The Latest: State AG apparently changes mind on Flint probe

The Latest: State AG apparently changes mind on Flint probe


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FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The latest on the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan (all times local):

5:40 p.m.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says his office is investigating the Flint water crisis. Less than a month ago, an aide said the state's top law enforcer would stay on the sideline.

WEYI-TV (http://bit.ly/1ZBKN9x ) reports that Schuette senior adviser Rusty Hills wrote a letter to a lawmaker, saying an investigation was unnecessary because federal authorities and other agencies were reviewing the matter.

Now Schuette, a Republican, is pledging to investigate whether state laws were broken.

Messages seeking comment on the shift weren't immediately returned Friday.

Flint's tap water became contaminated with lead after the city switched water supplies in 2014 while a new pipeline was under construction. Corrosive water leached lead from old pipes.

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5:05 p.m.

Flint residents and activists are planning a large protest over the city's water crisis outside Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's annual State of the State speech.

Liberal advocacy group Progress Michigan says people affected by the emergency will rally beside labor, environmental and public health advocates Tuesday night near the state Capitol.

The Republican governor is facing criticism for the state's regulatory failures and relief efforts, and has apologized for lead-tainted water in Flint. He is requesting a federal disaster declaration and millions of dollars that could pay for clean water, filters and other essentials.

The Michigan Republican Party says it plans to collect bottled water for Flint residents on the Capitol steps before and during the protest.

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1:30 p.m.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has told the federal government that the needs of people in Flint during the water crisis "far exceed the state's capability."

Snyder says emergency measures could cost $41 million, including $10 million for a three-month supply of clean drinking water and millions more for filters, filter cartridges and water testing kits. The details are in the state's application for a federal disaster declaration and financial help.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the request will be considered "expeditiously."

Flint's tap water became contaminated with lead after the city switched water supplies in 2014 while a new pipeline was under construction. Corrosive water leached lead from old pipes.

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This version of the story corrects the cost of the emergency measures to $41 million.

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11:30 a.m.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it has received Michigan's request for a disaster declaration in Flint.

The agency says it will send a recommendation to President Barack Obama as "expeditiously as possible."

Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 while a new pipeline was under construction.

Gov. Rick Snyder says he's seeking federal aid for individuals and public agencies involved in the effort to provide Flint residents with filters and clean water.

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10:40 a.m.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says he's in favor of restoring the full powers of Flint's mayor.

A city administrator, Natasha Henderson, has been responsible for daily operations since last February. But Snyder agrees with Mayor Karen Weaver that it's time to transfer that authority.

Snyder's statement doesn't mention Flint's water crisis, just the "challenges facing the city."

Because of its poor finances, Flint government was under state emergency management for years and still is overseen by an advisory board. The governor has asked the board to support a transfer of power to the mayor.

Snyder has declared an emergency in Flint because of lead in water. He also wants the federal government to make a disaster declaration.

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8:50 a.m.

Flint's mayor says she expects Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's request to President Barack Obama for an emergency and major disaster declaration amid the city's water crisis to result in more help for the city.

Karen Weaver tells WWJ-AM on Friday morning that she was glad to see Snyder move forward with the request.

Weaver declared a state of emergency in December due to problems with the city's water system and wanted Snyder to act. She says it's been "a long time coming" in the effort to get federal aid for Flint.

Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. Local officials declared a public health emergency in October.

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7:30 a.m.

Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan says he's glad to see that Gov. Rick Snyder is asking President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration amid the Flint water crisis.

Kildee, a Democrat whose district includes Flint, has repeatedly called for the Republican governor to request federal resources since last fall.

Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. Local officials declared a public health emergency in October.

Kildee says in a statement that "thousands of children of Flint who have been poisoned are the victims in this situation." He says Snyder's request "is an important step toward making sure they get the help they need."

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5:45 a.m.

Michigan's attorney general says he plans to investigate Flint's water crisis.

The announcement early Friday from the office of Bill Schuette says he'll seek to determine what, if any, Michigan laws were violated. He says work on the investigation will begin immediately.

Schuette says in a statement that the situation in Flint "is a human tragedy in which families are struggling with even the most basic parts of daily life."

Federal prosecutors said earlier this month they're working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on an investigation into problems with lead in Flint's water supply.

The announcement from Michigan's attorney general comes just hours after Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced he's asking President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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