Now: Cryptomining and AI Data Centers
Hello CRAGgys,
Just a quick note with a few items this evening.
Reminder tonight: the Northern Michigan Alliance for Responsible Development will present “Western U.P Intro to Cryptomining and AI Data Centers Briefing” at the Orpheum in Hancock from 7-8:45 this evening (Sunday, January 18). The presentation will be both live and via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please RSVP and request the Zoom link here.
Minnesota News
The crisis in Minnesota is being pushed out of the national headlines by the belligerent threats against Greenland 🇬🇱. Here's some news from the last few days.
- Man detained in Minneapolis dies in ICE custody in Texas
- U.S. military troops on standby for possible deployment to Minnesota
- Minneapolis man says ICE agents took 'trophy' photos, locked him in overcrowded cell. ICE broke down doors without a proper warrant and detained a person with legal permission to be in the country.
- Hennepin Healthcare workers ‘deeply concerned’ as Homeland Security audits employee records
Governor Walz Statement on Reports of Alleged Department of Justice Investigation
January 16, 2026
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today released the following statement after reports of an alleged investigation by the Department of Justice.
“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic.
“The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
The office of the Governor has not received any notice of the investigation.
The Governor has repeatedly, unequivocally, called for peace and a lowering of the temperature. He has made that appeal directly to the President.
Federal forces have stormed the state, shooting two people and killing Renee Good. The Department of Justice drove six federal prosecutors – including the longtime career prosecutor leading the charge to investigate and eliminate fraud in our state’s programs – to quit their jobs rather than go along with this assault on the United States Constitution. Leaders of the Republican Party have called for impeachment, for the Governor to be put in cuffs, for a day of retribution.
We trust Minnesotans to see past this projection.
This more personal note was forwarded to me 2 days ago; it's from friends of friends in Minneapolis, posted with permission. (I do not know the original author.)
First I just wanted to say that XXXX and I are safe. The violence in North Minneapolis last night was about a mile south of us. We locked the doors and stayed inside.
Second, I have something I need to say. I don't know what's being reported in the news outside the city right now, from any side really. I have been off social media almost entirely for more than a year, because it was making me the worst version of myself.
We are under a violent military occupation here. These ICE agents are worse than soldiers; at least soldiers have discipline and a chain of command. These men are terrorizing us, and there are 3000 of them, more than all the police and safety civil servants in all 4 metro counties combined. They are beating people in the street. They are grabbing random people from bus stops and sidewalks, many of which turn out to be natural born citizens like me.
They are going door to door in our neighborhoods, they are smashing car windows and breaking down doors with no warrants at all. The federal government is not even hiding that this is political retribution. Their actions are blatant violations of the US Constitution and many, many laws.
We have no protection, and when we try to defend ourselves against overwhelming brutality they call us terrorists. You can do anything you want to a terrorist.
Last night they gassed my neighborhood using a toxic chemical that has been banned by the US Military for more than 30 years. It's called HC or Hexachloroethane. A neighbor's baby had to be hospitalized. XXXX and I are making evacuation plans because we don't know how crazy this is going to get.
I am praying every day for the violence to end. I have no idea how much of this is making the news.
Renee Good could have been me. That literally could have been me, caught up in an ICE caravan leaving my best friend's house, which is a block from where she was killed.
Even if you believe this started out as a justifiable government action, it isn't anymore. No one is in control of these men, they hate us, and the darkest part of me believes the killing has only just begun.
Believe what you can see with your own eyes. Pray for us.
Positive Minnesota News
The opposition in Minnesota is strong, with actions across the city.SOme examples:
- Hundreds of Roosevelt High students walk out to protest immigration actions, also in Owatonna, Eden Prairie, Rochester, Duluth, and even in Milwaukee, WI.
- Federal judge blocks ICE from arresting protesters and observers in Minnesota
- ICE observers are working. Nicole Bedera reports that "ICE Watch works because it surrounds men seeking approval with people loudly expressing their disapproval. And the noise has the added benefit of drawing large crowds of bystanders who can quickly outnumber the ICE agents, who then have to decide if they want to escalate a situation or perhaps abandon their activity altogether." In Minneapolis agents are marauding in groups of 6 to 12 instead of the two or three typical in other locations. So far they've managed fewer than one arrest for each of the 3000 agents in the city.
In a vindication of my urging (nagging) people to attend local meetings, 70 people spoke up at the Roseville City Council last week to demand limits on ICE using city property.
Call on Congress to Stop ICE Funding
ICE funding runs out at the end of the the month unless congress approves continued funding. Indivisible and others are demanding that congress block further funding of paramilitary forces in our cities. Script and contact form here. 5-Calls is also featuring this demand.
Local Aid (ongoing)
AWAVE and Keweenaw Indivisible are working with the Salvation Army to provide housing assistance. The Western UP does not have a homeless shelter. Please donate.
Local orgs are raising money to help our neighbors with housing-related issues such as utility bills and emergency shelter this winter. Please contribute if you are able! One-hundred percent of the proceeds will remain local and go towards supporting those experiencing housing insecurity or at risk of homelessness.
When and Where to Speak UP
Check the calendar for details.
Here's the list view of Elected Official Meetings: https://calendar.online/electedofficialmeetings.
I want company, I will go with you. Drop me a line.
Some public body meets somewhere every single week; take 30 minutes to show up and express your opinion. (Sample statements.) And let me know if you go and what you learn.
Houghton Country Jail Committees
The 2026 jail project needs public input! You can show up and just observe one of the committees, or speak up! Details and schedules.
January 21
- Hancock City Council, 6 pm
January 23
- Calumet Township, 1 pm
Why and how to attend local meetings
Events
Organizational Meetings
Details are on the CALENDAR. (Organizers: Please send updates when times, dates, locations change!) These groups are all very welcoming. Drop by a meeting to connect with friendly faces. Any level of engagement contributes to making our world better.
Houghton/Hancock
- Yoopers for Ukraine 🇺🇦 Rally at the bridge Sundays at 3 pm.
- Keweenaw Indivisible meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-8 pm (work groups at 6, general membership at 7) at the KUUF. (Join KI). [Note meeting has been shifted to accommodate the HoCo Commission, which meets on the 2nd Tuesdays.]
- Houghton County Dems meet every 1st Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
- 4th Wednesdays AWAVE, 6 pm. Gathering at KUU Fellowship Houghton.
- 3rd Sundays, 7-8:45 pm, Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy Monthly Action Committee (KATO). Please register at the link to help with the headcount.
Baraga
- Baraga County Democrats, 3rd Tuesdays at 6 pm, L'Anse Township Hall
Marquette
- Every Tuesday evening at 7pm, Yoopers Unite, a gathering of local pro-democracy groups, at LoveMarq Church, 728 W. Kaye Ave, Marquette.
- Visibility Brigade Demonstrations take place regularly in Marquette and Ishpeming. Click here for information and to register through Mobilize.
- Saturday Morning Demonstrations at the Post Office in Marquette: Members of Citizens for Peace and Justice, Lake Superior Region Indivisible, Yoopers Unite, area community members, friends and neighbors gather for a peaceful demonstration at the Marquette Post Office every Saturday from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.
- Subscribe for free to the Lake Superior Region Indivisible newsletter here. Contact LSRI at lsrindivisible@gmail.com
Michigan
- Statewide Indivisible Michigan (SWIM). This page lists various virtual events for statewide connections.
Leaving MAGA resource
- Leaving maga resources by former MAGA folks that might help people speaking with friends and relatives.
Thanks for all your support and all your efforts to promote and expand freedom, justice and democracy!
Stay safe,
Sarah
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