ARC West Michigan

06/12/2026

Over 53,000 Consumers Energy customers are without power after a second round of severe storms pushed through West Michigan.

Thousands of West Michiganders are in the dark after a second round of severe storms knocked out power Thursday night.

06/12/2026

Our Ava Ray and Tesha Nowak are near Freeport, where there are downed branches and a whole tree along West Parmalee Road.

If you've spotted damage in your neighborhood, Chime In with your photos: wwmt.com/chimein

06/12/2026

This cloud has a familiar shape - can you see it?
📷: Katie Clark

SEE MORE PHOTOS: https://wwmt.com/news/galleries/gallery-06-12-2026

06/12/2026

WOW! Check out this cloud from Haylie Chamberlin!
A tornado warning remains in effect for portions of Kent, Ionia and Barry Counties.

When it's safe, share your weather and weather damage photos and videos to our Chime In: wwmt.com/chimein

06/12/2026

WHOA! Watch as the storm rolls in over South Haven ⛈️
We've got active Tornado Warnings in Kent and Berrien Counties.

We're live here on Facebook and over on our YouTube with the latest: https://youtube.com/live/YEh57N06Xyw

06/11/2026

"It got really fierce outside and we thought maybe we were in a tornado," Bill Gillman, of Kalamazoo, said.

Powerful storms that swept through Southwest Michigan Wednesday blew down trees and tree limbs, causing widespread power outages for thousands.

06/11/2026

A funeral procession will makes its way through Coldwater on Thursday to honor the life of 46-year-old Casey Rice, a Branch County Road Commission worker who died after a semi truck hit him on I-69 last week: https://bit.ly/43wM1Ih

Family and friends will honor Rice's life before the procession. In honor of his work, a scholarship is being established for skilled trades in his name, according to information from his obituary.

Several road commissions took to social media following Rice's death to share their condolences and emphasize the importance of driving cautiously when workers are present.

We are again saddened by a loss of a fellow road agency worker," Berrien County Road Commission officials said in a Facebook post. "Please keep Casey Rice's family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We urge everyone to take extra care and precautions when traveling active work zones or along road professional and emergency services. We want everyone to arrive to their destinations safely and for all the workers to arrive home at the end of their shift."

A semi truck rear ended Rice as he cut the grass in the median on I-69 in Coldwater on June 4. He died in the hospital two days later.

Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers said drugs may have been involved in the crash, however, are still running tests to confirm.

06/11/2026

Ahead of construction for Kalamazoo Avenue downtown, the city is holding a meeting for the community to provide details about what to expect: https://bit.ly/49VKeA6

The City of Kalamazoo is inviting the community to a meeting on June 23 about the upcoming $19.63 million downtown Kalamazoo Avenue complete rebuild, slated to start in July, to provide information about the project phasing, traffic and what to expect during the roughly two year long construction project, according to city officials.

Following the city's presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet with project staff and talk about how the construction will take place.

"The improvements coming to Kalamazoo Avenue will modernize critical infrastructure, create a safer and more connected corridor, and help support the future growth of our community," Christina Anderson, city planner and deputy director of community planning & economic development. "Projects of this size inevitably come with construction impacts, and we know that can be frustrating at times. This meeting is an opportunity to learn what to expect, connect directly with the project team, and make sure you have the information you need to stay informed throughout construction."

City officials greenlit the project at the beginning of the month after years of planning work dating back to 2019.

06/11/2026

Thousands of West Michiganders are waking up without power on Thursday after fast paced storms up to 50 miles per hour swept through on Wednesday night: https://bit.ly/4v7WeXM

Consumers Energy officials said they restored power to over 50,000 customers overnight after severe weather took down trees and power lines on Wednesday night, causing outages for thousands in the region.

With another round of severe weather forecast for Thursday evening, crews will be staged throughout the area in preparation, officials said.

Customers are encouraged to use caution on the roads and be aware of any downed power lines, flooding and broken tree limbs.

Several roads throughout Kalamazoo are closed on Thursday morning due to downed trees and powerlines, according to Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers.

Crews are working to clear the roads and ensure safe travel, officers said.

06/11/2026

After ten days on strike, workers reached a tentative agreement with American Axle on Wednesday: https://bit.ly/4v7Dcki

United Auto Workers (UAW) in Three Rivers, Mich., at Dauch Corporation, formerly known as American Axle, began striking at midnight on Monday, June 1, after failed negations with management regarding their wages, which they say have barely increased in 18 years.

On Wednesday, members said they reached a tentative agreement to end the strike that includes a 30% rate increase over the next four years with members making at least $30 per hour by 2030. It also includes no health care premium increases for the next four years, new holiday time off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veteran's Day as well as more time off for Christmas.

In the coming days members said they will review the offer and make a decision.