Local News Archives

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is closing indoor seating in bars in parts of the state, including a city with a bar that has been linked to a rising number of infections. Whitmer on Wednesday also signed a bill

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders in Michigan have announced a plan to plug a budget hole for the coming year. Speaking Tuesday, the governor said the plan provides federal COVID-19 relief funding for schools, universities, community

Congressman Fred Upton has signed on to a letter asking Governor Gretchen Whitmer to end a policy that has COVID-19 patients placed in nursing homes to recover. The letter is from 10th District Congressman Paul Mitchell. Upton

From the Associated Press — A board overseeing Michigan’s Capitol has determined that it has the legal authority to decide if guns will continue to be allowed in the Lansing building and on its grounds. The Michigan

A music video produced in Benton Harbor and highlighting the importance of filling out the census is among the finalists in a national competition. The U.S. Census Bureau’s the Get Out the Count Video Prize Competition received

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation allocating more than $850 million in federal COVID-19 relief money. The office of the governor has released the following statement: Today, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 690, which appropriates nearly $880

From the Associated Press — Orders have been issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that allow for expanded visitations at nursing and other residential facilities. Visits to the facilities have been restricted to

Those who plan to set off fireworks as they celebrate the nation’s independence this Fourth of July are being asked to take care not to start wildfires. Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildfire prevention specialist Paul Rogers

Health officials continue to implore the public to wear face coverings as COVID-19 cases shoot back up around the country. Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit told WSJM News this week while there technically is an order in

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan remains in a better position than most other states when it comes to COVID-19, but the news still isn’t great. Speaking Tuesday, Whitmer said we’ve seen some places in Michigan become high

Opening for the season this week is the Benton Harbor Farmers Market. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News since it’s an outdoor event, people can social distance and still make healthy food purchases.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Schools Roadmap has been released, directing school districts throughout the state to draw up their own back to school plans with local conditions and local health departments as their guide. She was

Michigan is reporting 373 additional cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 63,870 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported 32

From the Associated Press — A Michigan regulatory agency has denied Enbridge’s request for quick approval of its plan to put a replacement oil pipeline beneath a Great Lakes channel. The state Public Service Commission on Tuesday

The former Lewis Cass Building in downtown Lansing has been renamed the Elliott-Larsen Building by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Her office announced on Tuesday the governor would honor the state legislators behind Michigan’s civil rights law, the Elliott

From the Associated Press — Dealerships in northern Indiana that sell recreational vehicles are seeing a surge in demand for RVs as people eye summer road trips with their families in place of air travel and cruises

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released her plan for a return to school in the fall. The Return to School Roadmap directs districts to come up with localized plans for classes with the help of their health departments.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is conducting a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign for the Fourth of July. As the holiday approaches, it says you will see increased enforcement on the roads with zero tolerance

A major reconstruction and improvement project is underway on Red Arrow Highway in Union Pier. The Berrien County Board of Commissioners last week signed off on the county’s portion of the work, which will be repaving from

The suspension of any evictions in Michigan has been extended until July 15. Governor Gretchen Whitmer last week also created an eviction diversion program that provides landlords with a process to get rental assistance. Attorney Matthew Paletz

Michigan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic seems to be going well as the numbers are staying relatively steady, but could we see a second spike like we have in other parts of our country? Governor Gretchen Whitmer

WSJM Morning News-6/30/2020 WSJM News is sponsored by Special-Lite in Decatur & Benton Harbor. There’s a good chance you’ve walked through a special-lite door when you go to a local restaurant, school, store, or plant. In this

How can the city of St. Joseph fight institutional racism and promote social justice? That was the topic of discussion at a Monday meeting of the city commission and public. The meeting came as the city responds

Concerned about coronavirus in the pool? It’s probably safe. Dr. Frank Esper is an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. He spoke with Michigan News Network. “This is something that really has been spreading at this

There’s a whole lot of work planned for Napier Avenue in the coming month. Berrien County Road Department Director Jason Latham tells WSJM News there will be two projects starting Monday. The first is the long-awaited reconstruction

Whirlpool has announced layoffs as it works to weather the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company said on Monday it’s previously offered employees a voluntary retirement program, and also reduced budgets, implemented furloughs, restricted travel,

A state budget agreement has been announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Republican leaders in the Michigan Legislature. The office of the governor has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is meeting with her COVID-19 task force Tuesday to discuss the possibility of re-engaging in face-to-face learning. She’ll have more information to release soon. “We will be able to give people some guidelines and

A donation of equipment to South Haven Area Emergency Services will enable its on-call staff to respond more quickly to water rescue situations. SHAES says Albemarle Corporation of South Haven has given the agency a grant to

Michigan is reporting 236 additional cases of COVID-19 for Monday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 63,497 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported four