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Brad LaPlante

@bradlaplante.me
521 followers 460 following 1.2K posts

I am covering the midterms and how policy affects Lansing at @wlns.bsky.social. I also host “The Moment,” a long-form interview show. More of my work: www.wlns.com/author/brad-laplante

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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 1h
From July: Republicans say Michigan’s budget has exploded. The data tells a more complicated story www.wlns.com/news/politic...
wlns.com
Fact check: Republicans say Michigan’s budget has exploded. The data tells a more complicated story
Michigan Republicans claim that state spending has exploded under Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, but a review of the data shows that the budget growth is largely explained by temporary federal m…
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 1h
First line from John James: "I hate politics"
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 6h
NEW: President Donald Trump hung over the first debate between Republican Rep. Tom Barrett and Democrat William Lawrence, underscoring the president’s unpopularity amid high gas prices, increasingly unaffordable groceries and the war in Iran. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
wlns.com
Trump hangs over first debate in Mid-Michigan swing district
Democrat William Lawrence and Republican incumbent Tom Barrett clashed over ties to President Donald Trump and local control of data centers during their first debate for Michigan’s 7th Congr…
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 19h
“In complaints filed with the state, (residents) described ‘literal whiteout conditions’ and ‘dust clouds.’ They said the dust was blanketing their neighborhood and irritating their eyes. They said they had to stop doing yardwork, go inside and shut all their windows.”
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 19h
Detroit city officials greenlit a concrete mixing plant in Cadillac Heights. How a Matthew Moroun-owned company took over the southeast section of the neighborhood and forced residents to leave, reshaping it entirely. www.propublica.org/article/detr...
propublica.org
Left in the Dust: How a Billionaire-Owned Concrete Plant Took Over a Detroit Community
After a Moroun-owned company erected a concrete plant in a quiet neighborhood with the aid of the city, residents began battling clouds of dust and other problems. They say local and state officials h...
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 21h
It should win all three. Excellent work all around.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 03/10/2026
This November, Michigan voters will be asked a routine ballot question that appears every 16 years: Should the state hold a Constitutional Convention to rewrite parts, or all, of its constitution? Here's what you need to know. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
wlns.com
Con-Con? What voters need to know about Michigan’s Proposal 1
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — As Michigan voters head to the polls in November, a ballot question will ask them if the state should call a convention to rewrite its constitution. Proposal 1 will automati…
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
ProPublica @propublica.org · 02/10/2026
NEW: Oregon’s top housing official failed to report her husband’s involvement with projects that her agency funds. She disclosed this only after we asked. “In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need ProPublica for this kind of thing,” a former official said.
propublica.org
Oregon Housing Director Failed to Report Husband’s Related Business Interests
Andrea Bell, executive director of Oregon Housing and Community Services, filed amended state ethics paperwork after ProPublica asked about her husband’s work at a firm that’s consulted on projects re...
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 03/10/2026
The facts: Larry Nassar was never on the Michigan sex offender registry. He’s not serving a sentence in Michigan, so why would he be? Instead of verifying this detail, news agencies still published it. At what point do we start verifying things people say? The standard needs to be higher.
wlns.com
Larry Nassar was never on sex offender registry, state police say, as Doug Lloyd walks back claim
Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd corrected his office’s claim that convicted serial abuser Larry Nassar was removed from Michigan’s public sex offender registry after Michigan State Police said F…
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 03/10/2026
This week, a local county prosecutor — an attorney general candidate — posted that Larry Nassar was removed from the Michigan sex offender registry after a state Supreme Court ruling. He used the post to slam Democrats. The post was reported as fact by multiple news outlets.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 02/10/2026
“The weak can overcome the strong if the weak persist. Persisting isn’t always safe but it’s often necessary.”
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 01/10/2026
NEW: Rural Michigan is running out of clerks to run its elections. In the rural township of Fayette, Cassidy Taylor is administering the election. She typically does the job between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. — after a full day as the city clerk for Litchfield a town over. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
wlns.com
Rural Michigan is running out of clerks to run its elections
Cassidy Taylor continues to manage elections for Fayette Township alongside her duties as Litchfield’s city clerk while the township prepares for a special election in May to fill its vacant …
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
ProPublica @propublica.org · 01/10/2026
Nick Adams’ Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness has brought in millions in donations and helped him land a State Department appointment, but records show there is almost no indication FLAG was spending that money on its stated mission. (Published July)
propublica.org
This MAGA Influencer Runs a Charity to Teach Kids Civics. Much of the Money Goes to Him Instead.
Nick Adams’ Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness has brought in millions in donations and helped him land a State Department appointment, but records show there is almost no indication FLAG w...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 01/10/2026
Tennessee’s highest-security youth prisons are operated by a single private company. Former staff say they felt pressure to hide abuse and other serious incidents from the state and to handle medical emergencies without calling 911. with @wpln.bsky.social
propublica.org
He Suffered Abuse in a Private Youth Jail. The Company Never Reported It.
Tennessee’s highest-security youth prisons are operated by a single private company. Former staff say they felt pressure to hide abuse and other serious incidents from the state and to handle medical ...
