Just years after the Flint Water Crisis, residents in Benton Harbor had to deal with their own lead water emergency, with levels at one point reaching 889 parts per billion—far above the federal action level of 15.

Since then, residents have pushed for accountability through multiple lawsuits. And despite the State of Michigan’s efforts to have its case dismissed, residents scored a win recently when a state court said that the suit can continue.

Read on for the full story.

Plus: If a high-speed rail line were built in Michigan, what stops would you want?

Michiganders help win gold for US hockey (Freep): Four Michiganders were on the ice when Team USA clinched a 2-1 overtime gold medal win over Canada on Feb. 22, with Canton native Jack Hughes scoring the game-winner just 1:41 into three-on-three play. Farmington Hills native Megan Keller also delivered an overtime gold medal goal for the US women earlier in the week.

Kalamazoo County man loses $1 million in IRS scam (MLive): A Kalamazoo County man lost more than $1 million after a laptop pop-up led him to call someone posing as an IRS agent, who convinced him to liquidate his 401(k), IRA and bank accounts and transfer the money to a supposed “Federal IRS locker.” The scam is now under investigation by federal authorities.

Sen. Peters reintroduces bill to fund invasive pest research (IPR): US Sen. Gary Peters has reintroduced a bill that would provide $6.5 million annually for five years to research ways to combat an invasive fruit fly that has plagued Michigan cherry growers for 15 years. Farmers and researchers say the funding is critical to developing long-term solutions.

The Benton Harbor Water Filtration Plant can be seen through dune grass from Lake Michigan. (USA Today Network)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Benton Harbor residents’ class action lawsuit against the state of Michigan took a step forward last month when a state court sided with residents who sued over high lead levels in the city’s water.

The Michigan Court of Appeals on Jan. 29 denied the state’s appeal of a Court of Claims decision, allowing residents’ case to proceed toward trial.

The decision moves forward one of three cases residents are pursuing because of the lead crisis in Benton Harbor, where lead levels in water reached as high as 889 parts per billion at a time when the action level was 15 parts per billion.

“Our position is the state knew the whole time, the whole three years that the water was toxic,” said Annika K. Martin, an attorney representing the Benton Harbor claimants. “(The state knew) that filters weren’t working, that flushing wasn’t working and they never told people not to drink the water until basically Gov. Whitmer in October 2021 issued her state of emergency declaration.”

Michigan gubernatorial candidate (and current Secretary of State) Jocelyn Benson recently said she wants to bring a high-speed rail to Michigan, potentially connecting major cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.

While the idea of expanded train routes in Michigan isn’t new, a high-speed rail would be a game-changer.

So, this week, we want to know:

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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