DETROIT (AP) — A judge granted preliminary approval Thursday to a $641 million deal that would benefit Flint residents who were harmed by lead-contaminated water. The settlement includes $600 million from the state of Michigan, although Flint, an area hospital and an engineering firm are also part of the...
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice appointed Harold Ward as the state's new environmental secretary on Wednesday. The Department of Environmental Protection is in charge of regulating everything from air and water quality to overseeing abandoned mine lands. Ward was most recently...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska SeaLife Center has announced plans to become a first responder for marine mammals affected by oil spills in western Alaska. The nonprofit center in Seward said a new partnership with the Alaska Chadux Network will greatly expand the center's service area, the Juneau Empire...
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A couple in Boscawen, New Hampshire, have been named the 2021 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year by the state tree farm program. Charles and Mabel Niebling bought a 67-acre tree farm in 2001. It has been under a written forest management plan since 2003 that focuses on maintaining...
HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) — A Virginia distillery and its owner have been indicted on multiple charges involving illegal dumping of industrial waste, authorities said. A Shenandoah County grand jury returned a 115-count indictment last week against Filibuster Distillery LLC and Siddharth Dilawri. The...
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — When a former Michigan public health director was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Flint water crisis, the man who previously held the job says a chilling thought crossed his mind: It could have been me. “I spent 14 years in that chair,” said Jim Haveman, who...
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are ramping up efforts to prevent mining companies from gaining a foothold in Minnesota with legislation that aims to slow or ban copper-nickel mining on the Iron Range. Companion bills set to be proposed by state lawmakers and U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum seek to block...
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A new investigation of the Flint water disaster led to charges against nine people, including former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and key members of his administration, who are accused of various crimes in a calamitous plan that contaminated the community with lead and contributed to a...
LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — Dozens of La Crosse-area wells are contaminated with forever chemicals known as PFAS, tests revealed. At least 40 wells that provide private drinking water on French Island are contaminated with PFAS levels above recommended standards, the La Crosse Tribune reported Wednesday. The...
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Here are the former Michigan, state-appointed and local officials charged in the Flint water crisis, titles at the time, and charges, allegations and maximum penalties they face if convicted: - Gov. Rick Snyder: Two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty. Failed to inquire into...