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 30/09/2026
This was so well-written. Even as a non-single person, there’s something about this that feels close to home.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 30/09/2026
"When you build, build something of value. When you face hard choices, face them with considered values... Your investments may take a while to pay off. But when they do, your reward will be that highest of professional achievements: being part of something worthy and enduring."
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 30/09/2026
"So You Want to Publish a Newspaper" was delivered as a speech at MSU on Tuesday at 6 p.m. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | So You Want to Publish a Newspaper (Gift Article)
How on earth did The New York Times, a seemingly ossified institution in a dying industry, survive the most destabilizing period in its history — and emerge stronger?
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 30/09/2026
“Experimental evidence suggests that using A.I. not as a full shortcut, but as a means to exercise what they were supposed to learn, allowed them to outperform the remaining participants in the A.I. group and those who hadn’t used A.I. at all.”
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 30/09/2026
But in a study where adults wrote essays twice — one with AI access and one without — those who used AI to write entire first essays performed much worse in the second essay. Those who used AI more like a tutor, to explain complex concepts or clarify ideas, retained higher scores and wrote better.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 30/09/2026
“A.I. tools condition people to expect immediate responses and deny them the experience of working through challenges, the authors say, which is crucial for skill development and one of the strongest predictors of long-term learning.” www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Will A.I. Make Your Brain Lazy? (Gift Article)
We’re starting to learn more about how the technology can change us.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 30/09/2026
Despite record profits, some teams at Apple are being told they can’t bring plus-ones to holiday parties for the first time in years. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Apple’s New CEO Seeks to Make Company Run Faster and Leaner
Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer John Ternus, just weeks into the role, is moving to overhaul the iPhone maker in an effort to accelerate product development, broaden its range of devices and create...
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 29/09/2026
Imagine if every newsroom in the country operated like ProPublica.
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
ProPublica @propublica.org · 29/09/2026
NEW: A new White House rule would prohibit anyone from using federal grant money for voter registration drives, including ones that help disabled Americans vote. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to restrict voting access.
propublica.org
This White House Plan Threatens Funding That Helps Disabled Americans Vote
A new rule from the Office of Management and Budget would prohibit anyone from using federal grant money for voter registration drives. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restr...
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
ProPublica @propublica.org · 27/09/2026
ProPublica obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, even nothing. From the archives:
propublica.org
The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax
ProPublica has obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, ev...
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
ProPublica @propublica.org · 28/09/2026
Even Navatek’s executives were surprised at how far their money went in D.C. “It was eye-opening for me, frankly. ‘Oh my God, all of it is for sale. It’s all for sale,’” said one.
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 28/09/2026
No notes.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 27/09/2026
That time of year when the song about Billie Joe Armstrong’s dad dying is trending
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 27/09/2026
Joanna Whaley, a hospital chaplain and former pastor, is a trans woman running for the Michigan House. She says Republicans have weaponized religion against the LGBTQ+ community and argues that Democrats need to have an answer back.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 24/09/2026
New polling from MSU researchers finds broad opposition to data centers, following months of comparable polls confirming a similar result www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
wlns.com
Survey: 7 in 10 Michiganders oppose data centers
A new survey from Michigan State University researchers revealed that seven in 10 Michiganders oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, citing concerns over energy costs and en…
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 24/09/2026
Wendy’s dropped a pop-punk album music.apple.com/us/album/son...
music.apple.com
Songs to Listen to in a Wendy’s Parking Lot - EP by Wendy's on Apple Music
Album · 2026 · 6 Songs
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
Politico @politico.com · 24/09/2026
Mikie Sherrill let her LG serve as acting governor for 18 days after internal investigation began
dlvr.it
Mikie Sherrill let her LG serve as acting governor for 18 days after internal investigation began
The investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell has almost entirely curtailed Sherrill’s out-of-state travel since Labor Day weekend.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 24/09/2026
Kennedy Drew $4 Million in Book Advances From Publisher Who Also Monetized MAHA www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/u...
nytimes.com
RFK Jr. Drew $4 Million in Book Advances From Publisher Who Also Monetized MAHA (Gift Article)
A new disclosure also shows $210,000 in consulting fees paid to Cheryl Hines, the health secretary’s wife, by one of several MAHA-affiliated groups capitalizing from his agenda.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 22/09/2026
"This election cycle, much of the country is grappling with a question Detroit has confronted for generations: is hard work enough to get ahead?" Why Michigan is key to winning the midterms. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjJX...
youtube.com
Michigan Is a Key Midterm Battleground. What Do Voters Want? | WSJ
YouTube video by The Wall Street Journal
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
YouGov America @today.yougov.com · 22/09/2026
NEW Economist/YouGov Sep 18-21: The midterms Among likely voters, Democratic congressional candidates lead Republicans 52% to 38% — a 14-point edge, the largest of the cycle Among all registered voters the Democratic lead is 7 points (45% to 38%) yougov.com/en-us/articl...
A line chart of YouGov polling data with the headline: "Who is leading among registered voters and likely voters in the race for Congress in 2026."

