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Minnesota Supreme Court hands victory to PolyMet copper mine

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday reversed an appeals court’s rejection of a critical air emissions permit for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine and sent the case back for further proceedings.

The Supreme Court ruled that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was not required under federal law to investigate allegations by environmental groups and a Native American tribe of “sham permitting.”

PolyMet and the state agency took the case to the state’s highest court after the Minnesota Court of Appeals last March sent the air permit for the $1 billion mine back to the regulators for further review.

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Enbridge Line 3 divides Indigenous lands, people

By Mary Annette Pember, Indian Country Today via AP

CLOQUET, Minn. (AP) — Jason Goward was overjoyed to get a high-paying job on Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline project.

The job, clearing ground with a contractor for the Canadian energy company, meant he could at last pay child support for his two young sons.

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Pilot state program seeks to reduce water waste in homes

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Some residents in southwestern Michigan and the Detroit area will get plumbing repairs in their homes as part of a new initiative to reduce water waste.

Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said the “Water Leak Pilot” program is expected to highlight the benefits of reducing water waste for consumers, water suppliers and the overall community.

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Indiana lawmakers debate environmental regulation, rollbacks

By Casey Smith, Associated Press/Report for America Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — As Indiana lawmakers debate dozens of bills addressing environmental matters, tensions are flaring over whether the state should adopt greener initiatives or step back current policy affecting water, energy and other resources.

While some measures in the General Assembly could bring reductions to Indiana’s carbon emissions and make stricter penalties for polluters, others would spur regulatory rollbacks that environmental advocates say could have long-lasting and damaging effects.

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26 rescued from ice floe in Lake Superior off Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Twenty-six people fishing on Lake Superior were rescued when an ice floe broke away from the Minnesota shoreline, stranding them in frigid weather.

The Duluth Fire Department got a call Tuesday morning from a resident who saw ice shanties floating away. Crews brought the anglers to shore a few at a time by boat.

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Judge blocks another bid to shut down Line 3 construction

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge has rejected another attempt by opponents to shut down construction work on Enbridge Energy’s replacement for its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota.

In an order filed Sunday, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said tribal and environmental groups that filed for an injunction in late December to suspend construction failed to prove any permanent harm would result from allowing the work to proceed or that they’re likely to win on their broader legal arguments.

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Program to study Clinton River to improve water quality

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) — The Clinton River, which runs through parts of Macomb County, is one of three southeastern Michigan rivers expected to be studied as part of an effort to improve water quality and wastewater treatment in the region.

The monitoring is part of the Great Lakes Water Authority’s Regional River Water Quality Monitoring Program, according to the Macomb County Public Works office.

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Highlights of Ohio governor’s proposed 2-year spending plan

By Farnoush Amiri and Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Associated Press/Report For America

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled a two-year, $75 billion state budget on Monday that includes a $1 billion initiative to help bring the state back from the economic downfall of the pandemic.

The budget proposal was crafted “with the goal of emerging even stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic,” DeWine said as he announced the plan with Lt.

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Biden environmental challenge: Filling vacant scientist jobs

By Tammy Webber and Matthew Brown, Associated Press Writers

Polluting factories go uninspected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Leadership positions sit vacant at the U.S. Geological Survey’s climate science centers. And U.S. Department of Agriculture research into environmental issues important to farmers is unfinished.

The ranks of scientists who carry out environmental research, enforcement and other jobs fell in several agencies — sharply in some — under former President Donald Trump, federal data shows.

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — National Weather Service officials said Sunday that a winter storm moving across southeastern Wisconsin along with a system earlier in the week and lake-effect precipitation has left Milwaukee and other areas with snow depth totals not seen in 10 years.

Up to 10 inches of snow has fallen in parts of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties, the weather service said.

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Tests reveal elevated PFAS levels in Madison lakes

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Tests have revealed elevated levels of man-made chemicals known as PFAS in Madison-area lakes, state environmental officials said Thursday.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources collected samples last year from lakes Mendota, Monona, Upper Mud, Waubesa and Kegonsa, as well as along sections of the Yahara River between the lakes.

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Wisconsin DNR board refuses to set early wolf hunt

By Todd Richmond, Associated Press Writer

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources policy board narrowly refused Republican legislators’ request Friday to implement a wolf hunt immediately, citing concerns that the department can’t move that fast and Wisconsin’s Native American tribes haven’t been consulted as per treaty rights.

