Upper Peninsula Student Wins MSU Award, Soo Wins Main Street Funding, and Rural Insights Student Research Presented At Conference
This Week in Rural Insights
On Wednesday we will be publishing a new paper by Michael Broadway and Joslin Brown that examines some of the unique challenges surrounding Keweenaw National Historical Park’s development in Calumet, and the impact it’s had on the area.
Upper Peninsula Student at U-M Wins MSU Award
A University of Michigan student who hails from the Upper Peninsula just won the prestigious 2022 Rosenthal Legislative Intern Award. It is awarded by Michigan State University, for outstanding legislative performance by an intern.
Justin Kasieta is a graduate of Marquette Senior High School. He is a U-M junior pursuing an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree.
Kasieta completed his internship in the office of UP State Representative Greg Markkanen (R-110 District).
Quite an accomplishment. Congrats.
Soo One of Eight Statewide To Win Michigan Main Street Funding
Sault Saint Marie was one of eight Michigan communities to be awarded part of $160,000 to support downtown development and improvement. Governor Whitmer said in awarding these funds with MEDC that “vibrant downtown areas are critical to creating jobs, attracting new investments, and helping local businesses build a foundation for long-term success.”
The Soo DDA Director Tony Cutler said that “Historic Downtown Sault Saint Marie is a place many have still yet to discover! This opportunity to partner with the MEDC in the Vibrancy Grant will help strengthen our brand and commitment to enhancing our downtown.”
No other UP communities were recipients of this award.
Michigan Tax Revenue For Fiscal Year
“Net income tax revenue for March came in at $1.3 billion. This was up 185.5% from March 2021 levels, and was $889.7 million above what was expected for this month” (Gongwer News Service).
Rural Insights-Sponsored Research By Our NMU Student Researcher Presented At Prestigious Economic Conference
Max Steele, a senior NMU economics major, did research for us that was recently presented at the Association for Private Enterprise Education Conference in Las Vegas. His research for us was entitled “A Ten Year Recovery Analysis of GDP in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.” It examines the Upper Peninsula and its economic recovery after the great recession. You can find it on our website—www.ruralinsights.org.
Max is still doing research for us and has a couple more papers we will be publishing soon. He is doing research with NMU’s Dr. Weronika Kusek on food deserts in the UP. Watch for both of their work on our website soon.
Congrats to Max Steele. We are proud of your work and dedication to research.
Facts
- In 2020, 6.1 million people filed for jobless benefits in a single week—the most ever. In April 2022, 166,000 filed in a single week, which is the single lowest in 55 years. (Economist Neil Irwin, Axios and Department of Labor).
- According to a recent poll by Quinnipiac:
- 82% of Americans think Putin is a war criminal.
- 74% think the worst of the Ukraine war is yet to come.
- 64% of all Ukrainian children have fled their homes since Russia invaded seven weeks ago.
Odd News
Failed assassin John Hinkley Jr. is planning to perform at a concert in New York City this summer for $20 a ticket. Huh? What? Really?
Quotes That Make Us Go Hmmm
“The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.” Hannah Arendt.
“Power is never given; it is taken.” Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. House of Representatives.
Books and Movies Recommended By Our Readers
“Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder and Surviving Vladimir Putin’s Wrath.”. By Bill Browder—who is also the author of NY Times Best Seller Red Notice.
Talk To Us
Keep your raves, laurels, rants and darts coming. Send them to us at david@ruralinsights.org. We love to read them.
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The Pelosi quote is a great example of what’s wrong in DC. She, and most others believe that they are “in charge” and couldn’t care less what their constituents wishes are. They have “taken the power” and will do what is best for themselves, their agendas and their personal bank accounts. They will let you know what you need.
Ms.Pelosi is the epitomy of ” willfully” ignorant. You too are spot on about her Joe..
As opposed to sending a violent mob directed by an incompetent real estate swindler and bankruptcy artist tv star….that isn’t taking power for one’s own interests?
I wonder why the Pelosi comment was included here. Is this a political publication or was it something meant to evoke comments like Joseph’s above? More fodder to own the Libs? We’ll never know, but we can research the source. It turns out it is something Pelosi’s father told her. Here is a link: https://news.yahoo.com/backstory-nancy-pelosis-no-1-093025236.html
And for Joseph and everyone else that likes to denigrate public officials that don’t vote the way they do and see only the negatives their political opponents use against them, here is some truth about the Speaker from the article linked above:
“She was the highest-ranking person in Congress to oppose the Iraq War from the start. She was the leading critic of China on human rights issues. She personally pushed through the bank bailout that probably prevented another Great Depression. She is responsible for the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Obama deserves credit, too, but it wouldn’t have happened (without her). And she became the top Democratic counterpoint to the most disruptive president in American history.”
Well said David S. It is sad that djt cultist folks say the most ignorant things. Rob Gusto, claimed that Pelosi was epitome of the willfully ignorant. Joseph LeMere, who claimed what was wrong with Washington DC was due to Nancy Pelosi and spouted off some out of context BS about her. This sounds like djt lies at best. She stood up as a good leader should do. Now today we hear recordings of Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker and his 180 degree lie as to what he should do with djt ex-president who should have been kicked to the curb after Jan.6th coup. Kevin McCarthy did not lead as a leader should for America. Stupid opinions/misinformation should not be published. Thank you.