State AG joins lawsuit to stop feds from ending food assistance
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a group of 13 attorneys general and New York City in a lawsuit to stop the federal government from eliminating food assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans.
The lawsuit challenges a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that would limit states’ ability to extend benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, beyond a three-month period for certain adults.
Nessel and her colleagues assert that the rule directly undermines Congress’ intent for the food-stamp program, and that the USDA violated the federal rulemaking process.
Furthermore, they argue that the rule would impose significant regulatory burdens on the states and harm states’ residents and economies.
“This proposed rule is entirely unacceptable and exhibits a blatant disregard for more than 10 percent of SNAP recipients in Michigan,” said Nessel.
Contaminated site cleanup expected to cost millions
LANSING (AP) — The cleanup of an Detroit-area industrial site from which contaminated water leaked will likely cost millions of dollars, according to officials of Michigan’s environmental agency.
Tracy Kecskenmeti of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy told lawmakers efforts to contain the leak at the Electro-Plating Services Inc. site in Madison Heights has cost at least $200,000 over 24 days.
She said the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances could triple the cost of removing contaminated water and soil from the site.
Electro-Plating Services was shut down by state regulators in 2016 due to mismanagement of industrial waste. An EPA cleanup removed toxic chemicals and contaminated liquids.
The leak of bright green goo onto the shoulder of I-696 last month prompted a new investigation. It found high levels of numerous toxins in soil and groundwater at the site, including hexavalent chromium, which is associated with cancer, kidney and liver damage.
Rhode Island town baffled by tree cutting mystery
TIVERTON, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island community is trying to figure out who cut down about two dozen trees on a town-owned waterfront lot without permission.
The trees in Tiverton were reported cropped to a height of about four feet on Jan. 3.
Police have conducted “an exhaustive investigation,” and are asking that anyone with information contact them, Chief Patrick Jones told The Newport Daily News for story published Wednesday. The culprit could face charges including theft and vandalism and destruction of town property.
Authorities have contacted all the area tree companies, the electric company and the town’s public works department to see if they may have done it, but they all denied it, Town Clerk Nancy Mello said.
She suggested someone may have wanted to improve the view of the water.
There are several houses across the street from the lot, which is behind a chain-link fence.
At a recent council meeting, town Councilman John Edwards V suggested offering a reward for information.
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