From the Associated Press — Senate Republicans have relaxed legislation that would have prohibited the use of absentee ballot drop boxes on Election Day, instead proposing to close them at 5 p.m. – three hours before Michigan
Road millages were on the ballot in communities across Michigan for this week’s elections, and in most cases, the voters said yes. County Road Association of Michigan spokesperson Dustin Earley tells us 100% of the road millage
Dr. Rick Johansen has attended his final meeting of the Berrien County Board of Health as Berrien County Medical Director. The board on Wednesday read a resolution honoring the retiring director. The board’s Peg Kohring said Johansen
Congressman Fred Upton on Wednesday led a hearing of the House Energy Subcommittee focused on electric vehicles and what’s going to be needed as they replace gas-powered vehicles in the U.S. Upton tells WSJM News there’s a
A bill from state Senator Kim LaSata to rename part of I-94 in Berrien County in honor of a road worker who was killed has been approved by the Michigan Senate. LaSata tells us her legislation designates
Indiana Michigan Power will hold the official unveiling of its newest solar farm Thursday. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News the St. Joseph Solar Farm in Granger, Indiana is a 210-acre property off the Indiana Toll Road.
From the Associated Press — A split Michigan Senate has voted to exempt high school graduation ceremonies from the state’s order that restricts crowd sizes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans who control the chamber supported the
Severance deals for state officials would be limited under legislation approved unanimously by the Michigan House. Representative John Roth, a Republican from Traverse City, says the bills limit severance packages to 12 weeks for state employees and
Clean-air advocates are pressing Michigan’s members of Congress to get rid of the Trump administration’s rules that allow methane emissions from oil and gas facilities – rules that rolled back stricter Obama-era regulations on methane leaks. The
Michigan’s new COVID-19 cases are at 2,589 for Wednesday for a pandemic total of 854,536. Since March 2020, 17,939 people have died in the state from coronavirus as 42 people died Wednesday. In southwest Michigan, Berrien County
A 66-year-old Farmington man is facing charges after a high-speed chase in Berrien County on Tuesday. Michigan State Police say troopers got word of a possible stolen vehicle headed west on I-94 near Red Arrow Highway shortly
Voters in a handful of southwest Michigan communities went to the polls Tuesday. South Haven Public Schools had a bonding proposal on the ballot that was approved. The district will bond more than $34 million for what
President Biden laid out a list of proposals for new federal spending during his joint address to Congress last week, but Congressman Fred Upton doesn’t think some of them are realistic. Upton tells WSJM News talks on
The United Way of Southwest Michigan has announced its 2021 Volunteer United Youth Scholarship winners. Spokesperson Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News the organization gives out three $1,000 scholarships each year to high school seniors who have served
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has updates its mask rules for certain gatherings. It has lifted the mask requirement for outdoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people. Michigan State Police have released the following:
Benton Harbor City Manager Ellis Mitchell says he’s planning a Youth Summit to learn what improvements the community’s young people want to see. Mitchell told city commissioners on Monday he came to the idea after a planning
The percentage of Berrien County COVID-19 tests that come back positive is now about 12% as cases decline following a peak a few weeks ago. Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten said during a Tuesday COVID update
A social district for downtown Bridgman has been approved by the city council. Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber President Arthur Havlicek tells WSJM News social districts are areas where people will be allowed to buy and walk around
From the Associated Press — Teams of canvassers from Detroit’s health department have been fanning out across city neighborhoods to educate residents on where to get free COVID-19 vaccines. Detroit’s door-to-door campaign is the latest in its
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Michigan for Tuesday is 2,527, the lowest that number has been since March. There have been 851,947 cases of COVID since March of last year. The Department of Health and
Police have arrested a suspect in the robbery of the Walgreens on Napier Avenue in Benton Township last week. The Benton Township Police Department says David Sims was taken into custody without incident. He’s alleged to have
South Haven Public Schools are asking for approval of a millage today and there are many school issues on ballots around the state. With the pandemic, are schools finding they need to upgrade their technology with so
One woman has died after a house fire in McAlister in Benton Harbor Monday night. Public safety was called to the home in the 11-hundred block a few minutes before 7 p.m. and noticed heavy smoke and
The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan has announced its Speaker Series lineup for the next season. The organization has released the following: The announcement of a seven-speaker season lineup marks the planned return of in-person events for
State Senator Kim LaSata has announced Cowboy Up is the first recipient of her Small Business of the Month award. LaSata started the Small Business of the Month Award this year as a way to salute small
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have signaled their support for a $22 million apartment complex development being planned by Whirlpool. The company is seeking to build the 80 unit complex at 170 Riverview Drive, property it owns. During
Michigan State Police have bolstered their presence in Benton Harbor with the addition of the new Fifth District Crime Prevention Squad. Lieutenant DeWayne Robinson tells WSJM News the squad is in addition to the MSP Secure Cities
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Service and the Michigan Department of Transportation have teamed up to offer COVID-19 testing at Welcome Centers around the state. That includes the New Buffalo Welcome Center. MDHHS spokesperson Chelsea
School districts around Berrien County are being encouraged to provide staff with mandatory reporter training to help stop incidents of child abuse and neglect. Berrien County Prosecutor Steve Pierangeli sent districts a letter urging that training be
From the Associated Press — Calls to Michigan’s helpline for people struggling with gambling addiction spiked early this year, and researchers believe the timing is linked to the start of online gambling. The Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline
