Ben Solis
@bensolis1.bsky.social
Senior Reporter with Michigan Advance. Geek of All Trades. Equal opportunity muckraker.
Reposted by Ben Solis
The state must not spend any of the disputed $645 million in work project funds slashed by the Michigan House Appropriations Committee late last year despite the State Budget Office authorizing departments to do so, a Michigan Court of Claims judge ruled Friday.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Judge: Michigan cannot spend $645M state work project funds with constitutionality question in play • Michigan Advance
The state must not spend any of the disputed $645 million in state work project funds slashed by the Michigan House Appropriations Committee late last year despite the State Budget Office authorizing ...
michiganadvance.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:01 PM
The state must not spend any of the disputed $645 million in work project funds slashed by the Michigan House Appropriations Committee late last year despite the State Budget Office authorizing departments to do so, a Michigan Court of Claims judge ruled Friday.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
DETROIT – U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens said Friday that the federal government’s controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployments have happened in cities without input from local officials who don’t want or need their assistance with law enforcement activities.
By @bensolis1.bsky.social
By @bensolis1.bsky.social
Stevens slams Trump ICE deployments, says bypassing local leaders fuels chaos • Michigan Advance
DETROIT – U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens said Friday that the federal government’s most controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployments have happened in cities without input from local official...
michiganadvance.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:48 PM
DETROIT – U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens said Friday that the federal government’s controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployments have happened in cities without input from local officials who don’t want or need their assistance with law enforcement activities.
By @bensolis1.bsky.social
By @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
Michigan U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain is facing tough questions over a newly disclosed private investment her husband made in Elon Musk’s xAI company, right as the U.S. government planned to expand xAI for integration with military systems.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Report: McClain’s husband invested in Elon Musk’s xAI leading up to integration with U.S. military • Michigan Advance
Michigan U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain is facing tough questions over a newly disclosed private investment her husband made in Elon Musk’s xAI company, right as the U.S. government planned to expand xAI for ...
michiganadvance.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Michigan U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain is facing tough questions over a newly disclosed private investment her husband made in Elon Musk’s xAI company, right as the U.S. government planned to expand xAI for integration with military systems.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
The transition team of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is asking residents, from every neighborhood, about their thoughts on long-term priorities that might shape her administration.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Detroit launches largest community engagement effort to tap input from every neighborhood • Michigan Advance
The transition team of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is asking residents, from every neighborhood, about their thoughts on long-term priorities that might shape her administration. Sheffield’s Rise Hig...
michiganadvance.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:34 PM
The transition team of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is asking residents, from every neighborhood, about their thoughts on long-term priorities that might shape her administration.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
ICYMI
A Ford factory worker caught on video heckling President Donald Trump as a “pedophile protector” has been identified as 40-year-old TJ Sabula, a member of UAW Local 600.
Sabula, who has been suspended by Ford, says he has “no regrets”.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
A Ford factory worker caught on video heckling President Donald Trump as a “pedophile protector” has been identified as 40-year-old TJ Sabula, a member of UAW Local 600.
Sabula, who has been suspended by Ford, says he has “no regrets”.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
A Ford worker called out Trump. The president flipped him off. Now, he's been suspended. • Michigan Advance
Updated on 1/14/26 at 7:25 a.m. A union-backed auto worker at Ford Motor Co. was caught on video heckling President Donald Trump as a “pedophile protector” when he visited a Dearborn factory on Tuesda...
michiganadvance.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:39 PM
ICYMI
A Ford factory worker caught on video heckling President Donald Trump as a “pedophile protector” has been identified as 40-year-old TJ Sabula, a member of UAW Local 600.
Sabula, who has been suspended by Ford, says he has “no regrets”.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
A Ford factory worker caught on video heckling President Donald Trump as a “pedophile protector” has been identified as 40-year-old TJ Sabula, a member of UAW Local 600.
