The new state budget takes effect today, and the Michigan League for Public Policy tells us it fails to adequately serve minorities. Policy analyst Pat Sorenson tells WSJM News the budget does allow for better access to
All throughout the month of October, the seven branches of the Van Buren District Library will be working to prevent bullying. It’s part of a national effort, and the library’s Kay McAdams tells WSJM News there will
New FBI data show violent crime in America rose for the second year in a row in 2016. The numbers suggest the increase was driven by a spike in killings in some major cities. Detroit landed on
The Cass County Animal Control Shelter is teaming up with the Bissell Pet Foundation for an Empty the Shelters event next month. Empty the Shelter events are days on which the Grand Rapids-based Bissell Pet Foundation pays
The Four Winds Casino is holding a job fair this coming week in South Bend. It’s the final job fair to help with the hiring of about 1,200 new employees for the Four Winds South Bend property.
State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan is planning a series of roundtables for Van Buren County over the next few weeks. She tells WSJM News the first one will be next week for veterans. “Monday, October 2,
Legislation has been introduced in Lansing to ban local soda taxes. One fan of the idea is the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small businesses around the country. Michigan Director Charlie Owens tells WSJM News
Two Andrews University professors and 16 graduate architecture students are leaving for Puerto Rico this Sunday to help with hurricane recovery efforts. Andrews tells us Victor Perez Andino, an architecture student, is from Puerto Rico and helped the
Grand Valley State University students and faculty members are taking part in a program to gather honey produced by honey bees on campus. The team has bottled more than 360 pounds of honey and is selling it
$30,000 is being donated this year by the Pokagon Fund to a Lions Club project that provides eyeglasses to low-income residents around Harbor Country. The Pokagon Fund’s Janet Cocciarelli tells WSJM News the Lions Club has been
A decision this week from the Michigan Strategic Fund Board to award a $1.2 million grant to Cornerstone Alliance for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Paw Paw River between Benton Harbor and St. Joseph
A Bangor man is dead following witness accounts that he lost control of his motorcycle at high speed and last night at about 7:30, and was tossed onto the pavement. State Police say that 37-year-old Corey Danielle
St. Joseph city leaders are looking at the future of three local parks. At meeting this week, city commissioners heard from Robert Ford, a consultant who’s been brought on to draft a master plan for Dickinson, Whirlpool
The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph will host a special presentation by Medal of Honor winner James McCloughan next month. McCloughan received his Medal of Honor this July for heroics in the Vietnam War.
The Sierra Club of Southwest Michigan is blasting the decision announced Thursday to keep the Palisades nuclear power plant in Van Buren County open through 2022. The club’s Bruce Brown has issued a statement saying the decision
The problem of veteran homelessness has become a focal point in Kent County. Many community partners have gathered to disseminate information to these citizens who need help. Kent County Commissioner Tom Antor told Michigan News Network many
If you see people wading around in the Paw Paw River tomorrow near Lawrence, they may just be fishing for bugs. The Van Buren Conservation District is collecting insect specimens to be used for water quality testing.
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is praising legislation in the Michigan House that would eliminate the state’s Driver Responsibility Fees. They were created in 2003 as extra penalties on drivers who were caught with no proof
Congressman Fred Upton is expecting the full U.S. House to vote soon on establishing a national depository for spent nuclear fuel. He tells WSJM News this would open the long-delayed Yucca Mountain facility. “We’ll be bringing bipartisan
A Niles veteran will receive replacements for his lost service medals this weekend. 94-year-old Chester Dash lost his World War II medals in a fire several years ago. Congressman Fred Upton will pay Dash a visit on
South Haven Pubic Schools is inviting everyone to come out this Saturday to get a first look at a recently-completed $36 million renovation project. The Community Thank You event will be at L.C. Mohr High School. State
Lincoln School in St. Joseph is one of just 342 schools nationwide to be recognized this week by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos as a National Blue Ribbon School. Those are schools which the U.S. Education Department
Legislation is making its way through both the Michigan House and the Senate that would restrict marijuana advertisements on billboards. The House bill is sponsored by East Lansing Democrat Andy Schor. Grand Ledge Republican Rick Jones authored the Senate bill.
Everyone’s being reminded to be cautious around railroad crossings as part of U.S. Rail Safety Week this week. Michigan Operation Lifesaver Coordinator Sam Crowl tells WSJM News too many drivers and pedestrians seem to forget what to
Legislation from state Representatives Kim LaSata and Dave Pagel designed to close a property tax loophole that’s hurt many lakeshore communities has been approved by both the Michigan House and Senate. LaSata tells WSJM News it cracks
The Michigan State Police says an internal investigation will determine whether the agency’s director will be disciplined for sharing a Facebook meme that called some NFL players “anti-American degenerates.” Spokeswoman Shanon Banner said in an email Friday
From the Associated Press — Pat Miles, a former U.S. attorney in western Michigan, is running for state attorney general in 2018. Miles is announcing his candidacy Thursday in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit. He’s the second
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve near Buchanan has broken ground on a new education center. Dignitaries gathered Thursday to celebrate the beginning of a $2 million, 5,500 square foot facility set to be the location of
The Michigan Senate has approved legislation from state Senator John Proos to let some low-level juvenile offenders get their records cleared. Proos tells WSJM News they would have to complete the 17.5 month Youth ChalleNGe Program run
News that the Palisades nuclear power plant will stay open for another five years is being welcomed by Van Buren County Administrator John Faul. He tells WSJM News the plant represents about $1 million per year in
