Happy New Year and Goodbye Blizzard, Big Bay Mine Changes Ownership, Love and Weed, University License Plates, and a Welcome to the UP
– INFORMED BREVITY –
Happy New Year and Goodbye Blizzard
As I sit here writing this edition, the Upper Peninsula is digging out from one of the strongest blizzards to hit the Upper Peninsula. Electric service was out all over the peninsula. Things are due to get back to normal in a few days–we hope. So happy new year and welcome to a return to normal life and a new winter season.
Big Bay Mine Changes Ownership
Mining is important to the Upper Peninsula in terms of employment and economic impact. Lundin Mining in Big Bay has announced that it is merging its United States based operation with the US owned Talon Metals Corporation. Talon now owns the Eagle Mine in Big Bay and the Humboldt Mill.
Love and Weed
We have all observed around the Upper Peninsula how many cannabis retail outlets there seems to be–one on every corner is the common refrain heard around UP towns. Well, that could be changing.
Higher Love cannabis company is laying off 30% of its staff. It has 10 locations throughout the UP.
The Michigan Legislature and the Governor worked out a deal last year and put a 24% wholesale excise tax on cannabis products. See Michigan Public Act 23 of 2025 for details.
According to media reports the Higher Love company blames this tax increase for its firing of 30% of its employees.
It seems higher love is going to cost more in 2025.
University License Plates
The Secretary of State reports that sales of the university plates have leveled off and in some cases have decreased. In the Upper Peninsula, NMU plates are at 1,742, MTU at 4,418, and LSSU 1,142. MSU is the highest at 56,000 plates.
The plates cost the car owner more than a regular Michigan plate, so maybe inflation and the current economy is making folks think twice about paying the extra dollars for the university plate of their choice. What do you think? Do you have a university plate on your car?
Welcome to the Upper Peninsula
As we welcome in a new year we pause to welcome a new President at Northern Michigan University–Dr. Chris Olsen. A hearty welcome to him and his family as they get settled into life in the Upper Peninsula and a new job for Chris Olsen. Inquiring minds want to know: have you had a pasty yet?
An Important Number? No, Not Really But a Fun Number
During the 2025 fiscal year, Costco has sold enough toilet paper to reach the moon and back more than 200 times.
NMU Board Tributes and Changes
Not only does Northern Michigan University have a new President, but they have a new Board of Trustees Chairperson: Missie Holmquist of Marquette, who is an NMU alumna. Elected as Vice Chairperson was Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham of Baraga, who is also an NMU alumna.
Outgoing Board Chairperson, Steve Young of Lansing, served four consecutive years as Chairperson–the longest of any Board Chair in NMU history. He led NMU through some big, big issues, including two presidential searches. NMU owes him a big, big thank you for the outstanding job he did in this role. He will remain a Board member until his term expires in December 2026.
Letter From the Editor
The federal and state Freedom of Information Act applies to public entities and not to for-profit corporations or private organizations. Maybe if a for-profit corporation or private organization takes money from the government, the Freedom of Information Act ought to apply to that for profit corporation or private organizations. They should have to account for all the money and use of the money just like public organizations. Their records relating to the appropriation of the public money should be available to the public.
What do you think? Let us know and we will share it with our readers.
Quotes That Make Us Go Hmmm
“Never wrestle with a pig. You’ll both get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.” George Bernard Shaw.
“In any conversation, respect is like air. When it’s present, nobody notices. When it’s absent, it’s all anybody can think about.” Joseph Grenny.
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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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I agree with your Letter from the Editor!! Would help greatly in both preventing and fighting fraud– saving our taxpayer dollars.
I don’t oppose the objective at all. But it’s easy enough to make a law, and hard to enforce it. Already many many laws in place, laws we all should know like elected officials must not hide from their constituents what they are doing; like police may not punish people for all sorts of legal behavior, often don’t get enforced.
Those corporations doing deals with government are always also communicating with local government, who are subject to transparent oversight. Actually I doubt the new law suggested would do a bit of good.
I don’t oppose the objective at all. But it’s easy enough to make a law, and hard to enforce it. Already many many laws in place, laws we all should know like elected officials must not hide from their constituents what they are doing; like police may not punish people for all sorts of legal behavior, often don’t get enforced.
Those corporations doing deals with government are always also communicating with local government, who are subject to transparent oversight. Actually I doubt the new law suggested would do a bit of good. Mmm-the reason this is showing twice is that when I hit submit I looked like it didn’t get submitted so I hit the button again.
I think that anybody who spends taxpayer money at any level, Fed, State, County or City/Township should account for every penny spent. Maybe quarterly reports? If they miss a quarterly report, the money gets cut. Anything involving taxpayer money needs to be completely transparent. Just look at what is happening in Minnesota and other states! BILLIONS that will never be recovered! It’s always easy to spend and waste other people’s money and plenty of people looking for ways to do it.
Simple accounting measures seem to be too much for the federal government. The exposure of corruption in MN and the DOGE reporting from earlier in the year show that. Add a blockchain to every tax dollar spent for full accountability and make that publicly available.
I think if corporations have “personhood” they should be subject to ALL that real persons are, including accountability. I would much prefer an overturning of Citizens United, just sayin’
I enjoy reading Rural Insights. Would it be possible for you to do some research on the installation of fiber optic cable in the UP? I have seen lots of activity laying the orange cable along major roadways, but wonder if/when will the cable be installed down the many, many rural roads. I made this inquiry to a Hematite Township employee and was told “they have no idea”. The project to bring broadband internet to the UP is a GIANT project and of major importance not only to business, but to the many residents that do not have access. PLEASE do some reporting on this major initiative. Thank you!
FOIA extension to parties doing business with public entities makes sense. Here in MN recently when shadow companies approach city or county councils/commissions they are asking the members to sign NDA’s. This seems blatantly against good government and transparency. I honestly do not understand how this could even be legal? Anyone know?