In today's news:

The Berrien County GOP has struck back against controversy over its engagement featuring some January 6 defendants and two men acquitted of charges in the kidnapping plot against Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American to be elected as pope of the Catholic Church, not only is from Chicago, but he has extensive ties to Southwest Michigan. 

Several Southwest Michigan beaches have been nominated for the title of Best Beach in Michigan by USA Today, and the public is invited to vote for their favorite one.