Genesee County Volunteer Militia members and protesters gather for…
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LANSING, Mich. (AP) – The Michigan attorney general’s investigation into the process that left Flint’s drinking water tainted with lead is drawing bipartisan criticism, with a Republican leader saying Tuesday that it duplicates the work of a state task force and Democrats questioning whether the special counsel will be impartial.
Schuette declined to investigate in December but later reversed course and announced the inquiry January 15.
Walmart and several major corporations are banding together to give 6.5 million bottles of water to students in Flint, Michigan. The federal rule provides the basis for testing of lead and copper levels in drinking water.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of pediatric residency at Hurley Childrens Hospital in Flint, Mich., works at her desk, January 2, 2016.
“We grew up in church together, and I saw the efforts that they made and thought we can do that”. Flint is 57% black, 37% white, 4% Latino and 4% mixed race; more than 41% of its resident live below the poverty level, the U.S. Census says.
“Access to safe water is a basic human right”, Tony West, executive vice president of PepsiCo Government Affairs, said in a statement, adding that the donation announced Tuesday “will allow Flint school children and their parents to focus on their education rather than where they can find clean water”.
Schuette revealed on Monday that former FBI Special Agent in Charge Andy Arena and attorney Todd Flood would investigate as special prosecutor. On Jan. 16, President Barack Obama declared a federal state of emergency in Flint but an emergency declaration seldom brings more than about $5 million in short-term aid.
“Our children should not have to be anxious about the water that they’re drinking in American cities”, he said.
When the switch to river water began in April 2014, residents complained about its odor and odd taste, problems that persisted after the pipeline from Lake Huron was put into use.
In the midst of the disastrous, lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint, Michigan, two brothers from Chicago are on a mission to make sure the city’s residents have clean water. $500,000 coming out of my own pocket & the other 1/2 (half) being met by @AvitaWater. 100 percent of the money donated will go to buying filters and bottled water for residents and other emergency support services and prevention efforts. The EPA also said it would take samples to “ensure corrosion control is being restored in the drinking water system”.
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In a civil deposition not reported until now, Ambrose testified under oath that emergency manager Kurtz considered a proposal to use the Flint River, discussed the option with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and then rejected it.
