A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is highlighting a package of bills on jail and pretrial reforms. They say the bills address factors which contribute to Michigan’s county jail populations while balancing the goals of protecting the
The Michigan Senate has approved a list of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund projects for 2020, including three development projects and two acquisition projects in Berrien and Cass counties. The office of State Senator Kim LaSata says
A decision from the Michigan Supreme Court is having major implications for Berrien County. During a Thursday meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, Community Development Director Dan Fette said the state court recently ruled that
The Michigan House has approved a plan for getting students back to school this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic. State Representative Beth Griffin tells WSJM News the Return to Learn plan empowers local school districts and health
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a backlog of cases at the Berrien County Trial Court. Berrien County Commissioner Jim Curran told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this week there are at least 115 felony trials
The Michigan Legislature this week approved supplemental budget bills to resolve a $2.2 billion deficit in the current year’s budget caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. State Senator Aric Nesbitt tells WSJM News lawmakers on Wednesday agreed to
Berrien County has passed the 1,000 case mark with COVID-19. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News it’s an unfortunate milestone to mark as the county sees more younger patients getting the illness. She
There has been a rumor going around on social media regarding the funding of Michigan State Police. It started going around Wednesday night as Michigan lawmakers were approving a supplemental budget bill to close out the fiscal
Michigan is reporting 699 additional cases of COVID-19 for Thursday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 75,947 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported seven
Two college hockey players have been roller blading across the country and wound up in mid-Michigan’s Mason Wednesday afternoon. They’re raising money for the American Cancer Society. The University of Massachusetts – Boston roommates, Andrew Walker of
From the Associated Press — Michigan State University says it will take a residence hall out of regular service and use it for students who test positive for the coronavirus. Students who signed up to live on
A Detroit Tigers pitcher is talking about his fight with the coronavirus. Talking with reporters on Tuesday, Daniel Norris says he tried to convince himself that he didn’t have the virus. “It wasn’t that heavy of symptoms,”
State Representative Hank Vaupel, chair of the Michigan House Health Policy Committee, introduced a plan in Lansing on Tuesday to improve prescription drug price transparency in Michigan. The bipartisan proposal requires drug manufacturers to submit information about
From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says Enbridge is falling short of a clear pledge to pay for any spill from its oil pipeline in a Great Lakes channel. Whitmer’s administration is pushing the
The Michigan Secretary of State reports absentee ballot numbers continue to grow steadily ahead of the August 4 state primary, with more than 1.8 million requested and more than 600,000 already returned. The total number of absentee
Congressman Fred Upton expects the next coronavirus stimulus package to come together this week. He tells WSJM News the talks are ramping up. “They’ve now begun discussions between the White House and the leadership in the Senate,”
Southwestern Michigan College is bringing back some athletics. The SMC Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday for the return of men’s and women’s cross-country for the fall of 2021. Board Chair Thomas Jerdon tells WSJM News that’s
St. Joseph High School will hold a socially distanced graduation ceremony this weekend. St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Bruce tells WSJM News they’re gathering at Dickinson Stadium Sunday at 6 p.m. for a drive-in graduation. “The
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to strike down Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency actions, arguing any such orders she issued after April 30 were illegal. Center Vice President for Legal Affairs
Michigan is reporting 523 additional cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 75,248 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported six
From the Associated Press — The man who painted a mural of an American Indian at a school gym in 1975 says he’s willing to cover it up if the western Michigan district drops the Indians nickname.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Michigan real estate industry is experiencing a strong sellers market. Inventory is extremely low and home prices are on the rise. Frank Tarala, president of Realcomp, told Michigan News Network this week
Lake Michigan College has named former Aurora University assistant Rickey Hampton as the Red Hawk’s head men’s basketball coach. Meanwhile, Ray Kimball, whose career includes stints at both Grand Rapids and Lansing Community Colleges, has been named
A Benton Harbor man is dead following a crash in Niles Township early Wednesday morning. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were sent to St. Joseph Valley Parkway shortly before 3 a.m. on a report of
The Benton Township Police Department is investigating a murder at a gas station late on Tuesday. It says officers were called to the Phillips 66 gas station at 1117 Pipestone shortly after 11 p.m. on a report
There’s an effort in Congress to protect Social Security benefits from the economic impact of COVID-19. Generally, payroll taxes pay out benefits to the nation’s retirees. But with millions of Americans out of work, Congressman Dan Kildee
Late night disturbances in Benton Harbor have gotten the attention of local leaders. During a meeting of the Benton Harbor City Commission this week, a resident complained about groups of young people blaring music, shooting off firecrackers,
The Southwestern Michigan Association of realtors is hosting a community blood drive this week with the American Red Cross. Set for Wednesday, the event is intended to help the Red Cross overcome a massive drop in blood
A new report looks at the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, predicting a 32% increase in suicides in the coming year if something isn’t done to help those who are struggling. Pine Rest Christian Mental
A man who robbed a bank in Three Oaks last year has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Grand Rapids says David Wilson Floyd, formerly of Michigan City, Indiana, went into
