From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are poised to ease clerks’ ability to process a surge of absentee ballots in the battleground state’s presidential election, letting them start a day earlier than normal. Election officials currently
Money will be coming back to the Pure Michigan campaign under a budget deal being discussed in Lansing. Pure Michigan had zero budget for 2020 in a dispute between the Legislature and the Governor. “We were able
A group called Unlock Michigan has collected half a million signatures from voters across the state as they look to rein in emergency powers Governor Whitmer has been using during the pandemic. Fred Wszolek is the spokesperson
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate passed bills that would allow hundreds of thousands of people to clear criminal records. The state estimates the expungement measures would affect hundreds of thousands people, including those with
From the Associated Press — A divided Michigan House has voted to shield health providers and businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits filed by patients, employees or customers, advancing bills that majority Republicans say would give businesses more comfort
A Benton Township man is charged with attempted murder after a crash on Tuesday night. The Benton Township Police Department says officers were called out to a home in the 1600 block of Kay Drive around 9:20
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is inviting everyone to sign up to Rake A Difference this fall. The United Way’s Debbie Ramirez tells WSJM News the annual Rake A Difference day is now scheduled for November
Congressman Fred Upton is issuing a call on leadership in Congress to keep lawmakers in session until another COVID-19 stimulus package is approved. He tells WSJM News he and his Problem Solvers Caucus have put together a
State Senator Aric Nesbitt has introduced legislation that would allow community colleges in Michigan to offer four-year programs for bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The plan was approved this week by the state Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform.
The Benton Harbor City Clerk’s office says ballots for November’s election are expected to arrive this Thursday. From there, Clerk Kimberly Thompson says they’ll be available for in-person AV voting starting the same day or the next
Michigan residents have been getting a break on renewing their vehicles, driver’s licenses and state ID cards due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s about to end next week. The Secretary of State says at 7 p.m.
If you haven’t done so, fill out your 2020 Census. That word from the director of the Michigan Census Kerry Ebersole-Singh, who says you have to fill it out by September 30th. “Let’s get it done, Michigan,”
Michigan State Police have expanded their search for an 87-year-old Saginaw area man to the entire state. Karl Marker missed his 65th wedding anniversary on Tuesday. State Police Sergeant Joseph Rowley says Marker was last seen heading
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is the recipient of some grants to help in the areas of fire prevention and education. It says the first grant is $2,000 from FM Global for the fire marshal
The American Red Cross is seeking blood donations and holding several drives around southwest Michigan this fall. It also says those who give blood could be helping patients fighting COVID-19. The Red Cross has released the following:
From the Associated Press — Indiana’s statewide mask order will continue for another three weeks under a new order the governor announced even as he has faced public discontent over coronavirus restrictions amid his reelection campaign. Republican
From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are moving to pass a $62.7 billion spending plan about a week before the deadline to enact the next state budget. Bills were made public Wednesday and are expected to
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced a plan to make Michigan carbon neutral by 2050. Her office has released the following: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-182 and Executive Directive 2020-10 to create the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The governor’s comprehensive plan will
The Michigan Secretary of State has issued an update to residents regarding the renewal of driver’s licenses and other matters. The Secretary of State has released the following: The following is an alert from the Michigan Department
From the Associated Press Republican lawmakers are seeking to intervene in a major court decision that will allow Michigan absentee ballots to be counted days after the election. The House and Senate want to join the case
WSJM News has a correction to issue. We reported this week that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday night to grant emergency powers to Superintendent Andrae Townsel during the pandemic. That was correct.
Several vehicles were broken into in Royalton Township this week, prompting the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department to issue a reminder to everyone about the importance of locking vehicles. The department says all of the vehicles broken into
Congressman Fred Upton is remembering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as “a thoughtful, gentle woman who, with real precision, could disarm any argument with respect from all sides.” He tells WSJM News the country mourns. “She
Enrollment at Southwestern Michigan College is a bit higher this year than had been expected. SMC President Joe Odenwald told the SMC Board of Trustees this week fall enrollment finished at 1,800 students, 88 higher better than
A virtual career fair will be held by the Michigan Department of Transportation next month. MDOT Recruitment Unit Manager James Fults tells WSJM News they’re looking to hire more than 100 winter plow drivers, as well as
The South Haven Area Community Foundation is making a final push for donations for the city’s upcoming splash pad. The “Twenty-Five Reasons to Give $25” donation drive is now underway with the money going to the Splash
From the Associated Press — Democratic Senator Gary Peters and Republican challenger John James have staked out differing stances on the fight over President Donald Trump’s pending Supreme Court pick. Peters says given the stakes involved, “voters
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared this week to be Michigan Small Business Week. Her office has released the following: Today, Governor Whitmer proclaimed September 20 – September 26, 2020 as Michigan Small Business Week to recognize the thousands of small business across
A new Neighborhood Testing Site in Benton Harbor opens today, bringing the total number of community sites offering COVID-19 testing to 20. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the location is Pilgrim Rest Baptist
The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association has received a $2.5 million grant from the Michigan Department of Treasury to support restaurant and lodging industry workers who were financially hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The association’s Amanda Smith
