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Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views, 2910 W M-21, Owosso, MI (2025)

10/30/2025

BREAKING - “Deal Done”: Donald Trump’s Big Win in Trade Talks with Xi Jinping

BUSAN, South Korea — Friends Community News Group, October 30, 2025, 11 am ET - In what he called a “12 on a scale of 1 to 10” meeting, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up a summit in Busan that, for now, appears to reset the temperature in the U.S.–China trade war.

The U.S. will lower the average tariff on Chinese goods from 57% to 47%.
Before Trump became president the tariffs were only 19%. Trump raised it to 57% and now lowered it to 47%. Still over double from what Biden charged.

China has pledged to purchase large volumes of U.S. agricultural goods, notably soybeans. According to the U.S. Treasury, China will buy 25 million metric tons annually for the next three years, starting with about 12 million metric tons by January.

China will also pause or delay export restrictions on rare earth minerals (used in electronics, defense, etc.) for at least one year, giving U.S. industries some breathing room.

A separate tariff related to fentanyl-precursor chemicals was cut from 20% to 10% as part of the broader package.

This deal ticks several boxes: it bolsters U.S. agriculture (particularly soybeans), provides relief to U.S. manufacturers reliant on rare earth supply chains, and presents a narrative of strength and negotiation mastery ahead of the next election cycle. By trimming the tariff rate, Trump can claim he brought down burdens on U.S. importers and consumers while extracting concessions from Beijing.

The agricultural community — especially soybean growers in the Midwest — is likely cheering. China’s renewed commitment to buy soybeans represents a significant lifeline after years of tit-for-tat tariffs and retaliatory sourcing.

In the manufacturing sector, firms dependent on rare earth inputs or electronics components may breathe easier for the near term, given the one-year moratorium on additional Chinese export controls.

By: Tom Manke

10/30/2025

BREAKING - BSB WILL BE PLAYING LIVE SATURDAY IN OWOSSO, MI AT THE AVENUE

Owosso, MI - Bachelors Since Breakfast will be at the Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025
BSB states...
Greetings, beauties and bachelors, it's almost Halloween!! 🎃 We hope everyone is enjoying the spooky season. Speaking of spooky, you should keep that spook going by dressing up in your favorite spooky costume and getting your spook on this Saturday @ The Avenue Bar and Grill LLC Halloween Party!! We're going to rock those spooky socks right off your feet, Owosso!! 😆

See you there! 😎

10/30/2025

South Korea Gives Trump A Gold Crown.

Breaking News — Seoul / Gyeongju, South Korea - Friends Community News Group, October 30, 2025, 12:30 am ET -
On Wednesday, Donald J. Trump was honoured in a lavish ceremony by Lee Jae Myung, the President of South Korea, receiving a gilded ceremonial crown and the nation’s highest civilian award during the final stop of his Asia tour.

At a formal event in the historic city of Gyeongju, President Trump was presented with a replica of a golden crown from the ancient Silla kingdom and the prestigious Grand Order of Mugunghwa—the first time a U.S. president has received the award.

The crown, steeped in Korean royal symbolism, was described by South Korean officials as representing the “divine connection between the authority of the heavens and sovereignty on Earth” and signifying a new “golden age” for the U.S.–Korea alliance.

In his remarks, Trump called the crown “really special” and echoed his host’s framing of the moment as historic.

The gift underscores Seoul’s strategic push to reaffirm and elevate its relationship with Washington as trade, defense, and regional security negotiations intensify — particularly in the context of China’s rising influence and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

By awarding Trump the Grand Order of Mugunghwa and the crown, South Korea is signaling its recognition of his past diplomacy on the Korean peninsula and its interest in leveraging his presidency toward stronger bilateral cooperation.

The timing is noteworthy: the gesture follows recent mass protests in the U.S. under the banner “No Kings,” which criticized perceived authoritarian tendencies. The symbolic gift of a crown to Trump thus carries layered meaning.

The visit also brought substantive diplomacy: Seoul and Washington indicated progress toward a deal involving U.S. auto-tariff cuts and large-scale Korean investment in the U.S. economy (reportedly ~US$350 billion), alongside expanded defense cooperation.

Scenes of pomp included a military band playing “YMCA” at Trump’s arrival, red-carpet es**rt by U.S. & Korean warplanes, and a working lunch tailored to Trump’s tastes (including American beef and ketchup nods) — showing how Korea specifically crafted a welcome around Trump’s brand.

