From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers have advanced a bill that would allocate more than $1.2 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding, including $200 million to help small businesses restart as stay-at-home restrictions are loosened. The
It may not be long before you can buy booze to go in Michigan and have a cocktail in a social district. Two bills passed out of the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee and have been referred
City commissioners in Benton Harbor will be asked to consider legislation to help reduce incidents of crime in the community. During a meeting this week, City Manager Ellis Mitchell said with young people stuck at home for
A Michigan House committee hears testimony about toll roads, but didn’t take any action on legislation that would call for a feasibility study. Senator John Bizon of Battle Creek is the sponsor of the bill. He spoke
The agency in charge of regulating marijuana sales in the state says Michigan pot shops have sold $110 million in product since recreational adult-use sales went legal December 1 of last year. Andrew Brisbo is the executive
The Michigan Legislature’s Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic took testimony from small businesses from throughout the state this week on how they have been affected by the coronavirus shutdown. Among others, lawmakers heard from Riverside’s
Grants totaling nearly $50,000 have been announced for FIRST Robotics programs around Indiana and Michigan by Indiana Michigan Power. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News I&M supports robotics teams because they teach students the valuable science, technology,
The Berrien County Health Department is changing the way it updates the public on the COVID-19 pandemic locally. Since coronavirus arrived in Berrien County, the department has been posting daily case totals, but spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells
From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is calling for changes to prevent police abuses following the killings of George Floyd and other black people. She said Wednesday she’s backing continuing education for officers in Michigan
The Michigan Sheriff’s Association has released a statement condemning the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. The association that represents all 83 elected county sheriffs in the state says the officers involved in Floyd’s
Lake Michigan College is planning a virtual commencement for its graduates this year. The following statement has been released by Lake Michigan College. Lake Michigan College graduates must forego a traditional commencement ceremony this year to protect
Congressman Fred Upton is hailing a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to remove Berrien County from its list of non-attainment areas for air quality. A geographic area that meets or does better than the EPA’s primary
Michigan is reporting 304 new cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 58,035. There were 17 additional deaths to report on Wednesday, making that total 5,570. Berrien County reported
The Lakeland Regional Health System has been awarded a $351,000 grant by the FCC to support telehealth services. The office of Congressman Fred Upton has announced the grant will pay for things including telemedicine carts, tablets, telehealth
City halls are reopening in communities around southwest Michigan. South Haven City Hall will reopen on Monday, June 8 with limited lobby hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The city encourages people to
South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette says he’s leaving the community in good hands as he prepares to move into the role of Berrien County Administrator. He tells WSJM News the city council on Monday named his
Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten is among the appointees to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council. The governor’s office has released the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a group of 25
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is easing more COVID-19 restrictions. Her office has released the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced rescissions of executive orders on FOIA, hospital capacity, and emergency medical services, and the Michigan Department of
The Berrien County Trial Court is making some changes to services now that the state’s stay home order for COVID-19 has been lifted. It’s released a reopening schedule for proceedings that have been delayed due to the
The state of Michigan is working to ensure anyone who needs a COVID-19 test can get one. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services say they’re alerting Michiganders diagnostic COVID-19 testing for
Michigan actor Jeff Daniels is bringing a live performance to Lake Michigan College…sort of. LMC says as part of its Remotely Interested online concert series, Daniels will be a guest on Friday, June 19. LMC says Jeff
Movement could be coming soon with the redevelopment of the former Overton factory site in South Haven. City Manager Brian Dissette tells WSJM News the six acre, city owned property off Indiana Avenue and Elkenburg Street has
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have accepted a couple of grants for the public safety department. During a Monday meeting, they were told the department has been approved for more than $53,000 from the U.S. Justice Department as
First Church of God will hold its first in-person gathering since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic this weekend in Benton Township. On Sunday, congregants will take part in a drive-in celebration at Lake Michigan College. Lead
Extra dredging is being done this week in the St. Joseph outer harbor thanks to action by the St. Joseph City Commission on Sunday. The body held a rare weekend meeting to authorize the reimbursement of the
The Berrien County Health Department has launched a newer, more detailed version of its COVID-19 online dashboard. First released in April, the dashboard features up to date information on the latest COVID-19 cases in the county. It
Following several nights of unrest around the country, Congressman Fred Upton is calling for peace. After a Monday night that brought some unrest in Kalamazoo, Upton says it’s time for everyone to “heed the advice of George
There was a violent flare-up in downtown Kalamazoo Monday night. Public Safety Chief Kerry Ann Thomas called on surrounding law enforcement to restore peace, but the damage was done. “Six people were arrested on eight charges,” Thomas
Michigan is reporting 199 additional cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that brings the state’s total to 57,731 since the start of the pandemic. There are 37 additional deaths
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appealed to the federal government to provide assistance to states for COVID-19 testing and budget shortfalls. Whitmer testified before the the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on Tuesday.
