INSIDER
Firefighters keep up battle to stamp out largest wildfire in Texas history
Read full article: Firefighters keep up battle to stamp out largest wildfire in Texas historyPlanes have dropped fire retardant over the northern Texas Panhandle as firefighters are continuing efforts to stamp out the largest wildfire in state history.
Detroit reaches $7.5M deal in Davontae Sanford wrongful conviction lawsuit
Read full article: Detroit reaches $7.5M deal in Davontae Sanford wrongful conviction lawsuitThe city of Detroit has reached a $7.5 million settlement with a man who spent eight years in prison before a prosecutor agreed to drop four murder convictions.
Trayvon Martin, 10 years later: Teen's death changes nation
Read full article: Trayvon Martin, 10 years later: Teen's death changes nationThe killing of Trayvon Martin at the hands of a stranger still reverberates 10 years later -- in protest, in partisanship, in racial reckoning and reactionary response, in social justice and social media.
Feds fine dam owners $15M for safety violations after 2020 mid-Michigan flooding
Read full article: Feds fine dam owners $15M for safety violations after 2020 mid-Michigan floodingHydroelectric dam owner Boyce Hydro Power, LLC has been fined millions for safety violations after dam failures caused catastrophic floods near Midland.
The Latest: Prosecutors: Arkansas man beat cop with flagpole
Read full article: The Latest: Prosecutors: Arkansas man beat cop with flagpoleAs of Thursday, there are roughly 7,000 Guard members in Washington, with thousands more on the way. Officials say Guard members from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, are deploying to the city. As of Thursday, there are roughly 7,000 Guard members in Washington, with thousands more on the way. Officials say 3,000 to 4,000 of those Guard members are armed. Pentagon officials approved requests to have some Guard members armed with either long guns or handguns, particularly those Guard members assigned near the U.S. Capitol.
Dry lakebeds pose risks to adventurers in Michigan’s Midland area
Read full article: Dry lakebeds pose risks to adventurers in Michigan’s Midland areaOr rather, what was Sanford and Wixom Lake. In May, the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams led to the drainage of Sanford and Wixom Lake. While a smaller river continues to run through the lakebeds, new, hazardous features have been uncovered. “Winter changes everything, if it’s snowing and you can’t see very far,” Gladwin County Emergency Director Robert North told the Midland Daily News. These two construction projects make the Tobacco River arm of Wixom Lake unusually dangerous this winter.
Michigan department publishes dam failure report
Read full article: Michigan department publishes dam failure reportThe report provides an update on the ongoing investigation into the Edenville Dam, plans to restore the Tobacco River's flow and the lack of coordination with the dams' owner Boyce Hydro. But while awaiting the conclusion of the investigation, EGLE provided the first of a series of reports requested by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that will provide information about how the dam failures came to be and reviewing dam safety policies in Michigan. The report doesn’t address any parties at fault for the dam failures, but addresses what EGLE will do next to address the safety concerns left by the Edenville dam. Read more: Frustrated Michigan officials issue emergency order to Edenville Dam owners ignoring deadlines
LIVE STREAM: Michigan officials provide update on flooding aftermath in Midland County
Read full article: LIVE STREAM: Michigan officials provide update on flooding aftermath in Midland CountyMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will host a news briefing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday to provide an update on the aftermath of the Edenville and Sanford dam failures and subsequent flooding in Mid-Michigan last month. You can watch the briefing live in the video player above at 3 p.m.Nessel will be joined by the director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Liesl Clark and the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Dan Eichinger. The briefing comes almost three weeks after nearly 11,000 mid-Michigan residents evacuated their homes due to a massive flooding emergency caused by breaches in the Edenville and Sanford dams. The flood damaged countless homes, businesses and roads in central Michigan. Whitmer requests investigation of dam breach that caused massive flooding in mid-Michigan
LIVE STREAM: Gov. Whitmer holds briefing on Midland County flooding response
Read full article: LIVE STREAM: Gov. Whitmer holds briefing on Midland County flooding responseMIDLAND, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will offer an update on the state’s response to the devastating floods in Midland County last month. Whitmer will provide a brief update alongside local officials on the state’s response to the historic flooding in Mid-Michigan. Afterward, she will volunteer at the flood relief donation distribution center. The briefing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. -- you can watch it live in the video player above.