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Judge gives preliminary OK to $641M Flint water deal

By Ed White, Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — A judge granted preliminary approval Thursday to a $641 million deal that would benefit Flint residents who were harmed by lead-contaminated water.

The settlement includes $600 million from the state of Michigan, although Flint, an area hospital and an engineering firm are also part of the agreement.

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Tribal leaders blast congressman opposed to Biden nomination

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A group of Native American tribes in a Minnesota congressman’s district is rebuking him for his attempts to derail President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Interior secretary.

If confirmed, Rep. Deb Haaland, a Democrat from New Mexico, would be the first Native American to lead the Department of the Interior.

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Biden taps IU law professor Janet McCabe for No.2 EPA post

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is nominating an Indiana University law professor to be the second-in-command at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Janet McCabe, a professor of practice at the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, has been nominated to be deputy EPA administrator, Biden’s office announced Friday.

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Pandemic interrupts longtime Isle Royale wolf, moose study

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — One of the world’s longest-running wildlife field studies has fallen prey to the coronavirus pandemic.

Since 1959, a research team has spent most of the winter observing the interplay between wolves and moose at Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.

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Tests reveal PFAS contamination in 40 La Crosse-area wells

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — Dozens of La Crosse-area wells are contaminated with forever chemicals known as PFAS, tests revealed.

At least 40 wells that provide private drinking water on French Island are contaminated with PFAS levels above recommended standards, the La Crosse Tribune reported Wednesday.

The findings come after La Crosse tested more than 100 private wells downstream from the La Crosse Regional Airport, which is situated on the northern half of the island along the Black River.

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Minnesota lawmakers introduce anti-copper mining legislation

By Mohamed Ibrahim, Associated Press/Report for America

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are ramping up efforts to prevent mining companies from gaining a foothold in Minnesota with legislation that aims to slow or ban copper-nickel mining on the Iron Range.

Companion bills set to be proposed by state lawmakers and U.S.

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2 nuke plants, 1 bribery scandal, no answers: Towns on edge

By John Seewer, Associated Press Writer

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — For much of the past four years, the residents of a pair of villages along Lake Erie have been on edge over the fate of their nuclear plants, which generate enough tax money to pay for nicer schools than their neighbors.

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Flint families welcome water crisis charges, seek healing

By Kat Stafford, Mike Householder and Corey Williams, Associated Press Writers

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Flint mother Ariana Hawk struggled to find words. Bittersweet came to mind, as did frustrated.

“I literally could have cried,” said Hawk, sitting in her car after learning Tuesday that former Michigan Gov.

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Ex.-Michigan Gov. Snyder charged in Flint water crisis

By Ed White and David Eggert, Associated Press Writers

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder was charged Wednesday with willful neglect of duty after an investigation of ruinous decisions that left Flint with lead-contaminated water and a regional outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.

The charges, revealed in an online court record, are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

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Flint water crisis: Rooted in neglect, fallout continues

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, his health director and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, The Associated Press has learned.

Questions and answers about the crisis that made Flint a symbol of the nation’s decaying drinking water infrastructure:

WHAT HAPPENED, AND HOW?

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Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probe

By Ed White and David Eggert, Associated Press Writers

DETROIT (AP) — Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, his health director and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, which devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water and was blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2014-15, The Associated Press has learned.

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Enbridge rejects Michigan’s demand to shut down oil pipeline

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge said Tuesday it would defy Michigan’s demand to shut down an oil pipeline that runs through a channel linking two of the Great Lakes, contending that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision was based on bad information and political posturing.

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One-third of America’s rivers have changed color since 1984

By Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer

America’s rivers are changing color — and people are behind many of the shifts, a new study said.

One-third of the tens of thousands of mile-long (two kilometer-long) river segments in the United States have noticeably shifted color in satellite images since 1984.

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Deal reached on project to protect lakes from invasive fish

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan, Illinois and a federal agency have agreed on funding the next phase of an initiative to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes by strengthening defenses on a Chicago-area waterway, officials said Thursday.

The two states and the U.S.

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Michigan judge nullifies crucial permit for mining project

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan judge has overruled state regulators who approved a key permit for a proposed open-pit mine in the Upper Peninsula, another delay for a project that has been debated for nearly two decades.

Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter invalidated a wetlands permit granted in 2018 to Aquila Resources Inc.

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Critics say EPA allowing more time to fix lead-tainted water

By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press Writer

The Trump administration overhauled the country’s widely criticized, 29-year-old framework to eliminate toxic lead from drinking water on Tuesday last week, but critics charge that the new rule gives utilities far more time than before to finally replace old, lead-contaminated pipes.

The new rules come six years after the Flint, Michigan, water crisis highlighted ongoing, dangerous exposure of children and others in the city to the neurotoxin in drinking water, and the failures of officials on all levels to adequately protect local families at the time.

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12 Indiana communities getting water infrastructure grants

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Twelve rural Indiana communities will share more than $8 million in federal grants to improve their water systems.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced the grants Thursday.

“These grants are vital to Indiana’s economic success as these projects should improve the quality of life in these rural communities,” Crouch said.

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Congress OKs 5-year extension of Great Lakes cleanup program

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A program that has pumped $2.7 billion into healing long-term injuries to the Great Lakes environment has received authorization from Congress to continue another five years.

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously Sunday to extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, as the House did earlier this year.

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Flint joins $641M deal to settle lawsuits over lead in water

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The Flint City Council on Tuesday signed off on its portion of a $641 million settlement with residents of the poor, majority-Black city who were exposed to lead-tainted water.

The city’s insurer would kick in $20 million as part of a sweeping deal to settle lawsuits against Flint, the state of Michigan and other parties.

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Judge plans to hear from residents in $641M Flint water deal

By Ed White, Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — A judge said Monday that she’ll wait until January before deciding whether to give preliminary approval to a $641 million settlement in a lawsuit by Flint residents who were exposed to water contaminated with lead and bacteria.

Residents in the city of 100,000 still will get a chance to give their opinion if preliminary approval is granted, U.S.

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Wisconsin releases action plan to reduce PFAS chemical use

By Scott Bauer, Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin must prevent pollution from forever chemicals known as PFAS while developing ways to reduce the chemicals’ use, according to a 25-point action plan released Wednesday by Gov. Tony Evers’ administration after a year of study.

Nearly 20 state agencies, along with the University of Wisconsin, worked on the report to tackle the growing pollution and public concern around PFAS, which is shorthand for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

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Flint water settlement borrowing plan approved by lawmakers

By David Eggert, Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan legislators on Wednesday finalized a plan to borrow $600 million to finance the state’s proposed settlement with the residents of Flint, whose water was contaminated with elevated levels of the neurotoxin lead.

The legislation received House approval on 105-3 and 104-4 votes and will be signed by Democratic Gov.

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Wisconsin climate task force releases its recommendations

By Scott Bauer, Associated Press Writer

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A bipartisan task force that brought together environmentalists, the energy industry and others released its recommendations Wednesday for how Wisconsin might bolster its economy while addressing climate change.

The report from the task force, which was led by Lt.

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Wisconsin says wolf season will be held next November

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin will resume its wolf season next November after the animal is dropped from the federal endangered species list, the state announced Friday.

The Department of Natural Resources said wolf season will begin Nov. 6. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last month that it would delist gray wolves, citing thriving populations in the western Great Lakes region, Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest.

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Michigan will borrow $600M for Flint water settlement

By David Eggert, Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday planned to begin swiftly passing a plan to borrow $600 million to fund the state’s proposed settlement with the residents of Flint, who sued after their municipal water supply was contaminated with elevated levels of lead for 18 months.

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Officials: Flint makes progress toward ending water crisis

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

Flint has taken important steps toward resolving the lead contamination crisis that made the impoverished Michigan city a symbol of the drinking water problems that plague many U.S. communities, officials said Monday.

A total of $120 million in federal and state funding has helped Flint replace more than 9,700 lead service lines, which carry water from main pipes into homes, said Kurt Thiede, administrator of the U.S.

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Federal officials hear arguments on Enbridge pipeline tunnel

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Building an oil pipeline tunnel beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes would risk environmental devastation, opponents said Monday, while supporters argued that rejecting the plan would further damage a Michigan economy already reeling from the coronavirus.

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Hundreds of boats likely destroyed in Michigan marina fire

LASALLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A fire Friday destroyed an enormous building loaded with hundreds of boats stored for the winter in southeastern Michigan, sending smoke for miles along Lake Erie.

