Southwest Michigan’s Afternoon News for 10-20-25

In today’s news: The Palisades nuclear power plant has received its first delivery of fuel since 2022 as the project to restart the plant gets closer to completion. We’re about two weeks away from the November elections, and Berrien County voters...

Detroit’s water affordability program is changing

Hey BridgeDetroit readers! We’ve got an update on a popular water affordability program in Detroit. The Lifeline Plan, which once enrolled nearly 30,000 households, has run out of most of its money, forcing the Detroit Water and Sewerage...

Can Bikes Reduce Chronic Absenteeism for Detroit Students?

By Hannah Dellinger, The 74 This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox. Some days, it takes Elyazar Holiday two hours and four buses...

Amazon Web Services outage persists, impacting many apps and websites

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking at a news conference in Nevada, said a "large majority" of employees at the federal agency that oversees the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile have been furloughed, though he noted that "there is a certain...

Michigan celebrates Diwali this week. What to know 

South Asian American communities — across several faiths — are marking the festival of lights in Michigan this week. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in India, and among communities worldwide, including here in Michigan, with the...

Rescuing perishable food items could help Michigan reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Reporting like this only happens with your financial support. Donate to WKAR today! A nonprofit focused on rescuing perishable food items from being thrown out is seeking to partner with counties facing a state mandate to reduce the amount of...

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘She Walks in Darkness’ on Netflix, a Spanish Political-Subterfuge Thriller

She Walks in Darkness (now on Netflix) opens with a wall of text explaining the history of the Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), a paramilitary terrorist group from Spain’s Basque region that formed during Franco’s fascist reign and evolved into a...

New fight for Michigan libraries: Keeping AI-generated books off shelves 

LANSING – Some local libraries in the state are taking measures to prevent AI-generated books from making it into their collections. Books generated by artificial intelligence can take many forms, from children’s picture books with sloppy...

Political chalk resurges on Eastern Michigan University campus

Students at Eastern Michigan University have reinstated their use of campus sidewalks as a forum for political messaging. Using sidewalk chalk to say their piece, students engaged in written debates starting in September 2025. Last semester, the...

Colin Bird Discusses $60 Billion Trade and Tariffs on Michigan Matters

DETROIT, Michigan — Canadian Consul General Colin Bird emphasized the significance of the more than $60 billion in annual two-way trade between Canada and Michigan during his appearance on Michigan Matters. Bird, who has served in his role for...

Lenawee Co., Monroe Co. voter guide to the 2025 Nov. 4 Election

The countdown is on and we are a few short weeks away from Election Day for the 2025 Election. Voting in Michigan has never been easier, as you can register to vote as long as you are in line at your local polling location by 8 p.m. on Tuesday,...

Judge halts deportation for Michigan man with leukemia

DETROIT — A Michigan man facing possible deportation while dealing with life-threatening leukemia must be released from custody or at least be given a bond hearing in immigration court, a judge said. It’s a victory for Jose Contreras-Cervantes and...

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Is Nothing But Trouble For One Michigan Family

Nothing in this world is perfect, especially modern automobiles. Today’s new cars and trucks are incredibly complex machines, with an untold number of moving parts and more computer chips than a TSMC foundry. Not surprisingly, vehicles have...

Why state lawmakers want to lock down Michigan’s cannabis market

Sweeping new legislation would cap the number of dispensaries in Michigan cities, freeze new grow licenses, and crack down on unregulated, hemp-based products. MICHIGAN—After five straight years of consistent growth, Michigan’s recreational...

Husband of woman found dead in South Loop sentenced in Michigan domestic violence case

A Michigan judge on Monday sentenced Adam Beckerink to two years probation and 93 days in jail in a domestic violence case. Beckerink’s wife, Caitlin Tracey, 36, was found dead in October 2024 at the bottom of a 20-story stairwell outside her...

We Walk Detroit builds health, community step by step in city’s parks: ‘Therapeutic’

Overview: We Walk Detroit aims to address public health, social connection, and neighborhood pride. “I’ve seen people who thought they couldn’t do it get up and walk,” says Rouge Park walk leader Donulaé T. Knuckles. We Walk Detroit’s inaugural...

Decoupling from DC - How HB 4961 Redefines Michigan’s Tax Base

At the tail end of the 2025 – 2026 legislative session, Michigan’s Legislature moved swiftly to enact House Bill (HB) 4961, which decouples from five federal tax benefits enacted earlier this year under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act...

'It's scary.' Police raid at Detroit home leaves family traumatized

DETROIT (WXYZ) — A battering ram used to break through a door, guns drawn and a family traumatized after Detroit police executed a search warrant at home on Sunday night. Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Family traumatized in police raid at...

Why one Michigan town is regulating its golf cart boom

For someone with zero interest in golf, Cathy Kochensparger sure loves her golf cart. She bought it as a family cruiser and drives it around town almost daily, but says that safety is paramount. "You've got to be aware of your surroundings, people...

Black Republican Eviscerates Critical Race Theory

ORLANDO, Florida—Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor in the Sunshine State in 2026, traces the political violence on the Left back to a desire to silence dissent as parents and others rise up against the Left’s divisive ideologies,...