Nightside Report April 23, 2021: Progress made, but problems still exist in Flint water crisis; US lifts pause, allowing Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations to resume

Here are tonight’s top stories

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel weighs in on Flint water crisis

Flint water crisis: Progress made, but problems still exist

DETROIT – It’s been seven years since the water switch that took lives, impacted the health of thousands and exposed dangerous government flaws.

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While much has changed in Flint, there’s still a lot left to be done.

Food and bottled water are still being handed out for those who don’t trust the water pipes, but the days of widespread distraction are over.

To date roughly 10,000 lead pipes have been replaced. Officials claim the project is about 90% complete. While the COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress, it also caused the city to take another economic hit.

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The latest: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 814,622; Death toll now at 17,168

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Metro Detroit weather: Breaking down rain chances for this weekend

We finally got temperatures back to seasonal norms, but can we keep it going for the weekend?

Click here to read the full forecast.

4 Fast Facts

  • A police manhunt in New Boston is looking for a suspected shooter in connection with a road rage shooting on I-94 Friday. Click here to read more.
  • A parking lot in Berkley was transformed into a mobile COVID vaccination clinic. Click here to read more.
  • Big portions of the city of Highland Park have gone without streetlights for years and an activist group is trying to change that. Click here to read more.
  • The Drug Enforcement Agency and Detroit Police Department are joining Saturday for something they hope will have an impact far greater than any drug bust. Click here to read more.

Be Informed

US lifts pause, allowing Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations to resume

The CDC Advisory Panel voted to lift the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause and recommended its use in those over the age of 18.

After the vote, U.S. health officials lifted the 11-day pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccinations.

Click here to read more.

‘We are in a public health crisis’: More children being hospitalized due to COVID

Pediatric COVID-19 hospitalization rates increased 311% between Feb. 19 and April 20, 2021 in Michigan.

That’s according to data from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA). The data shows that the number of children hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms hit a high of 70 this week.

Click here to read more.

Governor’s Office works to clarify Whitmer’s comments about not traveling

Critics are calling out Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for allegedly being a little less than truthful when asked if she traveled anywhere following her trip to Florida to visit her father.

The Governor’s personal trip to visit her sick father made headlines again after critics pointed to a recent interview on the Michigan Information and Research Service podcast that aired April 12. In the interview, Whitmer was asked where she could travel for spring break if she could.

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About the Author:

DeJanay Booth joined WDIV as a web producer in July 2020. She previously worked as a news reporter in New Mexico before moving back to Michigan.