Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Flint, Michigan's water crisis has become a criminal case. Two state regulators and a city employee have been charged with official misconduct, evidence tampering and other offenses over the lead contamination that alarmed the country. And Attorney General Bill Schuette warns that there will be more charges. For nearly 18 months, the poor, majority-black city used untreated water from the Flint River for tap as a way to save money. That caused lead to release from aging pipes.
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador's president is warning his country of a long and costly post-quake recovery. In a televised address Wednesday night, President Rafael Correa said that to pay for the recovery, sales taxes will increase, wealthy people will be charged a one-time tax and higher-wage earners will be forced to contribute some of their pay. Saturday night's quake killed at least 570 people, and another 163 are still missing.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — About 160 countries are expected on Friday to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change. Under the agreement, countries set their own targets for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The targets are not legally binding but countries must update them every five years. The U.S. and China, which together account for nearly 40 percent of global emissions, have said they intend to formally join the agreement this year.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A rising number of Americans are getting ready to renovate their homes this year, a potential boost for the economy. Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies estimates that spending on remodeling and repairs will climb 8.6 percent this year to $310 billion. The additional spending would likely contribute to broader economic growth, creating more jobs for construction workers and building supply firms.
MIAMI (AP) — Police in Miami say they've shot and killed a man who kidnapped his estranged girlfriend and forced her into the trunk of his vehicle. Police say the woman was still able to call 911, and they found the vehicle in a wooded area Wednesday evening. Police say the man pointed a shotgun toward them and they shot him. The woman was found safe.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
