Local News Archives

The Berrien County Parks Department is preparing for a busy summer, and it’s looking for some help. Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News they need the usual lifeguards for Silver Beach, but also staff to do

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has taken another shot at the Pure Michigan tourism advertising campaign. Mackinac Center Policy Analyst Michael LaFaive tells WSJM News a Michigan Auditor General review found more than $13 million in

Congressman Fred Upton is waiting for the latest word on the fate of Ibrahim Parlak. The Kurdish immigrant has been fighting deportation to Turkey for years with Upton on his side. Upton tells WSJM News he went

Prescription drug prices must come down. That’s the message from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow is is introducing a three bill package to lower the cost of medicine. She told Michigan News Network there are more lobbyists in

From the Associated Press — The state of Michigan has declared a winner in its contest to find new ideas for preventing Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes. The top award of $200,000 in the “Carp Tank”

South Haven Public Schools are signing on to the “Be Nice” program that started in Grand Rapids and is making its way around Michigan. Sandy VanderRoest of South Haven Public Schools spoke with WSJM News about the

The first ever 40 Under 40 list has been released, and it includes a cross section of southwest Michigan’s best and brightest go-getters under the age of 40. Announced on Monday’s Moody in the Morning show, the

State Senator John Proos has introduced legislation designed to provide relief to small distillers who use Michigan-grown grain. He tells WSJM News his plan would change how liquor sales are handled in the state by reducing Michigan

St. Joseph City Commissioners have indicated their support for installing life rings along the north pier. At Monday’s meeting, the city commission instructed the city manager to work out a maintenance agreement with the Berrien County Sheriff’s

A local fruit grower has been picked by Governor Rick Snyder to sit on the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission. Herb Teichman, owner of the Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire, will be on that body created in

To celebrate Easter, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s Four Winds Casinos have announced the donation of about 1,000 meals to people in need around southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. The Pokagons tell us many of the meals

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is planning some clean-up events at west Michigan state parks this Saturday, and it could use some volunteers. Specifically, it tells us those who show up will be removing invasive plant

With new tax laws now in place, the Internal Revenue Service wants to make sure everyone is paying the right amount in taxes from their paychecks. Spokesperson Alejandra Castro Nunez tells WSJM News they have an online

Michigan’s Tobacco Quit Line is giving away free nicotine gum, patches, and lozenges through May 31. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services tells us all new enrollees in the quit smoking service can get a

The Michigan Supreme Court has weighed in on the Coloma gun range lawsuit, declining to overturn an appeals court ruling that suspended shooting at the range by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. The legal fight between some

Auto insurance rates are going up in Michigan in July. The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association is raising the fee it charges every driver for catastrophic health care by $22. State Representative Peter Lucido of Macomb County told

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is inviting all area residents to take part in a statewide tornado drill next month. It tells us Governor Rick Snyder has declared April 8 through April 14 as Severe Weather

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for four Michigan counties affected by severe flooding in February. Governor Rick Snyder announced Friday the declaration covers Arenac, Berrien, Ingham, and Kalamazoo counties, along with the

From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ann Arbor has been gifted $150 million to boost research. University regents are expected Thursday to approve renaming the facility the Rogel Cancer Center after

Legislation now introduced in the Michigan House and Senate would exempt students working part-time at a community college from contributing to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. Co-sponsor state Senator John Proos tells WSJM News, right

Michigan fishing season starts this Sunday, and state Senator John Proos is reminding everyone that new licenses are available online. He tells us the state’s fishing industry contributes billions of dollars to the Michigan economy each year,

Information given to WSJM News and other media outlets this week by the acting superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools about a resolution approved by the school board to not renew the contracts of five administrators was

From the Associated Press — A woman and her boyfriend have been convicted in the death of her 4-year-old daughter, who was found wrapped in blankets and duct tape at their Kalamazoo home. A jury convicted Matthew Longenecker

Almost 90% of drivers are worried about distracted driving. A new survey by AAA finding that it’s the top concern among drivers. That’s even more so than drunk driving and aggressive driving. Susan Hiltz is a spokesperson

Thursday marked the first annual Vietnam Veterans Day in Michigan. The state legislature designated March 29th as the day to honor their service. Lynn O’Brien is the Director of Veteran Affairs for State Senator Mike Kowal. “They

One man is facing charges following a meth bust in Cass County this week. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells us its drug enforcement team searched a home in the 70,000 block of Kenmoore Drive in Ontwa

The streets were lined with well-wishers as the triumphant Benton Harbor Tigers basketball team rode atop a fire engine through the city Thursday in a parade to celebrate their state championship. It ended at the high school

A recent book drive undertaken by the United Way of Southwestern Michigan collected more than 10,800 books for kids from kindergarten all the way through the 12th grade in Berrien and Cass counties. The United Way’s Julee

The Allegan County Health Department has received a $20,000 grant from the state to increase hepatitis A vaccinations. It tells us the money comes from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which set aside a