Justice in Flint Residents of Flint, MI, to receive $626 million settlement

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Nov 11 2021
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After years of drinking lead-poisoned tap water, residents of Flint, Michigan, may finally see financial compensation for their woes after an uphill battle against local and state officials. In another unlikely turn of events, China and the U.S. have announced that they will coordinate their efforts to curb climate change and transition to clean energy. It’s not all good news, though. Data released yesterday shows that inflation has hit a 30-year high, prompting Sen. Joe Manchin to pull back support for Biden’s $1.75 trillion spending package. And in the economic world, electric truck maker Rivian had a very successful IPO yesterday. All this and more in today’s Presidential Daily Brief.

IMPORTANT

1 - Justice in Flint

Residents of Flint, MI, to receive $626 million settlement

After years of drinking lead-poisoned tap water, residents of Flint may finally see financial compensation. Most of the $600 million settlement will come from the state of Michigan to settle lawsuits filed by Flint residents whose tap water was contaminated by lead due to government negligence. “The settlement reached here is a remarkable achievement for many reasons, not the least of which is that it sets forth a comprehensive compensation program and timeline that is consistent for every qualifying participant,”said U.S. District Judge Judith Levy, who ruled on the case. More than half of Flint’s 81,000 residents have signed up for a share of the settlement, 80% of which is earmarked for children. (Source: AP )

2 - Unexpected Allies

China and the U.S. have agreed to cooperate on climate change

While U.S. relations with China have been tense, the two countries came together at the COP26 climate summit yesterday to pledge joint action on climate change. Xie Zhenhua, China’s top climate negotiator, and U.S. Climate envoy John Kerry gave a joint announcement that signalled the two global superpowers would work together to address methane emissions, clean energy and decarbonisation. “On climate, cooperation is the only way to get this mob done … Every step matters right now and we have a long journey ahead of us,” said Kerry. (Source: BBC )

3 - Infuriating Inflation

Inflation at 30-year high spells bad news for Biden

While economists had expected a raise of around 0.5%, consumer prices rose a steep 0.9% in October. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who has expressed concern over how Biden’s government overhaul bill could increase inflation, may now be even more reluctant to sign on for $1.75 trillion in spending. “By all accounts, the threat posed by record inflation to the American people is not ‘transitory’ and is instead getting worse. From the grocery store to the gas pump, Americans know the inflation tax is real and D.C. can no longer ignore the economic pain Americans feel every day,” said Manchin. (Source: Axios )

4 - New Rival Rivian

The electric truck company IPOs to great fanfare

Rivian Automotive shares debued yesterday at a stellar $100.73. The figure, translating to a market value of around $85.9 billion, is greater than that of Ford, though Rivian has only delivered around 150 trucks and most of those to employees. The rage for Rivian confirms the market’s hunger for new players in the electric vehicle industry. Tesla has dominated the field, but as EV tech becomes cheaper, new makers are emerging. Amazon holds a 20% stake in the company and Ford has also been a supporter, investing $500 million in the emerging car maker back in 2019. (Source: AP )

5 - Briefly

Here are some things you should know about today:

Federal judge rules against Texas ban on mask mandates. Judge Lee Yeakel said the statewide ban violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, as it prevents students with disabilities from fully participating in the classroom since their health would be at risk without the mandate. (Sources: CNN , NYT ) Rittenhouse lawyers seek mistrial. Judge Bruce Schroeder and lead prosecutor Thomas Binger exchanged heated words on Wednesday, prompting the defense to ask for a mistrial. (Source: BBC ) First known lawsuit filed in ‘Rust’ shooting. Serge Svetnoy, the film’s head of lighting, has filed a lawsuit over Alec Baldwin’s accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Source: NPR )

WATCH BREAKING BIG:

Former Mayor of San Juan Carmen Yulín Cruz on Fighting for Her People

INTRIGUING

1 - Here Comes the Hurricane

Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins: The world’s fastest 105 year old

Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins is a force to be reckoned with. The centenarian trail blazer set a track and field world record and established the 105 and older division in the 100 meter dash at the Louisiana Senior Games. It’s par for the course for the retired educator, who won two gold medals in the 50- and 100-meter dash in the senior games in Albuquerque in 2019. “People say that they want to be just like me when they grow up ... And I think if I can please people and give them hope, then it's worth living longer. (Source: People )

2 - The Cutest Interruption

New Zealand prime minister adorable interruption on Facebook Live

Australian Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern remained unfazed when interrupted by her 3-year-old daughter Neve during a live broadcast on new national Covid restrictions. The child's adorable off-screen calls for "mummy" as she waited to be tucked in for the night were heard across the country. Ardern, an outspoken advocate for gender equality, parenting and motherhood, has been refreshingly transparent in balancing her role as a mother and head of state, and she wasn't about to stop now. With a quick farewell, the prime minister signed off to attend to her duties as mom. (Souce: CNN )

3 - Attack on the Pitch

Paris Saint Germain midfielder arrested over teammate assault

Aminata Diallo, the French midfielder for Paris-St. Germain women’s soccer team was arrested on Wednesday for her possible connection with a brutal assault on teammate Kheira Hamraoui earlier this week. Hamraoui was pulled from a car by two masked men and beaten with iron bars on her hands and legs. Both defensive midfielders, the players have been vying for the position on the PSG team and French national side. The incident strongly evoked memories of the 1994 Tonya Harding scandal, when star skater Nancy Kerrigran was assaulted by Harding’s ex-husband, forcing her out of the competition. (Sources: ESPN , NYTimes )

4 - Uber Warned

Ride-hailing giant Uber sued by the US Justice Department

The Department of Justice has filed suit against ride-sharing giant Uber for violating the U.S Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit contends that the company's wait-time fee, charged after two minutes, disproportionately affects those with mobility issues. The Biden administration's statement against Uber alleges that the company has not made "reasonable modifications" for people with disabilities, nor have they ensured equitable fares. The lawsuit aims to induce the company to stop charging fees based on wait time and to train all staff members and drivers about ADA standards. It also holds Uber responsible for damages to passengers who were unfairly charged. (Sources: TheHill , NPR )

5 - Youth is the New Energy

UK energy company hires a board of young people

Good Energy, a renewable energy provider based in the U.K., has appointed six young people to sit on its advisory board. The Good Future Board has tapped four girls and two boys between the ages of 12 and 17 to voice their opinions on decisions that will shape the company's future. The youthful members will attend regular meetings with executives and other higher-ups to present their ideas or ask questions about business policies, environmental policies and ethics. The six board members were chosen out of a pool of 1,000 student respondents from across the U.K. in a competition organized by the environmental charity Eco Schools. (Source: BBC )

OZY COMMUNITY

Grace and Gratitude

As we enter the holiday season, we’d love to hear what you’re grateful for or what makes you smile. We’ll be sharing your thoughts in our Grace and Gratitude Corner.

“This year, for me, it is obvious: I am grateful for medical science.

I am a 72-year-old American white woman. In my lifetime, I have known people who contracted tetanus, smallpox, and polio. The ones I knew survived, but suffered disabilities, scars, shriveled legs, etc; obviously, many, many, more did not survive. I, myself, almost died as a child — first from whooping cough, and then from measles. Each of these diseases is a thing of the past in our country because of science and the scientists who spent their lives pursuing solutions.

This year, more than any prior year, I am grateful for the researchers who developed vaccines to protect us from COVID-19. They stand on the shoulders of giants." — Angela

What do you think? Want to share your thoughts on what makes you grateful this season in a 15-20 second video? Please share your video or email with us at OzyCommunity@Ozy.com.