🌱 Patch AM: What 2026 EPA court battles could mean for Flint families

Morning Flint! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What 2026 EPA court battles could mean for Flint families
• How Flint’s 1936 sit-down strike still shapes workers’ rights today
• Could free tuition help you finish college like this Flint student?

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: A little snow in the p.m., with a high of 24 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Wednesday: A little snow, up to 1"; cold, temps: high: 25, low: 9.
• Thursday: A couple of flurries, with a high of 18 and low of 14 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Flint water crisis lawsuits against EPA may finally end up in federal courtrooms in 2026 (michiganpublic.org) — Flint residents may finally see two major lawsuits against the EPA over the water crisis go to trial in 2026, while payouts from a separate settlement fund have already begun. The cases argue federal regulators failed to act quickly enough as lead contaminated the city’s drinking water. Thousands of local property damage claims have been paid since the online portal opened in December.
   

2. Tuesday marks 89th anniversary of sit-down strike (abc12.com) — Flint is marking 89 years since workers occupied GM’s Fisher Body Plant #1 here, launching the historic Sit-Down Strike that reshaped auto labor rights nationwide. The 44-day action forced General Motors to sign a contract with the UAW, inspiring White Shirt Day and symbolizing long-term respect for blue-collar workers’ dignity.
   

3. Michigan Reconnect empowers thousands with free education, sparking stories like Darell's (midmichigannow.com) — A Flint student at Mott Community College is showing how Michigan Reconnect can help adults return to school tuition-free and finish a degree or trade credential. Darell Brown, now studying social work, credits the program for getting him back on track and urges other Flint residents of any age to apply through local community colleges year-round.
   

4. USACE's Major General Jason Kelly & Modernizing America's Waterways (marinelink.com) — A top U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leader who grew up in Flint says seeing his hometown’s infrastructure struggles fuels his push to modernize America’s aging waterways. Major General Jason Kelly now oversees national civil works projects, stressing urgent investment in locks, dams, and navigation systems that underpin the economy. His Flint roots shape his sense of responsibility for safer, more reliable infrastructure.
   

5. This Week in Labor History December 29-January 11 (labortribune.com) — Flint gets a key mention in this labor-history roundup for the famous 1936 GM sit-down strike, which began here and lasted 44 days, ending in a major union victory. The piece walks through other notable labor milestones from late December to early January, from OSHA’s creation to the Emancipation Proclamation and the Palmer Raids.
   

📸 Around Flint

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 31

• New Year's Eve- City Hall Closed
  Fenton, MI Calendar
• City Hall Closed
  City Hall , 132 E Broad St , Linden
• Tri County Ninja – Adaptive Ninja
  Tri County Ninja & Collectibles , 14283 Fenton Rd , Fenton
  6:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• New Year's Day- City Hall Closed
  Fenton, MI Calendar
• City Hall Closed - New Year's Day
  Davison, MI Calendar Davison, MI 48423

Friday January 2

• FREE Fitness Friday
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Main Hall
  5:30 pm

Saturday January 3

• LakeVille Youth Basketball
  LakeVille High School Gym
  8:00 am
• Winterguard
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Main Hall
  9:00 am
• Paint Like Bob Ross
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Art Room
  1:00 pm

Sunday January 4

• Soccer open gym
  LakeVille Middle School Gym
  5:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Track & Field Conditioning
  LakeVille High School Gym
  6:00 am
• Restorative Yoga
  Fenton Community & Cultural Center Van Gilder
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Flint PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• How to Practice Forest Bathing: A Step-by-Step Guide —Tracy Congdon Read on Patch

• EMERGENCY PLEASEHELP.
  If your on fenton rd by Bridge please help asap 80 year old man car in flood out by the water were trying to help him get it out I'm a female (Nextdoor South Flint)
• 10 Chef-Curated Buddha Bowl Recipes
  1. Mediterranean Bliss Bowl Servings: 2Total Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa 1 cup water 1 cup roasted red peppers (jarred or homemade) 1… (Nextdoor Carpenter Rd / Belsay Rd)

• ‘Extreme flooding’ shuts down portion of NB, SB I-75 in Genesee County/... (X: flintjournal)
• Genesee County logs 13 accidents in 59 minutes during snow squall warning/... (X: flintjournal)

• The Guitar Center posted a job opening for Music Teacher Store 322 in Flint. Apply here.
• Venteon posted a job opening for Machine Builder in Flint. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Flint here.

Ok Flint! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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