Brian Allnutt

Cosmic alignment

Pollution bill targets cumulative health threats in vulnerable communities Detroit Democrats propose legislation to require state regulators to assess cumulative pollution impacts when reviewing permits.

"We do not breathe one source of pollution at a time, and we experience the health harms of all the combined pollution we breathe," says state Rep. Donavan McKinney. planetdetroit.org/2025/07/air-...

Some personal news: found a Proust bio in a little free library.

Heat waves challenge Detroit renters: Should city legislate air conditioning? Air conditioning failures in Detroit apartments expose residents, especially seniors, to heat wave dangers, leading experts to advocate for cooling legislation.

A Detroit apartment building’s air conditioning failure raises questions about what the city can do to protect renters from heat as the climate warms. planetdetroit.org/2025/07/detr...

"Models show the plume continuing its southern trek across the state with smoke expected to linger across the region through Thursday."

MI regulators issued an air quality advisory for all MI counties: "Smoke from Canadian wildfires moved into the Upper Peninsula Tuesday and into parts of the northern Lower Peninsula Wednesday morning." @planetdetroit.org 1/2

Duggan’s campaign draws big money from Trump supporters and wealthy GOP donors The Detroit mayor’s donations raise big questions about his political realignment as he runs for governor as an independent

The Detroit mayor’s donations raise big questions about his political realignment as he runs for governor as an independent.

Michigan utility commissioner appointment sparks environmental justice concerns Gov. Whitmer's appointment of Shaquila Myers to the Michigan Public Service Commission raises concerns about DTE Energy, Consumer Energy influence, environmental advocates say.

ICYMI: Whitmer's appointment of political insider Shaquila Myers to the MPSC raised concerns that DTE, Consumers are influencing regulatory decisions that could impact Michigan energy customers and climate action. @planetdetroit.org

This includes failure to disperse, obstructing a highway, obstructing emergency responders, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and unlawful assembly. All are either misdemeanors or traffic violations. However, most charges can still bring jail time and significant fines for those convicted of them. Additionally, both are facing charges of rioting, which is a Class D felony under Kentucky law. In Kentucky, convictions for Class D felonies carry a minimum of one year in prison and can potentially carry up to a maximum of five years in prison. A fine of up to $10,000 can also be imposed.

To give you a sense of how over the top the police response is here, the cops filed over a dozen felony charges against a reporter covering the protest and an intern. www.wuky.org/wuky-news/20...

Michigan utility commissioner appointment sparks environmental justice concerns Gov. Whitmer's appointment of Shaquila Myers to the Michigan Public Service Commission raises concerns about DTE Energy, Consumer Energy influence, environmental advocates say.

Whitmer praises new MPSC appointee Shaquila Myers’ work on clean energy legislation, but ratepayer advocates say they fear utilities influenced governor’s decision. planetdetroit.org/2025/07/whit...

Substance or Material, Metals Cadmium Chromium, Hexavalent Chromium, Total Copper Lead Nickel Zinc

RIP Ozzy Osbourne, here are 7 heavy metals limited in our sewer system.

Southwest Detroit mayoral forum highlights public health, immigration Detroit mayoral candidates discuss key issues like immigration, pollution at a community forum.

Southwest Detroit residents raise ongoing issues from February’s water main break and health impacts from truck traffic with mayoral candidates: planetdetroit.org/2025/07/sout...

Great Lakes energy bills are rising: Federal cuts could add to the pain These articles are part of a series in partnership between Great Lakes Now and Planet Detroit. Read the whole series here. Sherita Hamlin has watched

“I thank God for the LIHEAP program,” says Sherita Hamlin, of Chicago, referring to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helped her avoid shutoffs. Read out story published in partnership with Great Lakes Now: planetdetroit.org/2025/07/grea...

How the 'Big Beautiful Bill' will increase Michigan power costs Michigan faces higher electricity costs and job losses due to President Donald Trump's federal budget bill, which alters renewable energy incentives.

An analysis of the "big, beautiful" budget bill found it will raise costs for the average MI ratepayer by $320 a year and reduce the state's gross domestic production by $3.3 billion annually. @planetdetroit.org

How the 'Big Beautiful Bill' will increase Michigan power costs Michigan faces higher electricity costs and job losses due to President Donald Trump's federal budget bill, which alters renewable energy incentives.

