Public radio from Western Michigan University 102.1 NPR News | 89.9 Classical WMUK
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Southwest Michigan Today: Wednesday March 14, 2018

Kalamazoo schools will mark one month since the deadly school shooting in Florida. Portage's City Council approves ordinances allowing medical marijuana businesses to set up in the city. The K-Wings drop a game at home. 

Events will be held at all of the schools in the Kalamazoo Public School district Wednesday to mark one month since the shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. KPS officials say 17-minute moments are being held at Kalamazoo’s high schools and middle schools to honor the 17 people killed in the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman High School on February 14th. At elementary schools activities include holding a moment of silence, reciting poetry and sharing anti-bullying messages.

The Portage City Council has approved two ordinances that allow some medical marijuana related businesses to operate in the city. State licensed medical marijuana growers, processors, secure transporters, provisioning centers and safety compliance facilities will be able to open in Portage. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the ordinances were approved by a 4-2 vote Tuesday night. There is no cap on the number of medical marijuana businesses that can open in the city, but zoning rules dictate where they can set up shop.

A new report showsMichigan drivers pay on average more than $2,500 dollars annually for their auto insurance, nearly twice the national average. The study says motorists in Detroit pay the highest premiums in the nation -- on average more than $5,000 a year. The communications director for the Insurance Alliance of Michigan Lori Conarton says Michigan is the only state that requires unlimited personal injury protection which raises costs and limits competition.

All of the Great Lakes are showing higher water levels than usual. That’s according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Army Corps scientists say the lakes are filled with more water than they were at this same time last year. Chief of Watershed Hydrology Keith Kompoltowicz says the last few seasons have been wetter than usual. He says the lack of a dry season in addition to recent flooding has led to more water in the Great Lakes.

In hockey, Kalamazoo lost to Brampton Tuesday night 5-3. The K-Wings have one win in their last five games and will host Cincinnati on Saturday.