MLive:  “A federal court judge has given final approval to a historic partial settlement of lawsuits related to the Flint water crisis.  U.S. District Court Judge Judith E. Levy filed her approval order Wednesday, Nov. 10, calling the $626-million settlement fair, reasonable and adequate.

“’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, regardless of whether they are members of a class or are non-class individuals represented by their own counsel,’ the 178-page order says in part. ‘For the reasons set forth below, the objections to the settlement are denied, and final approval of the settlement is granted.’

“Children who were 6 years old and younger during the Flint water crisis are the biggest potential beneficiaries of the settlement with the state of Michigan, the city of Flint, McLaren Regional Medical Center, and Rowe Professional Services.  Nearly 80 percent of the settlement, which state officials have said is likely the largest in Michigan history, would be paid to children who were younger than 18 when they were first exposed to Flint River water, which contained elevated levels of lead and bacteria in 2014 and 2015.  Levy’s approval comes despite objections from some Flint residents, including former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.”