WLKM Radio 95.9 FM

Michigan students improved in slightly more than half of the grades and subjects tested on newer, more rigorous standardized assessments, but their proficiency declined in other areas. M-STEP results released Tuesday show that fewer than half of the students were proficient in 17 of 18 subject-grade tests. State officials say there’s work to be done, but they’re pleased testing times …

Weather is an easy topic to write about. It’s always there and, most of the time, its popularity is way below par. There’s nothing we can really do about it, especially here in Pure Michigan. As the old saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather here in Michigan, just wait five minutes.” I am as guilty as anyone when …

A southwestern Michigan man has been charged in the slaying of his 88-year-old neighbor. The 43-year-old suspect is expected to be charged Tuesday with open murder. Alfred Minka was found dead in August 2013 on the floor of his apartment in Kalamazoo, south of Grand Rapids. He had been beaten in the head. Police have said investigators had believed early …

Michigan apple growers say they expect to pick a record crop this year. The Michigan Apple Committee is forecasting a harvest of 31 million bushels. That would be an increase of 7 million bushels over 2015 and the biggest ever for the state, which averages about 22.8 million bushels annually. Executive Director Diane Smith of the producer-funded cooperative says Michigan’s …

A Michigan Welcome Center doubled as an animal rescue center, as employees sought and saved a cat that escaped from its cross-country bound family. Milkie, a 14-year-old tabby, was traveling in a moving truck with Graham Skelly and his 10-year-old son, Simon, from Seattle to Arlington, Virginia. The father says they stopped Aug. 21 at the travelers’ center in New …

Two people were arrested early Sunday morning in Sturgis in connection with a large fight. The incident happened after 3:00 a.m. where a 28-year-old female and 26- year-old male were in a verbal altercation. Sturgis police said the male pulled a knife on the female and slashed at her, but the female was able to stop the knife with her …

A 54-year-old Centreville man sustained several injuries as a result of a crash in his pickup truck Saturday night. The Michigan State Police said John Kay III was driving his truck on Covered Bridge Road near Leland Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a large stump, which caused the truck to vault into the air and land …

One person was arrested early Saturday morning after intentionally setting blaze to a home in Sherman Township. The incident happened in the 27000 block of Oak Drive located on Omena Lake. The 45-year-old man told police he intentionally set the home on fire after having a dispute with a fellow family member. The suspect was medically evaluated and then placed …

A local community dinner was held Friday night at the St. Joseph County fairgrounds to help support the St. Joseph County Conservation District. A total of 240 tickets were sold for this year’s event, which showcased locally grown fruits, vegetables, bread and meat that were donated by local farmers. Local chefs, in keeping with the local theme, prepared the food. …

The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County rose by eight-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 4.7 percent July unemployment rate was higher than June’s 3.9 percent. July’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.2 percent less than the same month a …