By: Tom Manke

10/30/2025

Anyone who drives Michigan’s local roads knows how badly they need attention. From neighborhood streets to county routes, these are the roads families take to school, work, and the grocery store, and far too many of them are in rough shape.

That’s why I’m proud to share that this year’s state budget delivers the largest road funding deal in Michigan history, providing nearly $2 billion a year in additional funding to finally fix the local roads people use every day.

This plan will improve roads and bridges across our state for decades, keeping drivers safe, saving families time and money, and creating thousands of good-paying construction jobs.

We did it the responsible way, by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in the budget and making smart reforms to ensure taxpayer dollars go to our top priorities. Here’s how much local communities in our area will receive in increased road funding next year. Please note that road projects for most townships are handled through the county road commission:

Shiawassee County

$14 million (35.5% increase)

Corunna

$615,100 (33.4% increase)

Saginaw County

$33.8 million (35.5% increase)

Chesaning

$531,400 (33.4% increase)

This plan builds a solid foundation for the future by protecting funding for schools and essential services while ensuring we have the resources to invest in better roads, safer bridges, and rail grade separation projects that will make commutes faster and safer.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (517) 373-0853 or by emailing [email protected] if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to providing you with another update soon. Until next time!

10/30/2025

The Z Hall - Experience a magical theater performance of "The Christmas Story" by the Shiawassee River Players! The show will run for two weekends at The Z Hall in Owosso: November 14th, 15th, 16th and November 21st, 22nd, 23rd. Friday and Saturday showings begin at 7pm and Sundays enjoy an earlier start at 2pm!

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd and the beloved movie of the same name, the Christmas Story follows Ralphie Parker during the time leading up to Christmas. Ralphie spends his time dodging the school bully and dreaming of finding a Red Rider air rifle under the tree. As the time gets closer to Christmas, Ralphie finds himself in different situations and struggles that everybody who was ever a kid can understand. This show is filled with humor, good feelings, holiday spirit and the best gift of all - family.

The Shiawassee River Players is a nonprofit organization that provides a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for our audience and actors. For over a decade, the SRP has been entertaining audiences throughout our community.

Our full service bar will be open featuring seasonal drink favorites and delicious concessions to enjoy throughout the play.

Doors will be open one hour prior to curtain call. There will be general, theater-style seating for this event (NO seat assignments). So, come early, grab your seat and a few snacks when you arrive!

Tickets are required in advance and can be purchased at
Www.theZhall.com/events

10/30/2025

Massachusetts Governor's Aide Arrested For Trafficking Co***ne at Work.

Boston - Friends Community News Group, October 29, 2025, 9:30 pm ET - An aide to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey was arrested for co***ne trafficking after investigators intercepted packages with the drug slated to be delivered to a state office building where he worked, prosecutors said.

LaMar Cook, 45, of Springfield, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday and was ordered held without bail pending a court hearing, Boston. com reported.

In addition to the drug charge, Cook is also charged with illegally owning a firearm and ammunition.

Cook served as deputy director of Healey’s Western Massachusetts office, according to an archived staff directory. A spokesperson for the governor’s office said state officials fired Cook "effectively immediately" after learning of his arrest Tuesday, Boston. com reported.

Maura Healey is a Democrat. She is the 73rd Governor and was sworn in on January 5, 2023.

She is the first woman and the first openly LGBTQ person elected Governor in Massachusetts.

By: Tom Manke

10/30/2025

Breaking News — Chicago -- Friends Community News Group, October 29, 2025, 8:30 pm ET - In a significant escalation of federal immigration enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents are taking the lead in the Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area—outpacing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in recent arrests and marking a shift in how enforcement priorities are being executed under the Donald J. Trump administration.

The USBP’s top field commander, Gregory Bovino, announced that his team has made “many arrests” in Chicago as part of the DHS-led crackdown, giving USBP an unusually prominent interior role.

Meanwhile, ICE reports almost 550 arrests between Sept. 8 and Sept. 19 in the Chicago area under Operation Midway Blitz.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the operation is targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal histories in light of Illinois’s and Chicago’s “sanctuary” policies.

On the ground, USBP agents have been spotted patrolling downtown Chicago, sometimes visibly armed and clad in tactical gear. Critics argue that the shift represents a more aggressive approach than previous ICE-led operations.

Traditionally, ICE has handled interior immigration enforcement while USBP focuses on the border. This deployment signals a shift in roles and priorities, with USBP assuming a more prominent role within U.S. cities.

Local officials, including J.B. Pritzker and Brandon Johnson, are decrying the federal push. They argue it undermines community trust in law enforcement and risks targeting non-criminal immigrants.

