Local News Archives

Most of Michigan has been seeing temperatures in the 90s this week, but it’s not just you and your family that you should be worried about. Your pets are also a concern in this heat. The 90-plus

Michigan is reporting 446 additional cases of COVID-19 for Thursday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 67,683 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported nine

The state of Michigan this week joined a lawsuit against Education Secretary and Michigan native Betsy DeVos over the allocation of federal CARES Act money. The lawsuit filed in California alleges DeVos intentionally misrepresented the language in

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued an order intended to help improve racial equity in Michigan’s healthcare system. The governor’s office has released the following statement: Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Directive 2020-7 which directs the Department of

Ferris State University will offer students a single room for a double room rate this fall. It’s part of the university’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Bryan Marquardt is the director of Housing and Residence Life at

From the Associated Press — Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed bills that would have allowed for delayed tax payments. She cites the harm to local budgets across Michigan and says one measure related to property taxes is “blatantly”

Congressman Fred Upton is pushing a bill to increase broadband access as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. He tells WSJM News the Rural Broadband Acceleration Act would speed up the distribution of the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund,

U.S. Senator Gary Peters is pushing for a bill to streamline national manufacturing programs to support the state’s industries. He’s introduced a bill to establish a National Institute of Manufacturing. “[It would] put together a comprehensive strategy

State Senator Kim LaSata is planning an outdoor coffee hour for this month in Stevensville. LaSata holds the events to give the public a chance to express their concerns and ask her questions. To increase safety during

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan could use some help. Marketing Coordinator Xay Somsanith tells WSJM News they shut down to visitors in March when the pandemic struck, and just started to reopen this month. During the

State Representative Pauline Wendzel has introduced legislation intended to increase the security of elections as absentee voting this year will hit record numbers in Michigan. Wendzel tells WSJM News her bill would make it a felony for

Police say a St. Joseph Township man was killed in a hit and run crash on Saturday night in Benton Harbor. 20-year-old Thomas Adams was struck shortly before midnight in the 1200 block of Colfax Avenue. The

SHOUT for South Haven is now selling a board game with a local twist. The organization’s Rosalie Plechaty tells WSJM News they’ve printed up Monopoly games that feature local attractions. They’re calling it South Haven-opoly. “Everything on the

Lake Michigan College’s Fab Lab is offering workshops and classes throughout the summer to give everyone something to do in this year of coronavirus. Hanson Technology Center Director Chad Dee tells WSJM News the makers space allows

From the Associated Press — Michigan has announced a $3 million fine against the state’s largest liquor distributor over delays in shipping booze to vendors. NWS Michigan, which does business as Republican National Distributing Co., acknowledged 88

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the trend with Michigan’s COVID-19 cases is heading in the wrong direction. The governor told Michigan News Network this week the rising number of positive cases isn’t helping efforts to re-open more businesses.

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is launching an education campaign to to highlight the new health safety procedures at the facility. Airport spokesperson Stephen Clark told Michigan News Network the “Fly Safe. Fly Ford” initiative is

The Michigan National Guard will assist with no-cost COVID-19 testing in Flint and Allegan. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement: The Michigan National Guard will continue its partnership with the Michigan Department of

Michigan is reporting 610 additional cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 67,237 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported ten

Many west Michigan production facilities are resuming marginal operations. Grand Valley State University Director of Supply Management Research in Brian Long surveyed local business leaders about what’s ahead. He spoke to Michigan News Network about his predictions.

From the Associated Press — Michigan schools already face a lack of substitute teachers, but officials expect a greater need for them amid the pandemic. The Detroit Free Press reports that in preparing for fall instruction, educators

From the Associated Press — Surveillance video shows at least seven men restraining a Black teenager who later died at a youth facility in Kalamazoo County. The footage released to reporters Tuesday shows several of the men

Benton Harbor City Commissioners will not be going back to in-person meetings soon. That’s after a vote on a proposal to return to normal was shot down by the commission Monday night. Due to the pandemic, the

A local effort to show support for police agencies has led to departments throughout southwest Michigan receiving special food bags for their officers. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us Jackie Haney decided to do something to

A celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be held in southwest Michigan this month. The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan’s Kristen Potts tells WSJM News the group celebrates the ADA each

There will be a community recycling event this month in Berrien County. Berrien County Parks Department Environmental Property Manager Jill Adams tells WSJM News the county is teaming up with Green Earth Electronics Recycling for an Extended

Congressman Fred Upton is planning a series of tele-town halls with older Michiganders. He wants to talk with seniors to learn more about how he could help them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upton tells WSJM News he

Repairs are coming to the North Side Marina in South Haven. Interim City Manager Kate Hosier tells WSJM News high water levels compromised the electricity system at the marina, forcing the city to close it and displacing

The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a request with the Michigan Attorney General for the appointment of a special prosecutor to review a large party that was held at Cass County’s Diamond Lake on the Fourth