The chart has the sub-headline: "In the elections for U.S. Congress in November, who will you vote for in the district where you live? (% of registered voters picking the Democratic candidate minus the % picking the Republican candidate)."

The chart has the note: "Note: Likely voters are U.S. adult citizens who meet two criteria: (1) They either are registered to vote or say they will be registered to vote by the November elections; and (2) They either say they will definitely vote in November or say they have already voted. The displayed question has been used since the August 14 - 17, 2026 survey. Prior surveys asked the question, "If the elections for U.S. Congress were being held today, who would you vote for in the district where you live?" Responses of "other," "not sure," "I would not vote," and "I will not vote" are not shown."
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 22/09/2026
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 20/09/2026
“It is as predatory as it sounds,” said a former DraftKings analyst. “If you lose more, we give you more, so you keep playing more.” He quit in 2024. How DraftKings Uses A.I. to Target the Gamblers Likeliest to Lose www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/b...
nytimes.com
At DraftKings, AI Targets the Gamblers Likeliest to Lose (Gift Article)
Data science helps determine who receives betting incentives, but the company has resisted using similar technology to protect gamblers at risk of addiction.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 20/09/2026
Competing letters in the race for U.S. Senate have exposed a rift among Michigan's Jewish voters. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
wlns.com
Dueling letters expose divide among Michigan’s Jewish voters in Senate race
Michigan Jewish voters have split in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, issuing competing open letters that reflect deep divisions over El-Sayed’…
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 19/09/2026
I'd also recommend the one on Microsoft's program that uses Chinese engineers to help maintain the Defense Department's computer systems without oversight; and the one about a husband in crisis and a wife who fought a health insurance company over denials of care.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 19/09/2026
This podcast just doesn't miss. Since its debut several months ago, it has been my favorite show. The host, Jessica Lussenhop, is a gifted storyteller. I cannot recommend it enough. Every part of this story is jaw-dropping and unbelievable.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 19/09/2026
A key moment from this episode: "I want my legislator to be someone who has had to do DoorDash to make ends meet, because that's what my community has had to do each and every day." Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqA7...
youtube.com
Joanna Whaley says Democrats have lost the working class. She thinks she can help win it back
YouTube video by WLNS 6 News
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 19/09/2026
I first learned about Whaley's candidacy in her Downriver state House district in the spring, when her Democratic opponent tried to get her kicked off the ballot in what many called a transphobic attack. She joined our show this week to talk about her experiences with conversion therapy.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 19/09/2026
Our new episode of "The Moment," featuring @joannawhaley.bsky.social, has arrived: "Joanna Whaley says Democrats have lost the working class. She thinks she can help win it back." www.wlns.com/originals/mo...
wlns.com
Joanna Whaley says Democrats lost the working class. She thinks she can help win it back
Democratic nominee Joanna Whaley will seek to become Michigan’s first openly transgender legislator by addressing Christian extremism and economic challenges facing the working class.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 18/09/2026
"High oil prices driving up the cost of everything"
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 17/09/2026
We'll have more polling coverage on this later today.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 17/09/2026
POLL: A new Emerson College/@wlns.bsky.social survey shows Jocelyn Benson ahead of John James by seven points. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
wlns.com
Jocelyn Benson holds seven-point lead in governor’s race as economy tops voters’ concerns
Democrat Jocelyn Benson holds a seven-point lead over Republican John James in a new Emerson College Polling/6 News poll for Michigan governor.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 17/09/2026
NEW: Data centers emerge as central issue in Michigan elections www.wlns.com/news/politic...
wlns.com
Pushback against AI data centers emerges as central issue in Michigan elections
U.S. Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet introduced legislation on Wednesday to remove two federal tax breaks for large data centers as the House prepares to vote on a bipartisan bill aimed at pr…
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 16/09/2026
Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon call for curbs on AI — NPR apple.news/AABwazZ03Tx6...
apple.news
Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon call for curbs on AI — NPR
The rare pairing of a progressive leader and a MAGA voice is a sign of how worries over rapidly advancing AI are upending political alliances. But their policy proposals are far apart.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 15/09/2026
New: Higher prices are driving more tax revenue for Michigan www.wlns.com/skubick/mich...
wlns.com
Higher prices are driving more tax revenue for Michigan
Michigan’s general fund has collected $455 million more than projected due to increased consumer spending driven by higher prices, according to a state budget expert.
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Brad LaPlante @bradlaplante.me · 15/09/2026
Papa Johns, Propaganda and Putin: How a MAGA Influencer With Ties to Russia Became Trump’s Arctic Adviser www.propublica.org/article/thom...
propublica.org
How a MAGA Influencer With Ties to Russia Became Trump’s Arctic Adviser
As head of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, Thomas Dans has backed a takeover of Greenland and other items on President Donald Trump’s list. But it’s not always clear where the administration’s ag...
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Reposted by Brad LaPlante
Sarah Langs @slangsonsports.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
wheeeeeee!
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