A plan that would create a new funding stream for FIRST Robotics teams across the country has been re-introduced in the U.S. House by Congressman Fred Upton. He’s worked on the plan with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “What
79th District state Representative Pauline Wendzel has received her House committee assignments, and they’re relevant to southwest Michigan. She tells us she’s been picked to serve as vice chair of the House Commerce and Tourism Committee, along
By Doug Cunningham Holtec International is disputing objections from an environmental group over a proposed nuclear waste dump in New Mexico. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board heard oral arguments about the proposed radioactive
Michigan’s secretary of state is proposing to settle a redistricting lawsuit by redrawing at least 11 state House districts for the 2020 election. Jocelyn Benson announced the proposed deal Friday. Under the agreement with Democrats and other
The federal government will be fully operational for the next three weeks thanks to a deal announced by President Trump to end the 35-day partial shutdown. But for furloughed IRS worker Janet Diggs of Detroit, all of
Amtrak passengers on the Wolverine line had to be taken by bus after the 350 train hit a box truck that was stuck on the tracks in Three Oaks. No passengers were hurt, but Amtrak spokesman Marc
By Doug Cunningham Cook Nuclear Power Plant spokesman Bill Schalk says the idea that its nuclear waste pools are “a catastrophe waiting to happen” is ridiculous. He says safety is closely regulated at Cook by the Nuclear
From the Associated Press — Under new leadership, the Michigan attorney general’s office is in talks to settle a lawsuit by same-sex couples who say their rights have been violated by faith-based adoption agencies that don’t want
The city of Benton Harbor is working with Berrien County and the state of Michigan to address elevated lead levels found in some homes around the community last year. The city detected the problem in October, and
Paw Paw River County Park in Watervliet could be getting a substantial expansion. The Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved the purchase of 63 acres of property adjacent to the park. Berrien County Parks Director
Two people are facing charges after police say they were found to be in possession of a large amount of stolen property in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells us an investigation into several burglaries
By Doug Cunningham The Michigan Farm Bureau wants to see immigration reform that allows immigrants regardless of status to keep working in the U.S. John Kran, National Legislative Counsel for the Michigan Farm Bureau, says immigration law
The city of Benton Harbor has to make some improvements to its water plant as part of a new agreement with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. At this week’s city commission meeting, the relocation of an
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is now working to help local residents affected by the partial government shutdown. UWSM President Anna Murphy tells WSJM News they’ve set up a fund to provide financial aid to government
Right now, kids are not required to attend school in Michigan until they turn six. State Representative Bill Sowerby says that should change. He has proposed legislation which would require 5-year-olds to go to Kindergarten as long
Michigan drivers pay a 6% sales tax on gas, but none of that money goes to road repairs. Instead, it goes to school districts, local governments and mass transit. However, Governor Gretchen Whitmer may be ready to
The wife of murdered Army Sergeant Tyrone Hassel III is due back in court in Berrien County next week following a pre-exam hearing yesterday. Kemia Hassel is facing a murder charge for allegedly plotting her husband’s killing
A Democrat and Republican in Michigan’s congressional delegation are proposing legislation to let states provide unemployment benefits to federal employees working without pay during the partial government shutdown. Those workers currently cannot collect the benefits, under guidance
Michigan State Police are warning everyone about a rental property scam. Troopers out of the Paw Paw post say they’ve learned of a case where someone found information online about a property supposedly for rent and requested
As St. Joseph Today prepares to hold the first March Mannequins event downtown, it’s asking residents to submit photos that could be displayed in storefronts that day. St. Joe Today tells us the theme for this year’s
The city of Benton Harbor’s income tax is now being implemented. City Manager Darwin Watson tells us businesses located within the city have been withholding the tax for affected workers, while those who will need to submit
From the Associated Press — Conservation officers are conducting snowmobile patrols in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to promote safety and enforce state laws. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says weekend patrols started January 11 along the state-managed
Legislation designed to ensure the clean-up of PFAS is being pushed by Congressman Fred Upton. Upton has introduced the plan to require the EPA to report releases into the environment and clean up tainted PFAS sites with
A town hall meeting will be held in Benton Harbor this Thursday for residents to hear more about the ongoing effort to eliminate lead in the water. In October, the city announced lead levels exceeding the federal
From the Associated Press — Michigan’s new secretary of state is calling into question the constitutionality of a Republican-enacted law that makes it harder to initiate ballot drives. Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, sought a formal opinion Tuesday from
Despite claims from some that under former Governor Rick Snyder the state was putting more money than ever into education, a newly-released study finds no other state tightened its education spending more than Michigan did over a
If you live in the city of South Haven and think you’re going to have trouble paying your 2019 property tax or a special assessment, help is available. City Manager Brian Dissette tells us the city council
The U.S. will likely have its first openly gay candidate for President in 2020. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has released a video launching his exploratory committee for the Democratic nomination. “We can’t look for greatness in
One person is dead and two others are hospitalized in South Bend after a head-on crash County’s Milton Township. According to the sheriff’s department, 52-year-old Joseph Johnson of Niles died at the scene. He was a passenger
By Doug Cunningham An environmental coalition opposed to shipping radioactive waste through Michigan to a proposed new interim dump in New Mexico says it is a harebrained idea while a catastrophe is waiting to happen in waste
