A new invasive plant species has shown up in southwest Michigan. The Van Buren Conservation District’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News Japanese stilt-grass has been found along a former snowmobile trail near Niles. It’s a persistent grass
Bills to prevent wage theft will soon be introduced in the Michigan legislature. A report from the Economic Policy Institute earlier this year found Michigan workers across all demographic groups are losing $429 million every year as
New safety features are being added to roads around southwest Michigan, and you may not even notice them. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the agency has identified areas where cars are more
After a House committee last week passed a package of bills to reform auto-insurance in Michigan, critics say the proposal goes too far in slashing coverage guaranteed for catastrophically injured drivers. Speaker of the House Tom Leonard
From the Associated Press — New Michigan laws will allow bicyclists to use electric-assisted bikes on roads and paved trails. The legislation signed by Governor Rick Snyder on Monday defines the bikes in law and classifies them based
From the Associated Press — A woman accused of making threats outside a western Michigan mosque has reached a plea agreement to resolve the case. The Grand Rapids Press reports that 34-year-old Kari Moss of Ada pleaded no
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal hit and run reported on Monday. Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the scene on M-43 east of 37th Street near Paw Paw around 8:30 a.m. A
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is reminding everyone there will be local elections in the coming month. The date is set at November 7. Johnson tells us many voters will be using brand new voting machines
We’re not paying as much to fill up to start the week. In the area, Triple-A Michigan says the average gas price for the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph region is down 9¢ a gallon from last week to
From the Associated Press — Municipalities in Michigan will be prohibited from levying local taxes on food and beverages under a bill signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. The Republican governor OK’d the measure Thursday after it recently
Home sales in southwest Michigan were up in the month of September by about 5% from August. Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors Executive Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News that’s good news, although the low housing inventory right
With Governor Rick Snyder proclaiming October as Michigan’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Treasury is asking Michiganders to practice cyber vigilance as a way to prevent tax-related identify theft. Spokesperson Ron Liex tells WSJM News
The next public art theme for the city of St. Joseph was announced this week. The public art display this summer will feature heroic knights on horseback. City Marketing Director Susan Solon announced Monday night the theme
Michigan State Police have a safety advisory for everyone now that it’s fall. Lieutenant Mike Dawson tells WSJM News drivers need to watch out for deer. Dawson reminds drivers that swerving is the worst thing to do
St. Joseph City Commissioners have approved a new Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Whirlpool as it moves forward with its plans to invest in the tech center on Upton Drive. Rob Cleveland of Cornerstone Alliance tells WSJM
Michigan State Police are preparing to team up with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in Niles next month to collect items for needy kids. Trooper Jesse Binns tells WSJM News the annual Stuff a Blue
From the Associated Press — The Michigan House has approved legislation to clarify the enforcement of prenuptial agreements due to concerns that an appellate court ruling could lead judges to invalidate prenups because assets aren’t apportioned equally. The
Lake Michigan College has been recognized by the Michigan Veterans’ Affairs Agency for its work to attract and accommodate veterans. It’s been named a gold-level Veteran Friendly School. LMC Vice President of Student Engagement Barbara Craig tells WSJM
Benton Harbor-based employment and economic development organizations Kinexus and Cornerstone Alliance both have their concerns about the city’s proposal for a local income tax. Representatives of both groups chatted with WSJM’s Pat Moody this week about the
The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency is working to help Benton Harbor-area residents prepare for the coming cold weather by showing them how winterize their homes. The agency’s Sandra Clank tells WSJM News they’ll do a demonstration
St. Joseph City Commissioners have heard from state Representative Kim LaSata on the question of short-term rentals. It’s been a hot button issue for the commission since legislation was introduced in the state House and Senate to
With the temperature dropping and the furnace kicking on for many Michiganders, everyone’s being reminded there are places to turn for home heating help this winter. Michigan Gas Utilities spokesperson Matt Cullen tells WSJM News you should
Despite the direction of the Trump administration, a new poll finds overwhelming support for clean fuel standards, regardless of partisan or demographic lines. Elizabeth Senav with Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, which did the survey, tells us about
The new indoor ice arena in Lincoln Township has led to the loss of some hockey business for the rink in St. Joseph. St. Joe Deputy Public Works Director Greg Grothous tells WSJM News the BAHA hockey
President Donald Trump’s declaration of an opioid public health emergency this week is supported by Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News opioid addiction and overdoses affect every community across the country, including southwest Michigan. Upton tells
Coming up this Sunday will be some haunted walking tours of downtown St. Joseph. Tracy Gierada with the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center tells WSJM News they’re going to start at Bear Park at State and Market
Meijer celebrating more than 500,000 home deliveries to customers. It’s thanks to a service available to more than two million Michiganders. Meijer spokesman Art Sebastian told Michigan News Network a little more. “We’re getting a lot of good
Lake Michigan College has been awarded $3 million in federal grants to help students. LMC is the only Michigan community college selected by a U.S. Department of Education to receive the Title III Strengthening Institutions grant in
From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder has signed legislation so Michigan spends more to reimburse gas station owners to clean up their leaky, environmentally risky fuel tanks. The Republican-backed measure, which was opposed by Democrats, creates a
State Senator John Proos is expecting the auto insurance reform discussions to continue in Lansing for the rest of the year. He told WSJM’s Pat Moody this week a House plan would allow for limits on catastrophic
