From the Associated Press — A group organizing a Michigan ballot drive to protect LGBT people from discrimination says it will begin collecting signatures after state election officials approved the format and wording of the petition. The
Lawmakers are reacting to Governor Whitmer’s second State of the State address. Representative Pauline Wendzel bristled at the words used in the governor’s healthcare comments in which she said it’s time to ask women what they want,
It’s official. Ellis Mitchell has been appointed the city manager of Benton Harbor. At a meeting on Wednesday night, the Benton Harbor City Commission interviewed Mitchell. He’s been serving as interim city manager since July. During his
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has named a new resident inspector for the Cook nuclear power plant in Bridgman. The NRC says Paul Zurawski will serve in the post. He joined the NRC in 2006 as a Region
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is shifting gears when it comes to her pledge to fix Michigan’s roads. During her second State of the State address on Wednesday, she announced plans to ask the State Transportation Committee to issue
From the Associated Press — A Lansing man who owned medical marijuana shops around Michigan has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison. Marijuana has been legal in Michigan to ease the effects of certain
An effort is underway to bring a program to southwest Michigan to help boys grow up healthier and with more respect for themselves and others. Al Mussman, who used to run Zoup and Biggby Coffee in St.
Arraignment has been held for two suspects in the murder of a Dowagiac man this week. The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office says Justin Carlton and Jay Penar both face open murder charges in the death of 40-year-old
The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan will continue its Winter Movie and Discussion series next month with a screening of a documentary called Far From the Tree. The network’s Miranda Grunwell tells WSJM News the film, based
Lakeshore’s Hollywood Elementary has a little something extra for supplies. Farmers Insurance agent Christopher Thompson gave the school a $2,000 grant this morning during a staff meeting, surprising everyone. He explains how it came to be. “I
Berrien County nonprofit agency GateWay Services is under new leadership. The organization has been working since 1972 in the area to help people with disabilities with job coaching, job development, in-home care, and more. Tami Gould has
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has voted to require that a study be done to assess the feasibility of tolls along the state’s highways. The bill was sent Tuesday to the House for future
Congressman Fred Upton is urging leaders in Washington to discuss ways that wildfires can be prevented. He addressed a meeting of the House Energy Subcommittee on Tuesday, telling members better forest management and electrical infrastructure improvements would
A home in Benton Harbor is a total loss after a fire on Tuesday. The Benton Harbor Department Public Safety says it was sent to 1297 Superior Street just after 3 p.m. on reports of heavy smoke
The Orchards Mall narrowly avoided being shut down this week when its owner paid a water bill to Benton Township in the eleventh hour. Benton Township Treasurer Debbie Boothby tells WSJM News the mall as of Tuesday
Berrien RESA has filed a waiver with the Michigan Department of Education to ask if school districts in the county may start their school years before Labor Day for the next few years. RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers
Set for next month at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven is a lecture about the St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouses. The museum’s Ashley Deming tells WSJM News they’ll have Heritage Museum and Cultural Center Community
Michigan will create a statewide mental health hotline under legislation signed by Governor Whitmer. The telephone referral system will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and refer people experiencing a mental health crisis
Life Saving Award presentations by police can sometimes get emotional. That’s just what happened Monday night at the St. Joseph City Commission meeting when Deputy Public Safety Director Steve Neubecker honored Vedette Cordes for saving the life
An online survey is being offered for the public to help review and update Michigan’s Top 10 in 10 strategic education plan. Michigan Department of Education spokesman Bill Disessa says the goal is to get the state
Enrollment looks to be on the increase at Southwestern Michigan College. SMC president Dr. Joe Odenwald made the announcement during his first President’s Report to the college’s Board of Trustees, noting enrollment contact hours are up eight-tenths
A murder investigation is underway in Dowagiac, with both suspects in custody. Police say a 40-year-old Dowagiac man was found dead from a shooting just before 2 a.m. Monday at a home in the 700 block of
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court is interested in a dispute about whether people who were wrongly convicted of crimes should be paid for time spent in custody before trial. The court said Friday
Three people now have Life Saving Awards from the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. Deputy Director Steve Neubecker on Monday presented the first two to Mayor Mike Garey and Christopher Martin for their response when they
Anyone interested in learning something about their ancestry is invited to attend a workshop at the Van Buren District Library’s Decatur branch next month. Local History Clerk Karen Jenson tells WSJM News the library can let visitors
The Berrien Community Foundation is now taking applications for this year’s scholarships. Program Director Susan Matheny tells WSJM News the Berrien Community Foundation administers 43 scholarships, all started by individuals or organizations that wanted to make a
The first three people in Michigan under investigation for possible coronavirus have been cleared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says two were in Washtenaw County
An online auction will start this weekend to raise money for Lakeshore Public Schools. Lakeshore Excellence Foundation Chair J.C. Anderson tells WSJM News up for bids will be items including Disney passes, high-end Whirlpool appliances, spa treatments,
From the Associated Press — President Donald Trump will visit a Michigan factory to out a new North American trade agreement. He will tour and give remarks at the Dana Inc. facility in the Detroit suburb of
Robust and record setting are a couple of terms to use to describe the housing market in southwest Michigan for 2019. The average sales price for the year rose nearly $7,000 from 2018 to set a new
