Local News Archives

Too many foster youth in Michigan struggle in their transitions to adulthood, trying to go to school, get a job, and find a place to live, according to a new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

A new partnership is in place between Benton Harbor Area Schools and Western Michigan University. Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera made it official this week, bringing in WMU to provide training to district teachers and

Party doesn’t matter when it comes to one of the top legislative issues: bringing down the state’s high auto insurance rates. Members of both parties have identified it as their main concern going forward. Incoming House Speaker

Andrews University has announced a new formal partnership with the government of Ghana. At a meeting this week, Andrews President Andrea Luxton signed the agreement with the Ghana ambassador to the United States to create educational opportunities

UPDATE — Police say the woman has been located. Original story: Police are looking for a Granger, Indiana woman who went missing in Michigan this week. 55-year-old Dawn Marie Smith was last heard from by phone on

Two Venezuelan men have been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank larceny after being busted trying to rob an ATM in St. Joseph. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Grand Rapids tells us 32-year-old Christian

Video Playback Not Supported Embed This Video Raises have been approved for teachers at Benton Harbor Area Schools. At Tuesday’s district CEO meeting, Superintendent and CEO Robert Herrera made it official for most of the school system’s

From the Associated Press — A state scientist says he made recommendations six years ago to his superiors on how to limit exposure in Michigan to contamination from industrial compounds known as PFAS, but received no immediate

Michigan State Police are investigating the discovery of a body on the Lake Michigan shore in Allegan County. The body was found north of South Haven around 8 a.m. Wednesday, and investigators say it appears to have

South Haven Public Schools is going with Kevin Schooley as the new superintendent. The board of education voted unanimously to hire him away from the same job in Watervliet to succeed Robert Herrera. Herrera left to become

The new code of conduct for students at Benton Harbor Area Schools is now officially in place. At Tuesday’s CEO meeting, district CEO and Superintendent Robert Herrera signed off on the plan that he tells WSJM News

The Bridgman Police Department has put out a warning about a phone scam. It says it’s been getting calls from local reisdents who have been contacted by someone claiming their children or grandchildren have been arrested. The

Raises have been approved for teachers at Benton Harbor Area Schools. At Tuesday’s district CEO meeting, Superintendent and CEO Robert Herrera made it official for most of the school system’s teachers. He told WSJM News they’re getting

The Ghostlight Theater in Benton Harbor is ready to begin renovations on its Arts District building now that it’s completed the location’s purchase. Ghostlight’s Martha Hesse tells WSJM News thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, they now

This Thursday is the Great American Smokeout, when smokers are urged to give quitting a go. The Berrien County Health Department’s Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News 17% of Berrien County residents are still smokers, which is a

The Michigan Department of Transportation is ready to go for the winter. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News construction projects in southwest Michigan, especially Berrien County, look like they’ll all be wrapped up before the end of

By Doug Cunningham Creating economic development while balancing the needs of companies, communities, governments and working families is a big job. It’s a job the Cornerstone Alliance has been doing for 30 years in Berrien County. Rob

State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township has been selected as the Republican Assistant House Majority Floor Leader for the next legislative session. Whiteford tells us she’s glad to have moved up into a new leadership position.

Video Playback Not Supported Embed This Video A team from the University of Michigan has spent the past year studying problems faced by the city of Benton Harbor and how they could be addressed. At a Monday

A natural gas line outside the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office has been shut off after a construction crew struck and cut it this morning. The resulting gas leak prompted the relocation of several inmates at the jail

Some Michigan communities are already saying no to marijuana businesses after voters approved the use of the drug for people 21 and older. The St. Joseph City Commission voted prior to the election to opt out, and

We all love our pets and despite our best efforts to keep them safe and secure sometimes they escape outdoors. That’s one reason the Al-Van Humane Society and Community Education Center is having a free microchipping clinic

The St. Joseph City Commission is expecting to have the draft of a non-discrimination ordinance on the table within the next three months that would provide legal protection in the city for LGBTQ residents. Mayor pro tem

A Turkey Day tradition is ending in St. Joseph, as the city will not have the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena open on Thanksgiving this year. The numbers for skating on the holiday have been trending

A team from the University of Michigan has spent the past year studying problems faced by the city of Benton Harbor and how they could be addressed. At a Monday meeting, members of U of M’s Urban

A state lawmaker says it’s time to expunge the records of Michigan residents convicted if minor marijuana related offenses. State Representative Sheldon Neeley of Flint told Michigan News Network now that voters have approved a proposal to

A teacher for the Benton Harbor Charter School Academy is facing charges for throwing a chair in his class. Our reporting partners at WNDU NewsCenter 16 report 49-year-old Thomas Barnes of St. Joseph grabbed the chair some

From the Associated Press — The state’s Unemployment Insurance offices are adjusting their hours as part of an effort to better serve the public. The Talent Investment Agency says office hours in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and

There were big election wins for women in Michigan last week with the positions of governor, attorney general, and secretary of state all going to female candidates. Additionally, Michigan will have five women in the U.S. House