Local News Archives

From the Associated Press — Experts say the 2020 failure of two dams on a Michigan river was “foreseeable and preventable.” A five-member panel appointed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a report Wednesday. It says

The state of Michigan announced a new program designed to increase access to financial services for under served Michiganders. The new initiative offers low-cost bank accounts for Michiganders who are unbanked or underbanked. Anita Fox is director

The United Way of Southwest Michigan has recognized community contributions with its annual Celebration awards. The United Way tells us more: “This past year—a year full of challenges for so many—we nonetheless had another successful annual campaign,

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island opens for the season tomorrow. David Jurcak is president of operations for the hotel. “Huge excitement, not only for us, but across the island,” says Jurcak. “You see more businesses and

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says 18,945 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week. There were 62 people who died from the virus. A total of 36,064 Michiganders have died from

A draft opinion that suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision is reverberating in political battleground Michigan. The state has a pre-Roe abortion ban that may take effect

Coming back to Buchanan this year is the Summer Concert Series. Ashley Regal with Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce tells WSJM News they offer free concerts at The Common every summer and they always attract a good

Lake Michigan College has honored Spectrum Health Lakeland CEO Loren Hamel with its highest honor, the Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Hamel received it at LMC’s commencement May 1. College Board of Trustees Secretary Mary

Congressman Fred Upton is urging Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to promote more domestic production of nuclear fuel and to support the construction of new nuclear power plants in the United States. He and House Energy and Commerce

A water resource fair will be held in Benton Harbor next week. Michigan EGLE environmental justice advocate Regina Strong tells WSJM News it will be a chance for residents to learn more about what’s available to help

Paw Paw Public Schools will be seeing some improvements now that voters have approved a bonding proposal on the ballot Tuesday. Superintendent Rick Reo tells WSJM News the district had two proposals on the ballot, one that

The language of three recall petitions targeting two city officials in New Buffalo has been approved by the Berrien County Election Commission. The Berrien County Clerk’s office tells us the petitions seek the recall of Mayor John

From the Associated Press — Agents says a Detroit man was making $2,000 a day for four years selling marijuana from a vending machine attached to his home. The man was arrested last week and charged with

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has overwhelmingly approved a spending bill that would fund new college scholarship program for high school graduates and increase operations funding for state universities by 11% overall. The legislation,

Consumers Energy has kicked off a new program for residential and business customers who want to offset carbon emissions from their natural gas use and help protect the planets atmosphere. Greg Salisbury, vice president of gas engineering

Volunteers are signing up to watch sturgeon along the Black River in Cheboygan County in northern Michigan to protect them from poachers. But president of Sturgeon for Tomorrow-Black Lake chapter, Brenda Archambo, told Michigan News Network more

Michigan lawmakers and pro-choice advocates were among those gathering Tuesday at courthouses, calling on the U-S Supreme Court to protect a person’s right to an abortion. Politico obtained and released a draft majority opinion indicating that five

The Blossomtime Kings and Queens will be going on a tour of southwest Michigan next week, and one place they’ll stop is the birthplace of the Blossomtime Festival in Benton Harbor. Michael Hoyh with the Legacy Group

Congressman Fred Upton says he was disappointed the draft decision on Roe vs. Wade was leaked out of the Supreme Court Tuesday. He tells WSJM News that’s a first. “I don’t ever remember something like that happening

Set for this Friday is the Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor’s annual Rotary Track Meet at St. Joseph High School. The Rotary’s Randy Bettich tells WSJM News the event started in 1958 and was limited last

The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety is investigating what it says is the suspicious death of a child. It says officers were called to the 700 block of Columbia Avenue around 1 p.m. on Tuesday on

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says she won’t enforce a state law banning abortion that will take effect once the U.S. Supreme Court releases its formal opinion overturning Roe vs. Wade, assuming that’s what it will do.

The Orchards Mall in Benton Township has found a new use for one of its vacant store spaces, and it’s hoping the approach could mark the start of a new life for the facility. Mall Manager Christina

If you’re looking for a pet for your home, the Bissell Pet Foundation is funding Empty The Shelters over the next two weeks. 45 shelters in Michigan are involved. Bissell Pet Foundation founder Cathy Bissell told Michigan

There’s excitement up north as the historic sites of Mackinac State Historic Parks are opening for the 2022 season beginning Tuesday through Friday. Dominick Miller, Chief of Marketing for Mackinac State Historic Parks, told Michigan News Network

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she will “fight like hell to protect abortion access in Michigan.” She posted that on Twitter after a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court shows they have voted to overturn the

An attempt to stop all new short-term rentals in South Haven has come up short. Councilman Joe Reeser made the motion at the end of Monday night’s meeting and had support from councilwomen Letitia Wilkins and Wendi

Benton Harbor City Commissioners will continue to use accounting firm Plante Moran to perform the duties of city finance director while they seek someone who can perform the job on an in-house basis. During a Monday meeting,

From the Associated Press — Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Rinke says his “bold” proposal to eliminate Michigan’s personal income tax would help residents and sets him apart in a 10-person primary field. Rinke launched a 10-day bus