Local News Archives

A bill from state Representative Pauline Wendzel that seeks to fix a problem that prevents some community college students from participating in sports has been approved by a Michigan House committee. She tells WSJM News this concerns

A new director has been hired for the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Jessica Ishmael is taking over following the retirement of Sue Kellogg at the end of this month. The SMSO board says Ishmael has a career

From the Associated Press — A judge has suspended Michigan’s dormant ban on abortion, saying it likely violates the state constitution. The law makes it a crime to assist in an abortion. It has been on the

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and other dignitaries launched the Caring for MI Future plan in Battle Creek this week. The plan will invest $100 million to aid in the recruitment of child care providers and staff as

Things are better than last year, but Michigan hotels and restaurants are still significantly short-staffed as we head into the summer tourist season. CEO Justin Winslow at the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association told Michigan News Network

It’s been a year since Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s order to close the Line 5 pipelines was supposed to take effect – but the pipeline system is still operating, and its company Enbridge Energy is proposing an expansion.

Over 1.1 million Michiganders are planning to travel for Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A Michigan says its the second-highest single-year increase in travelers since 2010, with last year being the highest. 92% will drive, with 5% flying to

A group in the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area is starting a diaper bank for mothers who need a little help. Speaking to Benton Harbor City Commissioners Monday was June Bowman with United Through Motherhood. She said the

From the Associated Press — A man walking on a footbridge to a Detroit Tigers game says he fell 15 feet to the ground when part of the concrete collapsed. Ely Hydes said the incident occurred May

A church in St. Joseph has donated nearly $20,000 to relief efforts in Ukraine. The Rev. Jeffrey Hubers with First Congregational Church of St. Joseph tells WSJM News the church holds rummage sales twice a year, and

Amanda Quinn has been named the 2022 South Haven Area Emergency Services Fire Fighter of the Year. SHAES says Quinn was honored during the department’s annual banquet on April 30. She had been a full-time member of

Harbor Shores has announced its investing more than $200,000 in trail improvements around the Benton Harbor development. It’s going to upgrade the walking trail areas along Jean Klock Road and construct new signage welcoming walkers to the

Two motorcyclists are dead following a crash in Cass County on Monday. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says it happened at the intersection of US 12 and Baldwin Prairie Road in Porter Township shortly before 4:40 a.m.

Two of the four juveniles pulled from Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park on Sunday have died. The Baroda-Lake Police Department tells us police responded to a report of a drowning around 6:20 p.m. and found

Free bottled water continues to be provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for City of Benton Harbor residents for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula. To arrange

A 74-year-old Benton Harbor man has claimed his $128,166 prize from the Michigan Lottery for the Fantasy 5 drawing on May 7. Odell Smith says he purchased the winning ticket at Lambrecht’s on Niles Avenue in St.

The city of South Haven is enforcing its new beach ordinance, adopted in January. City Manager Kate Hosier says they are taking an “aggressive stance on water safety.” Violators face a $1,000 fine and civil infraction for

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was among the speakers at an abortion rights rally outside Grand Rapids City Hall on Saturday. Hundreds gathered to support their rights to have control over their bodies, and Nessel said she

Michigan’s average gas price continues to rise and set records. Triple-A Michigan says the price is up 5¢ from last week to $4.38 a gallon, which is up 48¢ in the past month and $1.43 more than

Four juveniles from the South Bend area had to be rescued from Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park on Sunday. The Baroda-Lake Township Police Department says that they were dispatched to the park just before 6:20

A new study from the Krasl Art Center takes a look at the impact the center and the Krasl Art Fair have on the local economy. Krasl Events Director Jamie Balkin tells WSJM News it’s found the

The fourth annual Niles Renaissance Faire is set for this month. The Niles Renaissance Faire was started in 2017 by Carrie Nyenhuis when she was approached by a friend who worked for the city of Niles and

The St. Joseph Lincoln Senior Service Center is teaming up with Papa Vino’s restaurant in St. Joseph for a fundraiser. The center’s Cindi McLaughlin tells WSJM News it’s part of an ongoing effort for a new feature

Have you booked your summer vacation yet? Prepare for sticker shock with Michigan hotels. David Fishman with Cadillac Travel says the price of hotels is up an average of 25 to 30% this year. If you want

Michigan State Police will hold an event in Niles this month to check child passenger safety seats to make sure they’re properly installed. Parents of small children who use the car seats can stop by and have

Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad will hold a press conference next week to give his response to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s request for approval to officially close the Eric McGinnis case. The AG’s office determined the

Maskot/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — During the early days of the pandemic, Cayci Weaver was able to hold on to her teaching job. Educating high school students, however, was not easy; the switch to remote learning was a

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and everyone’s being reminded of the need for loving foster families in Berrien County. Mikayla Valentine is a recruitment specialist for Bethany Christian Services in Benton Harbor and tells WSJM News