From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court says it will settle whether juries – not judges – have the sole power to decide whether someone under 18 gets life in prison without parole. In an order
From the Associated Press — Art Van Furniture has announced it’s being sold to Boston-based private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners. The Warren-based retailer said Wednesday the tentative deal is expected to close in February. Terms weren’t
President Trump’s pick to head up the U.S. Department of Education is not getting any support from Michigan’s U.S. senators. Senator Gary Peters says West Michigan Republican powerbroker Betsy DeVos is not qualified to serve as education
A couple of town hall meetings are planned for residents of Benton Harbor to come and express their concerns about the possible closure of the Dream Academy, the STEAM Academy, and the International Hull Academy. The first
The housing market in Southwest Michigan has started 2017 in a strong position. The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors tells our newsroom it posted the highest numbers across the board in the year-over-year comparison since 2006 last
The director of the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport has pleaded guilty to drunk driving. 30-year-old Vincent Desjardins was in Berrien County Court Monday to enter the plea. Prosecutors say his blood alcohol content was about twice the
Benton Harbor and South Haven High Schools are on the list of schools to be selected for this year’s Strive for a Safer Drive program. The program is a partnership between Ford Motor Company and the Michigan
Four St. Joseph schools have been named Reward Schools by the Michigan Department of Education. EP Clarke Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Upton Middle School, and St. Joseph High School got the designation. St. Joseph Public Schools Curriculum Director
A 15-year-old St. Joseph High School student is in the running to be named the Military Child of the Year by Operation Homefront. The non-profit provides assistance to military families, and tells us Janelle Gehrke was among 400
The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees has narrowed down its search for a new college president to two candidates. At a quick meeting Tuesday, the board picked Dr. Jon Mandrell and Dr. Trevor Kubatzke to be
Al DiBrito says he still thinks the city of St. Joseph fired the wrong person over his dispute with former Public Safety Director Mark Clapp. However, the former deputy public safety director decided it was time to
From the Associated Press — Preliminary state statistics show that 2016 was the deadliest year since 2007 for drivers in Michigan. The Detroit Free Press reports that at least 1,021 people were killed in Michigan vehicle accidents last
Michigan environmental officials say Flint’s water system no longer has levels of lead exceeding the federal limit. The finding by the Department of Environmental Quality is good news for a city whose 100,000 residents have grappled with
President Trump wants more automotive factories built in the U.S. He met this morning with the CEOs of General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler at the White House to discuss ways to do it. “We have a
(Lansing, MI – AP) – Beware, snowmobilers: The winter warmup is creating poor trail conditions in some parts of Michigan. The state Department of Natural Resources says low-lying areas and places exposed to the sun are especially
St. Joseph City Manager John Hodgson is meeting next week with CSX Railroad to talk about a section of the bluff along Old Lakeshore Road that some fear is in danger of collapsing. Hodgson tells WSJM News
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad will hold a town hall this week for anyone concerned about the possible closure of three areas schools to come and air their thoughts. Word came last week that the state may
From the Associated Press — A judge has told Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to butt out of an ongoing dispute over home delivery of water in Flint. Schuette and his special counsel, Noah Hall, are seeking to
A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed against the city of St. Joseph by its former deputy public safety director. Al DiBrito was fired from the post in 2014 by former City Manager Richard Lewis
The Michigan business executives who were part of a meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday came away encouraged. Dow CEO Andrew Liveress told Michigan News Network their message was heard. “He listened very carefully to everyone
It’s time once again to think about filing your taxes. Ron Leix, with the Michigan Department of Treasury, tells WSJM News you could start filing on Monday. Treasury has one main recommendation for doing your taxes these days.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency have jointly released new advice on which and how much fish is safe to eat. The guidelines are aimed mostly at women who are pregnant. Elizabeth Southerland,
Coming up next week will be a chance for supporters of Lakeshore Schools to help out the district while bidding on some choice prizes. The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation is going to hold an online auction, raising money
An hour after Donald Trump assumed the presidency Friday, his administration indefinitely suspended a pending rate cut for mortgage insurance required for FHA backed loans, which are popular with first-time home buyers and those with poor credit.
From the Associated Press — Officials from the state and a utility say a six-month partnership to improve lighting on Michigan roadways is cutting costs and reducing energy use. The Michigan Department of Transportation last year participated in
From the Associated Press — About 80 acres in western Michigan are being added to North Ottawa Dunes park in Ottawa County. The land in Spring Lake Township was acquired through a property exchange. Ottawa County Parks says
AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have fallen by about 11¢ per gallon in the past week. The Dearborn-based auto club says Monday the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was about $2.29 per gallon. That’s
Several dozen men and women took to the streets of downtown St. Joseph on Saturday as one of many Women’s Marches held nationwide. About 60 took part locally, while crowds were much larger in big cities. The
Roads around Michigan have been hammed by the weather this winter. The Van Buren County Road Commission’s Larry Hummel tells WSJM News frequent thaws and freezes mean more potholes that are difficult to patch. “If we get
A case of suspected animal abuse is under investigation in Lawrence. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department was tipped off to a situation at a home in the 200 block of South Exchange Street Sunday morning and