Neighbors and boat owners rushed to get as close as possible to Toledo Beach Marina. Aerial video showed clouds of black smoke and a building overwhelmed by flames.

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Minnesota regulators deny request to delay Line 3 pipeline

By Mohamed Ibrahim, Associated Press/Report for America

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota regulatory panel on Friday denied a request from two tribes to prevent Enbridge Energy from moving forward with its contentious Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement, which broke ground this week after receiving its final state permit.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/12/ap-minnesota-regulators-deny-request-to-delay-line-3-pipeline/

The Associated Press

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In: AP, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, line 3, Minnesota, News, oil pipelines
Enbridge starts construction on Line 3 in Minnesota

By Mohamed Ibrahim, Associated Press/Report for America

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Enbridge Energy began construction on its Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement in Minnesota on Tuesday, a day after state regulators approved the final permit for the $2.6 billion project amid legal challenges from local activist and Indigenous groups.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/12/ap-enbridge-starts-construction-line-3-minnesota/

The Associated Press

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Minnesota gives final green light to disputed oil pipeline

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota regulators approved the final permit Monday for Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement across northern Minnesota, giving the company the green light to begin construction on the $2.6 billion project.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency granted a construction storm water permit for the project, which was the last hurdle that Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge needed to clear after years of reviews and court battles.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/12/ap-minnesota-final-green-light-disputed-oil-pipeline/

The Associated Press

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Michigan agency recommends $5.4M for recreation projects

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan officials have selected 14 community and state parks, trails and sports facilities to share $5.4 million in federal grants.

The state Department of Natural Resources said the money will come from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is supported by revenues from gas and oil development from the Gulf of Mexico.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-michigan-agency-recreation-projects/

The Associated Press

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In: AP, COVID-19, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, indigenous communities, Lake Superior, Minnesota, News, oil pipelines
Minnesota tribes file to halt pipeline approval due to virus

ST. PAUL, Minn (AP) — Two Native American tribes in northern Minnesota are asking state regulators to stop the imminent construction of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement, saying it would increase the risk of coronavirus infections spreading.

The Red Lake and White Earth Bands of Chippewa filed a motion late Wednesday asking the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to stay its approval of the $2.6 billion project.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-minnesota-tribes-pipeline-approval-virus/

The Associated Press

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In: AP, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Lake Superior, line 3, Minnesota, News, oil pipelines, science, Science, Technology, Research
Army Corps of Engineers grants final federal Line 3 permit

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday approved the final federal permit for Enbridge Energy’s planned Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement across northern Minnesota, bringing the project a step closer to construction.

In a release from its St.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-army-corps-engineers-final-federal-line-3-permit/

The Associated Press

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Flint water lawsuit settlement now totals about $641 million

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The proposed settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of residents of Flint, Michigan, who were harmed by lead-tainted water now totals about $641 million, officials revealed Tuesday.

The lawsuit was the result of workers following state environmental officials’ advice not to use anti-corrosive additives.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-flint-water-lawsuit-settlement/

The Associated Press

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Michigan governor seeks shutdown of Great Lakes oil pipeline

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took legal action Friday to shut down a pipeline that carries oil beneath a channel that links two of the Great Lakes.

Whitmer’s office notified the Canadian company that it was revoking an easement granted in 1953 to extend a roughly 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) section of the pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-michigan-governor-seeks-shutdown-line-5-great-lakes-oil-pipeline/

The Associated Press

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In: Advocacy, animals, AP, Fish, Birds and Animals, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Wisconsin, wolves
Groups fight to keep gray wolf protections for most of US

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates and environmental groups have announced that they are challenging the removal of federal protections for gray wolves across most of the U.S.

Two coalitions of groups filed formal notices over the past several days that they plan to sue the U.S. Interior Department in federal court unless protections are restored.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-groups-gray-wolf-protections/

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Church to honor 45th anniversary of Fitzgerald shipwreck

DETROIT (AP) — Mariners’ Church of Detroit will observe the 45th anniversary Sunday of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald during its yearly memorial service for those who have died in Great Lakes shipwrecks.

The event will be live-streamed on Facebook for the first time, said the Rev.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/ap-church-anniversary-fitzgerald-shipwreck/

The Associated Press