SAGE Lecture Spark [2/3/19] The Publisher of the Social Sciences

15 People Have Been Charged in the Flint Water Scandal “Fifteen people have been charged in an investigation of how Flint's water became contaminated with lead in 2014-15 and a related outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.” “Seven people have pleaded no contest to misdemeanors in deals that will leave them without a criminal record.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-18/15-people-have-been-charged-in-the-flint-water-scandal

Years after Flint Water Crisis Began, No One Is Behind Bars Three years after Michigan’s attorney general promised to investigate, no one is behind bars. Many closely involved with the issue or in charge of aspects of the decision-making that lead to the crisis will avoid jail time. Locals such as LeeAnne Walters consider this a “slap in the face to every victim.” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/years-after-flint-water-crisis-began-no-one-is-behind-bars

Expert Says Flint Water Plant Broken Down Like ‘Grandma’s Chevy’ “A drinking water expert says regulators at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality should have known they were flirting with disaster when they allowed the city to treat its own water in 2014.” After the shift in water source, Flint’s water treatment plant was put into full-time use for the first time since 1967. This “mothballed” plant was not ready for its intended purpose. https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2019/01/expert-says-flint-water-plant-was-broken-down-like-grandmas-chevy.html

In Flint, Trust Is Lost “Michigan regulators declared the city’s drinking water safe one year ago,” but many of the residents still complain of murky, disgusting, and dangerous tap water. As a result, much of the city is still collecting donated bottled water—water donations that will only last through April 2019. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/flint-trust-lost-and-bottled-water-supplies-are-running-low

Key Concepts Flint Water Crisis: The Fifth Year Update Since the declaration of clean water by Michigan regulators, national news sources have not exactly been silent, but relatively quiet on covering the Flint water crisis. It is only with the upswing in the trials that the topic is being revisited by more outlets. When does ongoing news cease to be “good news” or timely?

Assessment Writing: Do news outlets bear any particular responsibility when covering states of emergency? If they do, what kind of responsibility? Debate: Flint is a largely working class or impoverished city with a high crime rate and the majority of the population are people of color. Do you think this plays a part in how the news about Flint is covered? Why or why not? Poll: In the news that you consume, how often have you seen or heard about Flint in the last year? Often, a moderate amount, not very much, a few times or less. Short Answer: If you were in the place of the Flint, Michigan residents, would you now trust your water after it was declared safe? Why or why not? Current Events Quiz  How many people have been recently charged regarding the Flint water crisis? Despite this, how many so far will have no criminal record? No one is behind bars for the crisis, and some locals consider this a ___. Flint’s water treatment plant was pressed into full-time use for the first time since___. The water from major donors to Flint could be running out as soon as ____. Answers 15 7 Slap in the face 1967 5. April 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAIXmt58iBU The water crisis in Flint, Michigan is a prime example of science being ignored, unknown, or even misused. Here's the chemistry behind how so many things went wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bciXJdz2YE Michael Moore says the water crisis in Flint is a "version of manslaughter" and urges the Michigan government to act to fix the problem. [Double click to watch the video]