Sally Tato
@sallytato.bsky.social
Freepster. No media = police state. Watchdog matters. Quality leads to clicks. I don't clean up quotes. And I edit like an editor, not a fangirl.
Pinned
As Michigan lawmakers weigh future tax exemptions to support development, they can't turn to any state analysis of their effectiveness: While state law required reviews, they either were never done or done so long ago records were destroyed, the Free Press found. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Detroit’s go-to tax deals for developers on the brink of vanishing
State tax programs used heavily by Detroit developers will expire soon unless lawmakers extend them.
www.freep.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:16 PM
As Michigan lawmakers weigh future tax exemptions to support development, they can't turn to any state analysis of their effectiveness: While state law required reviews, they either were never done or done so long ago records were destroyed, the Free Press found. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Read this story and thought... you never truly know what's happening at a zoo. Fascinating read on how large carnivore breeding at Michigan zoos needed lawmakers help, asap. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
New Michigan law removes threats to large carnivore breeding at zoos
Before the change to Michigan's Large Carnivore Act, citations unrelated to large carnivores threatened several animal breeding programs at zoos.
www.freep.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Read this story and thought... you never truly know what's happening at a zoo. Fascinating read on how large carnivore breeding at Michigan zoos needed lawmakers help, asap. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
A Free Press investigation found expenditures from the Prisoner Benefit Funds include $4,500 to repair prison carts, $858 for steel to build a freezer cage and $86,500 for a roofing job. Meanwhile, prisoners claim in lawsuits the MDOC won't provide basic necessities. www.freep.com/story/news/l...
Michigan inmates struggle to get help from little-known $19M fund for prisoner needs
Money from the funds is not supposed to be spent on prison operations, but the MDOC has an expansive definition of spending that benefits prisoners.
www.freep.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A Free Press investigation found expenditures from the Prisoner Benefit Funds include $4,500 to repair prison carts, $858 for steel to build a freezer cage and $86,500 for a roofing job. Meanwhile, prisoners claim in lawsuits the MDOC won't provide basic necessities. www.freep.com/story/news/l...
If AI hasn't come up at work, on the playground, at your doc's office or one spot in your life, it will soon. The Detroit Free Press wants to know what you want to see reported on when it comes to AI. Take a quick survey with my great thanks! (Anonymous allowed.) docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
What do you want to know about Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing up more and more in daily life — from search engines and customer service chats to education and healthcare. There’s a lot of excitement, but also a lot of conf...
docs.google.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:28 PM
If AI hasn't come up at work, on the playground, at your doc's office or one spot in your life, it will soon. The Detroit Free Press wants to know what you want to see reported on when it comes to AI. Take a quick survey with my great thanks! (Anonymous allowed.) docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Happy Election Day in Michigan, all! Here's what you need to know all day long and what the Freep will be bringing you after the polls close tonight. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Election Day 2025 live updates across Detroit and Michigan as voters head to polls
Get live Election Day updates from southeast Michigan after polls open at 7 a.m. Key mayoral and city council seats are at stake in metro Detroit.
www.freep.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Happy Election Day in Michigan, all! Here's what you need to know all day long and what the Freep will be bringing you after the polls close tonight. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Restaurants, an industry that was underwater a few years ago during the height of the pandemic, are now the ones stepping up to make sure Michigan residents who need food, have food as the federal shutdown threatens to cut off SNAP benefits for millions nationwide. www.freep.com/story/entert...
Michigan restaurants, residents are trying to help if SNAP benefits are paused
Here's a sampling of what Michigan restaurants, a food nonprofit are doing to help as a pause in food assistance looms.
www.freep.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Restaurants, an industry that was underwater a few years ago during the height of the pandemic, are now the ones stepping up to make sure Michigan residents who need food, have food as the federal shutdown threatens to cut off SNAP benefits for millions nationwide. www.freep.com/story/entert...
Michigan Dems propose using state funds to temporarily pay for SNAP benefits for residents. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Michigan House Democrats unveil plan to fund SNAP amid federal government shutdown
The plan to fund SNAP amid the federal government shutdown faces an uncertain path in a politically divided Michigan Legislature.
www.freep.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Michigan Dems propose using state funds to temporarily pay for SNAP benefits for residents. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Another inmate jumped from an upper level at Parnall Correctional Facility near Jackson, Mich. on Oct. 22, three weeks after the state Legislature axed $15 million the Senate approved to improve the safety of upper railings at Parnall and two other Michigan prisons. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
7th inmate falls from upper prison level after Mich. lawmakers axe funds to improve safety
The latest apparent suicide attempt at Parnall prison came three weeks after lawmakers axed from the budget funds to improve prison railing safety.
www.freep.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Another inmate jumped from an upper level at Parnall Correctional Facility near Jackson, Mich. on Oct. 22, three weeks after the state Legislature axed $15 million the Senate approved to improve the safety of upper railings at Parnall and two other Michigan prisons. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is pausing food assistance benefits in November until further notice. www.freep.com/story/news/l...
