From the Associated Press — Patrons could bring their dogs along while eating in outdoor areas of restaurants under a bill advancing in the Michigan Legislature. State law generally prohibits live animals at restaurants. The legislation was approved
Former Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Leonard Seawood will go to trial in August for embezzlement. At a preliminary exam Wednesday, Berrien County Judge Donna Howard found there was enough evidence Seawood knowingly presented falsified documents
President Donald Trump’s administration says state and local governments should pay for cleanups of the Great Lakes and other iconic waterways. The proposed federal budget for 2018 would eliminate $427 million for regional water restoration initiatives. U.S.
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has approved significant changes in how the state buys and improves land for public recreation. Legislation passed 24-14 Wednesday by the Republican-controlled chamber would empower the Legislature to have more
The OutCenter in Benton Harbor is setting up programs to support transgender citizens of Berrien County. WSJM’s Jacob Holmes has more. Read the Michigan State Report of the U.S. Transgender Survey here: http://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS-MI-State-Report.pdf
From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are looking to create guidelines for body camera footage obtained by law enforcement officers. The state House passed a bill Tuesday that would require police departments to have written policies on
Things are looking up when it comes to summer jobs for teens in Michigan. Jenni Riehle, with the State Budget Office, says the Michigan Labor market has continued to improve and this has led to teens having
The OutCenter in Benton Harbor will release the results of a large survey of the nation’s transgendered citizens at a gathering Wednesday morning. OutCenter Director Mary Jo Schnell tells WSJM News they’ve teamed up with Equality Michigan for
Beer is big business in Michigan. A new report shows the beer industry in the state has a roughly $10.5 billion impact, employing nearly 5,000 people. Brett Visner, with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, tells
President Trump’s budget proposal is facing opposition from Congressman Fred Upton. He tells us many of the cuts the president lays out in his official budget, released Thursday, are “non-starters.” They include big cuts to the Great
Round Barn Winery in Baroda has acquired Tabor Hill Winery. Round Barn Partner Chris Moersch tells WSJM News the deal was in the works for about 3 years. He’s thrilled to have signed it Tuesday. “For our family,
From the Associated Press — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says the state will receive nearly $400,000 from an $18.5 million settlement with Target Corporation to resolve a multi-state probe into the discounter’s pre-Christmas data breach in 2013. Target’s
From the Associated Press — About 20 students and staff members at a western Michigan school have been treated for breathing problems caused by an unknown irritant. The Muskegon Chronicle and WOOD-TV report hazardous materials teams were inside
The controversy over the “Redskins” nickname for Paw Paw Public Schools isn’t going away, despite the school board voting to keep it in place earlier this year. The high school’s varsity baseball team was met by protesters
Law enforcement agencies around Michigan have kicked off their annual Click It or Ticket campaign. Organizers say wearing a seat belt can reduce your risk of death or injury by 50%. Anne Readett, with the Michigan Office Of Highway
Ground will be broken on the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan’s new shelter in Royalton Township next month. Board President Don Blackmond tells WSJM News they have raised more than $1.2 million of the $2 million shelter goal,
Drivers are being advised to avoid the intersection of Hilltop Road and Washington Avenue in St. Joseph while construction work wraps up. The city and several other entities are working to resurface Hilltop and replace water pipes.
The summer officially gets underway this weekend in St. Joseph as the farmers market makes its return. St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News 25 local producers will be selling all sorts of fruits and vegetables. It’s a
Benton Harbor Area Schools will celebrate the return of summer this week with a Summer Safety Fair. Coordinator Julie Earle tells WSJM News everyone is welcome to the high school for a dinner at 4:30 Thursday, followed by
Police are warning everyone about fake $100 bills going around. Dowagiac Police Chief Steve Grinnewald tells WSJM News the bills have “For Motion Picture Use Only” printed on them. “If you’re inspecting the money very carefully, you will probably
From the Associated Press — Republican businesswoman Lena Epstein is running for U.S. Senate in Michigan. In her announcement Monday, the 35-year-old said Michigan is ready for another outsider with business experience after helping elect Donald Trump president. Epstein is
From the Associated Press — Democrats in Michigan’s Legislature are speaking out against Republican-backed health care legislation approved by the U.S. House. Lawmakers on Monday introduced a proposed “Michigan Health Care Bill of Rights” resolution and held news
From the Associated Press — Scientists will release sterile sea lampreys into several Michigan rivers in the continuing quest to control the aquatic parasites that threaten fish in the Great Lakes region. Crews this month will put about
Two suspected drug dealers from Elkhart, Indiana planning to attend a music festival near Bangor ended up in the Van Buren County Jail instead after they were discovered to have about 100 Ecstasy pills and methamphetamine in
Ford Motor Company is replacing its chief executive. Mark Fields is retiring amid pressure based on the company’s stock price according to anonymous sources familiar with the situation. During the 56-year old’s three-year tenure, shares dropped 40%.
The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center is gearing up to offer another summer of St. Joseph lighthouse tours. Curator Tracy Gierada tells WSJM News they’re changing it up a bit this year so the public has more
A plan to close a tax loophole that’s hurt southwest Michigan communities is moving forward in Lansing. State Representative Dave Pagel tells WSJM News under current rules, some owners of vacation homes in Michigan claim the homestead
Michigan’s roads will be busy this Memorial Day. AAA of Michigan is predicting 1.2 million Michiganders to travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend. Spokesperson Susan Hiltz told WKZO News the economy is the reason travel keeps
Legislation now in the Michigan House would allow state residents to place bets on horse races through their smart phones. State Representative Dan Lauwers, of Brockway Township, tells Michael Patrick Shiels there are 20 states in which
A plan from state Senator John Proos to put the hammer down on those who steal veterans grave markers has cleared a committee. Proos tells us his plan would make it a felony to steal a veteran
