The state reaches a deal with the Air Force on PFAS clean up. Kalamazoo sells land to be developed as a cannabis farm. Presidential candidate Pete Buttgieg plans a fundraiser in Saugatuck.
(MPRN) Michigan officials say they’ve reached a deal with the U.S. Air Force to speed up action to clean up PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. They acknowledge that’s just one part of dealing with the state’s PFAs problems. The contamination at Wurtsmith is from the use of firefighting foam. Scott Dean with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy says the state’s also looking into contamination at 50 other locations including tanneries, factories, and private airfields. Dean says the use of PFAS was so widespread finding more contaminated sites is a near certainty. PFAS have been linked to maladies including some types of cancer, and thyroid conditions.
(Kalamazoo Gazette) The city of Kalamazoo has sold a plot of land so it can be developed as a cannabis farm. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the city commission approved the sale of the land in the Davis Creek Business Park Monday night. Davis Creek Land Development will pay $120,000 for the property. The company has the same owner as medical marijuana business Seven Points Supply. A recommendation to the commission says the initial investment will be about $1-million. It’s expected to create 15 full time jobs.
(WCMU) New legislation in the state house would prohibit public schools from asking students about their immigration status. The bill is part of a larger package aimed at ensuring access to a good education for students, both at K-12 and higher, regardless of their immigration status. Democratic Representative Darrin Camilleri sponsored the measure. He said his bill would prohibit public schools from asking students to disclose their immigration status. Another bill in the package would give noncitizen residents of the state access to in-state tuition. That bill is aimed at members of the DACA program, or deferred action for childhood arrivals, which grants temporary relief from deportation to individuals who entered the country as children. Camilleri said he doesn’t believe the bills are controversial but he’s not sure if they’ll even be able to get a hearing.
(MLive) Some of the Democratic presidential hopefuls are planning Michigan events ahead of their second debate in Detroit later this month. MLive says South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg plans to hold a campaign fundraiser in Saugatuck on July 21st. Former Vice-President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak in Detroit three days later. Twenty Democratic presidential candidates will participate in the two-day debate in the Fox Theatre July 30th and 31st. It will be carried “live” by CNN.
(WKAR) If you’ve spent any time outside, you’ve probably noticed the mosquitoes are back and biting. According to Michigan State University, our state is home to 60 species of mosquitoes. Dr. Ned Walker is a professor of entomology and micro-biology at MSU. He says a statewide trapping system shows the number of mosquitoes is below normal for this time of year. Dr. Walker says that’s due to a cool spring season. With rain and summer heat in the forecast this week, Dr. Walker expects the mosquitoes to really increase soon.
In baseball, Kalamazoo scored all of its runs in the seventh inning and defeated Kenosha Monday night 7-4. The Growlers will host the Kingfish again Tuesday night to wrap up the two game series at Homer Stryker Field.
Battle Creek took a 9-5 lead in the fifth inning Monday night, but Traverse City ralliedand defeated the Bombers 12-9 in 10 innings. The two teams will play again Tuesday night at C.O. Brown Stadium to wrap up the two game series.