More mid-Michigan residents sue Edenville, Sanford dam owners after flooding devastation
Read full article: More mid-Michigan residents sue Edenville, Sanford dam owners after flooding devastationDETROIT – Buckfire Law Firm announced Tuesday two class-action lawsuits filed against Edenville and Sanford dam owners and the state of Michigan following the devastating flood emergency in central Michigan last month. Nearly 11,000 mid-Michigan residents evacuated their homes on May 20 after multiple dams were breached, causing a massive flooding emergency in the region. Tuesday’s lawsuits are part of a series of filings against the dam owners and state for allegedly neglecting to ensure the dams operated in accordance with federal guidelines. The dam owners have previously received multiple citations from federal regulators for failure to meet safety guidelines over the last decade. MORE: Residents want answers in Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsBuckfire Law is representing 19 mid-Michigan residents in the federal class-action lawsuit against dam owners Boyce Hydro and its manager Lee Mueller.
Debris line neighborhoods in mid-Michigan as community deals with damage from devastating floods
Read full article: Debris line neighborhoods in mid-Michigan as community deals with damage from devastating floodsMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – On Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was back in Midland County to announce an investigation into why the Edenville and Sanford dams gave way. A week later, piles of debris lined neighborhoods. READ: Shocking mid-Michigan flood pictures show ravaged roads, underwater houses, floating carsNeither of them know if their homes are stable enough to move back into. MORE: More than 800 volunteers visit Midland to help flood victims despite pandemicWatch the video above to hear from Coulson and Mills.
Debris line neighborhoods in mid-Michigan as community deals with damage from devastating floods
Read full article: Debris line neighborhoods in mid-Michigan as community deals with damage from devastating floodsDebris line neighborhoods in mid-Michigan as community deals with damage from devastating floodsPublished: May 27, 2020, 5:17 pmOn Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was back in Midland County to announce an investigation into why the Edenville and Sanford dams gave way.
Sanford woman kayaks to floating home swept away by flood to recover mother’s ashes
Read full article: Sanford woman kayaks to floating home swept away by flood to recover mother’s ashesSanford woman kayaks to floating home swept away by flood to recover mother’s ashesPublished: May 23, 2020, 11:13 pmParsch and her friends are looking for her home in Sanford after it was swept away by the floods. When they first returned to the home’s location, they discovered only the foundation remained.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer adds 3 counties to flood-related state of emergency
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer adds 3 counties to flood-related state of emergencyGretchen Whitmer has added three counties to her state of emergency issued as a result of two dam failures that caused devastating floods in the middle of the state. Arenac, Gladwin and Saginaw counties have been added to the state of emergency that was issued for Midland County. “I have declared an emergency to provide much needed assistance and have added Arenac, Gladwin and Saginaw counties to the declaration to ensure access to critical resources. (WDIV)Officials evacuated 750 Saginaw County residents, 500 Arenac County residents and more than 100 Gladwin County residents due to rising waters. By adding them to the state of emergency, Whitmer allows these three counties to receive law enforcement and shelter support, road repair help, search and rescue services and more.
