Michigan

Michigan receives nearly $1M in grants for lead testing in schools, childcare centers

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2024

Michigan receives nearly M in grants for lead testing in schools, childcare centers

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Michigan will receive nearly $1 million in grants to reduce lead exposure from children at schools and childcare facilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced funding to protect children from lead in drinking water on Wednesday. The grant program requires recipients to use the 3Ts—Training, Testing, and Taking Action—to reduce lead in drinking water. The $26 million grant funding was distributed to 55 states and territories, including the District of Columbia; Michigan will receive $930,000.

The EPA said lead can severely harm mental and physical development in children while also slowing down learning and irreversibly damaging the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer.

“The science is clear: There is no safe level of exposure to lead,” said Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, this $26 million will help protect our children from the harmful impacts of lead. EPA is also investing $15 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to remove lead pipes and is providing technical assistance to communities to help them develop and implement lead pipe replacement projects.”

The funding was authorized by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act and is provided to states, the District of Columbia, and participating territories as grants for lead testing and remediation in schools and childcare facilities.

Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather. Looking to hire people, or grow your business through advertising? Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.

Source link

Click to comment

Michigan

Man wrongly convicted of killing 2 Michigan hunters in 1990 agrees to $5.25M settlement

Published

9 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Press Room

Man wrongly convicted of killing 2 Michigan hunters in 1990 agrees to .25M settlement

DETROIT — A man who spent nearly 21 years in prison for the deaths of two Michigan hunters agreed to a $5.25 million settlement after accusing police of failing to turn over evidence that could have helped him at trial, a lawyer said Monday.

Jeff Titus was released in 2023 and his murder convictions were erased at the request of prosecutors. The Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school and two investigators got authorities to acknowledge that an Ohio serial killer might have been the person who killed the hunters in 1990.

Titus had long declared his innocence.

“It’s been a long road for Jeff,” attorney Wolf Mueller said. “He’s 74. He lost two decades of his life. The money doesn’t make up for the loss of decades, but it allows him to put this part of his life behind him.”

An email seeking comment from the lawyer who defended a retired homicide detective in the lawsuit wasn’t immediately answered.

Doug Estes and Jim Bennett were fatally shot near Titus’ property in Kalamazoo County in 1990. Titus initially was cleared as a suspect, but murder charges were filed against him 12 years later. Prosecutors portrayed Titus as a hothead who didn’t like trespassers.

Students and staff at University of Michigan law school were trying to get him a new trial when a 30-page file from the original investigation was discovered at the county sheriff’s office. It was a blockbuster: It referred to an alternate suspect, Thomas Dillon of Magnolia, Ohio.

Jacinda Davis, at the TV network Investigation Discovery, and Susan Simpson, through the podcast “Undisclosed,” had raised doubts about Titus’ guilt and aired questions about Dillon’s possible role.

Dillon died in prison in 2011. He was arrested in 1993 and ultimately pleaded guilty to killing five people in Ohio who had been hunting, fishing or jogging.

The lawsuit that was settled Monday did not center on Dillon as an alternate suspect. Rather, police were accused of violating Titus’ rights by not sharing information that could have cast doubt on the trial testimony of a key witness, Mueller said.

Source link

Michigan

Severe storm threat targets Southeast Michigan through Tuesday — What to know

Published

21 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Press Room

Severe storm threat targets Southeast Michigan through Tuesday — What to know

Warm and humid air will remain in place across southeast Michigan today and Tuesday, creating favorable conditions for multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms. Stay weather aware with our 4Warn Weather app as storms may bring damaging winds, large hail, torrential rainfall, and isolated tornadoes. We have issued a 4Warn Weather alert for both afternoons and evenings.

Severe Weather Risk Today

A Slight Risk for severe weather covers nearly all of southeast Michigan today as an approaching disturbance interacts with unstable air and increasing humidity. Scattered thunderstorms could develop later this afternoon and evening. These storms will have the potential to produce:

Damaging wind gusts
Large hail
Locally heavy rainfall
Isolated tornadoes

The primary window for severe weather is expected between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., although a few isolated storms could develop earlier in the afternoon. Rain and thunderstorms may also linger into the late evening hours.

Another Round Possible Tuesday

The severe weather pattern is expected to continue Tuesday with another Slight Risk (Level 2 out 5) covering all of southeast Michigan. Warm, unstable conditions will clash with an approaching cold front and once again support thunderstorm development during the afternoon and evening hours, especially between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday’s storms may again be capable of producing:

Damaging wind gusts
Large hail
Heavy downpours
Isolated tornadoes

Make sure to monitor our forecasts closely and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings during both days.

Cooler Air Arrives Midweek

After the active weather pattern exits, a significant cooldown is expected across the region. Temperatures will fall nearly 20 degrees from Tuesday into Wednesday as cooler and drier air moves into the Great Lakes. High temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday are expected to remain in the 60s, bringing a refreshing break from the recent heat and humidity. Overnight lows will be in the 40s, so the cooldown doesn’t propose a threat for frost.

Memorial Day Weekend Outlook

Looking ahead, conditions appear much more comfortable for Memorial Day weekend. Forecast highs are expected to return to the 70s with seasonable late-May weather anticipated across southeast Michigan.

Source link

Michigan

OU softball rolls past Michigan to reach 16th straight NCAA Tournament Super Regional

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Press Room

OU softball rolls past Michigan to reach 16th straight NCAA Tournament Super Regional

NORMAN — Oklahoma softball is headed to its 16th consecutive Super Regional.

The No. 3 overall seeded Sooners defeated Michigan 8-1 in the NCAA Tournament Norman Regional final on Sunday afternoon in front of 3,947 at Love’s Field. OU will host Mississippi State or Saint Mary’s next weekend.

