The Michigan League for Public Policy is not pleased with a proposal in Lansing to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. League policy analyst Emily Schwarzkopf tells WSJM News implementing such requirements would be messy. “People on
John’s guest this week is Professor John Cox of Hope College. He is one of the world recognized experts on William Shakespeare. In this show, followed by a sequel next week, they talk about Shakespeare’s life and
St. Joseph City Commissioners have given the green light to the Krasl Art Center as it seeks an improvement project for its grounds to attract more visitors. At a meeting this past week, the commission signed off
$100 million is the price tag for Governor Rick Snyder’s ambitious plan to expand job training programs for all ages. Called the “Marshall Plan for Talent,” he tells WSJM News the reaction has been positive from lawmakers so
The head Michigan’s association of local governments says Uncle Sam needs to dig deeper to help fix our roads. Dan Gilmartin of the Michigan Municipal League told Michigan News Network this week at least an extra billion
As students protested school violence across the country Wednesday, the U.S. House was voting to increase security in schools. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the STOP School Violence Act had its vote, passing 407 to 10.
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has received an update on the academic progress of district students since the partnership agreement with the state went into effect. Acting Superintendent Patricia Robinson tells WSJM News there’s
Changes are coming to the World War I monument along the bluff in downtown St. Joseph. At a meeting this week, the city commission approved moving the plaque listing area World War I soldiers to a more
A new $700,000 challenge grant has been announced to help the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan as it prepares to move into its new facility. Humane Society Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the Yeager family, longtime
There’s a Democrat running for the Michigan Senate in the 26th District. That’s the district currently represented by state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, covering Van Buren and Allegan counties and part of Kent County. Garnet Lewis is a
From the Associated Press — Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Calley is launching a campaign ad that will run for nearly three weeks on network and cable TV stations. The 30-second ad begins airing Friday. It makes Calley,
Mattawan State Representative Beth Griffin is expecting to see some fresh work on southwest Michigan roads soon. She tells WSJM News Michigan lawmakers last month approved extra road funding money for the state to the tune of
From the Associated Press — Auditors have flagged the state of Michigan for gaps that could increase the risk of its computer network being hacked. An audit released Friday made 14 findings, including five that are “material” –
A program that brings smart thermostats to southwest Michigan is now available for all customers of Indiana Michigan power. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells us IM Home allows you to install an app on your phone that
Relief is coming to Michigan residents who owe money in the form of driver responsibility fees. Michigan Secretary of State’s office spokesperson Fred Woodhams tells WSJM News the fees will be totally a thing of the past
Congressman Fred Upton is pushing for more money for states next year to treat mental illness. He tells WSJM News he and some colleagues this week sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee asking for money
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is celebrating another successful fundraising year. On Thursday, the United Way held its 75th anniversary celebration, noting it managed to raise more than $4.2 million in the latest capital campaign. In
School systems around the country are reviewing their security systems and procedures, including in Bangor. Bangor Public Schools Superintendent Lynn Johnson tells WSJM News the work is ongoing. “We’ve done a lot,” Johnson said. “We’re working with
The St. Joseph Township Police Department is investigating a crime involving a local ATM that has international implications. The department tells us officers were called out to the United Federal Credit Union at 2580 South Cleveland around
Southwestern Michigan College is telling everyone in the area not to fall for a phone scam that shows up on caller ID as the college. SMC tells us someone calls with a high pressure sales pitch for
Leaders at the Countryside Academy in Benton Township are working to calm parents upset about a threat the high school received this week. On Wednesday, a threat to shoot up the school was found written on a
From the Associated Press — Michiganders should be able to register to vote online, state senators say. The lawmakers voted 35-1 Thursday for five bills that would enact an electronic voter registration database operated through Secretary of State
State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is being ripped by students in Allegan for her remarks about the national student demonstrations this week calling for gun law reforms and honoring the victims and survivors of the Parkland, Florida school
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for a few volunteers who would like to help remove invasive plants from Warren Dunes State Park this weekend. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. stewards of
Now that Governor Rick Snyder has approved a disaster declaration for 17 counties affected by flooding this month and last month, Congressman Fred Upton is hoping to get some federal relief for businesses that were hurt. He
This week’s meeting of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education brought a statement from School Board President Marletta Seats about the status of ongoing investigations. Seats read a prepared statement, saying parents have asked her
An open house will be held this month for Benton Harbor-area residents to hear about possible plans for improvements to Napier Avenue. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s Ryan Fellows tells WSJM News a study is currently in
Lake Michigan College has announced the creation of four new scholarships for students. Offered through the Lake Michigan College Foundation, three of the funds will support students in advanced manufacturing, culinary management, and wine making. Another is
Now seeking a second term in the Michigan House representing Van Buren County is state Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan. She tells WSJM News she filed paperwork on Thursday to run for re-election. Griffin says it’s been
Relief is coming to Michigan residents who owe money in the form of driver responsibility fees. The Michigan Secretary of State’s office tells us beginning on March 31, those who have entered into a payment plan on