USBP’s heightened visibility in Chicago raises key questions about oversight, civil rights, and the tactics used—especially since Chicago is far inland and not a traditional border enforcement zone.

Bovino, previously the chief of the USBP in California’s El Centro sector and instrumental in earlier enforcement campaigns, is now reportedly acting as a kind of “at-large” interior commander for this operation.

DHS has justified the surge by citing Chicago’s state and local laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, which officials say hamper the removal of “criminal illegal aliens.”

Operation Midway Blitz is framed as a “blitz” style campaign—rapid, highly visible, and broad in scope. Some community groups claim the number of arrests will exceed anything previously seen in Chicago.

Local protests and legal challenges are already underway. A federal judge recently ordered immigration agents to wear body-cameras in Chicago and review use-of-force protocols.

What we know: Trump campaigned on carrying this removal out. He was voted in to get the job done. The people who are complaining the most are the ones who lost in the election. This is what the majority of Americans wanted, and the law is clear. If you are not an American and do not have papers stating you can be here, you are a criminal and will be removed. This is no different than it is in Canada.

By: Tom Manke
Photo: CNN - US Border Police.

10/29/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2025

MIDLAND, MICH. The Midland Area Community Foundation has selected the Michigan State Police (MSP) Emergency Needs Closet to receive a $20,000 grant from the Esther and Carl Gerstacker
Education and Public Safety Endowment Fund.

The purpose of the MSP Emergency Needs Closet is to support individuals residing in Midland County who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking. The funds will be used to purchase items in emergency situations such as temporary pet boarding, security cameras, door locks, hotel stays, groceries and replacement cell phones.

Funds will only be used for individuals who
reside in Midland County and have a current case with the MSP, Midland County Sheriff's Office, or Midland Police Department.

The MSP Emergency Needs Closet is facilitated by MSP Crime Victim Advocate, Becky Holm, who is assigned to the Tri-City and West Branch Posts. “By offering essential basic needs and personal safety
items, this initiative helps restore the survivor’s dignity, comfort, and stability during very difficult situations,” Holm explained. “Through this program, law enforcement agencies demonstrate their
commitment to community safety and survivor empowerment.”

This unique public-private partnership provides support to community members when they need it the most. The Midland Area Community Foundation exists to cultivate the power of giving within our
community, support long-term transformation, and help ensure all residents thrive

10/29/2025

Breaking News — Hurricane Melissa K.. At Least 8 in Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica — Friends Community News Group, October 29, 2025, 5 pm ET - A historic and catastrophic storm, Hurricane Melissa, made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025, and has left a trail of devastation, including confirmed deaths, significant infrastructure damage, and large-scale power outages.

The storm struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, around 1 pm, with sustained winds estimated at around 185 mph (295 km/h) — making it the strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in Jamaica.

The worst-impacted area was the parish of St. Elizabeth Parish, in the southwest of the island, where widespread flooding, landslides, and structural damage were reported.

At least eight people are reported dead in Jamaica as of the latest counts, though authorities caution the number may rise as damage assessments continue.

Approximately 77% of the island lost electricity in the immediate aftermath.

Homes & infrastructure: Many roofs were ripped off, entire villages were flooded, and hospitals sustained damage (for example, one hospital reportedly had its roof blown off).

Communications and roads: Some areas experienced a near-complete communication blackout, roads were blocked by landslides, and remote communities were cut off.

Disaster declaration: Jamaica’s government declared the entire island a disaster area, with the prime minister warning that “no infrastructure can withstand” such intensity.

This is reportedly the first direct Category 5 landfall in Jamaica’s recorded history, surpassing previous major storms.

With thousands displaced, shelters filling up, and large swathes of the population cut off, emergency response and recovery face enormous challenges.

Experts are pointing to unusually warm ocean temperatures and rapid storm intensification as indicators of how climate change is heightening the risk of extreme hurricanes.

Officials say it may take days or longer to get a complete picture of the destruction due to blocked roads, power outages, and communication breakdowns.

Emergency shelters are operational; international aid is being mobilized; logistics to deliver food, water, and medical care are urgent.

By: Tom Manke
Photos: Google.

10/29/2025

Donald J. Trump & Sanae Takaichi Meet in Tokyo for Strategic Summit

Tokyo, Japan – Friends Community News Group, October 28, 2025, 12 pm ET - On October 28, 2025, President Donald J. Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, marking a significant moment in U.S.–Japan relations.

The meeting took place at the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace, following an official welcome ceremony including a salute and guard-of-honor.

