NMU Search Process Adds to President Search, K-12 Funding Advocacy Group Formed, New Marquette Campground, and Mackinac Island Ferry Prices Increase
– INFORMED BREVITY –
NMU Search Process Adds to President Search
Northern Michigan University is looking for a new President and is setting up the search process. Now they will have two searches to do after they announced that the head of the NMU Foundation, Brad Canale, is “no longer with the Foundation.” NMU has been mum as to why and also said they have no comment at this time. They say they will have more to say later. It’s been three weeks and still no word. Most likely an interim will be appointed soon and a search process announced for a permanent replacement.
K-12 Funding Advocacy Group Formed for Constitutional Amendment
The Invest in MI Kids group has a proposed initiative that would amend the Michigan constitution. The proposal would raise Michigan’s flat income tax rate of 4.2% to 5% for individuals earning more than $500,000 and for couples earning more than $1 million.
This proposal according to state data would impact fewer than 60,000 Michigan taxpayers.
Marquette Has a New Campground at a Popular Landmark
The Upper Peninsula is getting ready for the influx of tourists for the summer season. Many of those tourists will be camping all around the Upper Peninsula. One new option for camping has opened in Marquette.
It is called Kona Hills. It will be at a spot called The Rock Cut, which is a popular landmark. The campground has been founded by three local friends.
The Upper Peninsula’s Mackinac Island
This beautiful spot attracts tourists from all over the world. It is a very special place that welcomes over 1 million visitors every year. These tourists get to the island on ferries that in of itself is a very special experience.
Recent ferry price increases could cost families of four close to $400. This increase is due to a Florida company gaining a monopoly of the ferries. Local island leaders, businesses and state tourist officials are very worried that this will greatly impact the number of families visiting Mackinac Island this summer.
The Wealthiest Among Us
The wealthiest 400 US families paid an average federal individual income tax rate of just 8.2% between 2010 and 2018. This according to a 2021 White House report.
Some Interesting Facts
– Michigan has had more deaths than births each year since 2020.
– More than 40% of state legislators across the nation have been threatened or attacked in the past three years. The people who have threatened these public officials are more middle aged, while most other crimes across America are committed by younger men. (The Economist).
– Michigan 3rd graders taking the statewide reading test take it online. (State Department of Education).
Kindness Experiences
What acts of kindness did you experience recently? Tell us and we will share it with our readers.
Quotes That Make Us Go Hmmm
“When the public fears their government, there is tyranny. When the government fears its people, there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson.
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Eleanor Roosevelt.
Send Us Your Book Recommendations
We are about half way through 2025. Tell us what books you have read and most enjoyed so far in 2025. What was your favorite, the most interesting, most educational and/or most fun to read. Send them to me at david@ruralinsights.org. We will let our readers know your recommendations.
Talk To Us
Keep your raves, laurels, rants and darts coming. Send them to us at david@ruralinsights.org. We love to read them.
About Us
Rural Insights connects policy, information, news and culture to raise topics and stories/information you might have not seen or overlooked. We bring you original writing from Rural Insights and other researchers, change makers, and storytellers, as well as our latest research and analysis.
Like Whispers?
If so, please forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here or on our website: www.ruralinsights.org.
TWITTER/X: Follow us @ruralinsightsUP.
“WE BELIEVE YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH TO FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS, AND WE TRY TO GIVE YOU SOME SOURCES TO DEVELOP YOUR OPINIONS.”
5 Comments
Leave a Comment
Newsletter
Related Articles
THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER: THE TRUE STORY OF A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR by Zipora Klein Jakob copyright 2021.
NMU Foundation: it is very odd they havent announced a reason for the departure of the recent President of the Foundation. I am guessing it is a private association/association and not publicly funded or under publicly mandated reporting ? As not explaining in 3 weeks is not a good look. If he left for a better opportunity one would assume its commonly reported and given a thank you and goodbye. Doesn’t sound like the case?
“When the public fears their government, there is tyranny. When the government fears its people, there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson. In 2025 it seems neither of Jefferson’s maxims applies.
“The Pretender” by Jo Harkin. Historical fiction about a real “pretender ” to the English crown set in the late 1480s just at the end of the War of the Roses in a very unstable period due to the indirect claims to the throne caused by the lack of direct heirs. Written in the first person using a good amount of period English language , a re-created world of a very unmodern time with alot of broad bawdy and often vulgar humor and mixed in with courtly manners and Machiavellian scheming.
November’s Fury: The Deadly Great Lakes Hurricane, Michael Schumacher
https://nmglstore.org/products/novembers-fury
Sisu, One American Boy’s Life in the 1940s, Tracy R Gran, Sr.
https://shop.finlandiafoundation.org/products/sisu-one-american-boys-life-in-the-1940s
Why do the wealthiest people pay such a low income tax rate? Um. Because they are not working at a job that “pays” a payroll. Those individuals may pay a 20% tax on dividends and other capital gaines. And those darned rich people with their big houses. Oh. They pay a lot in property taxes. Well yikes, they are buying all those expensive designer clothes. Hey hey. The sales tax on those high-ticket items tends to rack up. I am so tired of this tendency to vilify rich people for “not paying their fair share.” That is such a simplification. The economy is complex. Money flows. The government likes to take some whenever money changes hands. Think about that.
Sarah, I agree with you. I felt it was strange to throw in that fact. It was incomplete and unexplained other than subliminal hate the rich.
Other than that, I always enjoy reading about what is going on in the UP.