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Here’s a round-up of Flint’s Juneteenth events
Flint, MI—Though June 19 falls on a Monday this year, that hasn’t slowed organizers from planning a host of festivities around the Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Starting June 9, whether you’re looking to celebrate or participate in Flint’s Juneteenth events, here’s a round up of options to…
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General Motors announces $1 billion investment in Flint facilities
Flint, MI—General Motors (GM) today announced a $1 billion investment in its Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center facilities. The funds will go toward preparing both plants for production of the company’s next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) heavy-duty trucks, but for some GM workers, the investment is more personal. “It’s life-changing,” said Tommy Garner, a…
Where should a $1.7 million opiate settlement go? Those impacted, doing the work weigh in
Flint, MI – Erik Fowler was always good at fixing things. When his mother, Tracy Fowler, bought a rental home in Mount Morris, Mich. he completely redid the windows and helped with the renovations. “He was very smart,” she said. “He could fix just about anything…”He was always a daredevil,” she said. “He had a…
Flint DDA revisits credit card policy amid concern over former director’s spending
Flint, MI—Officials shared more details this week regarding “improper” charges on former Flint Downtown Development Authority (DDA) executive director Kiaira May’s credit card. May’s spending was originally brought to public attention on May 22, 2023, when Flint City Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer shared a letter he penned to Mayor Sheldon Neeley, who serves as the chairman…
New MCC program to offer former students a debt-free ‘fresh start’
Flint, MI—Mott Community College (MCC) has launched a program to help its former students re-enroll by waiving their debt owed, if eligible. Individuals with an outstanding balance from their enrollment between the fall 2017 and fall 2022 semesters can apply for MCC’s Financial Fresh Start program, which launched in the college’s summer 2023 semester. Chris…
Recall language filed against Flint councilwoman Judy Priestley: what happens next?
Flint, MI — A Flint resident submitted recall language against City Councilwoman Judy Priestley on May 23, 2023, citing that she was “failing to work effectively with her colleagues.” Adam Ford, who filed the language, told Flint Beat he thinks every city council member should be recalled, but he’s just doing his part as a…
Flint Public Library invites residents to its name change celebration
Flint, MI—The Flint Public Library (FPL) is changing its name in honor of the library’s former director, Gloria Coles, on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The library is inviting the public to attend its name change ceremony from the Flint Public Library to the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library at 2 p.m that afternoon. The ceremony…
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First Fridays are back in Flint this summer
Flint, MI — Four years ago, Flint-based artist Pauly Everett saw a need for local creatives to have a space to share their work. “I’m out in the streets just trying to get artists and musicians together. Whether I’m doing it voluntarily or getting paid . . . it just has to happen in Flint,”…
Flint Soap Box Derby race to be held this weekend at Chevy Commons
Flint, MI–The Flint Soap Box Derby will “race into summer” this Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Chevy Commons. The race returned to Flint in 2019, but had to take a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 before launching again in 2022. Throughout that time, Kevin Cronin, the executive director of…
Here’s the schedule for Flint mobile food pantries in June
Flint, MI—The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released its mobile food pantry schedule for June 2023. Here’s where and when pantries will be operating in Flint over the next month: To find local pantries by zip code or to donate to the program, visit the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan’s website. Click here for updates…
Briefs
Flint Water Tower to go offline for planned maintenance and upgrades
Flint, MI—Crews will isolate and take the Flint Water Tower offline tomorrow, May 31, 2023, for interior upgrades and maintenance, according to a May 30 city press release. The release states that the tower’s primary purpose is to control pressure in Flint’s water system and that the city has put a “variety of other tools”…
MSU to host virtual community resource summit for Flint residents
Flint, MI—Michigan State University (MSU) is set to host “Be In The Know,” a virtual community resource summit, on May 25, 2023, from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. According to a MSU press release, the event is meant to inform the Flint community of resources and services “designed to strengthen individuals and families with knowledge…
Flint residents to see lane and ramp closures on I-69, I-475, M-54 for tree planting work
Flint, MI—Things are about to get a bit greener along Flint’s highways. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is starting to plant trees along the Interstate 69 (I-69) corridor from Fenton Road to M-54, also known as Dort Highway. According to a MDOT press release on May 16, 2023, the tree planting follows a $100 million…
Flintside, Flint Beat invite residents to story series wrap-up event
Flint, MI—Local newsrooms Flint Beat and Flintside are inviting residents to come out and elevate their voices at special story series wrap-up event this week. The special, in-person event will take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in the Flint Public Library’s Harris Room from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There, newsroom leaders will highlight stories from…
Over 20 Flint-based small businesses receive $5k, $10k grants
Flint, MI—More than 20 Flint-based small businesses have been awarded a total of $200,000 in funding from the Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program. The program is a partnership between General Motors (GM) and the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, who jointly announced on May 15, 2023, that 23 small businesses in Flint received…
Flint Water Crisis
Contempt motion filed against city, Flint mayor for failing to meet lead pipe replacement deadlines
Flint, MI—A motion filed on May 26, 2023, claims the City of Flint and Mayor Sheldon Neeley should be held in contempt for violating a February 2023 federal court order regarding the city’s ongoing lead pipe replacement program. That order required Flint to reach certain milestones in the program, like filling in missing information on…
Nine years later: Water crisis settlement claims delayed, residents say process is unfair
Flint, MI — On April 25, 2023, community members and activists gathered at the People’s Church in Flint. There were refreshments and music, but the event was not a celebration. It was a time to remember the last nine years since the water crisis began. Just a month earlier on March 30, 2023, Special Master…
Flint residents may be eligible for $1500 in water bill help
Flint, MI — Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD) will be onsite at Flint City Hall Monday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to connect residents to assistance with past-due water bills. Flint residents may be eligible for a one-time water payment of up to $1500 if qualified. Flint residents can meet with GCCARD caseworkers…
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