The Upjohn Institute for Employment Research has released its latest economic report for west Michigan, finding the region’s employment situation remained mostly flat in the fourth quarter of 2016. The institute’s Brian Pittelko tells WSJM News things
State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker has co-sponsored legislation making female genital mutilation a felony in Michigan. She tells WSJM News the move comes in response to a couple of recent cases in which arrests were made based on federal
The Van Buren County Road Commission is letting property owners know it’s about to start spraying for brush and weeds along county right of ways. The commission has hired a Zeeland company to do the spraying so
Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation from state Representative Beth Griffin designed to help schools save on energy. Griffin, a Mattawan Republican, tells WSJM News her plan gives schools the spending flexibility to sign multi-year energy contracts.
The demolition of a blighted home in St. Joseph remains on track. At a hearing this week, the city’s Property Maintenance Board of Appeals upheld a previous order that the structure at Niles Avenue near Hoyt Street
Two to four inches of rain are expected for our area tonight through Monday. This is prompting a FLASH FLOOD WATCH from this evening through Monday morning for Berrien and Cass Counties. Periods of heavy rainfall are
Western Michigan University will hand out more than 2,600 degrees this Saturday during its spring commencement ceremonies. It’s the last time President Dr. John Dunn will hand out diplomas before his summer retirement. He tells WKZO News it’s an
If you’ve got a bunch of old pills sitting in your medicine cabinet, Michigan State Police are offering you a way to do some spring cleaning this weekend. Just stop by any post and drop off unwanted
Six pet oxygen masks have been donated to Van Buren County fire departments. This week, Invisible Fence of Western Michigan gave the masks to South Haven Area Emergency Services, along with the Bangor, Columbia, and Covert Township
New legislation aims to create incentives for Michigan students to study math and science while giving them guidance when choosing their careers. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News his plan would allow a student to receive
Former state Representative and current Michigan Budget Director Al Pscholka will be honored next week at Lake Michigan College’s commencement ceremony. LMC is graduating 514 students that day and also handing out alumni awards. The Distinguished Service
The winners of this year’s Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament are the Watervliet Panthers. The contest is held each year by state Senator John Proos. His office takes photo submissions from different schools within his district, asking them
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a bicyclist was clipped by a semi Friday morning. It says deputies were called out to Lakeland Hospital in Niles when a 22-year-old man showed up seeking treatment. He
Congressman Fred Upton has joined with his colleagues in the Michigan delegation in signing a letter to the chief administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asking that the Chicago office of the EPA not be shut
One person is dead following a three-vehicle crash on I-94 near Coloma on Friday afternoon. It happened shortly after 1:30 in the eastbound lanes of the highway near mile marker 37. Coloma police tell us the crash
From the Associated Press — A judge has turned down a prosecutor’s request to hold one trial for a western Michigan man who is accused of killing two women and abducting a teen in three separate incidents. Muskegon
If you’re looking for a new pet, there’s another Empty the Shelters Day this Saturday at shelters throughout Michigan. It’s sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation, who’s paying the adoption fees at about 65 shelters including the
From the Associated Press — Names and logos of political parties no longer would be allowed on election ballots under two bills approved by Michigan’s state House. The legislation passed Thursday in Lansing and now heads to the
A murder investigation is underway in Benton Harbor. 37-year-old Tavaris Brummette was found badly wounded by gunshots in the Heyward Wells apartment complex this morning around 12:30 by public safety officers, and he died after being taken
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Legislature is sending Flint $100 million in federal funding to address the water crisis. Then-President Barack Obama and Congress approved the aid in December. State lawmakers voted Thursday to officially pass
Lawmakers in Lansing are looking to help those who wait until the last minute to renew their license plate tabs. State Representative Curt VanderWall tells Michigan News Network renewing your tags online can have its downfalls. His plan
A report from the AFLO-CIO finds the state should have tougher penalties for workplace safety violations. Spokesperson Zack Pohl tells WSJM News the average penalty for an OSHA violation is $763. He also says the state doesn’t have
A Stevensville-based manufacturer is getting a $135,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant to help with an expansion project. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News Falcon Lakeside Manufacturing will invest $1.8 million in Berrien County. He thinks it
Starting Monday, the Michigan Department of Transportation will be replacing the westbound I-94 bridge over the Paw Paw River. MDOT Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News they did the eastbound half in 2015, and the other half of
State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker has co-sponsored legislation making female genital mutilation a felony in Michigan. She tells WSJM News the move comes in response to a couple of recent cases in which arrests were made based on federal
A Kalamazoo woman is in the Cass County Jail following a knife attack on her boyfriend at Southwestern Michigan College Thursday. The Dowagiac Police Department tells us officers were sent out to the dorms at SMC around
From the Associated Press — A bill advancing in Michigan’s Legislature would change regulations in the charitable gambling industry after backlash over a state crackdown that charities say has restricted their fundraising. The legislation , approved 100-9 Thursday
From the Associated Press — Authorities say bovine tuberculosis has been found in a cow in a small beef herd in western Michigan’s Lake County. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said Wednesday the infected,
The Senior PGA championship will soon be taking applications from those who want to serve as volunteers when the sporting event comes to Harbor Shores next year. The championship’s Rachel Wright tells WSJM News they’ve already got more than
Michigan State Police will be holding another drug takeback event this weekend. Posts all over Michigan, including those in Paw Paw and Niles, will take part. State police team up with the Drug Enforcement Agency on the
