Michigan’s highest court enters Flint water litigation
FLINT (AP) — The state Supreme Court will hear arguments in the months ahead in a major Flint water lawsuit.
The court last week told lawyers to file briefs about a bushel of issues. They include whether Flint residents who consumed lead-contaminated water can claim a “violation of bodily integrity” under the Michigan Constitution.
The Supreme Court also will consider arguments about the timeliness of the lawsuit, a key procedural step in Michigan. In a 2-1 decision, the state appeals court last year ruled in favor of residents at an early stage of the case.
The lawsuit targets state officials for decisions related to the Flint water crisis. Water from the Flint River wasn’t treated to reduce corrosion. Lead leached from old pipes and plumbing fixtures.
State settles lawsuit over inmate’s death
PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP (AP) — The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $860,000 to settle a lawsuit over the death of a prisoner who killed herself.
The Detroit Free Press says federal Judge Robert Cleland signed off on the deal this month between the Corrections Department and Janika Edmond’s family.
Edmond killed herself at the prison for women, near Ann Arbor, in 2015. Prison staff members were accused of failing to properly respond to a threat of suicide. Edmond yelled for a suicide-prevention vest but didn’t get one.
Dianna Callahan of Flint pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to six months in jail. She was accused of saying, “somebody owes me lunch,” after Edmond asked for the vest.
Call recorded during probe of alleged Capitol bribery scheme
LANSING(AP) — The government says it has a recorded phone call between a state lawmaker and a union representative when authorities were investigating an alleged scheme to trade votes for money.
Rep. Larry Inman recently was charged with soliciting a bribe and other crimes. Prosecutors last week filed a list of some evidence, including a June phone call with someone from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. The union representative agreed to the recording.
Inman, a Republican from the Traverse City area, is accused of urging the union to round up campaign contributions from other labor groups to ensure that lawmakers would block repeal of a wage law.
The government says no money changed hands. Inman voted for the repeal. He says text messages to union representatives have been misinterpreted.
Sheriff to birdwatchers: Please pull off the road
SAULT STE. MARIE (AP) — An Upper Peninsula sheriff is asking birdwatchers not to leave their cars parked in the middle of a road while they take off on foot in pursuit of a feathered find.
Chippewa County Sheriff Michael Bitnar posted "safety tips" on his department's Facebook page Thursday welcoming birdwatchers to the county and sharing that if they feel they must stop and photograph or observe, they should pull off the road first, close their vehicle doors and turn on the hazard flashers.
He says leaving vehicles parked in the middle of the road "occurs all the time, often times on curves, where traffic has to completely stop because of the vehicles and people standing in the roadway."
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