Food assistance in Michigan: SNAP benefits to stop in November due to federal shutdown
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is pausing food assistance benefits in November until further notice.
www.freep.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is pausing food assistance benefits in November until further notice. www.freep.com/story/news/l...
A video of Michigan prison officers in riot gear confronting a caged and handcuffed inmate and twice spraying him with chemical agents has become a central issue in a federal court lawsuit. www.freep.com/story/news/l...
'Shocking' video shows Michigan prison officers spraying chemicals on handcuffed inmate
Demetrius Buckley, an award-winning prison writer, alleges officials retaliated against him for an article he published about prison life.
www.freep.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:56 AM
A video of Michigan prison officers in riot gear confronting a caged and handcuffed inmate and twice spraying him with chemical agents has become a central issue in a federal court lawsuit. www.freep.com/story/news/l...
Michigan's first chief growth officer, appointed in 2023 by Gov. Whitmer to help reverse the state's sluggish population growth, has left her post in government to start a new initiative she says will be the first statewide organization focused on population growth. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Michigan's first chief growth officer leaves post — here's what she's doing next
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer named Hilary Doe as the state's first-ever chief growth officer. Doe has left government and will launch a new growth institute.
www.freep.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Michigan's first chief growth officer, appointed in 2023 by Gov. Whitmer to help reverse the state's sluggish population growth, has left her post in government to start a new initiative she says will be the first statewide organization focused on population growth. www.freep.com/story/news/p...
A Michigan man has paid over $1,000 a month since May for a car that he cannot drive and is suing Jeep's parent company, Stellantis, to get a solution.
www.freep.com/story/money/...
www.freep.com/story/money/...
Family takes Jeep, Stellantis to court over hybrid Grand Cherokee recall dispute
Recalls happen all the time, but for one Michigan family, an ongoing Jeep recall has led to a lawsuit and thousands spent on a car they cannot drive.
www.freep.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A Michigan man has paid over $1,000 a month since May for a car that he cannot drive and is suing Jeep's parent company, Stellantis, to get a solution.
www.freep.com/story/money/...
www.freep.com/story/money/...
How the good rises after tragedy: www.freep.com/story/news/l...
Grand Blanc Township's grief turns to resolve
People across Grand Blanc Township, from school children, to business owners to retirees, are looking for ways to help.
www.freep.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:56 PM
How the good rises after tragedy: www.freep.com/story/news/l...
Michigan public schools to see per-pupil funding boost in latest budget: www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Free lunches, record per-pupil funding: What made Michigan's proposed education budget
The education budget proposal would increase per-pupil funding and preserves support for free school meals.
www.freep.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Michigan public schools to see per-pupil funding boost in latest budget: www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Marijuana tax set to rise in Michigan: www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Michigan lawmakers approve 2026 budget, including 24% marijuana tax
The budget makes cuts to many state agencies while providing an extra $1.1 billion to the Michigan Department of Transportation, which funds roads.
www.freep.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Marijuana tax set to rise in Michigan: www.freep.com/story/news/p...
At least two people are dead, including the gunman, and nine others are being treated at local hospitals following a mass shooting and fire at a Grand Blanc church on Sunday morning, Sept. 28.
www.freep.com/story/news/l...
www.freep.com/story/news/l...
At least 2 dead, 9 injured after shooting at Grand Blanc church, police say
At least 2 people are dead following a mass shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc.
www.freep.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:40 PM
At least two people are dead, including the gunman, and nine others are being treated at local hospitals following a mass shooting and fire at a Grand Blanc church on Sunday morning, Sept. 28.
www.freep.com/story/news/l...
www.freep.com/story/news/l...
How fast can state and federal governments keep up to regulate/control/prevent AI pitfalls? Michigan's latest: www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Sexual AI 'deep fakes' could mean prison time, fines under new Michigan law
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law new criminal penalties for those who use technology to create fake sexual images and videos.
www.freep.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
How fast can state and federal governments keep up to regulate/control/prevent AI pitfalls? Michigan's latest: www.freep.com/story/news/p...