State Representative Pauline Wendzel is hoping to see passage soon of legislation that would allow for the expungement of some criminal records in Michigan. She tells WSJM News a package of bills to expand the number of
$100,000 in grants to fight racism around Michigan have been announced by the Consumers Energy Foundation. Spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the company has seen the movement taking place across the country and wants to help.
The OutCenter of Southwest Michigan is “over the moon” that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of workplace protections for LGBTQ Americans. Director Mary Jo Schnell tells WSJM News workers across the country are now
The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees has adopted a budget for the coming year. The college has released the following statement: Following a public hearing, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees, meeting remotely the morning
From the Associated Press — Organizers of a Michigan ballot drive to prohibit discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people are evaluating whether to continue in the wake of a major victory in the U.S. Supreme Court.
From the Associated Press — The city of Detroit has removed a bust of explorer Christopher Columbus from a downtown spot after 110 years. A spokesman for Mayor Mike Duggan says putting it in storage will give
There were fewer than 100 new cases of COVID-19 reported around Michigan for Monday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says 74 new cases were identified, along with two additional deaths. Since the start of
From the Associated Press — A Michigan lawmaker is proposing legislation to create a central database of disciplined police officers to boost accountability and help departments vet prospective new hires. The Detroit News reported over the weekend
The American Red Cross is now testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The Red Cross Great Lakes Division has released the following statement: Beginning today and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of workplace protections for LGBTQ Americans. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme
The Dowagiac Police Department is investigating two separate drive-by shootings that were reported over the weekend. It says officers were called to a home on James Street around 6:30 p.m. Saturday on a report of a shooting.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week signed legislation backed by state Senator Kim LaSata to change the way property taxes are collected in villages around Michigan. Senator LaSata’s office has released the following statement: A bill that would
Traffic at South Bend International Airport is starting to rebound after it dropped by a large amount when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Vice President of Marketing Julie Curtis told WSJM News this week as destinations closed, travel
The Great Lakes continue to set new water level records heading into the summer. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the following information on Friday: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that Lakes
They don’t think it’s safe, but they do it anyway. Those are the results of a survey released today by Triple Michigan on local drivers. Spokesperson Adrienne Woodland tells Michigan News Network the survey showed while 94%
At least 1,000 people took to the streets of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Saturday afternoon to march for racial equality. Gathering across from the Berrien County Courthouse, the mayors of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph stood
The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education is bracing for major deficits in the district due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Thomas Bruce gave the board a budget road map for the coming year at a
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is reminding the public about the risk of accidentally spreading invasive species while moving firewood. Invasive insects that are a threat to trees can be easily transported into new
While COVID-19 has gotten all the healthcare headlines lately, the Berrien County Health Department doesn’t want people to forget other, more basic health needs. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News people have let certain things go. “Adults
South Haven’s new splash pad is starting to take form. Originally scheduled to be completed by now but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pad will be similar to St. Joseph’s Whirlpool Centennial Fountain. The $612,000 attraction
Newly introduced legislation in Lansing would require all law enforcement agencies to adopt “duty to intervene” policies. The sponsor is state Senator Ruth Johnson, who spoke to Michigan News Network about the plan. “It would require all
The Michigan Senate is preparing to consider legislation from state Representative Pauline Wendzel designed to help breweries around the state. Wendzel tells WSJM News Michigan law currently limits the number of barrels breweries can distribute on their
COVID-19 cases are decreasing in Berrien County. During a Friday update with the CEO of Spectrum Health Lakeland, Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten said the picture is looking better, even after large events like Memorial Day
Congressman Fred Upton says small businesses hit by COVID-19 will get a break now that Congress has updated the rules of the federal Paycheck Protection Program. He was a champion of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act,
AAA of Michigan is urging everyone to avoid falling back into dangerous driving habits as they leave their homes and return to the road during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Adrienne Woodland says the “pandemic has highlighted the
The County Road Association of Michigan is warning that roads along the Great Lakes shoreline around the state will require $53.4 million in immediate fixes to remain functional in the coming year. That’s due to shoreline erosion
Spectrum Health Lakeland has announced a new strategy to address racial and ethnic health equity in southwest Michigan. President Loren Hamel says the Spectrum Health Lakeland Board of Directors met this week and approved a capital fund
From the Associated Press — A proposed constitutional amendment to consider electronic communication and data as personal property has unanimously passed the Michigan Senate. If it passes the state House, voters would decide in November whether or
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an order lifting restrictions on overnight travel and camps. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement: Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-120, which lifts restrictions on overnight
South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette has been in Berrien County this week learning the ropes for his new job as county administrator. During a Thursday meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, retiring Administrator Bill
