Benton Harbor

An Environmental Protection Agency study has found that certified filters are “very effective” at removing lead from Benton Harbor’s drinking water.

Residents in Benton Harbor have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city and state of “reckless and outrageous” conduct in their handling of the water crisis.

The Benton Harbor City Commission declared a local state of emergency Monday night in response to high levels of lead in the city’s drinking water. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited the city Tuesday morning for a listening session with residents and local political leaders.

State Representative Rachel Hood from Grand Rapids and Lansing’s Sarah Anthony have introduced a package of bills focusing on lead abatement and remediation policy. The two democrats say the Flint Water Crisis and current elevated levels of lead in Benton Harbor’s water system are cases of failed promises that can be prevented.

The state is urging residents of a southwestern Michigan city to use bottled water for cooking and drinking.

Local and national groups have filed a formal petition for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to step in and provide clean water and power to residents in Benton Harbor.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was in Benton Harbor August 3 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new 80 unit multi-family housing development. The $20 million project is being funded by Whirlpool Corporation and is being built across the street from the company’s Global Technology Center and across the river from its Riverview Campus.

The Benton Harbor School Board voted last night to create an advisory board that would make plans to turn the district around. The board voted unanimously…