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Ben Solis

@bensolis1.bsky.social

Senior Reporter with Michigan Advance. Geek of All Trades. Equal opportunity muckraker.

532 Followers  |  301 Following  |  190 Posts  |  Joined: 25.11.2024
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Posts by Ben Solis (@bensolis1.bsky.social)

David Lynch saying ‘One day, the sadness will end. But I don’t think today’s the day.’

David Lynch saying ‘One day, the sadness will end. But I don’t think today’s the day.’

28.02.2026 08:33 — 👍 6756    🔁 1849    💬 9    📌 21
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average person cheering for war in iran

28.02.2026 16:13 — 👍 11784    🔁 2107    💬 91    📌 20

I know this script well: Decisive strikes turn into ground troops; we take the capital, drive out the existing govt; we declare victory; then a power vacuum & an insurgency builds & we're fighting for 10 years. Oh, but this time, there could be actual attacks on homeland. Fun?

28.02.2026 18:30 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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DTE seeks another rate hike days after state regulators approved nearly a $250 million increase • Michigan Advance The state’s attorney general and a group of conservation activists shared calls to action on Friday after DTE Energy issued another rate increase request, filed earlier this week with the Michigan Pub...

The state’s attorney general and a group of conservation activists shared calls to action on Friday after DTE Energy issued another rate increase request, filed earlier this week with the Michigan Public Service Commission.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

27.02.2026 20:58 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0
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Gilchrist nabs Laborers’ International Union endorsement in Michigan secretary of state race • Michigan Advance Labor continues to line up behind Garlin Gilchrist, Michigan’s lieutenant governor, as he seeks to replace Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in 2026. After grabbing endorsement nods from Michigan AFL-...

Labor continues to line up behind Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist as he seeks to replace Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in 2026. Gilchrist announced Friday support from Laborers’ International Union of North America, or LiUNA, which represents construction, energy and public sector employees.

27.02.2026 12:44 — 👍 7    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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How Black pioneers in Michigan health care influenced the state and nation’s political landscape • Michigan Advance This is the fourth and final in a series of articles by Michigan Advance throughout February celebrating Black History Month.    In 2023, the Association of American Medical Colleges shared a survey w...

As we close out Black History Month, Michigan Advance is highlighting several health care workers who challenged and overcame educational and professional barriers. They gave back to their communities through their work inside and outside of the office.

Story from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

27.02.2026 11:47 — 👍 5    🔁 7    💬 0    📌 0
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Romulus officials don’t want an ICE detention center. What can they really do to stop it? • Michigan Advance ICE is planning to open a new detention center in Romulus, a western suburb in metro Detroit, and both residents and local officials have expressed their strong opposition to that happening.  The path...

ICE is planning to open a new detention center in Romulus, and both residents and local officials have strong opposition. And while the path to slowing or stopping development of a federal facility is difficult at best, it doesn’t mean officials aren’t trying.

From @kdailey.bsky.social

26.02.2026 18:14 — 👍 25    🔁 22    💬 3    📌 0
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Donate to Support She Got Game: Celebrate Female Athletes, organized by Flavor Flav Flavor Flav, the legendary rapper and Hollywood personality, has long been… Flavor Flav needs your support for Support She Got Game: Celebrate Female Athletes

Many of y’all asked how you can support and donate to our female athletes and the celebrations,,, so I created a Go Fund Me. I’m hopeful this can have an impact beyond the weekend and help those that represent the best of the US

gofund.me/140322128

26.02.2026 18:39 — 👍 3989    🔁 1225    💬 73    📌 71
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‘Big Gretch Out’? — Sure, but Whitmer remains out of touch on data center issue • Michigan Advance When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address Wednesday, she touched on early literacy, housing reform and other domestic priorities. However she conspicuously ducked a mou...

As Michigan Advance Editor-in-Chief Jon King notes in this commentary, when Gov. Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address Wednesday, she conspicuously ducked any mention of the explosive growth of hyperscale data centers and the swelling opposition they’re generating. #datacenters

26.02.2026 19:23 — 👍 8    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 3
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Allies applaud Whitmer’s literacy push as GOP House looms, progressives look for action • Michigan Advance Although some view the student-centered education proposals unveiled Wednesday by Gretchen Whitmer in her final State of the State address as a proven way to address childhood literacy, others doubt s...

Although some view the student-centered education proposals unveiled by Gov. Whitmer in her final State of the State address as a proven way to address childhood literacy, others doubt she can advance the policies in a hostile GOP-controlled House of Representatives.

By @bensolis1.bsky.social

26.02.2026 12:47 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Three potential Whitmer successors were in the room for her final address. They each had notes. • Michigan Advance As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wrapped her final State of the State address on Wednesday evening, a handful of candidates who may very well be her successor were sitting in the room watching her address. Gu...

Gubernatorial hopefuls John James, Jocelyn Benson and Aric Nesbitt were all in attendance while Gov. Whitmer pitched new plans for early literacy training, expanded K-12 funding, full-day pre-kindergarten options, and plans to address the state’s housing crisis.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

26.02.2026 21:09 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Whitmer proposes new methods for early literacy skills, housing reforms to ensure ownership • Michigan Advance Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday announced that her office will focus on childhood education and trying to put more money in Michanders’ pockets during her final year in office, proposals that will ...

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday announced that her office will focus on childhood education, with proposals that will include lifelong literacy efforts, increased school funding and what she called the “Every Child Reads” program.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

26.02.2026 00:38 — 👍 10    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
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Detroit chamber poll: Two-thirds of Michigan voters don’t have a strong position on AI data centers • Michigan Advance In spite of repeated public concerns about the proliferation of AI data centers, including their environmental impact and potential to raise energy rates,a new statewide poll shows that around 67% of ...

In a survey of 600 registered voters commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber, which has stated its public advocacy for data center investment, a majority of those polled said they believed data centers will provide some degree of economic benefit to Michigan.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

24.02.2026 16:48 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 1
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Proposed digital ID would be disallowed for use when voting, interacting with law enforcement • Michigan Advance A reintroduced legislative package that would allow the state to issue digital, mobile phone identification cards was back before a Senate panel on Tuesday, but they face a series of challenges before...

A reintroduced legislative package to allow the state to issue digital, mobile phone ID cards was back before a Senate panel Tuesday, but face a series of challenges before moving forward, including concerns over privacy and their overall usefulness in key situations.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

24.02.2026 19:41 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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Nessel joins several states in lawsuit challenging RFK Jr. vaccine schedule, immunization policies • Michigan Advance The new childhood immunization policies and vaccine schedule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the focus of yet another multistate lawsuit, with Michigan Attorney General Dana N...

The new childhood immunization policies and vaccine schedule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the focus of yet another multistate lawsuit, with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel signing on.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

24.02.2026 21:10 — 👍 13    🔁 7    💬 0    📌 0
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Hall unveils revenue plan that would tax higher-income services like country club memberships • Michigan Advance Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) is preparing to tie his previously announced $5 billion per year property tax relief plan to a 6% sales tax on what are typically considered luxu...

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) is preparing to tie his previously announced $5 billion per year property tax relief plan to a 6% sales tax on what are typically considered luxury services paid by wealthier residents.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

25.02.2026 16:06 — 👍 1    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
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Whitmer’s final State of the State speech to include pitches on medical debt, housing reforms • Michigan Advance Gov. Gretchen Gretchen Whitmer will highlight her record after nearly a decade in office as Michigan’s chief executive Wednesday evening, but don’t expect the governor’s eighth and final State of the ...

Gov. Gretchen Gretchen Whitmer will highlight her record after nearly a decade in office as Michigan’s chief executive Wednesday evening, but don’t expect the governor’s eighth and final State of the State address to be just another greatest hits compilation.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

25.02.2026 20:36 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Family and community members dispute police narrative in fatal shooting of Grand Rapids man • Michigan Advance While multiple agencies continue to investigate Wednesday’s fatal shooting by a Grand Rapids police officer, the family of Da’Quain Johnson, 32, is disputing the narrative that authorities have given ...

While multiple agencies continue to investigate Wednesday’s fatal shooting by a Grand Rapids police officer, the family of Da’Quain Johnson, 32, is disputing the narrative that authorities have given about his death.

Story from @kdailey.bsky.social

23.02.2026 20:42 — 👍 2    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0
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Moroun gave $1M to PAC supporting Trump prior to president's tirade over Gordie Howe Bridge • Michigan Advance Newly released campaign finance data shows that a political action committee, MAGA Inc., which directly supported President Donald Trump’s previous campaign efforts and continues to serve his “Make Am...

