Kalamazoo City officials say residents should prepare for the Kalamazoo River to peak Thursday or Friday, due to flooding. Kalamazoo County's Sheriff wants more money for future flooding and other disasters. Michigan's unemployment rate was unchanged in April.
Flooding of the Kalamazoo River is expected to peak late Thursday or early Friday. Several areas might be affected by the high water. More street closings are possible due to the flooding.City officials expect this round of flooding to be less severe than February when the river reached a record level of over 11 feet.
Michigan State University has reached a possible settlement with more than 300 victims of sexual assault. The lawsuit stems from the university’s handling of former MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar sexually assaulted his patients for years under the guise of treatment. The proposed settlement would give $425-million to the current victims and set aside $75-million for victims who come forward in the future. (The Michigan Public Radio Network's Cheyna Roth discusses the settlement on Wednesday's All Things Considered)
Governor Rick Snyder and state lawmakers have an extra $315-million to work with as they finalize the new budget. The windfall is the result of tax revenue created by an economic recovery that’s continued now for almost nine years. Roads, school safety, paying down long-term debt, and putting more into the state’s “rainy day” savings are top priorities of the governor and Republican leaders in the Legislature.
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller says he plans to ask for more money for emergency and disaster services. The county currently has one full-time employee working in the department. Fuller says the office needs more resources to prepare for flooding and other possible future disasters. The Kalamazoo Gazettesays the sheriff plans to make his request to the county Board of Commissioners for next year’s budget.
A Saginaw therapist has filed suit in federal court alleging she was fired for her Catholic faith. The court filings allege Kathleen Lorentzen’s employment was terminated and that she faced workplace harassment after requesting a gay couple she was counseling be referred to another therapist. Lorentzen’s attorney says she was also the victim of harassment. In a written statement an attorney representing HealthSource Saginaw called her account quote “a work of fiction disguised as a legal pleading.” (WCMU)
U.S. senator Debbie Stabenow has some concerns about steel and aluminum tariffs. President Trump ordered the tariffs in March. Temporary waivers were granted to major allies. This month, Trump decided to extend the tariff waivers for another month. Until then, he plans to continue negotiating the tariffs. Stabenow thinks the tariffs could hurt American companies more than foreign manufacturers. She says if the government isn't careful, many American jobs - especially those in Michigan - could be in jeopardy. (Michigan Radio)
Michigan’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in April. The state Department of Technology, Management and Budget says the seasonally adjusted jobless rate stayed at 4.7% last month. It’s .3% higher than it was in April of 2017.