By Doug Cunningham Southwestern Michigan College is happy with legislative action exempting part-time student workers from the teacher’s retirement system. But it took a lawsuit to get there. Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. David Matthews says the
As many federal government employees go without pay because of the partial government shutdown, a market in northern Michigan is pitching in to help U.S. Coast Guard members. The Bayside Market in Traverse City is allowing the
The legislative goals for new state Representative Pauline Wendzel for northern Berrien County remain unchanged from what she ran on last year. “Bringing good paying jobs back to our community, fixing the roads, which I know is
The first baby born at The BirthPlace at Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph waited a little while to make his appearance. The hospital says Isai Balcazar was born at 8:58 p.m. on New Year’s Day to
Firefighters with South Haven Area Emergency Services began 2019 the same way they ended 2018, battling a house fire. They were called to a house in Geneva Township around 10:15 last night when the homeowner returned to
For those hoping for a hike in the state’s minimum wage at the start of the year as some reports had indicated, there is disappointment. Michigan’s minimum wage will increase by 20¢ an hour, but not until
The state lawmakers who represented southwest Michigan in Lansing during the most recent legislative session get gold stars for attendance. According to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s annual report on missed votes by lawmakers, state Senator
A group is collecting petition signatures targeting Nestle. Activist Helen Moore tells Michigan News Network they’ll present the signatures to the new Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Stop trying to trick the people,” Moore said. “We need some help
A 35-year-old Benton Harbor man is being treated at Spectrum Health Lakeland after being shot several times during an argument at a house party in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. James Parker-Hersey was immediately
Divided government is back in Michigan with the inauguration of Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Republicans in the majority of the state House and Senate. In front of the state Capitol on New Year’s Day, the former
By Doug Cunningham Josh Hovey is spokesperson for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol – the group that successfully steered Michigan’s ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana. Hovey says as the state works out the finer
St. Joseph Township police are investigating the New Year’s Eve murder of an active duty soldier. 23-year-old Tyrone Hassell the Third was shot several times at a home in the two-thousand block of Colfax Avenue just after
From the Associated Press — In the new year, the Michigan Supreme Court will decide whether counties can continue to hit the jackpot when foreclosing on properties. Counties routinely sell real estate when taxes are long overdue. State
Some new corrections-related mental health reforms signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder on Friday are being praised by State Court Administrator Milton Mack, Jr. He tells us the measure approved by the Michigan Legislature and now
A pilot in his 70s is dead after crashing his twin engine plane on Beaver Island in northern Michigan last night. Charlvoix County Sheriff Charles Vondra told Michigan News Network the victim owns a home on the
By Doug Cunningham In 2019 the Benton Harbor based Cornerstone Alliance will continue to work hard to convince companies that southwest Michigan’s economy is worth their investments. Greg Vaughn is the Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President of
A west Michigan man is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a person and destroying property at a Grand Haven church on Sunday. Grand Haven Department of Public Safety Detective Lieutenant Joe Boyle tells us it happened at
The wordsmiths at Lake Superior State University have again released their list of words and phrases the public has grown tired of. The 44th annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use includes “wheelhouse,
Governor Rick Snyder is working on his post-elected office plans. He and wife Sue Snyder released a YouTube video Sunday. He says they will be taking a “whirlwind waterfall” tour at some point in 2018 and says
Leaders in the New Buffalo area are hoping to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop shoreline erosion in the area. This month, Army Corps Major General Mark Toy visited New Buffalo to learn
It’s been a busy year for Kinexus. CEO Todd Gustafson tells WSJM News the agency worked with employees and students, helping 687 young people get their high school diploma or GED. It’s also worked with employers. “This
The city of Buchanan has announced it’s discontinuing the winter Thrill on the Hill event. In a statement, the city says due to unpredictable winter weather and the cost to replace and repair equipment needed to put
As the Michigan Department of Transportation works on a long-term plan for rail service around the state, the Twin Cities Area Transportation Study, or TwinCATS, wants to make sure the Pere Marquette rail line isn’t left in
A reveal party for the first season of Benton Harbor’s new GhostLight Theater will be held Sunday. GhostLight Executive Director Martha Hesse told WSJM News Thursday they’ve got big plans for 2019, and all will be announced
You can find out how to save thousands on your taxes and get financial advice at Show Me the Money Day, a series of community fairs to be held across the state in January and February. There
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is moving to bar state contractors and the recipients of state grants or loans from discriminating against LGBTQ employees. The Republican, who will leave office next week, issued his directive Friday. It requires
With mild weather so far this winter, the skiing season has gotten off to a slow start for most resorts in southwest Michigan. Swiss Valley Ski Area in Jones tells us they usually aim to open the
The Palisades nuclear power plant in Van Buren County is back in service following a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage. Palisades tells us control room personnel returned the plant to operation Friday morning. The refueling and maintenance
From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is moving to bar state contractors and the recipients of state grants or loans from discriminating against their LGBT employees. The Republican, who will leave office next week, issued
(Lansing, MI – AP) – About half of Michigan’s road salt storage facilities are in poor condition. The critique comes from the Michigan Department of Transportation and was included Thursday in a report from the state auditor