Red Cross shelters open to help residents impacted by devastating mid-Michigan floods
Read full article: Red Cross shelters open to help residents impacted by devastating mid-Michigan floodsMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Historic flooding caused by dam failures forced thousands from their homes in mid-Michigan. The Edenville dam and Sanford dams failed. At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Edenville Dam that created Wixom Lake gave away. MORE: Residents in Midland County return after evacuationsThe American Red Cross is still helping residents impacted by the floods. READ: Residents want answers in Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsView the list of shelters below:
Trump declares emergency for flooded Michigan communities
Read full article: Trump declares emergency for flooded Michigan communitiesPresident Donald Trump, who was in Michigan to visit a Ford production plant, signed an emergency declaration authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts. In Midland, 61 people spent Wednesday night and Thursday morning in temporary shelters, according to city spokeswoman Selina Tisdale. That number — mostly the elderly and families — dwindled throughout Thursday as floodwaters receded and some residents were able to return home, she said. Much of the area remained underwater, including in Midland, the headquarters of Dow Chemical Co. And floodwaters continued to threaten downstream communities. “And my hat’s off to Midland.”Other area residents returned to their homes to find heavy damage.
Investigating who is responsible for Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floods
Read full article: Investigating who is responsible for Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsEDENVILLE, Mich. – The Local 4 Defenders have uncovered new information about who is responsible for the failure of the Edenville Dam, which led to catastrophic floods in mid-Michigan. The owners of the Edenville Dam have been cited by federal regulators since 2004 for safety issues. The company that owns the aging, crumbling 96-year-old dam, Boyce Hydro, was cited for years for its failure to increase the project spillway capacity. Lack of investment in dam infrastructure is not uncommon in Michigan dams, which have suffered from deferred maintenance over the course of decades. That, combined with the historic rainfall and flooding, were factors in the Edenville Dam failure."
Sanford hit hardest by dam failures, flooding in mid-Michigan
Read full article: Sanford hit hardest by dam failures, flooding in mid-MichiganSANFORD, Mich. – The catastrophic flooding caused by two dam failures in mid-Michigan has affected multiple communities, but nobody has been hit harder than the small town of Sanford. After the Edenville Dam collapsed, all eyes turned to the Sanford Dam, which had water and debris pressing up against it. She said the community of 800 people is going to need help. “There’s a lot of debris floating in the lake.”She said the first job is to remove the debris forced up against the Sanford Dam. Red Cross officials are also at the scene to help residents.
Touring the destruction caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan from the above
Read full article: Touring the destruction caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan from the aboveMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – In an event like this, you really get the true scope of what’s happened from the air -- the damage runs on for miles. RELATED: Aerial video shows complete devastation caused by dam failures in mid-MichiganThe images are chilling -- buildings are submerged and towns have become lakes because the dams couldn’t withstand the rising water. RELATED: ‘Catastrophic’ flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowIn Edenville, roads are washed away with big chunks missing. In Midland -- the area’s largest city -- water rose around the three-way pedestrian bridge landmark in the city’s downtown. MORE: Tim Pamplin tours mid-Michigan flood damage: ‘Roof of a house.
‘2020 has been one blow after another’ -- Midland Farmers Market hit by flood day before reopening
Read full article: ‘2020 has been one blow after another’ -- Midland Farmers Market hit by flood day before reopeningHomes, businesses, bridges and more destroyed by flooding after two dam failures. RELATED: Dam failures lead to devastating floods across mid-MichiganThe green roof of Midland Farmer’s Market is the only part that’s visible from under eight to 10 feet of water. "We just want to get going.”Mark and Kathy Hatzner are one of the 80 vendors that would have been at the market, making money for the first time in months. “I’m thinking about the people and their houses," Kathy Hatzner said. "Their homes are destroyed.”The long term damage- - both physically and fiscally -- can’t be known yet, but Lyon knows they’ll rebuild again.
Touring the destruction caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan from the above
Read full article: Touring the destruction caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan from the aboveTouring the destruction caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan from the abovePublished: May 20, 2020, 5:25 pmIn an event like this, you really get the true scope of what’s happened from the air -- the damage runs on for miles.
Flooding: Lake Wixom emptied in Edenville
Read full article: Flooding: Lake Wixom emptied in EdenvilleFlooding: Lake Wixom emptied in EdenvillePublished: May 20, 2020, 4:16 pmCatastrophic flooding caused by dam failure in mid-Michigan has left shocking damage to roads, houses and entire cities in the area.
