Jun 14, 2017

Head of Michigan health dept. charged over Flint crisis

Carlos Osorio / AP

Nick Lyon, the head of Michigan's health department, was charged with involuntary manslaughter today for his role in the Flint water contamination scandal, becoming the highest-ranking state official to be charged thus far, per the AP.

The accusation: Lyon didn't tell the public about an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease, a bacterial pneumonia often linked with poor water quality, in Flint at the time of its water crisis.

Refresh your memory: The city of Flint changed its water source to the Flint River in 2014. The high levels of chemicals in the untreated water caused lead from plumbing systems to leach into the water supply.

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Dave Lawler

21 mins ago - World

Putin sets referendum that could allow him to rule until 2036 for July 1

Putin has not seemed to enjoy governing by video conference. Photo: Alexey Nikolsky/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set July 1 as the new date for a constitutional referendum that could allow him to remain in power through 2036.

Why it matters: Putin was forced to delay the referendum from April due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has set the date despite Russia's continued struggles to contain its outbreak. Putin's popularity has fallen in recent weeks amid his response to the pandemic and its economic repercussions.

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Dan Primack

49 mins ago - Economy & Business

A busy week for IPOs despite upheaval from protests and pandemic

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

This week is expected to be the busiest for U.S. IPOs since February, with Warner Music leading a group of four companies that could raise over $3 billion.

Why it matters: This shouldn't be happening, under any traditional rubric for how markets work.

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Ina Fried, Kyle Daly

59 mins ago - Technology

How Big Tech has responded to the protests

A protester holds a sign in downtown Minneapolis to protest the death of George Floyd on May 31. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

An explosive weekend in America sent Silicon Valley grasping for moral clarity. While many companies and executives spoke out against racial inequities, critics and even some of the rank-and-file found some of the companies' responses lacking.

Why it matters: Tech companies have giant platforms, and their leaders have become public figures, many of them household names. History will record their words and actions — which, in the case of platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, directly shape the bounds of public discourse.

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