Sabula, who has been suspended by Ford, says he has “no regrets”.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
A union worker at Ford was caught on video heckling President Trump as a “pedophile protector” when he visited a Dearborn factory on Tuesday. After the video went viral showing Trump responding in kind, the union says the worker has been suspended by Ford.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
A Ford worker called out Trump. The president flipped him off. Now, he's been suspended. • Michigan Advance
A union-backed auto worker at Ford Motor Co. was caught on video heckling President Donald Trump when he visited a Dearborn factory on Tuesday ahead of his address to the Detroit Economic Club. The vi...
michiganadvance.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:38 AM
A union worker at Ford was caught on video heckling President Trump as a “pedophile protector” when he visited a Dearborn factory on Tuesday. After the video went viral showing Trump responding in kind, the union says the worker has been suspended by Ford.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Multiple sources told me tonight that the worker who Trump flipped off at a Dearborn Ford plant has been suspended.
@michiganadvance.com
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/13/a...
@michiganadvance.com
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/13/a...
A Ford worker called out Trump. The president flipped him off. Now, he's been suspended. • Michigan Advance
A union-backed auto worker at Ford Motor Co. was caught on video heckling President Donald Trump when he visited a Dearborn factory on Tuesday ahead of his address to the Detroit Economic Club. The vi...
michiganadvance.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Multiple sources told me tonight that the worker who Trump flipped off at a Dearborn Ford plant has been suspended.
@michiganadvance.com
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/13/a...
@michiganadvance.com
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/13/a...
Reposted by Ben Solis
President Trump visited Detroit Tuesday to tout what he considered second term wins, despite persistent inflation, a brutal immigration crackdown that has led to the shooting death of an American citizen, and military attacks on several nations.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Trump in Detroit claims prices are falling, attacks Fed and Democrats amid economic doubts • Michigan Advance
DETROIT – President Donald Trump visited the Motor City on Tuesday to tout what he considered wins on the economy and other aspects of his second term, which have included a rough economic start, a br...
michiganadvance.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:08 PM
President Trump visited Detroit Tuesday to tout what he considered second term wins, despite persistent inflation, a brutal immigration crackdown that has led to the shooting death of an American citizen, and military attacks on several nations.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
If Trump didn't lie, all you'd ever hear from him is the heavy strained breathing of a morbidly obese elderly man in the latter stages of heart failure and dementia.
Trump in Detroit claims America is seeing the fastest strongest economic turnaround, ever. Meanwhile, Democrats today noted that average people are still struggling to pay for basic needs, goods and services.
He also said an "anti-tariff person" was a "pro-Chinese person" (whatever that means).
He also said an "anti-tariff person" was a "pro-Chinese person" (whatever that means).
January 13, 2026 at 7:28 PM
If Trump didn't lie, all you'd ever hear from him is the heavy strained breathing of a morbidly obese elderly man in the latter stages of heart failure and dementia.
Trump in Detroit claims America is seeing the fastest strongest economic turnaround, ever. Meanwhile, Democrats today noted that average people are still struggling to pay for basic needs, goods and services.
He also said an "anti-tariff person" was a "pro-Chinese person" (whatever that means).
He also said an "anti-tariff person" was a "pro-Chinese person" (whatever that means).
January 13, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Trump in Detroit claims America is seeing the fastest strongest economic turnaround, ever. Meanwhile, Democrats today noted that average people are still struggling to pay for basic needs, goods and services.
He also said an "anti-tariff person" was a "pro-Chinese person" (whatever that means).
He also said an "anti-tariff person" was a "pro-Chinese person" (whatever that means).
