Local News Archives

Set to begin next month is a series of meetings of the new state House Mental Health Task Force. Sitting on that body will be Berrien Springs state Representative Dave Pagel, who tells WSJM News the goal

From the Associated Press — Congressional Republicans are moving forward with legislation to roll back the Endangered Species Act, amid complaints that the 44-year-old law hinders drilling, logging and other activities. House and Senate committees were holding simultaneous

The host of a show on News/Talk 94.9 WSJM will be among the four speakers on stage at the Mendel Center for the 2017-18 Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Speaker Series. Dave Ramsey will be the first

State Senator John Proos has issued a warning to southwest Michigan residents about summer tax scams. He tells us the would-be scammers call unsuspecting homeowners claiming they owe back taxes. The scammer then demands immediate payment. Proos

This weekend, several Niles businesses are planning to team up in an effort to get marijuana legalized in the state of Michigan. Matt Johnson, owner of Lush Lighting in the Belle Plaza, tells WSJM News they’re holding

Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s deputies will soon be receiving training in how to spot and prevent elder abuse. Sheriff Richard Fuller tells WKZO News police have recognized over the years that the exploitation of the elderly is often perpetrated

The recently-opened tasting room for Lake Michigan College’s wine program will hold a grand opening celebration this weekend. Lake Michigan Vintners Brand Manager Laura Morris tells WSJM News the storefront on First Street in Baroda sells all

Southwestern Michigan College has held its first ever agriculture science camp for middle school students. It started this Tuesday with a field trip to a 1,600 acre Cassopolis dairy farm. There, the 14 kids learned all about

Representatives of several environmental groups are calling on Congressman Fred Upton to oppose the Trump administration’s environmental agenda. They held a press conference Wednesday in St. Joseph. Upper Midwest Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force Kelly Nichols told

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent during June while the number of people in the workforce continued to decline. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget announced Wednesday the June rate

Just on board for a week, the new head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has many goals in mind. Jeff Mason tells Michigan News Network his goals are not only to continue efforts to bring new

The state House is looking at how to help Michigan residents facing mental health issues. Representative Klint Kesto of Commerce Township will co-chair a bi-partisan task force and says they will be going all over the state

From the Associated Press — Officials say an invasive crayfish native to the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast has made its way to Michigan. The state Department of Natural Resources says multiple numbers of red swamp

From the Associated Press — A 70-year-old smokestack on the site of a former paper mill in western Michigan has been demolished. The Muskegon Chronicle posted video of the implosion, which left behind rubble and cloud of dust

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has fired the principal of the International Academy at Hull. Romel Bryant had only been principal since February, serving as that building’s fourth principal of the academic year. The

An Illinois man is recovering after he was pulled from a Cass County lake on Tuesday. The sheriff’s department tells us 26-year-old Nicholas Younglove was at a family gathering on Diamond Lake in Calvin Township around 1:30

Mark Bernstein has said no to running for governor. Michigan News Network Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick tells us Bernstein notified Gretchen Whitmer that the party does not need a divisive election. Skubick says there were other

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is once again inviting people to sail the St. Joseph River in cardboard boats this week. Thursday will bring the second annual Rock the Boat races at the Inn at Harbor

Indiana Michigan Power and its Cook nuclear power plant have announced a landmark donation to the Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion project. Lakeland CEO Loren Hamel tells WSJM News AEP and its foundation are giving $375,000 to the

Following news last week that the state of Michigan saw a continued increase in opioid deaths last year, Michigan State Police in southwest Michigan tells us they’ve seen the trend locally. Although she doesn’t have exact numbers,

A new partnership between Benton Harbor Area Schools, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, and others is enabling children in Benton Harbor to take part in positive, educational activities this summer at three area parks. “Summer

It’s just a drop in the bucket, but the Centers for Disease Control is awarding $12 million dollars to 23 states and the District of Columbia to fight opioid addiction. Michigan is one of them. Most of

From the Associated Press — Several community leaders in western Michigan are expected to participate in a panel discussion on human trafficking. The free event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Western Michigan University’s

From the Associated Press — A French maker of self-driving vehicles is opening its first U.S. manufacturing facility. Navya says it’s opening a 20,000-square-foot factory in Saline, Michigan, about 50 miles southwest of Detroit. The company plans to

The city of Benton Harbor will ask voters in November to approve a local income tax to help pay for infrastructure repairs. At a Monday meeting, the vote was nearly unanimous to pursue a 1% city income

Governor Rick Snyder has signed a bill lifting Michigan’s ban on switchblades. State Senator Rick Jones, of Grand Ledge, sponsored the legislation. The Republican and former sheriff told WKZO News nobody should go to jail for owning a

Lakeland Health President and CEO Dr. Loren Hamel has been picked to be the chair of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, an industry group representing hospitals all across the state. Based in Lansing, the MHA advocates

A paving project is about to get started on M-140 in Berrien and Van Buren counties. It will be about ten miles of the road from South Haven to Watervliet. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa

It’s been a busy session for the Michigan House, and state Representative Beth Griffin is satisfied with what lawmakers have been able to accomplish. Now that she’s home in Van Buren County for the summer, Griffin tells