Congressman Fred Upton has met with healthcare leaders in southwest Michigan to find out what they need as COVID-19 becomes more of a concern. He tells WSJM News he held a meeting in Kalamazoo on Friday to
A bill that would designate Cass County’s Dr. T.K. Lawless Park as a state-recognized dark sky preserve is making its way through the Michigan Senate. State Senator Kim LaSata this week testified in favor of the plan
Celebration Cinema in Benton Harbor this Sunday is where and when you can see a new movie that was shot in southwest Michigan. Moondance is described as a “zany musical comedy that follows a rogue director that
An emergency budget plan has been approved by the Michigan House to restore support for tourism, economic development, and other programs. State Representative Beth Griffin says the bill partially restores funding Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed last year.
Restaurants and hotels around Michigan are taking steps to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association President Justin Winslow tells WSJM News the industry is working to ensure staff and customers are protected. “This
Spectrum Health is advising the public about educational resources it’s made available regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, it’s posted materials online that include travel tips, videos, and other information on how to prevent the spread
There have been some high level staff changes at Benton Harbor Area Schools. At Tuesday’s meeting of the board of education, the resignations of three principals were accepted. They are the principals of Fair Plain East, Hull,
Michigan State University is calling off all in-person classes until April 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak. In addition to MSU, Notre Dame is suspending all in-person classes on campus from Monday, March 23 through Monday, April
The decision by the Paw Paw Public Schools to retire the Redskins nickname and image at the end of this school year is being applauded by area native Americans. In a joint statement, the chairpersons of Tribal
Michigan State University is calling off all in-person classes until April 20 due to the coronavirus outbreak. MSU officials say they learned today of an individual linked to campus who is currently being monitored for the illness
Less than two weeks before he was to leave the job as Berrien County chief public defender for the same post in Kalamazoo County, Christopher Renna has died. The Herald Palladium reports the 40-year-old died at Spectrum
Michigan casinos say they’ll be ready today after state regulators said yes to sports betting. Marvin Beatty is with Greektown Casino. He says his casino plans to have an app as well as personal assistance available to
An autopsy is being done at Western Michigan University on a body found in the parking lot of Slumberland Furniture on East Napier Avenue in Benton Township. The body was found Tuesday. Police tell WSJM News there
The chief of the Pokagon Tribal Police Department will be honored with an award from a southwest Michigan Boy Scout council this week. Chief William Lux has been picked to receive the 2020 Soaring Eagle Award from
A state of emergency is now in place in the state due to the first presumed positive cases of coronavirus in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the announcement late Tuesday night “We’re taking every step that we
Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Andrae Townsel is working to ensure there won’t be a repeat of a bullying incident at the International Academy at Hull that was caught on video and put online last week. At
Some informational sessions on an invasive insect that threatens hemlock trees will be held this month by the Van Buren Conservation District. It says the invasive hemlock wooly adelgid eats away at the trees, possibly posing an
Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan is planning a series of presentations on refugees for this month. The group, which represents churches and other faith-based organizations around the area, says angles to be addressed include who refugees are,
2020 brings the third year for the Hopeful Home Fund, an initiative started by Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski to collect donations for helping homeowners on the verge of foreclosure due to personal hardship. Witkowski says a
From the Associated Press — Officials say wreckage from a freighter that sank in Lake Huron around 115 years ago has moved toward Michigan’s shoreline due to high water levels and waves, weakening the ruins further. The
Congressman Fred Upton is asking the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services to update its policies to better respond to the COVID 19 threat. He tells us a supplemental budget bill passed by the House last week
From the Associated Press — A Michigan lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require school districts to include a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline number on student identification cards for grades 6-12. The Detroit News reports that
20 years ago this week, Michigan passed its primary seat belt law, which has since gone on to save more than 3,400 lives. However, Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning spokesperson Kendall Wingrove says not all are
From the Associated Press — Michigan is the largest of six states with Democratic primaries on Tuesday, and it could redefine what has become a showdown between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. But many Michigan primary voters
The family of the young boy seen in a viral video being beaten up at Benton Harbor’s International Academy at Hull elementary school is speaking out. The video has been removed from Facebook since being posted up
The Redskins name is going away in Paw Paw. The school board last night voted to retire the nickname at the end of this school year at the urging of superintendent Rick Reo. “Even the most die-hard
The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees has appointed Tracy D. Hertsel of Vandalia to fill a vacancy on the body. The action was taken at a Monday special meeting, and the vote was unanimous. Hertsel is
High costs are preventing nearly one in three Michigan adults from taking a needed medication. However, solutions to help bring down the price of prescription drugs could be around the corner. The new Prescription Drug Task Force
Spectrum Health is now offering free virtual screenings for COVID-19. The health system says it’s making the screenings available to help prevent the spread of the illness and also to ease anxiety. Spectrum Health Medical Group President
The Van Buren District Library is planning a presentation on the history of Silver Beach this month. Education coordinator Kay McAdam tells WSJM News Silver Beach Carousel Society President Suz Schalon and Connie Yore, the curator for
