By Doug Cunningham The Michigan League For Public Policy says lame-duck GOP legislative attempts to gut minimum wage and sick leave legislation is both anti-democratic and bad public policy. So Governor Snyder should veto them. Gilda Jacobs
From the Associated Press — Advocates of paid sick leave are planning to launch a 2020 ballot drive if a new law is gutted by Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature. MI Time to Care filed petition language Monday, days
From the Associated Press — The state’s Surplus Store in Lansing is opening for one day for walk-ins interested in computers, phones, cameras, jewelry and other items. Those items and other property like sporting goods, musical equipment and
Five human trafficking victims have been identified and rescued by Michigan State Police and the Kalamazoo Area Human Trafficking Task Force. MSP says 20 people were targeted as potential victims during the weekend initiative in southwest Michigan.
South Haven’s gas prices have fallen under the $2 per gallon mark according to GasBuddy. Triple A Michigan’s weekly survey of gas stations around the state finds the average has tumbled another 12¢ a gallon to $2.28,
Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and some private nonprofits in several west Michigan counties are now eligible for low-interest economic injury disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The affected area includes Van Buren
Legislation backed by Congressman Fred Upton is designed to protect senior citizens from being impoverished due to medical problems. He tells WSJM News the Protecting Married Seniors from Impoverishment Act would extend spousal protections for Medicaid beneficiaries
State Senator-elect Kim LaSata has been named to the Senate Committee on Committees for the 2019-2020 legislative term. LaSata is one of three freshman senators to be picked for the five-person panel, and this is her first
A crash late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in Bloomingdale Township has claimed the life of a 30-year-old Plainwell man. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department was called just before 8:30 Sunday morning to the 12-thousand
The blueberry crop in southwest Michigan has been weak this year. Michigan State University Extension fruit educator Mark Longstroth tells WSJM News growers are hurting. “We had a really disappointing year in blueberries,” Longstroth said. “We think
Two 16-year-olds from Berrien County are recovering after being hurt in a crash in the city of St. Joseph Saturday night. The driver hit a tree on Botham Avenue east of Thayer near First Church of God,
Now that winter is here, state Senator John Proos is reminding everyone of where they can turn for help if they have trouble staying on top of their heating bills. He tells us there is a simple
From the Associated Press — A coalition of agencies and groups in the Great Lakes region has released a plan for developing solutions to problems caused by invasive mussels. The strategy is intended to guide investments, policies
With the winter now here, the Berrien County Road Department is reminding everyone of rules they have to follow when it comes to shoveling. The department tells us every year it gets calls about people and snow
The village of Berrien Springs will kick-off the Christmas season this coming week with Kindle Your Christmas Spirit in Downtown Berrien Springs. On Thursday, the downtown streets will be closed from 6 to 9 p.m. to allow
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released its final plan to stop the Asian carp from getting into the Great Lakes. It centers around the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, and involves a
The Michigan Senate this week approved legislation from state Senator John Proos to give a tax break to micro-distillers. Senate Bill 579 would reduce the state’s overall liquor markup by 2% over a period of four years,
A $150,000 donation from Lakeland Health Foundations will help to start up a new center in southwest Michigan for those suffering from a substance abuse problem. Lakeland Vice President of Quality Kendall Troyer tells WSJM News Carol’s
Congressman Fred Upton is pleased the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has set aside more than $32 million to start work on a new Soo Lock. The Soo Locks in the St. Marys River allow for shipping
From the Associated Press — The international ArtPrize competition has announced the schedule and advisory committee for a Michigan art event. Project 1 will be held from September 7 to October 27 next year in Grand Rapids.
Leaders at Southwestern Michigan College are working to make sure students understand SMC’s policy on marijuana now that Michigan voters have opted to decriminalize the substance. SMC President David Mathews tells WSJM News no marijuana is allowed
Bangor residents are invited to the Railroad Cafe this Saturday, December 1 from noon to 2 p.m. for coffee and conversation with the Bangor Police Department. Coffee with a Cop is a mission to break down barriers
Michigan soybean farmers are feeling the effects of the trade war between the U.S. and China since China has not been buying their soybeans. An educator with Michigan State Extension in Isabella County, Paul Gross, told Michigan
By Doug Cunningham A 127 year old Benton Harbor non-profit foster care service is at a crossroads filled with changes. Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan is changing its name and adding a sexual assault survivor’s
You can brew your own beer or even make your own wine at home but one lawmaker says marijuana is different. Michigan Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof has introduced legislation that would ban growing marijuana at home.
The annual Toys for Toys drive gets underway this weekend. The effort to collect new, unwrapped toys for kids officially starts with a drive at Martin’s in Stevensville on Saturday morning. The Twin Cities Toys for Tots
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a farm death in Hartford on Friday. It tells us deputies were sent to Red Arrow Dairy on County Road 362 around 6:30 a.m. when a 35-year-old male worker
by Doug Cunningham Registered nurses at Sturgis Hospital are urging hospital administrators to delay changes to close the oncology clinic, critical care and obstetrics units. A community town hall on the changes is planned Monday at 7
The Grand Rapids-based Bissell Pet Foundation will hold its latest “Empty the Shelters” event on Saturday to encourage pet adoptions. 49 shelters in Michigan are among 81 across the country taking part, and they include South Haven’s
The city of St. Joseph’s 2019 calendar will be delivered to homes and businesses this weekend. Earlier this month, the city commission approved having high school students deliver them. Mayor Mike Garey says the idea came from
