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Southwest Michigan Today: Friday July 20, 2018

The Michigan attorney general says the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act does not protect sexual orientation or gender identity. A former WMU vice president resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment. A state report spells out the worst case scenario for an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac. Action, or lack of it by the state Legislature could impact a proposed settlement between Michigan State University and sexual assault survivors. A new report finds Michigan, like most states, doesn't test for lead in school drinking water. 

(MPRN) Attorney General Bill Schuette says the state’s Civil Rights Commission cannot, on its own, interpret the word “sex” to include LGBT individuals. Last May the commission adopted a policy that would allow people to file a complaint with the department of civil rights for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. But in an opinion released today (FRI) Schuette says the commission’s interpretation is invalid. In the opinion, Schuette says there is nothing in the text of the law or in Michigan case law that supports the department’s interpretation. He says the policy is unenforceable because only the Legislature has the power to change Michigan law.

(Kalamazoo GazetteA former Western Michigan University vice-president who left the school earlier this month did so after the school concluded that he most likely engaged in sexual misconduct. Tim Terrentine previously served as the Vice-President of Development and Alumni Relations at Western. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that a university investigation found, quote, “sufficient evidence” that Terrentine was responsible for sexual harassment. University spokesperson Paula Davis says students and minors were not involved.

(Michigan Radio) A report released Thursday by Michigan's environmental agencies analyzes the risk of a worst-case scenario oil spill from Enbridge's Line 5. It estimates up to 400 miles of shoreline could be affected by a spill and it could cost the state nearly $2-billion. One state official says the report confirms that the state needs to find an alternative to the current Line 5.

(MPRN) The proposed settlement between Michigan State University and more than 300 sexual assault survivors hinges on the action – or inaction – of the state Legislature. Details revealed in court documents show that if the state Legislature passed certain bills, the deal would be off. Those bills include one that would get rid of governmental immunity in sexual misconduct cases – and allow it to apply to past cases. It’s currently stalled in the state House. The settlement is the result of lawsuits over MSU’s handling of former sports doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar sexually assaulted his patients for decades. The settlement is waiting to be signed by everyone involved and finalized by the court.

(WCMU) An investigation from Wayne State University into the conduct of its former head of Journalism, Jack Lessenberry, found a pattern of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. Lessenberry resigned from the University in June following resignations as a contributor at Michigan Radio and the Detroit Metro Times. In documents obtained by the Michigan Public Radio Network an investigator outlined allegations of Lessenberry’s most egregious behavior, which dated back to 2005. They include inappropriate remarks, unwanted attention and kissing, and retaliating against students who rebuffed him. In the report, the investigator for Wayne State said quote “had he not resigned, I would have recommended the termination of his employment.” Lessenberry could not be reached for comment.

(Michigan Radio) A report out this week says only 8 states require testing for lead in school drinking water. And Michigan is not one of them. Currently, only Michigan schools that get water from their own wells are required to test it annually. After the Flint water crisis, $4.3-million were set aside to reimburse schools for voluntary water testing in 2017. Less than half a million dollars were used--and the program has since been canceled.

In baseball, Battle Creek lost at Green Bay Thursday night 8-2. The Bombers have lost three of their last four games, and will wrap up their two game series with the Bullfrogs Friday night.

Kalamazoo won at Wisconsin Thursday night 5-3. The Growlers broke a 2-2 tie with the Woodchucks by scoring three runs in the seventh inning. The two teams will play again Friday night in Wausau.