Speedy center fielder KaI Minor led the Sooners offensively, finishing 2 for 5 at the plate with a home run, a double and three runs scored. Isabela Emerling and Gabbie Garcia added two hits, while Ailana Agbayani recorded two hits and a solo homer.

In the circle, Audrey Lowry allowed just one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts and zero walks in 4 ⅔ innings. In relief, senior Kierston Deal struck out one in a full inning and Sydney Berzon tossed a hitless 1 ⅓ innings.

OU outhit Michigan 9-3 in the win.

The Sooners jumped out to an early three-run lead in the first inning after Minor ripped a double to left center, her third leadoff double in four games, while Ella Parker walked and Gabbie Garcia singled Minor in. Then, with the bases loaded, Isabela Emerling singled down the left field line to score Garcia and Kasidi Pickering, who was hit by a pitch.

OU added a run in the second and fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh to finish off the Wolverines. Minor crushed her 11th home run of the season 261 feet to deep left center field in the fourth.

The Sooners will begin Super Regional play on either Thursday or Friday. Mississippi State and Saint Mary’s meet in the Eugene Regional final at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Here’s a recap of the Sooners-Wolverines NCAA Tournament game:

Ailana Agbayani extended OU’s lead in the seventh with a solo homer to right field.

It was Agbayani’s second hit and second RBI of the day.

End 6: Oklahoma 7, Michigan 1 | Kierston Deal, Sydney Berzon handle Wolverines

Michigan was sat down in order in the sixth.

Sydney Berzon entered to record the third out of the inning after Kierston Deal ended her day with a strikeout in one full inning.

Kasidi Pickering popped up, Allyssa Parker fouled out and Abby Dayton grounded out in the sixth.

Audrey Lowry’s day is finished after she allowed just one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Kierston Deal recorded the final out of the fifth.

OU added two runs to its lead in the fifth.

Ailana Agbyani doubled to center field, scoring Abby Dayton. Then, Ella Parker walked with the bases loaded to score Agbayani.

Jenissa Conway, Sydney Hastings and Erin Hoehn all grounded out for Michigan in the fourth.

Kai. Minor.

The Sooners’ freshman center fielder crushed a solo home run to center field to give OU a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning.

Audrey Lowry forced two groundouts and struck out Ella Stephenson in the third.

Lowry has allowed one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts through three.

Abby Dayton flew out, Isabela Emerling struck out and Ailana Agbayani grounded out in the third.

Erin Hoen, Michigan’s current pitcher, smacked a solo shot 229 feet to left center field to put the Wolverines on the board. It was the first run OU has given up this weekend in the Norman Regional.

Ella Parker ended the inning with a diving catch.

Kai Minor reached on a fielder’s choice and scored her second run of the day following an Ella Parker single and Gabbie Garcia flyout. The RBI was Garcia’s second of the day.

Michigan starter Gabby Ellis’ day ended after one time through OU’s lineup. She allowed three earned runs and two walks in a full inning.

Erin Hoehn, in the Wolverines’ lineup as designated player, took over in the circle and allowed a hit and walk.

Michigan left fielder Ella Stephenson singled but the Wolverines stranded her at first.

Kai Minor is inevitable. The Sooners’ speedy center fielder ripped a double to left center, her third leadoff double in four games before Ella Parker walked and Gabbie Garcia singled Minor in. It was Garcia’s 72nd RBI this season.

Then, with the bases loaded, Isabela Emerling singled down the left field line to score Garcia and Kasidi Pickering, who was hit by a pitch.

OU leads 3-0 early.

Oklahoma is starting sophomore left-hander Audrey Lowry against Michigan in the NCAA Tournament Norman Regional final on Sunday. Lowry started the Sooners’ 11-0 run-rule victory over Binghamton on Friday, allowing a leadoff single before retiring the next six batters she faced and striking out three across two innings.

Here’s OU’s starting lineup against the Wolverines:

CF: Kai Minor
RF: Ella Parker
SS: Gabbie Garcia
DP: Kasidi Pickering
C: Kendall Wells
LF: Abby Dayton
1B: Isabela Emerling
2B: Ailana Agbayani
3B: Sydney Barker

What time is Oklahoma vs Michigan today? When is OU softball game today?

Date: Sunday, May 17
Time: 2 p.m. CT

The Oklahoma vs Michigan game starts at 2 p.m. CT Sunday from Love’s Field in Norman. If OU loses, Game 2 will start about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

What channel is Oklahoma vs Michigan today? Where to watch OU softball on TV, streaming

Oklahoma vs Michigan will be broadcast on SEC Network and streamed on ESPN+.

How to listen to OU softball on the radio

Chris Plank (play-by-play) will have the OU radio call on The Franchise 2 (KEBC 1560 AM) and the Varsity Radio App.

Norman Regional schedule

Double elimination from Friday-Sunday (May 15-17) at Love’s Field.

Friday’s games

Game 1: No. 3 Oklahoma 11, Binghamton 0 (5)

Game 2: Kansas 1, Michigan 0 (8)

Saturday’s games

Game 3: No. 3 Oklahoma 9, Kansas 0 (5)

Game 4: Michigan 6, Binghamton 0

Game 5: Michigan 12, Kansas 10

Sunday’s games

Game 6: No. 3 Oklahoma (50-8) vs. Michigan (36-21), 2 p.m.

Game 7 (if necessary): Rematch Game 6, 4:30 p.m.

OU softball highlights vs. Michigan

If X/Twitter feed doesn’t load, click HERE.

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

Source link