An analysis of the "big, beautiful" budget bill found it will raise costs for the average MI ratepayer by $320 a year and reduce the state's gross domestic production by $3.3 billion annually. @planetdetroit.org

How the 'Big Beautiful Bill' will increase Michigan power costs Michigan faces higher electricity costs and job losses due to President Donald Trump's federal budget bill, which alters renewable energy incentives.

Federal budget bill will cost the average Michigan ratepayer $320 a year and eliminate 19,000 jobs by 2035, study finds. planetdetroit.org/2025/07/big-...

The trouble with AI art isn’t just lack of originality. It’s something far bigger | Eric Reinhart When artwork is invented by a machine, it loses its most important power: to help people connect. In an already lonely era, that is particularly dangerous

"Walter Benjamin,...warned that fascism aestheticizes politics, offering the masses the illusion of expression while stripping them of material power. AI art functions in a parallel way..."

'How come I can’t breathe?': Musk's data company draws a backlash in Memphis The company’s turbines — enough to power 280,000 homes — run without emission controls in an area that leads Tennessee in asthma hospitalizations.

whenever i see grok screenshots i remember how it's running on methane-gas generators in a black neighborhood in memphis www.politico.com/news/2025/05...

University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo challenges the University of Michigan's $1.2 billion data center project, highlighting potential environmental and community issues.

ICYMI. Ypsi Twp. Supervisor came out strongly against U of M/Los Alamos' "big, bad data center," saying the university misled her about the size of the project. “Their money grabbing purchase of land should scare the hell out of all elected officials in the State," she said. @planetdetroit.org

University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo challenges the University of Michigan's $1.2 billion data center project, highlighting potential environmental and community issues.

ICYMI. Ypsi Twp. Supervisor came out strongly against U of M/Los Alamos' "big, bad data center," saying the university misled her about the size of the project. “Their money grabbing purchase of land should scare the hell out of all elected officials in the State," she said. @planetdetroit.org

University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo challenges the University of Michigan's $1.2 billion data center project, highlighting potential environmental and community issues.

Ypsilanti Township officials say they were misled about the University of Michigan's data center project and raised concerns about how the untaxed project could add costs for the township. @planetdetroit.org
planetdetroit.org/2025/07/ypsi...

University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo challenges the University of Michigan's $1.2 billion data center project, highlighting potential environmental and community issues.

Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo says the University of Michigan misled her about the size of a $1.2 billion data center project. planetdetroit.org/2025/07/ypsi...

University of Michigan’s ‘big bad data center’ faces opposition from top Ypsilanti Township official Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo challenges the University of Michigan's $1.2 billion data center project, highlighting potential environmental and community issues.

Ypsilanti Township officials say they were misled about the University of Michigan's data center project and raised concerns about how the untaxed project could add costs for the township. @planetdetroit.org
planetdetroit.org/2025/07/ypsi...

The Grand Opening of an American Concentration Camp The Republicans are proudly calling it “Alligator Alcatraz.” Let’s call it what it is.

I wrote about the day the president attended the opening of an American concentration camp:

Taking a mental health break (watching Dio's holy diver vid on you tube).

Detroit sees off-the-charts air pollution following the 4th of July fireworks Stagnant air leads to lingering air quality issues on Friday morning. Meteorologists expect the air to clear slowly through the weekend.

An (unfortunate) warning ahead of the 4th of July. Last year, fireworks and stagnant air led to insanely high levels of particulate matter in Detroit, with gov monitors showing PM 2.5 "beyond the AQI". @planetdetroit.org

they're calling it to the gulag archipelago folks

DTE, Consumers political contributions in crosshairs of Michigan ballot drive Michigan activists initiate ballot drive to restrict political donations from major companies including utilities DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.

Organizers say ballot measure is needed to break DTE, Consumers’ influence and improve reliability and affordability for Michigan ratepayers. planetdetroit.org/2025/07/mich...

Belleville hazardous waste expansion proposal met with safety concerns: '350,000 residents within 10-mile radius' Residents air safety concerns over proposed expansion of Belleville hazardous waste facility.

Michigan, long a repository for hazardous waste, is on the cusp of accepting more. @brianallnutt.bsky.social reports.
planetdetroit.org/2025/06/repu...

Stellantis project in western Wayne County could worsen Lower River Rouge flooding: Conservationists A planned Stellantis auto parts hub project in Van Buren Township is raising concerns over wetland destruction and flooding risks in the Lower River Rouge.

Destruction of more of the region’s scarce wetlands for a Stellantis auto parts hub in Van Buren Township may imperil wildlife and exacerbate flooding. planetdetroit.org/2025/06/stel...