Local News Archives

The Republican-led Michigan House has defeated legislation to lower the state’s income tax. The bill that fell three votes short of passage early Thursday would lower the 4.25% tax to 4.05% by 2019 and then to 3.9%

Less snow this winter has meant savings for some municipalities in southwest Michigan. Tom MacDonald is the director of public works for the city of St. Joseph, and tells WSJM News no snow means time and money

Public tours of the courthouse and jail in Van Buren County are being offered over the next couple of months. Court Administrator Frank Hardester tells WSJM News they’re doing them to show people why the county is asking

A busy year is being planned by the Benton Harbor Downtown Development Authority. President Richard Hensel tells WSJM News, for one thing, they’re aiming to have a block party this June to raise money for the annual

A new study by BankRate.com has found just 52% of Americans have more money stashed away for emergencies than they owe in credit card debt. BankRate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride tells Michigan News Network folks are spending too

You may have noticed by now that this winter hasn’t featured a whole lot of snow around southwest Michigan. That might be good for you, but plow companies have been hurt. Drew Maier owns King Chop, a

The Michigan State Police trooper attacked this week while making a traffic stop and one of the men who rescued him are speaking out. Jerry Burnham told our partners at WNDU NewsCenter 16 it was his wife

Lakeland Health is asking anyone with the flu to refrain from visiting loved ones that might be staying at one of its facilities. It’s just about the peak of the flu season, and Lakeland tells WSJM News

From the Associated Press — A Detroit suburb that denied a religious organization’s proposal for a mosque in a residential neighborhood has agreed to settle two federal lawsuits that alleged discrimination. The Sterling Heights City Council voted late

From the Associated Press — A license plate, and a winning lottery ticket? In northern Michigan, the state lottery says it will allow people to claim large winnings at Secretary of State offices in four cities. The money

From the Associated Press — A northern Indiana high school is auctioning off parts of its gymnasium floor and other items that feature the Redskins nickname and mascot that were retired last year. Goshen High School dropped the

Governor Rick Snyder still has concerns about the fiscal implications of an income tax cut after House Republicans revised their legislation. The Republican governor issued a statement Tuesday night saying he appreciates House leaders taking seriously his

It’s big money for the city of Benton Harbor. On Tuesday, Governor Rick Snyder’s office announced a $396,000 grant for the community under the Distressed Cities, Villages and Townships Program for some water projects. City Manager Darwin Watson

Set to take off from the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport this Wednesday is an authentic World War II-era fighter plane. Specifically, a refurbished P-51 Mustang, the kind flown by the Tuskegee Airmen, will head out for a

A plan that would have effectively prohibited medical marijuana dispensaries in the city of Benton Harbor has been rejected by commissioners. Tuesday night, they shot down an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would have kept the businesses away.

Executives from 20 Michigan businesses and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley are in the midst of a trade mission to Mexico. The group left Sunday and will take part in an automotive conference and talk with company executives

A new scholarship program has been created in honor of a Berrien County teen who tragically died after a battle with cancer this month. The Berrien Community Foundation on Tuesday announced the David A. Hicks Scholarship for

The warm weather this winter has been good for county road commissions. Greg Pardike, an accountant for the Van Buren County Road Commission, tells WSJM News less ice and snow means much less salt has been used. “January

More than $1 million worth of work is coming up at South Haven’s North Beach. This week, the city council approved two contracts for projects that will mean improvements to streets around the beach, mainly Monroe Park

This winter’s unusually warm weather is starting to affect southwest Michigan crops. Mark Longstroth, a fruit educator with MSU Extension, tells WSJM News some crops are starting to sprout buds. “I was out looking at blueberries today, and

Berrien County Animal Control Director Val Grimes is retiring. She’s been in charge at animal control for about 20 years now, and has more than 30 years of experience working with animals in southwest Michigan. Grimes tells

Two brothers charged with attacking a Michigan State Police trooper alongside US-31 in Berrien Township this week have been arraigned. 21-year-old Michael Barber and 19-year-old Travis Wise are accused of assaulting the trooper following a motorcycle chase

From the Associated Press — Several parents are joining a planned lawsuit against Michigan’s School Reform Office over its threats to close low-performing Kalamazoo schools. Kalamazoo Public Schools and nine parents say the state office lacks the legal

There’s a new push in Lansing to add more Michigan State Police troopers. Representative Aaron Miller of Sturgis chairs the budget panel overseeing MSP and is looking for money for 100 new troopers. “Number one, a trooper

A massive 28-acre park will honor those killed and wounded last February in three separate shootings in and around Kalamazoo. Mattawan’s Laurie Smith lost her husband Rich and her son, Tyler, in the second of three shootings

This is the week to salute your family physician. Governor Rick Snyder has declared it Family Medicine Week in Michigan, when everyone should remember all the benefits family doctors have on the health of the state. Dr.

Bangor police are warning the public about the latest scam. The department says in a Facebook post it’s gotten reports of people who were duped into sending money via Western Union for the transport of puppies. If

A proposal to reduce Michigan’s income tax is getting high marks from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. The group’s James Hohman tells WSJM News the plan to initially cut the tax from 4.25% to 3.9% would

It’s been a year now since six people were killed in a shooting spree around Kalamazoo, and still, the trial for the alleged shooter has not been scheduled. Jason Dalton was an Uber driver the night he’s

The Lake Michigan Wine Trail is marking 15 years of promoting the west Michigan wine industry. Executive Administrator Kathy Sturm tells WSJM News the wine trail began in 2002 with seven members and has grown quite a bit