Reposted by Ben Solis
A three-year $750,000 grant awarded to the Michigan College Access Network aims to bring humanities-centered education modules to incarcerated individuals across the state.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Michigan prison college programs get $750K grant to expand humanities education • Michigan Advance
A three-year $750,000 grant awarded to the Michigan College Access Network aims to strengthen and expand education programs in the state’s prison system. The grant will support the continued developme...
michiganadvance.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:44 PM
A three-year $750,000 grant awarded to the Michigan College Access Network aims to bring humanities-centered education modules to incarcerated individuals across the state.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist’s bid to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has come to an end, but he’s setting his sights, instead, on becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee for secretary of state.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Gilchrist leaves Michigan gubernatorial hunt, announces secretary of state bid instead • Michigan Advance
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist’s bid to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has come to an end, but he’s setting his sights, instead, on becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee for secretary of state. Gilchrist ...
michiganadvance.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist’s bid to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has come to an end, but he’s setting his sights, instead, on becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee for secretary of state.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
Timberwolves hold a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good
January 9, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Timberwolves hold a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good
Reposted by Ben Solis
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield took a final victory lap on Friday with an investiture ceremony at the Detroit Opera House that, at times, felt more like church and a gospel concert than your average swearing-in for a government official.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Sheffield jumpstarts new outlook for Detroit as mayor with investiture fanfare • Michigan Advance
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield took a final victory lap on Friday with an investiture ceremony at the Detroit Opera House that, at times, felt more like church and a gospel concert than your average swe...
michiganadvance.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield took a final victory lap on Friday with an investiture ceremony at the Detroit Opera House that, at times, felt more like church and a gospel concert than your average swearing-in for a government official.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
The effort to extend lapsed ACA tax credits put in place during the COVID era passed in the U.S. House Thursday evening, with
Michigan’s entire Republican congressional delegation voting against the measure to extend the tax credits for three years.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Michigan’s entire Republican congressional delegation voting against the measure to extend the tax credits for three years.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
U.S. House passes ACA subsidy extension as all Michigan Republicans vote no • Michigan Advance
The herculean effort to extend lapsed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act tax credits put in place during the COVID era passed in the U.S. House Thursday evening, with enough Republicans voting...
michiganadvance.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:02 PM
The effort to extend lapsed ACA tax credits put in place during the COVID era passed in the U.S. House Thursday evening, with
Michigan’s entire Republican congressional delegation voting against the measure to extend the tax credits for three years.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Michigan’s entire Republican congressional delegation voting against the measure to extend the tax credits for three years.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
As @bensolis1.bsky.social reports, 17 GOP members of Congress helped push through an ACA subsidy extension on Thursday and none of them were from Michigan.
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/09/u...
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/09/u...
U.S. House passes ACA subsidy extension as all Michigan Republicans vote no • Michigan Advance
The herculean effort to extend lapsed Affordable Care Act tax credits put in place during the COVID era passed in the U.S. House Thursday evening, with enough Republicans voting in favor of the extens...
michiganadvance.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:39 PM
As @bensolis1.bsky.social reports, 17 GOP members of Congress helped push through an ACA subsidy extension on Thursday and none of them were from Michigan.
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/09/u...
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/09/u...
Reposted by Ben Solis
Zero utility rate hikes, community transparency and other guarantees should be the start for any negotiations with developers of AI data centers if they want to do business in Michigan, according to a policy rollout from Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
El-Sayed lays out policy 'terms of engagement’ with AI data centers in U.S. Senate hunt • Michigan Advance
Zero utility rate hikes, community transparency and other guarantees should be the starting place for any negotiations with developers of AI data centers if they want to do business in Michigan, accor...
michiganadvance.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Zero utility rate hikes, community transparency and other guarantees should be the start for any negotiations with developers of AI data centers if they want to do business in Michigan, according to a policy rollout from Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
As Congress looks to create an alternative to the ACA, or bow to pressure from constituents who will lose access to health care en masse by extending the premium tax credits that lapsed last month, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib said she will continue the fight to do the latter
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Tlaib, on lapsed ACA credits, says Congress has traded health care for ‘sick care’ • Michigan Advance
As Congress looks to create an alternative to the Affordable Care Act, or bow to pressure from constituents who will lose access to health care en masse by extending the premium tax credits that lapse...
