From the Associated Press — Michigan’s House wants to give parents free reign in listening to their children’s conversations. In a 105-3 vote, lawmakers passed the bill that adds parental exemptions to Michigan’s eavesdropping prohibition. Eavesdropping is defined
Officials at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids are calling on the Michigan Legislature to amend the state’s current Large Carnivore Act. Zoo CEO Peter D’Arienzo tells Michigan News Network it currently prevents the breeding of
The food and beverage industry in southwest Michigan is showing very strong growth in a new study. Commissioned by Indiana Michigan Power, the study was done to help better plan for the utility’s responsibilities and also to
No details have been released yet by Michigan State Police, but authorities from several police agencies raided a Benton Harbor home last night for a drug bust. A block of Catalpa near Colfax was blocked off by
From the Associated Press — No bans on pit bulls allowed, Michigan’s Senate says. The chamber voted 22-13 on Thursday to prohibit local governments from dictating breed-specific regulations on dogs. The legislation will benefit canines that are perceived
A lifetime of learning, training, and self-improvement. Those are among the things Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger believes led up to the famous “Miracle on the Hudson.” In an address to the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Thursday
Two people have been picked as Berrien County’s Dispatchers of the year. At Thursday’s Berrien County Commission meeting, the honor was given to Eric Ruth and Lanny Duffel. Ruth, who works for Niles Dispatch, handled a call
The Michigan Public Service Commission has given approval to Indiana Michigan Power to raise its electric rates. MPSC spokesperson Nick Assendelft tells WSJM News I&M asked the state for permission to do so in May of last
A teen from Berrien Township is facing a charge of terrorism due to a threat of violence. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office tells us the 15-year-old Berrien Springs High School student was taken to the Berrien County
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that a body found in the Paw Paw River this week is that of a missing kayaker. 35-year-old Cory Wright of Niles went missing while kayaking in the Paw Paw
A community forum for stakeholders in Benton Harbor Area Schools is in the works. At this week’s school board meeting, Lou Ann Vidmar, a union representative of district teachers, invited everyone to take part in a discussion
From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder says twin oil pipelines beneath the waterway linking two of the Great Lakes apparently were damaged by the same vessel believed to have caused a recent 600-gallon coolant fluid
Consumers Energy is out in force this week at the FIRST Robotics state championships in Saginaw. Spokesperson Roger Morgenstern tells WSJM News that competition features robotics teams from all over the state, and Consumers has executives on
Honor Credit Union is hoping customers will step forward to help out moms in need this spring. The credit union will have donation boxes set up at its locations throughout southwest Michigan through May 7 to collect
State Senator John Proos will receive a special honor from the Michigan Secretary of State’s office this week. On Friday, he’ll get the Shining Star Award, which is given out to groups or individuals who work to
The announcement on Wednesday from House Speaker Paul Ryan that he will not seek re-election was no surprise to Congressman Fred Upton. The St. Joseph Republican tells us in a statement Ryan’s family has long watched the
Benton Harbor School Trustees want to know more about why Whirlpool had access to student records, but Whirlpool tells us the company never did. Whirlpool Corporate Vice President Jeff Noel tells WSJM News it was in fact
The Michigan House inquiry into the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal has led to the introduction of legislation intended to protect Michigan students. House leaders on Wednesday announced the package which includes tougher child pornography penalties and
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court has heard arguments in two high-profile cases involving guns on school property. Lawyers for gun owners say the appeals court was wrong when it said public schools can create
Everyone in southwest Michigan is being asked to keep their eyes open for an invasive insect that could pose a threat to trees. The Southwest by Southwest Corner CISMA’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News it’s the Asian
A search is ongoing in the St. Joseph River between the island and Lake Michigan for a 70-year-old man last seen Tuesday night at Brian’s Marina on Anchors Court. The U.S. Coast Guard tells WSJM News it’s
From the Associated Press — Democrat Shri Thanedar is planning to spend $1 million to air 10 new TV ads in the governor’s race over the next two months. The businessman will begin launching the ads Wednesday. In one
U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider held a town hall meeting with housing officials on the campus of Wayne State University Tuesday. He wanted to get the message out about the sexual harassment of renters by their landlords, maintenance
A K9 with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a donation from the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Incorporated. German Shephard Luca has been with the Allegan County
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education wants some answers regarding student information it says has come into the possession of Whirlpool. At a Tuesday work session, the board approved a resolution directing Interim Superintendent Patricia
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has found a body in the Paw Paw River near Watervliet. On Tuesday afternoon, a sheriff’s department lieutenant and the undersheriff were patrolling the river to look for the body of 35-year-old
A repaving project is about to get started on I-94 in Van Buren County. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News they’ll start the work on eastbound 94 between 56th Street and M-51 Monday.
A search and rescue operation for a 70-year-old man was launched Tuesday night by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Coast Guard in the St. Joseph River in St. Joe. The Coast Guard tells us
The winners of state Senator John Proos’ annual Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament for 2018 are the Coloma Comets. They beat out the River Valley Mustangs in the final round of the tournament, which is a March Madness-like
Here’s something you’ve probably never heard before. The city of St. Joseph has accepted the donation of a castle. At Monday’s meeting, Marketing Director Susan Solon told city commissioners Turner Construction, the company doing work at Lakeland,
