The Michigan House and Senate have approved a rewrite of state energy laws on the final day of voting for the House during the two-year term. The Republican-led chamber voted Thursday to boost the required use of
Kim LaSata has been sworn in as the new state Representative for Michigan’s 79th District. LaSata was given the oath Thursday at the Berrien County Courthouse by her husband, Judge Charles LaSata. She told WSJM News she
There’s not a whole lot of time left to finish your gift shopping for the year, and that means a sales boost for retailers as those last minute types head to stores. Tom Scott, with the Michigan
Michigan has a new energy plan. Near the end of the last legislative day of the year in the Michigan House on Thursday, sweeping energy legislation was approved. Energy Policy Chair Aric Nesbitt had been working on the
The cold snap this week is a reminder for pet owners not to leave their animals outside. Jill Svoboda, with the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan, tells WSJM News if you leave Fido outside, give him a good
The Van Buren County Commission has added its voice to the chorus of those trying to keep the Palisades nuclear power plant open. This week, commissioners approved a resolution asking the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject
In the waning days of the lame duck legislative session, a plan to increase the number of people who sign up to be organ donors in Michigan has been approved. State Senator John Proos tells us Lauren’s
Estimates from AAA say nearly 3.5 million people from Michigan will travel for the year-end holidays, up 2.5 percent from last year. The auto club says Thursday it’s the highest total volume of people going 50 miles or
Michigan’s unemployment rate rose to 4.9% in November, marking the first month this year the state’s jobless rate was above the national rate. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Wednesday the rate was up from
Michigan is on the mind of economist Stephen Moore today. Moore, who’s also an economic adviser to president-elect Donald Trump, will be the keynote speaker at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce today. Lansing Chamber CEO Tim
Federal prosecutors are suing a Detroit suburb after a religious organization’s proposal for a mosque in a residential neighborhood was denied. The U.S. Attorney’s office filed the suit Thursday in federal court against Sterling Heights. Planning commissioners voted
Governor Rick Snyder has some unfinished business from this year that he’s looking to have addressed in 2017. He spoke about his hopes for next year with WSJM News. “I’m putting career/tech education and the skilled trades
The Detroit Red Wings are honoring law enforcers, especially five Michigan officers killed in the line of duty this year. The Red Wings play the Los Angeles Kings at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday. The team says
As Christmas approaches, the Pokagon Fund is stepping up donations to groups that can help kids have a good holiday. It’s given $9,000 to Toys for Tots to provide more than 400 kids in Harbor Country with
Police are noticing fake $20 bills showing up around southwest Michigan. Kalamazoo County Sheriff Rick Fuller tells our newsroom the crooks who use them often do so at gas stations and fast food joints. “Part of the
With Christmas just about here, many families have their trees up, and fire officials want to remind them to be safe. St. Joseph Director of Public Safety Brian Uridge tells WSJM News the biggest fire safety tip involving
Michigan State Police are investigating a crash on I-94 Wednesday that closed the highway for a few hours. It happened shortly after 1 p.m. on eastbound I-94 near M-140 in Watervliet. Troopers say a Berrien County Sheriff’s
14 lives have been saved in Berrien County over the last year, thanks to the sheriff’s department’s use of Narcan. It’s a nasal spray that can revive someone having an opioid overdose sheriff’s deputies started carrying last
A group of southwest Michigan residents concerned about the result of the presidential election are braving the cold each evening until the Electoral College meets to hold vigils in front of St. Joseph City Hall. They’re asking
Michigan lawmakers are continuing talks on energy policy and changes to the state’s auto insurance system. Legislators now have two days left in the two-year session. They voted Tuesday for higher speed limits on rural highways and to give
Gov. Rick Snyder says he wants municipalities and labor unions to jointly study how best to tackle retiree health care costs after Republican lawmakers removed a contentious proposal to aggressively curb the benefits from the post-election agenda. The
With the high temperature for Thursday expected to be a whopping nine degrees, AAA of Michigan is reminding drivers to take a few steps to make sure their cars will start. Spokesperson Gary Bubar tells WSJM News
The city of Dowagiac has taken a step to ensure reliable electric service to residents. The city runs its own utilities, and so is responsible for keeping the lights on in town and this week, the city
Michigan State Police are investigating a crash on eastbound I-94 Wednesday afternoon that closed the highway for a few hours. They say a Berrien County Sheriff’s Department patrol car was hit from behind by a pickup on
Michigan lawmakers have given final approval to legislation that would soften “zero-tolerance” expulsion and suspension requirements by inserting what backers say is some common sense into the process. Bills approved overwhelmingly by the House Wednesday would require school
Michigan communities, college campuses and utilities can seek a state designation honoring their commitment to high-quality tree care. Applications for certification as a Tree City, Tree Campus or Tree Line USA must be submitted to the Department
Vintage snowmobiles will be allowed to cross the Mackinac Bridge during a special event. The Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway and the St. Ignace Visitor’s Bureau are teaming up to host the ride Saturday. MLive.com reports only
Lake Michigan College has released the names of its four finalists for president. The LMC Board of Trustees plans to bring in the four for in-person interviews next month. In no order, the first candidate is Dr.
Entergy is hoping to show southwest Michigan it still cares about the community, even though the Palisades plant is shutting down. The company had volunteers on site this week for the ribbon cutting on a Habitat for
Michigan Democrats are expressing their reservations about Exon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson becoming the next secretary of state. Flint Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee tells us Tillerson has questionable ties to Russia. Kildee also worries about Trump’s EPA
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