12/09/2025

GLIDDEN - A Glidden man, faces numerous sexual assault and child pornography charges across Ashland, Bayfield, and Douglas counties. Jack McCarty, 27, allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl he met online in late 2024, knowing her age and urging her to take the Plan B morning after pills. Ashland County charges include first-degree sexual assault of a minor and strangulation with a trial set for June 10-12th. Bayfield County charges are two counts of second-degree child sexual assault with a trial set for July 8-10th. Douglas County charges involve child enticement and possession of child pornography. McCarty pleaded not guilty in April.

12/09/2025

HOUGHTON COUNTY - Houghton County board of Commissioners considering a resolution declaring there are only 2 genders male and female.  Resolution number 25-032 saying sex is based on chromosomes you were born with either XY or XX.  It declares that there are only male and female sexes and that options such as “other” and undetermined should not appear on documentation such as birth and death certificates.  The resolution will be discussed at the Houghton County Board of Commissioners meeting tonight.  A group called Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy says the resolution is a distraction from the real issues and real duties of the board and that they are already planning protests. 

12/09/2025

LANSING - A Michigan Court of Claims judge has denied a request to block a 24% wholesale marijuana tax before it takes effect next year.  Judge Sima G. Patel on Monday wrote the plaintiffs in the case — the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association and a group of marijuana companies suing to block the tax — “have not demonstrated they are likely to succeed on the merits.” The MCIA and suing companies argue the new tax, passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in October, amends the 2018 voter-passed Michigan Regulation of Marijuana Act. That’s why they argue it should have required 75% supermajority support of the state Legislature to be passed.  While the tax is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, the court left open the possibility that the tax could still be eliminated following a hearing set for Jan. 13.  State officials estimate the new 24% marijuana tax will generate $420 million that would be used towards Whitmer’s “Fix the Damn roads” funding plan.