2016 was a tough year for the law enforcement profession with the number of officers killed in the line of duty spiking at 135 nationwide. Craig Floyd, the CEO at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund,
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley has signed new laws that restrict the kind of physical restraints school districts can use on students, and also ban the use of seclusion. Calley appeared this week at what he called an
Plastic accounts for approximately 80% of the litter on the shorelines of the Great Lakes, and a new study uses math to determine where it’s coming from. Matthew Hoffman, with the Rochester Institute of Technology and an
With the start of the new year, Michigan roads will start to get more funding. County Road Association of Michigan Director Denise Donahue tells WSJM News lawmakers in the fall of 2015 approved several new fee and tax increases
Authorities say a Bay County sheriff’s deputy assigned as a school resource officer at Bay City’s Western High School was testing his back up weapon in an empty classroom when it discharged. Tuscola County Prosector Mark Reene
The Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Watervliet has been able to expand its winter programs, thanks to some memorial donations. The center’s Autumn Zick says they held a small ceremony this month to honor Sarah Damaske and Bob
A home in Bangor has suffered some heavy damage, following a fire Friday morning. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us firefighters were called to the home on Cemetery Road about 11:40 a.m. They found flames coming
Three Michigan firefighters used rope and their wits to rescue a 90-pound retriever that fell through the ice about 100 yards from shore on a western Michigan lake. Wearing ice rescue gear and tethered together, they carefully walked
Church history, the 2016 presidential campaign and closing technology’s gender gap are among the planned topics during a month long speaker series at Calvin College. The western Michigan school’s January Series kicks off Wednesday with “500 Years Later:
When you head out to a New Year’s celebration this weekend, remember that the police have got their eyes peeled for drunk drivers. Michigan State Police Sergeant Perry Curtis tells us even if you don’t drink, it’s
Everyone’s being reminded not to plow snow into the road this winter. Van Buren County Road Commission Engineer Manager Larry Hummel tells WSJM News some folks still think it’s OK to push their snow off their driveway and
A group from Three Oaks is preparing to take the trip of their lives, as they’ve been invited to walk in the presidential inaugural parade next month. On January 20, President Donald Trump will watch as the
With New Year’s Eve almost here, there are a few things police are reminding people not to do as they celebrate. One of them is shooting a gun into the air. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells
Michigan State Police say traffic fatalities are up this year. As of December 6, the state has had 987 deaths on the road. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Michael Shaw tells us distracted driving is a big reason.
The Meijer supermarket chain says it’s fired some employees who shared a Michigan couple’s photo card announcing their pregnancy. A Meijer spokesman declined to say how many workers were fired at its Plainwell store. But the company says
Michigan public schools will be banned from physically restraining or secluding students except in emergencies under legislation signed Thursday by Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley. The laws require the state Department of Education to develop a state policy
One person is dead following a bus crash in New Buffalo Township Thursday morning. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us 65-year-old Edmund Hillman, the driver of the Four Winds Casino bus, was killed when the vehicle
Michigan schools will have to provide CPR instruction under legislation signed by Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley. The law enacted this week takes effect in the next academic year. The measure requires that schools provide instruction in CPR
The state House career of Representative Al Pscholka is now over. The Stevensville Republican joined WSJM to discuss the past six years in Lansing, saying he’s proud of helping get the state on the right financial path.
Schools in Michigan are struggling to cope when teachers are absent because of an increasing shortage of substitute teachers in the state. Macomb Intermediate School District chief academic officer Judy Pritchett told the Detroit Free Press that the
Americans made almost $260 billion in charitable donations in 2014, but it’s not always easy to tell which charities are on the up and up. One expert says there’s plenty of help online and by phone to
Now that Christmas has passed, police remind everyone of a few things they can do to prevent themselves from becoming post-holiday victims. For one thing, burglars might be paying attention to the boxes you leave out on
State Representative Aric Nesbitt has closed out his six years in Lansing with a perfect attendance record. His office says the last session has wrapped up with Nesbitt not missing a single vote in all three terms
A new year is a good time to start over, and the Berrien County Health Department is hoping some smokers will take the plunge and kick the habit finally. Substance Abuse Prevention Supervisor Kerri Teachout tells WSJM
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is not happy with Bainbridge Township Supervisor Bill Hodge. Hodge was recently sworn in to serve in the township position, which according to the county board, means he’s no longer eligible
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley has signed legislation to prohibit Michigan communities from regulating plastic shopping bags. The law approved Wednesday takes effect in 90 days. It bans municipalities from regulating, prohibiting or adding fees to the use or
The 2017 job market could be a gold mine if you’ve got the right prospecting tools. Fred Goff, CEO of Jobcase.com, says companies in Michigan and across the Midwest are working to build a “middle-skill” workforce for
If you have a live Christmas tree, you may be ready to toss it out. Michigan Christmas Tree Association Executive Director Marsha Gray says it’s best to recycle that tree. “More communities do pick up the trees
The Grand Rapids Police Department is equipping its police cruisers with automated external defibrillators in an effort to save lives. The western Michigan city on Tuesday announced the installation of 75 defibrillators in every cruiser. The devices are
The next leader of the Michigan House says he wants to bring experts together to discuss mental health treatment. The number of mentally ill prisoners in the prison system has grown 14 percent since 2012 to roughly 9,400.