President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi signed a framework agreement focused on securing rare-earths and critical minerals supply chains, aimed at reducing reliance on China.

The two also pledged to elevate the U.S.–Japan security alliance into what Takaichi described as a “new golden age.”

Japan committed to accelerated defense spending, including moving up its target of 2 % of GDP for defense expenditure, aligning more closely with U.S. expectations.

Japanese companies pledged significant infrastructure and energy investments in the U.S., while the U.S. acknowledged Japan’s planned contributions to securing strategic supply chains.

Takaichi presented Trump with a golf-related gift tied to Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, signalling close personal and diplomatic rapport.

The meeting comes just days before President Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, making the Japan visit strategically significant in the broader Asia-Pacific context.

The rare-earths agreement addresses a critical chokepoint in global supply chains — China currently dominates processing of many key minerals used in electronics and defense.

The strong public messaging around the U.S.–Japan alliance, under Takaichi’s leadership (Japan’s first woman prime minister) and Trump’s administration, signals a renewed emphasis on security and economic cooperation in the region.

Bu: Tom Manke

10/28/2025

Democrats Refuse to Vote to Open the Government to Pay Bills, but Are Suing the Government to Pay SNAP.

Breaking News — Washington, D.C. - Friends Community News Group, October 28, 2025, 5 pm ET - A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia, led by largely Democratic-governed states, has filed a federal lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) challenging the decision to cut off benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the event of a prolonged government shutdown.

Attorneys general and governors from states including California, New York, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia are among the plaintiffs.

They argue that the USDA’s announcement that it will not issue SNAP benefits starting November 1 unless the government is reopened — citing a funding “dry well” — violates federal law and the states’ obligations to residents.

Specifically, the lawsuit contends that the USDA has contingency funds (roughly $5-6 billion according to state filings) that could be tapped to avoid a lapse in benefits — and that by refusing to do so, the USDA is acting “arbitrary and capricious” under the Administrative Procedure Act and failing its obligation under the Food and Nutrition Act to provide assistance to eligible households.

The federal government has been in a shutdown due to the Democrats' refusal to pass appropriation bills.

The USDA, in its shutdown plan, initially indicated that “multi-year contingency funds” might be available to maintain SNAP benefits during a lapse in funding.

However, shortly before the November cutoff, the USDA changed course, stating that the contingency funds “are not legally available to cover regular benefits” and warned states that November payments might not be issued.

The states suing claim this contradictory guidance shows the USDA is refusing to use available funds and is deliberately delaying benefits. California’s Attorney General said the government “has the money … they’re just not using it.”

The SNAP program serves approximately 41-42 million Americans.

If benefits are halted on November 1, it would mark the first time in SNAP’s history that monthly benefits were suspended due to a funding lapse.

The SNAP Program could continue, and Federal Employees could be paid immediately if only the Democrats in the Senate would vote to do so.

The states’ suit points to significant potential harm: increased food insecurity, strain on state and local resources, and negative health and educational outcomes for children and low-income families.

Legally, the question hinges on whether the USDA must tap contingency funds to continue benefits in a shutdown and whether its decision to suspend payments is lawful under federal statutes.

Politically, the lawsuit amplifies tensions: some Republicans argue that the lapse in benefits is caused by Democrats’ refusal to reopen the government; the plaintiffs claim that the federal agency is at fault for not utilizing available funding.

The case will likely move quickly, as the states are seeking an injunction to compel the USDA to issue payments for November.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has been assigned the case.

The USDA may respond with its legal argument regarding the scope of its contingency funds and authority during an appropriations lapse.

States are preparing to mobilize food banks and social services if benefits are delayed or halted.

The Republican Senators are hoping that a few more Democrats will put politics aside and join them in voting to pay SNAP Benefits as well as pay Federal Employees.

By Tom Manke

10/28/2025

BREAKING NEWS - BIG PENNY EATS ANOTHER TRUCK!

Lansing, MI— Friends Community News Group, October 28, 2025, 4 pm ET - The 12-foot Clearance bridge, no, not 12ft 1 or 12ft 2, located on Pennsylvania Ave in Lansing has munched 24 trucks so far in 2025 (as of 4 p.m., October 28, 2025), and we have 2 months left.

The infamous truck-eating Bridge has eaten 103 since 2004. This is a banner year for Big Penny.

Big Penny is now a cultural landmark listed on Google Maps as Penny the Truck Eating Bridge.

Story: Tom Manke
Images: Google - FB Stupid Lansing, the Bud Truck eaten by Big Penny today

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