michiganadvance.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:01 PM
As Congress looks to create an alternative to the ACA, or bow to pressure from constituents who will lose access to health care en masse by extending the premium tax credits that lapsed last month, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib said she will continue the fight to do the latter
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
After ICE agents killed a Minneapolis woman during an operation, Michigan Democrats are demanding answers and accountability, blaming secrecy, militarized tactics, and weak oversight. Republicans, following the lead of President Donald Trump, rushed to defend ICE.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Michigan Dems outraged at ICE while GOP issues support after agents kill Minneapolis woman • Michigan Advance
As the Trump administration and its allies in the national Republican Party double down on their belief that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent acted in self-defense Wednesday when he fatall...
michiganadvance.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:42 AM
After ICE agents killed a Minneapolis woman during an operation, Michigan Democrats are demanding answers and accountability, blaming secrecy, militarized tactics, and weak oversight. Republicans, following the lead of President Donald Trump, rushed to defend ICE.
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
From @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
Frey: So, they are already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense. Having seen the video of myself, I want to tell everybody directly: That is bullshit.
January 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Frey: So, they are already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense. Having seen the video of myself, I want to tell everybody directly: That is bullshit.
Story now includes commentary from state Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, who says AG Nessel is wrong, and Speaker Matt Hall, who says he plans to sue over the opinion.
@michiganadvance.com
@michiganadvance.com
The drastic work project cuts made by Michigan House Republicans were done through an unconstitutional process that violated the separation of powers clause and other requirements in the Michigan Constitution, Attorney General Dana Nessel said Wednesday.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Unconstitutional: Nessel says $645M Michigan House GOP project cuts violated separation of powers • Michigan Advance
The drastic work project cuts made by House Republican appropriations chair Rep. Ann Bolin, and championed by House Speaker Matt Hall, were made through an unconstitutional process that violated the s...
michiganadvance.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Story now includes commentary from state Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, who says AG Nessel is wrong, and Speaker Matt Hall, who says he plans to sue over the opinion.
@michiganadvance.com
@michiganadvance.com
INBOX: @miattygen.bsky.social concludes the House GOP's $645M work project cuts violated both the Separation of Powers and Bicameralism and Presentment requirements in the Michigan Constitution.
More later in @michiganadvance.com
More later in @michiganadvance.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:19 PM
INBOX: @miattygen.bsky.social concludes the House GOP's $645M work project cuts violated both the Separation of Powers and Bicameralism and Presentment requirements in the Michigan Constitution.
More later in @michiganadvance.com
More later in @michiganadvance.com
Reposted by Ben Solis
Michigan’s top doc says current vaccine guidance will remain despite new CDC schedule
michiganadvance.com/briefs/michi...
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
michiganadvance.com/briefs/michi...
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Michigan’s top doc says current vaccine guidance will remain despite new CDC schedule • Michigan Advance
The federal government is recommending fewer childhood vaccinations, but the state of Michigan is saying no way. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday recommended that the prev...
michiganadvance.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Michigan’s top doc says current vaccine guidance will remain despite new CDC schedule
michiganadvance.com/briefs/michi...
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
michiganadvance.com/briefs/michi...
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
Bridget Brink, one of several Democratic candidates vying to take on U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett in the November election, is putting anti-corruption reforms at the forefront of her first big policy rollout as the 2026 election cycle begins.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Brink plan for anti-corruption policies includes individual stock trading ban, term limits • Michigan Advance
Bridget Brink, one of several Democratic candidates vying to take on U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett in the November election, is putting anti-corruption reforms at the forefront of her first big policy rollout...
michiganadvance.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Bridget Brink, one of several Democratic candidates vying to take on U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett in the November election, is putting anti-corruption reforms at the forefront of her first big policy rollout as the 2026 election cycle begins.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Solis
Duggan says Democratic attacks signal concern over his independent bid for Michigan governor
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/05/d...
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/05/d...
Duggan says Democratic attacks signal concern over his independent bid for Michigan governor • Michigan Advance
Despite criticisms from establishment Democrats and Republicans alike, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan opened the new year by saying he believes there is a path to victory for him leading toward the ...
michiganadvance.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Duggan says Democratic attacks signal concern over his independent bid for Michigan governor
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/05/d...
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
michiganadvance.com/2026/01/05/d...