Newly released campaign finance data shows that a PAC which directly supports President Donald Trump’s political efforts was given $1 million by the owners of the Ambassador Bridge just a month before the president took aim at its main competitor.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

23.02.2026 21:18 — 👍 62    🔁 36    💬 5    📌 7
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Poll shows Michigan's economic, education standing in free fall — and few comprehend how bad it is • Michigan Advance Voter misconceptions on how well Michigan compares to other states should be seen as a warning flag for the state’s business, education and government leaders, according to new polling data from the D...

Voter misconceptions on how well Michigan compares to other states should be seen as a warning flag for the state’s business, education and government leaders, according to new polling data from the Detroit Regional Chamber released Monday.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

23.02.2026 17:28 — 👍 2    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
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Mott Community College stops short of a new investigation into president’s alleged ‘proselytizing’ • Michigan Advance Community members at a tense Wednesday meeting of the Mott Community College Board of Trustees called for a new investigation into the conduct of the college’s president, Shaunda Richardson-Snell, aft...

Community members caller on the Mott Community College Board of Trustees to open a new investigation into the conduct of the college’s president who is accused of coercively pushing her Christian religious beliefs on students, staff, faculty and guests at the university.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

19.02.2026 11:53 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Hall predicts protracted budget fight in 2026 with dueling stances on tax cuts, hikes • Michigan Advance While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is basing a large part of her 2026-27 budget proposal on new revenue from various taxes and raiding the state’s rainy day fund, Republican House Speaker Matt Hall is alread...

While Gov. Whitmer is basing a large part of her 2026-27 budget plan on new tax revenue, Republican House Speaker Matt Hall is already drawing a line in the sand against approving any new taxes and sowing the seeds of another potentially brutal budget fight.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

19.02.2026 19:45 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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Tlaib intensifies investigation into Moroun’s White House lobbying over Gordie Howe Bridge threats • Michigan Advance Matthew Moroun, the owner of the Ambassador Bridge crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, and a major supporter of President Donald Trump, is facing a U.S. House committee investigation over h...

Tlaib intensifies investigation into Moroun’s White House lobbying over Gordie Howe Bridge threats

michiganadvance.com/briefs/tlaib...

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

18.02.2026 21:32 — 👍 13    🔁 8    💬 1    📌 0
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Bergman and LaFave hit back over endorsement flap, emphasize Prestin domestic violence record • Michigan Advance U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman and state Senate candidate Beau LaFave spent Tuesday evening defending themselves against new attacks from two Upper Peninsula GOP stalwarts, who rescinded their endorsements of...

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman and state Senate candidate Beau LaFave spent Tuesday evening defending themselves against new attacks from two Upper Peninsula GOP stalwarts, who rescinded their endorsements of the congressman from Watersmeet.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

18.02.2026 19:38 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

And wearing drag while at it. Icon.

17.02.2026 23:37 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Bergman endorsement in U.P. state Senate race sees key lawmakers defect from his reelection bid • Michigan Advance There was much drama brewing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Tuesday after a slate of up north lawmakers rescinded their endorsements of U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), after he endorsed forme...

There was much drama brewing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Tuesday after a slate of up north lawmakers rescinded their endorsements of U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), after he endorsed former state Rep. Beau LaFave as he seeks a seat in the state Senate.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

17.02.2026 20:58 — 👍 6    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

She told us to shake his hand and to thank him for his work. We did, and as he shook our tiny hands, he was very humble. That memory became essential for me as I made it a mission to support civil and human rights causes as a young man. RIP Rev Jackson.

17.02.2026 20:47 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

I don't know what she said to him, but he smiled, and as he climbed aboard his escort cart, my mom came back and told us we had to meet someone very important. She brought us over, and told us this was a man who had marched with Dr. King... (3/4)

17.02.2026 20:47 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Sometimes this happened very early in the morning. On one such occasion, Rev. Jackson was getting off the same flight as my grandma. My mom noticed him from a mile away. We collected my grandma's things and my mom told us to wait back while she approached him... (2/4)

17.02.2026 20:47 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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I met Jesse Jackson once at an airport when I was very young. My great grandmother was a snowbird jumping between OH, MI and AZ in the late 1990s-2000s until she died some years later. We'd pick her up at the airport between flights in and out ... (1/4)

17.02.2026 20:47 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0