The proposed pedestrian bridge between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor is getting some help from the state. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board this week approved a $1.2 million performance-based grant to be used in conjunction with a
From the Associated Press — The Republican-led Michigan House has voted to lessen the penalty for having an expired concealed pistol license. The bill approved Wednesday would create a six-month grace period after a permit expires in which
Work has started to strengthen part of the bluff along Old Lakeshore Road in St. Joseph. CSX Railroad is installing huge rocks at the bottom of the bluff near the 2,400 block where there has been a
Legislation has been introduced in Lansing to ban local soda taxes. One fan of the idea is the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small businesses around the country. Michigan Director Charlie Owens tells WSJM News
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson hopes you will donate to her office’s annual Harvest Gathering. The food drive launched on Wednesday with Johnson telling WSJM News the program helps provides millions of meals each year to
You can count state Representative Mary Whiteford as among the supporters of an auto insurance reform package introduced this week in the Michigan House. She tells us this new plan to eliminate the requirement for unlimited catastrophic
A former professor for Southwestern Michigan College is facing several charges of criminal sexual conduct. The Cass County Prosecutor’s office tells us George Field was arraigned on Wednesday. He’s facing charges of criminal sexual conduct in the
Congressman Fred Upton is eager to get to work on a tax reform plan. Now that healthcare is out of the way, Upton tells WSJM News Congress will start to pull together a tax package. President Trump
From the Associated Press — The director of the Michigan State Police has apologized for sharing a post on her Facebook page that called NFL players protesting during the national anthem “degenerates.” The message shared Sunday by Col.
Michigan State Police are planning a recruitment seminar for Dowagiac this weekend. Lieutenant Mike Dawson with the Niles post tells WSJM News state police are looking at a shortage of personnel in the next few years. “There
From the Associated Press — Michigan is giving online retailer Amazon $4.5 million to ensure it opens another facility in the state. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved the incentive Tuesday for the e-commerce powerhouse to open a
Set for tonight is Southwestern Michigan College’s annual College Night. SMC Vice President of Marketing Mike O’Brien tells WSJM News it’s for both SMC students and high school students. “College night is an opportunity for college-bound high
From the Associated Press — Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Michigan this week to push a plan to cut taxes and simplify the country’s tax code. Pence will arrive Wednesday evening for a Republican dinner in
A southwest Michigan man is $100,000 richer this week. Stephen Strickland, of Constantine, matched four of the white balls in the latest Powerball drawing to win that prize. It’s usually a $50,000 win, but with a two
A new MLive report takes a look at the state’s Schools of Choice program, ranking one Berrien County district near the top of the list of districts that benefit. Berrien Springs Public Schools, according to MLive, is
$30,000 is being donated this year by the Pokagon Fund to a Lions Club project that provides eyeglasses to low-income residents around Harbor Country. The Pokagon Fund’s Janet Cocciarelli tells WSJM News the Lions Club has been
Congressman Fred Upton doesn’t have a timetable for announcing whether he’ll run for the U.S. Senate next year. There’s been a lot of talk about the possibility, especially following last week’s Republican Leadership Conference, but Upton tells
If you see people wading around in the Paw Paw River this weekend near Lawrence, they may just be fishing for bugs. The Van Buren Conservation District is collecting insect specimens to be used for water quality
Coming to a theater near you on Wednesday are sliders, fries, and pizzas. Celebration Cinema in Benton Harbor is launching its new expanded menu. The theater chain’s Steve VanWagoner tells WSJM News this new kitchen, along with
One man is facing charges following the theft of some copper wire from an American Electric Power facility in Berrien County. The sheriff’s department tells us the thefts occurred over the past several months, resulting in multiple
From the Associated Press — Michigan drivers would no longer be required to buy unlimited medical insurance benefits to cover their injuries in case they were seriously injured in a crash under legislation aimed at lowering the
The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office says the two intruders who were blamed by a Niles Township man for the death of his wife were made up. They presented their evidence against John Lewis at a preliminary examination
Michigan has more than 12,500 miles of hiking and biking trails. Michigan Department of Natural Resources trail coordinator Paul Yauk wants you to get out and enjoy them during this Michigan Trails Week. He spoke with Michigan
The AARP of Michigan is planning some meetings in Grand Rapids for this month to hear what seniors think of their community. The organization’s Jennifer Munoz tells us Grand Rapids is striving to be more senior friendly.
Preventing campus sexual assaults and helping victims. Those were the goals of Michigan First Lady Sue Snyder as she led a third statewide campus sexual assault summit Monday at Eastern Michigan University. Snyder says they’ve made progress,
St. Joseph city leaders are looking at the future of three local parks. At a Monday meeting, city commissioners heard from Robert Ford, a consultant who’s been brought on to draft a master plan for Dickinson, Whirlpool
A Niles woman is recovering after a single-vehicle crash on Monday morning. The city police department tells us it happened about 8:20 a.m. on West Chicago Road between Meadow Drive and Colony Court. 35-year-old Jennifer Flewellen had
Set for this week is an event to help out Berrien County law enforcement agencies while also raising awareness about human trafficking. Cathy Knauf with the Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force tells WSJM News they’re holding
With the Trump administration promising to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, a workshop is coming up this weekend in Kalamazoo for affected immigrants to renew their DACA status. Anyone whose DACA expires between September
From the Associated Press — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette has won the endorsements of former Governor John Engler and former congresswoman and Secretary of State Candice Miller. In comments released by Schuette’s campaign Monday, Engler told Gongwer
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