Catastrophic floods completely destroy roads around Midland County
Read full article: Catastrophic floods completely destroy roads around Midland CountyEDENVILLE, Mich. – Catastrophic flooding caused by two dam failures in Midland County have completely destroyed many of the roads in the area. The Edenville Dam, which federal officials had concerns about and stripped of its license, gave way after about nine inches of rain. A gas station owner at the corner said the water came through at 5 p.m. Tuesday, taking out the bridge and a nearby home. The power of the water when it came through was enough to blow holes in the road and warp the guardrail. Sections of the entire bridge are gone, with flowing water visible below.
Dam failures lead to devastating floods across mid-Michigan
Read full article: Dam failures lead to devastating floods across mid-MichiganBEAVERTON, Mich. – After dam failures, parts of mid-Michigan could be under 9 feet of water, Gov. Whitmer provides update on flooding, dam breach in mid-MichiganA State of Emergency has been declared for Midland County after two dams failed. The Edenville Dam broke and the Sanford Dam was breached late last night, but it did not break. When the Edenleville Dam failed and the Sanford Dam was breached, water took out bridges, houses, businesses and more. Some residents have compared it to the flooding in 2017 and 1986, but they believe the dam failures are worse.
Shocking mid-Michigan flood pictures show ravaged roads, underwater houses, floating cars
Read full article: Shocking mid-Michigan flood pictures show ravaged roads, underwater houses, floating carsPublished: May 20, 2020, 11:10 amMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Catastrophic flooding caused by dam failure in mid-Michigan has left shocking damage to roads, houses and entire cities in the area. A clear look at a road torn apart by water in Midland County on May 20, 2020. (WDIV)A car floating in the middle of flood water in Midland County on May 20, 2020. (WDIV)The high flood levels in Midland County on May 20, 2020. (WDIV)A building underwater in Midland County on May 20, 2020.
Tim Pamplin tours mid-Michigan flood damage: ‘Roof of a house. No idea where rest of the house is’
Read full article: Tim Pamplin tours mid-Michigan flood damage: ‘Roof of a house. No idea where rest of the house is’Published: May 20, 2020, 10:35 am Updated: May 20, 2020, 12:22 pmMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Local 4′s Tim Pamplin is in mid-Michigan to see the damage caused by two dam failures that led to catastrophic flooding across the area. AERIAL VIDEO: Complete devastation caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan“Beyond these bushes you see the roof of a house,” Tim said. He went to Downtown Sanford, finding the post office and restaurants almost completely underwater. Live reports all day on @Local4News pic.twitter.com/0deTDn0MwU — @Nightcam (@nightcam) May 20, 2020UPDATE: downtown Sanford is under water after several dams and levees fail. @Local4News pic.twitter.com/486IlfmJyk — @Nightcam (@nightcam) May 20, 2020
Aerial video shows complete devastation caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan
Read full article: Aerial video shows complete devastation caused by dam failures in mid-MichiganPublished: May 20, 2020, 9:55 am Updated: May 20, 2020, 10:38 amMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Local 4 has new video of the devastating damage and flooding caused by multiple dam failures in mid-Michigan. Aerial video from Sky 4 shows the state of Midland County around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The Edenville Dam has broken and the Sanford Dam has been breached, officials said. No idea where rest of the house is’“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County,” she said. Families living along the Tittabawassee River and connected lakes in Midland County were ordered Tuesday evening to leave home.
Mark Sanford calls Iowa 'Buckeye state' ahead of visit
Read full article: Mark Sanford calls Iowa 'Buckeye state' ahead of visitThe South Carolina Republican tweeted about an upcoming trip to Iowa, the first-in-the-nation caucus state -- but called it by a nickname for Ohio. "Will be going to Iowa next week and would love your wisdom on local perspectives if you are from the Buckeye state!" Iowa is the Hawkeye State, while Ohio is the Buckeye State. Iowa isn't the only key state that Sanford has in his sights. When asked why he is considering a run, Sanford said there is "no discussion of debt, deficit and government spending in Washington these days."