Governor Rick Snyder signed the new state budget on Friday. It’s a plan some analysts describe as both promising and concerning. Rachel Richards, with the Michigan League for Public Policy, tells us the $56.5 half billion state
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has made an arrest in a child pornography case. It tells us it searched a home in the 13,000 block of US 12 in Union on Monday and found a computer containing pictures it
As the U.S. Senate works on a compromise healthcare plan, Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News there’s one possibility he doesn’t consider likely. He says a straight repeal of the Affordable Care Act, without a replacement plan,
The number of drug overdose deaths skyrocketed in Michigan last year. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says 1,689 people died from opioid-related overdoses in 2016, up from 1,275 in 2015. Health Department spokeswoman Jennifer Eisner told
The 62nd annual Van Buren Youth Fair gets truly underway on Monday. Fair secretary Iris Swift tells WSJM News Monday’s events will include animal shows and a talent show. It’s also Armed Forces Day when veterans and
One person is facing charges following a drug bust in Benton Township this week. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us the Southwest Enforcement Team searched a home in the 1,200 block of Parkway Drive on Thursday.
From the Associated Press — A former golf course in western Michigan has transformed into hilly grassland for hikers to walk through and for nature to thrive. The Grand Rapids Press reports that the Blandford Nature Center officially
From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has signed a $56.5 billion budget, capping months of work with lawmakers on the state’s next spending plan. The Republican governor signed the bills Friday in Grand Rapids, at a
Governor Snyder has signed into law a plan to steer more newly hired school employees into a 401(k)-only retirement benefit instead of one with a pension. Republicans say Thursday’s move will prevent future underfunding, while teachers unions
Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law some teacher pension reforms. The plan is expected to largely move new teachers in Michigan over to 401(k) style retirement plans, rather than being put into the old traditional pension
Red Arrow Highway between US-12 and Union Pier has now officially been dedicated as the Trooper Charles Stark and Trooper Gary Rampy Memorial Highway. That’s after Berrien County Commissioners approved a resolution Thursday stating as much. Commissioner
Events started Thursday in Grand Rapids to commemorate the 104th birthday of President Gerald Ford. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Executive Director Joe Calvaruso told Michigan News Network Ford’s work as president is unfortunately overlooked by many. “He
Lakeshore Schools has locked in a date to ask voters for a 25 year, $21 million bond. The board of education has bene thinking for several months about asking voters for the improvement funds. They would be
The freshly adopted “Good Jobs” program by state lawmakers is a hit on both-sides of the aisle. At least that’s according to JoAnn Crary, president of Saginaw Future, who spoke to Michigan New Network about the issue.
Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac is helping Southwestern Michigan College with its big nursing program expansion. The hospital this week announced a $10,000 donation to SMC as it works to roughly double the number of nursing students
Girls on the Run of Berrien County is merging with Girls on the Run of Van Buren-Cass-St. Joseph counties. Berrien Girls on the Run Director Julie Bos tells WSJM News the national program wanted to consolidate some chapters,
Cass County Sheriff’s Department K9 “Faust” is once again being saluted for his efforts to help law enforcement. The department tells our newsroom deputies were called out to the 69,000 Block of Hazel Road in Union around
From the Associated Press — State officials say overdose deaths jumped by 18% last year in Michigan with the majority of cases involving opioid abuse. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that nearly 1,700 of
Fair season in southwest Michigan starts Saturday. The Van Buren Youth Fair will run from July 15-22. Monster trucks will be featured this year for the first time with the Michigan Monster Truck Shootout Wednesday night. Friday
Wednesday was Net Neutrality Day of Action as websites of all stripes posted messages to their visitors asking them to reach out to the FCC on the issue of maintaining an open internet. The agency is on
All this week, Warren Dunes State Park is offering programs to teach young people about the wildlife that live there. Specifically, they’re focusing on mammals, as this is Mammal Week. Park Explorer Guide Mike Latus tells WSJM
The Good Jobs for Michigan plan isn’t pleasing everyone. As the governor is widely expected to sign into law the incentives designed to create new jobs, the National Federation of Independent Business is crying foul. Michigan Director
The Berrien County Health Department is making a new push to promote sexual health. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the department wants to get people thinking about how the issue is important while also getting the
Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation making female genital mutilation illegal under state law. State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is among the lawmakers who pushed the legislation through in the last session. She tells WSJM News the 12
From the Associated Press — Beginning in January, Michigan will have rules in place for the disclosure and retention of audio or video recordings from body cameras worn by police officers. Legislation signed by Governor Rick Snyder Wednesday
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has introduced legislation fully funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 million. Michigan Congressman John Moolenaar is on the Committee and spoke with Michigan News Network about the plan. “It’s the
Police have identified a man killed in St. Joseph Township this week when he was struck by a vehicle. 23-year-old James Servillas, of St. Joseph, was pronounced dead from his injuries at Lakeland Hospital Wednesday morning. He
From the Associated Press — The Michigan House has approved the Good Jobs for Michigan tax incentives plan. Qualified companies that create hundreds or thousands of Michigan jobs would receive state tax incentives under bills approved by
A deadly hit-and-run accident this morning is under investigation in St. Joseph Township. WSJM News has learned a person was found laying in the road in the area of South Lakeshore Drive near Victoria Path, just north
Strong thunderstorms are responsible for several thousand Indiana Michigan Power customers being without any electricity this morning. After the first round of storms rolled through, there were 4,655 customers in the dark in Berrien County, with 23
