The Labor Day Bridge Walk over the Mackinac Bridge has been canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Bridge Authority executive director Kim Nowack says it’s unprecedented. “This is the first time ever, and the walk
Protesters are again on the lawn and the front steps of the Michigan Capitol speaking out against Governor Whitmer’s executive orders for COVID-19. “All the business owners watching on TV and Facebook, open your business now!” yelled
Leaders at Benton Harbor Area Schools have a plan if the next academic year is canceled due to COVID-19. During a Tuesday meeting of the board of education, Superintendent Andrae Townsel said the district’s online learning plan
The $3 trillion coronavirus aid package introduced this week by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is being reviewed by Congressman Fred Upton. He told WSJM News Tuesday he asked that Pelosi work on a package with a
COVID-19 is changing things quite a bit for those looking to buy or sell homes, but Michigan Realtors Association president Maureen Francis says they’re glad to be back to work. “The good news is that as we’ve
The Berrien County Health Department is in constant contact with nursing homes throughout the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the department is acting as a partner to assisted living facilities. “We
Michigan State Police are planning an increased presence in Lansing for Thursday’s demonstration against Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay home orders. The MSP public information team put out a social media video Wednesday asking those who attend to
The 2020 Mackinac Bridge Walk has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Michigan Department of Transportation has released the following statement: Echoing a focus on safety that led it to bar public traffic from the
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to try to save Forever Books in downtown St. Joseph. Store owner Robin Allen tells WSJM News the business is struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 shutdown with less in
Governor Whitmer last week laid out a six-phase plan to reopen the state fully from COVID-19, noting then and again Wednesday that we remain in the middle in phase three, the flattening of the curve of the
Governor Whitmer said on The View that COVID-19 has been spreading to rural areas of the state due to the protests that have happened around Lansing over the past few weeks, and was asked during Wednesday’s briefing
Expanded broadband internet is hopefully coming soon to underserved and currently unserved areas of Van Buren and Allegan counties. It’s been a top priority of some state lawmakers like Representative Beth Griffin for years, but the US
From the Associated Press — A judge has dismissed criminal charges against former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon arising from the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal. Simon was ordered to trial last year on charges
Michigan is reporting 370 additional cases of COVID-19 around the state for Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the statewide total since the start of the pandemic is now 48,391. There are 40
There will be a commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 at St. Joseph High School on Sunday, July 26, but it’s still not known exactly what it will look like. The high school’s latest blog post
Leaders at Benton Harbor Area Schools are planning for substantial state funding cuts in the coming year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During a Tuesday virtual session of the school board, district Chief Financial Officer Scott Johnson
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has approved a turnaround plan drafted for the district by its Community Engagement and Advisory Committee. During a virtual meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Andrae Townsel read from the resolution
From the Associated Press — A lawmaker is warning of a potential 25% cut in state funding for K-12 schools due to economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Republican Senator Wayne Schmidt, who chairs the Senate’s education
Congressman Fred Upton is calling on the Trump administration to work with the auto industry to make sure it can meet its supply chain needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, auto sales are projected
The city of South Haven is installing some barriers to protect high priority infrastructure from coastal flooding. It says its new HESCO barriers are being installed at the waste water treatment plant and at the water treatment
The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra has cancelled all of its performances through the end of August. The SMSO says due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt the health and safety of the community should be the top
Michigan is reporting 469 additional cases of COVID-19 around the state for Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the statewide total since the start of the pandemic is 48,021. There are 90 additional
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is hoping the federal government will come through with aid to states facing budget shortfalls because of the COVID-19 crisis. She says we’re looking at a possible $3 billion hole. “It is my hope
Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie and St. Clair all hit record high water levels in April and they are expected to rise through the end of summer. Drew Gronewald is an associate professor at the University of Michigan’s
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says guns shouldn’t be allowed in the Michigan Capitol. However, it’s up to the Capitol Commission or the Legislature to act on the matter. Whitmer says lawmakers shouldn’t feel intimidated while doing their job.
From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she wants 450,000 Michiganders to be tested for the coronavirus this month, an average of nearly 15,000 a day. She said Monday the goal is critical because social-distancing
The city of St. Joseph is the latest to call off the Independence Day fireworks celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This just isn’t a summer when so many of our treasured cultural events are going to
The Berrien County Health Department is offering everyone advice about how they can avoid COVID-19 related scams. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Brandon Vallee says in a new video there are five basic things you can do. First… “Do
Should the next federal coronavirus stimulus package contain funding for transportation agencies? The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials thinks so. It sent a letter to both chambers of Congress asking that $50 billion be
A maintenance project on part of Napier Avenue in Benton Township and Bainbridge Township is now underway. The Berrien County Road Department says the project involves the application of an HMA overlay from Blue Creek Road to
