. Links are available for subscribers on the Patreon website and app.

We Are Done (and still Open)

Before we get into everything else, I wanted to share this photo from Facebook with you:

That’s the front door of The Gas Lite General Store, a.k.a. ‘The Genny’, in Copper Harbor.

I got in touch with Staci Gibson, the owner for a quick interview.

“This past summer was just a nightmare of people’s behavior,” Gibson said.

She told me she was sick of people forcing their opinions on them and decided to push back.

“I hope people show some compassion and respect for people this summer,” Gibson said.

The dog in the center sign is not Gibson’s dog, the photos were shared with her by a friend. Gibson did say it looks quite similar to her dog, which is part of why she posted it.

Michigan motorcyclists disenchanted with insurance reform

The insurance reform passed in 2019 was a pretty big deal, but the motorcyclists with ABATE of Michigan have realized it wasn’t as good of a deal as they were promised.

[Click here to read the full story from Late Edition]

Legislative Update, March 2021

This has been a busy month for legislation, as expired bills from last year are introduced, and the Republican-controlled legislature spars with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration over epidemic funding and emergency powers.

[Click here to read the overview on Late Edition]

Hey, That’s Neat

You’ve probably heard this story about the Ever Given running aground in the Suez Canal, but have you looked at the maps yourself?

I’ve been keeping an eye on things with the Marine Traffic website.

I usually keep it centered right here:

I like to check what ships are in the area, and if I see one when I’m out on a hike or drive, I can come back and find out what ship it was that I saw. But when a gigantic story like the Ever Given comes along, you can also take a look there.

You can see the Ever Given’s position near the top of this image, and the ships congregating south of the canal waiting to be able to enter.

It’s a neat tool, I definitely recommend playing around with it a bit.

There are also cell phone apps available, but I haven’t learned how to link to those yet.

[Click here to go to MarineTraffic.com]

Ontonagon Village Council increases millage rate, reinstates manager

Ontonagon Village continues to hash out its budget woes.

[Click here to read the story on Late Edition]

Sunshine Calendar

I recorded the video from the Houghton City Council meeting on March 24. It was “Zoom-bombed”, which was somewhere between disappointing and disgusting. Or perhaps fully both.

The limitations of my editing equipment and software mean I was unable to edit the video. Instead, I’ve uploaded it in its entirety as age-restricted, and with a warning of when the offending comments and material are, so you can skip over it (10-15 minute mark) if you’d prefer to not see the offending content.

You can see the video and the agenda packet from the corresponding meeting by clicking here.

Special Meeting Alert

The Hancock City Council will have a special meeting, via Zoom, on Tuesday, March 30, to consider the submission of the MNTRF Acquisition Grant application for the Navy Street Trail, a lot split for 444 Hancock Avenue, and approval of the new City of Hancock logo design. You can see details of all three items in the council’s information packet on the Sunshine Calendar.

Aggregated News - Endorsed, not sponsored

These are articles (and the occasional podcast) I’ve found that I thought should be shared. None of the work is my own, but it comes from colleagues and organizations that I find generally trustworthy, or am personally a member of.

Click on the headline to be taken to the story.

Why are salamanders crossing the road? (And why it’s safer now)

This is an interesting article about salamanders on Presque Isle from Word on the Street. Writer Doug Garrison also managed to sneak some information about state funding in at the end, too.

Upcoming opportunity to learn about the importance of the powwow

From the North Wind:

“The Learning to Walk Together Powwow has been held for many years in Marquette, never failing to draw a crowd. While you can learn a lot about Native American culture just from attending, there are many facets of this event that have more depth that is usually unseen to a visitor’s eye,” Peterson said. “Powwow 101: Learning to Walk Together (While Apart) takes some extra space and time to communicate some of the teachings and meaning behind typical powwow traditions.”

I’m hoping to find the time to watch on Facebook Live.

State agency unveils MIOSHA enforcement process dashboard

With so many places (including the recent addition of Adams Township Schools) being fined by MIOSHA, you may want to keep up with the proceedings. Conveniently, the State has created a tool for that. They usually do this in response to getting a lot of public records requests. It’s easier to just make it all public. And of course, you can report offenders online here.

NOT REAL NEWS: Really off the rails this week

If you, or someone you know, are in danger of being exposed to misinformation on the internet, I highly recommend reading this week’s Not Real News from the Associated Press. There were a couple of real humdingers this week. President Biden also erred a few times during his first presidential news conference.

Mainstream media failed the Atlanta shooting victims

They did not do a great job with diversity coverage, and it was evident to a lot of people right from the start. Nieman Lab did an analysis of where they could have improved.

Flint sued after failing to respond to FOIA request

The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation has filed a suit against the city of Flint after they failed to respond to a FOIA request.

Chippewa tribe blasts Wisconsin wolf hunt

I feel like most hunters would agree that blowing past a quota by nearly double doesn’t speak to a well-regulated —or even sustainable— hunt.

International Women’s Day Conversation

Senate curbing restrictions even as virus cases surge

From the Associated Press:

The Republican-sponsored legislation was approved 20-15 on party lines and sent to the GOP-led House at a time COVID-19 cases are surging. The measure also would prohibit the state health director from issuing an order to cap residential gatherings, bar high school graduation ceremonies or prevent people from traveling between multiple properties.

Gov. Whitmer is continuing to make full use of her veto power.

That’s it for this week! Feel free to share this newsletter, and if you haven’t already, subscribe!

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