Legislation from state Senator Aric Nesbitt is designed to increase access to broadband internet in rural areas. His office tells us his bill would create a tax exemption for new broadband equipment installed in places where it’s
Benton Harbor Area Schools may be facing more than $18 million in debt, but that isn’t necessarily the district’s biggest problem. The biggest problem is declining enrollment. That’s the message from Michigan Department of Treasury Office of
More than 500,000 elderly Americans experience abuse each year, and that’s why Michigan State Police are reminding everyone of the warning signs. MSP Trooper Holly Higgs of the Niles post tells WSJM News the abuse isn’t always
A former member of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners has been honored by having a conference room at the county administration building named for him. Kenneth Wendzel served on the county commission from 1969 to 1998
Police are investigating a fatal hit and run crash in Van Buren County. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened in the 61,000 block of County Road 378 in Bangor Township around 7:30 p.m.
From the Associated Press — Michigan State University says its more than seven-year fundraising campaign brought in about $1.83 billion. The Lansing State Journal reports more than 250,000 donors contributed to the Empower Extraordinary campaign, which in
Michigan House Republicans have launched a new website dedicated to car insurance reform. State Representative Brad Paquette of Niles tells us ReduceMiRatesNow.com is designed to keep people informed about auto insurance action in the House while giving
This will be a busy weekend in downtown St. Joseph as St. Joe Today looks to inspire some spring fever. Director Amy Zapal tells WSJM News the brand new March Mannequins will be held Saturday. It replaces
From the Associated Press — A judge has cleared the way for the release of a 74-year-old man who is the oldest Michigan prisoner serving a life sentence for murder as a teen. Sheldry Topp has been in
Legislation has been introduced in the Michigan House to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. State Representative Thomas Albert of Lowell tells us e-cigarette sales are a gray area of the law. “The 20th century tobacco
Set for Saturday is the annual Lake Michigan College Winner’s Circle Benefit Auction. Lake Michigan College Foundation Director Mary Klemm tells WSJM News the event has been held each year since 1988. “It is a fundraiser primarily
From the Associated Press — Officials say samples taken at 64 water systems around Michigan last year had measurable levels of a class of long-lasting toxic chemicals. The Department of Environmental Quality released findings Monday from a 2018
State Senator Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids has reintroduced a bill that would eliminate the so-called “tampon tax” in Michigan and make feminine hygiene products exempt from sales and use taxes. She has tried and failed before
A program that had some police officers in Berrien County and four others in Michigan asking drivers to allow a swab of their mouth to determine if they’ve been using drugs is being expanded statewide. Michigan State
March 29 is the deadline for demolition of an eyesore in St. Joseph. The home at the corner of Niles and Hoyt has become unofficially known as the “Tarp House,” due to the covering on the roof,
An event is planned for this weekend in St. Joseph to help encourage and inform women interested in running for political office. Organized by Laura Goos, Amanda Hirsh, and Kim Jorgensen Gane, “Vote Her In, Why Not
Southwestern Michigan College is increasing its tuition for the 2019-2020 year. The SMC Board of Trustees approved the changes Monday night, saying state appropriations for the college are about the same as they were 17 years ago
A St. Joseph woman has been named the United States Coast Guard District 9 Spouse of the Year by Armed Forces Insurance, putting her in line to be named the national Military Spouse of the Year. Valerie
Congressman Fred Upton is among the members of the U.S. House to vote for a resolution to end President’s Trump’s emergency declaration for a border wall with Mexico. Upton told us previously the idea of the president
Everything is back to normal for part of a CSX railroad line in St. Joseph that had to be shut down on Monday due to some track damage. CSX tells us one of its engineering teams spotted
From the Associated Press — The city of Detroit’s incentives for Fiat Chrysler to build a new assembly plant include $12 million in tax abatements over a dozen years and 200 acres of land. Mayor Mike Duggan’s office
The United Way of Southwest Michigan aims to collect 5,000 books at 40 locations across Berrien and Cass counties with its Spring Into Reading book drive next month. The United Way tells us it’s teaming up with
A bit of a transformation is in the works for the Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph. The city will apply for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for just over $286,000 of the
The case of the 2014 death of a man who had the freedom to come and go as he pleased from the Eau Claire Adult Foster Care home will be up to a jury to decide. The
From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is planning to reopen to the public in April in its new building. The Ann Arbor school says new exhibits will be on display
Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield has made it clear that there will be no action taken by lawmakers under his watch to expand the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include specific protections on the basis of
From the Associated Press — Three Michigan universities are teaming up with Spectrum Health to tackle the state’s opioid crisis through physician training. The University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University are working with
Plans for an Arby’s restaurant in Benton Township are moving forward. The Benton Township Planning Commission on Monday approved the preliminary site plan for the Arby’s to be located on the southwest corner of M-139 and Napier
The Krasl Art Center has announced it’s naming the East Garden of its new Sculpting Community after a local supporter. The East Garden on the Krasl grounds is to be named for the late Maria “Lupe” Hopp
