State, federal, and local officials held the first ever Michigan High Water Coordinating Summit to discuss the challenges facing the state with uncommonly high water levels. Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy director Leisl Clark says
Repairs need to be made to the Howard Family Trail Bridge in the city of St. Joseph. The bridge goes over the CSX railroad tracks, and Parks and Grounds deputy director Greg Grothous told city commissioners this
A bill from state Representative Brad Paquette aimed at making it easier for people to afford to have a concealed pistol license is pending in a House committee. The Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee held a
From the Associated Press — Economists are forecasting that household income and employment for Detroit residents will increase over the next four years. Researchers with the University Economic Analysis partnership said Monday that Detroit’s unemployment rate will
The city of St. Joseph has sent out 3,300 letters to property owners that likely have lead or galvanized water lines coming in to their homes or inside the buildings as part of the state mandate to
A public hearing will be held this month regarding a proposal to have several Berrien County school districts start their academic years before Labor Day for the next few years. Berrien RESA has submitted a request for
A campaign underway at Southwestern Michigan College aims to promote civic engagement among students. SMC Votes is being run in order to get more students voting in the March 10 presidential primary. The college says it will
Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent Matthew Wandrie will be the next superintendent of Berrien RESA. The RESA Board of Education picked Wandrie for the job on Monday following its interviews with the final two superintendent candidates. The other
Set for February 20 is the next Pop Up Giving event of the United Way of Southwest Michigan. Marketing manager Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News Pop Up Giving is a way for non-profits to make Shark Tank-like
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services has launched a website to explain how the state’s auto insurance system is going to change this year. Due to reforms signed into law last year, unlimited personal injury
Michigan lawmakers are cheering President Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget for fully funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $320 million. The Trump administration had tried to wipe out funding for the GLRI every year he’s
A popular restaurant in the Arts District of Benton Harbor is looking to expand. The Mason Jar Cafe is requesting a zoning change for vacant lots at the corner of Fifth and Park streets in Benton Harbor
The Pokagon Fund has announced the hiring of its new director. Dan Petersen started on Monday. The 38-year-old Petersen was previously the president of EightCAP, Incorporated, a community action agency in Ionia County. WSJM News asked him
Consumers Energy is now taking entries in its second annual Put Your Town on the Map competition. Spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the Consumers Energy Foundation is putting up $50,000 to be awarded to three small
Berrien County Register of Deeds Lora Freehling will spend part of this year going around the county speaking at senior centers. She says her talks will focus on the role of the Register of Deeds and the
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is planning several volunteer stewardship days at Warren Dunes State Park throughout February. It says you don’t need experience when it comes to helping remove invasive plants from the park. This
The search for a new superintendent at Berrien RESA has been narrowed down to two. The RESA Board of Education says it will interview the candidates this coming week. They are Berrien RESA Assistant Superintendent Eric Hoppstock
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission has received some recognition for a couple of websites it created to educate the public on local resources and how they can be protected. The Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals has
Lake Michigan College will hold a FAFSA Assistance Night this month. LMC staff will be available to answer questions and help students apply for financial aid. Students of all ages who plan to attend college in the
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is once again offering tax preparation help now that tax season has arrived. Program manager Vera Sebree tells WSJM News you can get your taxes filed for free if you make
Set for today is one of the biggest events for lovers of the outdoors held in southwest Michigan each year. It’s the 23rd annual Dowagiac Conservation Club’s Hunter’s Rendezvous at the club grounds in Dowagiac. Club Vice
Filing tax returns can be tricky, and community organizations across the state are working to ensure Michigan taxpayers don’t lose out on the refunds they may be due. Ross Yednock with the Community Economic Development Association of
A plane crash into Lake Michigan nearly 70 years ago will be the subject of the Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown show this coming Wednesday. Northwest Airlines Flight 2501 disappeared somewhere over the lake on June 23, 1950.
Market Van Buren is looking at ways local officials can work together to help address some key needs of Van Buren County. Market Van Buren Director Zachary Morris tells WSJM News that’s why the group held its
Michigan transportation officials are working to explain why Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s issuing of $3.5 billion in bonds to pay for road projects is a sensible option. On the latest episode of the MDOT podcast, Talking Transportation, MDOT
With her proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget now in the hands of state lawmakers, Governor Gretchen Whitmer spent some of her Friday in Detroit, speaking to the Detroit Economic Club at the TCF Center. The nearly $62
A major figure in the Michigan Republican Party has suggested that political donations will diminish unless GOP lawmakers do something to help property owners being impacted by Lake Michigan erosion. Former Ambassador Peter Secchia sent a letter
One of her top promises that helped get her elected was the pledge to reduce how long people had to wait at Secretary of State branch offices to get done what they needed to do. Secretary of
Ford Motor Company is shaking up its management after a poor fourth-quarter financial performance and the botched launch of the Explorer SUV. The company says automotive President Joe Hinrichs will retire. Jim Farley, president of new business
Bipartisan legislation to update the state’s commercial fishing laws and regulations is headed to the Michigan Senate. Representative Pauline Wendzel of Watervliet sponsored one of the bills in the package, and says this would be the first
