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The Latest: Congressman says water help request is key step

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - The latest on the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan (all times local):

7:30 a.m.

Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan says he's glad to see that Gov. Rick Snyder is asking President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration amid the Flint water crisis.

Kildee, a Democrat whose district includes Flint, has repeatedly called for the Republican governor to request federal resources since last fall.

Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. Local officials declared a public health emergency in October.

Kildee says in a statement that "thousands of children of Flint who have been poisoned are the victims in this situation." He says Snyder's request "is an important step toward making sure they get the help they need."

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5:45 a.m.

Michigan's attorney general says he plans to investigate Flint's water crisis.

The announcement early Friday from the office of Bill Schuette says he'll seek to determine what, if any, Michigan laws were violated. He says work on the investigation will begin immediately.

Schuette says in a statement that the situation in Flint "is a human tragedy in which families are struggling with even the most basic parts of daily life."

Federal prosecutors said earlier this month they're working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on an investigation into problems with lead in Flint's water supply.

The announcement from Michigan's attorney general comes just hours after Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced he's asking President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration.

Security guards address more than 150 protestors who gather in the Capitol to ask for Gov. Rick Snyder's resignation in relation to Flint's water crisis on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 in Lansing, Mich. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) The Associated Press
Michigan Nation Guard Sgt. Steve Kiger, left, of Harrison, Mich., stacks cases of drinking water with Red Cross volunteer Franklin Dickerson of Pleasant Ridge Wednesday Jan 13, 2016 in Flint, Mich. Members of the Michigan National Guard began arriving in Flint on Wednesday for briefings on the drinking water crisis, ahead of a larger contingent of Guardsmen who will help distribute bottled water, filters and other supplies to residents. (Dale G. Young/Detroit News via AP) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT The Associated Press
Flint residents Keri Webber, left, and Janice Barryman, center shouts out in support as more than 150 gather to protest against Gov. Rick Snyder, asking for his resignation and arrest in relation to Flint's water crisis on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 at the Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) The Associated Press
Flint resident Tony Palladino Jr.'s sign reads "Synder's dirty little secret" atop a crossed out city of Flint on the map on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 outside of the Capitol in Lansing, Mich., in protest against Gov. Rick Snyder, asking for his resignation and arrest in relation to Flint's water crisis. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) The Associated Press
More than 150 protestors from Flint and Detroit chant in solidarity in the main lobby, asking for the resignation of Gov. Rick Snyder in relation to Flint's water crisis on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 at the Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) The Associated Press
Flint resident David Harris, 58, sits alone as he watches out the window upon arrival at the Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, as he rides one of three buses with about 150 people from Flint and Detroit, gathering to protest against Gov. Rick Snyder. Protestors asked for Snyder's resignation and arrest in relation to Flint's water crisis. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) The Associated Press
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