Local News Archives

U.S. wildlife officials want to strip gray wolves of their remaining federal protections and declare them recovered after a decades-long restoration effort. Michigan Technological University wildlife ecology professor John Vucetich doesn’t support the move. He spoke with

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has revealed more information about a kidnapping in the Upper Peninsula that resulted in a statewide Amber Alert this week. Skip Hagy with the DNR in Newberry tells WSJM News 53-year-old

A tax credit being floated by Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland is getting some attention statewide. Cleveland tells WSJM News he came up with the idea for the HUGE credit while brainstorming with the Michigan Economic Development

The city of South Haven will hold a public hearing on Monday to allow comment on the proposed application to seek a grant for the purchase of the All Seasons Marine sit on Black River Street. The

The city of Benton Harbor is closing a failing section of Paw Paw Avenue until further notice. The city says Paw Paw Avenue from north of Waukonda to the Public Works maintenance garage will be shut down

This is a little different than holding a coffee hour. State Representative Pauline Wendzel’s office tells us she’s planning to hold a “Pints with Pauline” event this month at Arclight Brewing Company in Watervliet. She’ll be there

Lake Michigan College is seeking the community’s help in setting its goals for the future. It’s launched an online survey to ask everyone what they think should be LMC’s priorities. LMC tells us the first part of

A women’s unity march is planned for this weekend in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. Berrien County Democratic Women Chair Kim Jorgensen Gane tells WSJM News the event is to learn about challenges women face, to amplify

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has given the green light to the Berrien County Road Department to seek a $1.5 million grant for a trail project near New Buffalo. County Administrator Bill Wolf tells WSJM News

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is marking a record fundraising year. At its annual celebration at Lake Michigan College Thursday, the organization announced it raised more than $4.2 million with its 2018 campaign. United Way of

A big boost on Thursday in the fight against the opioid epidemic in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer was on hand in Macomb County when former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a $10 million investment from

Around 60,000 patients who have been treated by Spectrum Health Lakeland and its various services in southwest Michigan are being notified of a data breach. Spectrum Health Chief Privacy Officer Leah Voigt tells WSJM News the hack

The Michigan chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business is filing an amicus brief urging the state Supreme Court to issue an opinion on the GOP lame-duck legislature’s gutting of the state minimum wage law. Supporters

A recent project to increase energy efficiency at Benton Harbor Area Schools has resulted in a rebate of just under $5,000 being awarded to the district by Indiana Michigan Power. At this week’s district CEO meeting, I&M’s

The alerts in the middle of the night likely woke up thousands of Michiganders regarding an AMBER Alert in the Upper Peninsula town of Paradise. There is a happy ending to that situation. Michigan State Police canceled

From the Associated Press — Governors of five states oppose President Donald Trump’s call for a 90 percent spending cut for a Great Lakes cleanup program. The president’s 2020 budget offers $30 million for the Great Lakes

The Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development is highlighting an early college program in Allegan County as a model for how more students could receive a college education, and for free. The Early College Allegan County

Benton Harbor Area Schools was a topic of discussion this week for the Michigan State Board of Education. At a Tuesday meeting, Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles said the School Reform Office has heard back from the

The city of South Haven and three nearby townships have extended for 25 years the agreement that created South Haven Area Emergency Services. SHAES Director Ron Wise tells WSJM News South Haven, South Haven Township, Casco Township,

President Trump is seeking more than $75 million for work on the new Soo Lock project in Sault Ste. Marie. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the money would be used to start construction of the

It’s legal, but the Humane Society of the United States says testing being done on 36 beagles in Mattawan at Charles River Labs is abhorrent and immoral. The nonprofit released video footage shot undercover at what used

Benton Township police are looking for suspects after a 30-year-old man was shot twice in the leg early Sunday morning. The department says the man told police from his bed at Spectrum Health Lakeland’s emergency room that

Preparations are underway for the fifth annual Southwest Michigan Mini Maker Faire, and organizers are looking for makers to take part. Berrien RESA’s Joe Rommel tells WSJM News the fair is a chance for anyone with a

Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera has spoken with the Michigan Department of Treasury about the possibility of the district going charter. At Tuesday’s CEO meeting, Herrera said the state came to him about the idea,

Of 138 seniors at Benton Harbor High School this year, only 38 are currently on track to graduate. That was one of many things Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera told the community at a Tuesday

The charitable arm of drug maker Perrigo is donating $130,000 to a non-profit that provides food to kids in need in Allegan County. Kids’ Food Basket will receive the first ceremonial check this week in Holland. Perrigo

It’s time for another Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament. State Senator Kim LaSata announced in a Facebook video this week her office is keeping the tradition alive, offering schools throughout her district a chance to prove they have

Public input is being sought by the Berrien County Parks Department for the next parks master plan. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News the plan is needed to qualify for state grants. It outlines

Police are asking for help in finding two brothers who may have been present at the time of a fatal shooting in Benton Harbor last summer. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us officers responded

From the Associated Press — The state of Michigan has added cerebral palsy to a list conditions for which people can register to use medical marijuana. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs announced its decision Monday.