Michigan officials are expected to announce this week a $600 million settlement in civil lawsuits brought over the Flint water crisis, 7 Action News first reported Wednesday.
Why it matters: A public health crisis emerged in 2014 after Flint's drinking water source was found to be contaminated with high levels of lead following the city changing its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water to the Flint River.
- The cost-cutting measure left residents sick and reliant on bottled water. Fetal death rates jumped 58%.
What they're saying: Councilman Eric Mays said the state's settlement was "primarily going to the kids" who've alleged in lawsuits in state and federal court that "they were lead-poisoned by city water while state-appointed emergency managers were running the city," per MLive.
- Axios has contacted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office for comment. When asked about the settlement Tuesday she said that "there is more information that is coming."
- "I'm not at liberty to share it at this juncture," she said, according to 7 Action News. "But I believe come Friday there will be a lot more detail we’ll be able to share."
