Kalamazoo Schools have an interim superintendent ready when Michael Rice starts his new job with the state. The Flint water crisis investigation changes gears. Governor Whitmer says Michigan could lose a lot of money and clout without full Census participation.
(Kalamazoo Gazette) Kalamazoo Schools Deputy Superintendent of Business and Finance Gary Start will become interim Superintendent when Michael Rice leaves for his new post with the state. The Kalamazoo Gazette says that the KPS Board voted last night to appoint Start to serve as interim superintendent when Rice becomes Michigan’s state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Rice’s start date has not yet been finalized.
(MPRN) All remaining criminal charges of city and state officials stemming from the Flint Water Crisis have been dismissed. The investigation was started by former Attorney General, Bill Schuette in 2016 after lead contaminated Flint’s drinking water when the city switched its water sources. Earlier this year, new AG Dana Nessel created the Flint Water Crisis prosecution team to handle the multiple pending cases and investigation going forward.
The state Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy are leading the investigation separate from the state Attorney General’s office. Hammoud and Worthy said they have concerns over how the investigation and cases were handled by the prior administration. The prosecution team is dismissing the charges against eight people – including former state top doctor Eden Wells and former Michigan Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon.
Former AG Schuette said the investigation was, “staffed and conducted with the highest level of professionalism and expertise.” In a statement, Representative Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) said the dismissal is an insult to the people of Flint. Hammoud and Worthy will not respond to media requests until after a “community conversation” in Flint on June 28th.
(MPRN) Governor Gretchen Whitmer says money and political clout are at stake in the upcoming U.S. Census. She says Michigan stands to lose a great deal if everyone doesn’t participate. Michigan’s lost five congressional seats since the 1980s due to fewer people counted by the Census bureau. That’s meant less political influence in Washington. The census also helps determine federal funding for health care, schools and roads. Whitmer says President Trump’s proposed citizenship question on census forms would discourage participation.