State Representative Kim LaSata is praising Governor Rick Snyder’s action to delay the Michigan School Reform Office’s decision on possible school closures across the state. This week, the governor gave the SRO until the end of May
From the Associated Press — A few dozen people staged a protest against the potential closings of up to 38 underperforming schools across the state. The group marched from a Lansing church to the state Capitol complex where
15-year-old Abigail Kopf continues her recovery from last year’s shooting spree in Kalamazoo. Abigail was shot in the head in the rampage that ultimately killed six, and has since then undergone two surgeries to replace part of
Up to 24 years in prison await a 54-year-old Benton Harbor man for a double shooting at his home in September. A Berrien County jury found Timothy Young, Jr. guilty on two lesser charges of assault with
The Democratic National Committee will elect a new chairman on Saturday. The most high profile names nationally up for the job are former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez and Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, but South Bend Mayor
There is a reprieve for Benton Harbor Area Schools as three of the district’s schools face closure. Governor Snyder has given Michigan’s School Reform Office more time before deciding which of 38 chronically underperforming schools will be
Several southwest Michigan lawmakers will be in Bridgman Friday to honor Vietnam veterans. At 3 p.m. they’ll be at the American Legion for a ceremony to hand out commemorative lapel pins about 100 vets who served from
With the scarcity of snow this winter, we thought we’d check out how busy Berrien County Parks have been, and it turns out attendance hasn’t been down all that much. County Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News
Work is underway at Celebration Cinema in Benton Harbor to refurbish the auditoriums and add new luxury seating. They started ripping out the old seats form three of the auditoriums this month, and Celebration’s Steve Van Wagoner
Southwestern Michigan College is planning to expand its Nursing and Health Education Building so more programs can be offered and more students trained. SMC President Dr. David Mathews tells WSJM News the $9.6 million project is intended
A plan to stop health insurance companies from denying coverage to patients due to pre-existing conditions once the Affordable Care Act is repealed has been introduced in the U.S. House, co-sponsored by Congressman Fred Upton. Upton says
State Representative Dave Pagel, one of 12 Republicans in the Michigan House to vote no on a proposed income tax cut Thursday morning, says the plan just wan’t handled right. He tells WSJM News there were too
A Niles man is facing charges over a crash this week that killed a man in Indiana. According to our reporting partners at NewsCenter 16 WNDU, the St. Joseph County, Indiana Prosecutor’s office has charged 39-year-old James
Police are looking for a suspect who led them on a chase through Hartford on Wednesday. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us it all started shortly after 5 p.m. when they got a call about
Officials from New Buffalo will break ground Friday on a major initiative to improve the downtown area. They’ll be gathering at 1 p.m. for a ceremony to mark the start of a $5 million renovation project set
From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has given Michigan’s School Reform Office more time before deciding which of 38 chronically underperforming schools will be closed. Snyder said Thursday that he’s asked the reform office and state education
Legislation now under consideration by a Michigan House committee would make it a felony for an inmate or detainee at a jail to try to expose officers to bodily fluids or human waste. Among the plan’s supporters
The Republican-led Michigan House has defeated legislation to lower the state’s income tax. The bill that fell three votes short of passage early Thursday would lower the 4.25% tax to 4.05% by 2019 and then to 3.9%
Less snow this winter has meant savings for some municipalities in southwest Michigan. Tom MacDonald is the director of public works for the city of St. Joseph, and tells WSJM News no snow means time and money
Public tours of the courthouse and jail in Van Buren County are being offered over the next couple of months. Court Administrator Frank Hardester tells WSJM News they’re doing them to show people why the county is asking
A busy year is being planned by the Benton Harbor Downtown Development Authority. President Richard Hensel tells WSJM News, for one thing, they’re aiming to have a block party this June to raise money for the annual
A new study by BankRate.com has found just 52% of Americans have more money stashed away for emergencies than they owe in credit card debt. BankRate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride tells Michigan News Network folks are spending too
You may have noticed by now that this winter hasn’t featured a whole lot of snow around southwest Michigan. That might be good for you, but plow companies have been hurt. Drew Maier owns King Chop, a
The Michigan State Police trooper attacked this week while making a traffic stop and one of the men who rescued him are speaking out. Jerry Burnham told our partners at WNDU NewsCenter 16 it was his wife
Lakeland Health is asking anyone with the flu to refrain from visiting loved ones that might be staying at one of its facilities. It’s just about the peak of the flu season, and Lakeland tells WSJM News
From the Associated Press — A Detroit suburb that denied a religious organization’s proposal for a mosque in a residential neighborhood has agreed to settle two federal lawsuits that alleged discrimination. The Sterling Heights City Council voted late
From the Associated Press — A license plate, and a winning lottery ticket? In northern Michigan, the state lottery says it will allow people to claim large winnings at Secretary of State offices in four cities. The money
From the Associated Press — A northern Indiana high school is auctioning off parts of its gymnasium floor and other items that feature the Redskins nickname and mascot that were retired last year. Goshen High School dropped the
Governor Rick Snyder still has concerns about the fiscal implications of an income tax cut after House Republicans revised their legislation. The Republican governor issued a statement Tuesday night saying he appreciates House leaders taking seriously his
It’s big money for the city of Benton Harbor. On Tuesday, Governor Rick Snyder’s office announced a $396,000 grant for the community under the Distressed Cities, Villages and Townships Program for some water projects. City Manager Darwin Watson
