Randi Burns
WWMT-TV
Kalamazoo, MI, United States
Contact Randi
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Randi:
More than 2,000 Michigan companies are hiring amid COVID-19 pandemic
The need to fill thousands of crucial, immediate job openings in Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic is high in the state. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity reported Tuesday that companies were looking to fill jobs in logistics, healthcare, manufacturing and agribusiness industries. Pure Michigan Talent Connect is Michigan's employment search engine. → Read More
Need something to do with the kids? Try these science experiments at home
As schools closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, kids have been sent home. Many parents may be wondering what they can do to entertain their children, while also providing education. One option: science experiments! The first one many kids know about and that is... slime. How to make slime. Ingredients needed: Water. Glue, such as Elmers. Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle)… → Read More
KPS students work with Consumers Energy to win national prize in Lexus Eco Challenge
A team of 12 students from Kalamazoo Central High School has teamed up with Consumers Energy on a project they hope will have them winning a competition known as Battle of the Buildings. An awards program for energy use reduction, the Michigan Battle of the Buildings is open to all Michigan commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings. The students are participating in the education… → Read More
Past its expected life, the Gull Lake Dam is need of a $1M replacement
Many people across West Michigan know of Gull Lake. The 2,030 acre lake offers natural vistas for area homeowners, and recreational activities for all who visit. At a time when most inland lakes are seeing record or near record high water levels, Gull Lake remains fairly steady. That is due in part to the Gull Lake Dam. → Read More
Retailers switch gears to cope with winter's unseasonable West Michigan absence
Sales were down for the season at D&R Sports Center in Oshtemo Township, store owner, Jonathon VanDam said Friday, because they haven't even sold as many fishing licensees as normal for this time of year. After all, with an unseasonably warm winter unraveling in West Michigan, the fishers can't get on the ice. "We usually count on a lot of [winter sport sales] to help us throughout the winter… → Read More
To honor veterans, arborists donate time, talent at Fort Custer National Cemetery
By the time the sun rose Wednesday, several dozen volunteers were up in the trees at Fort Custer National Cemetery — giving their time and talent to honor veterans. The volunteers included arborists and tree climbers, participating in a project to help clean up the cemetery's grounds and care for the trees. "There's about 35 of us here," said Justin Brummette, the site leader for the project at… → Read More
Local allergist differentiates symptoms of fall allergies versus cold symptoms
With fall comes cooler temperatures, longer nights and changing leaves. What it also brings is fall allergy season. "In the fall, one of the typical allergens are weeds and one of our biggest one's is ragweed," Allergist and Immunologist with Asthma Allergy Center, Dr. Elena Lewis said. Fall allergies start to affect people in mid-August, when ragweed and other weeds start to pollinate. That… → Read More
Forward Focus: On demand mobility the new future of local public transportation
Autonomous vehicles are on the road in West Michigan. On July 26, the Grand Rapids public transportation system launched a pilot program of autonomous vehicles. The vehicles serve as downtown shuttles run during the day, Tuesday through Saturday, and there's always an in-vehiclesafety operator. But there's no steering wheel. With those autonomous shuttles joining the Grand Rapids system, one… → Read More
Wetter-than-normal spring, summer threaten to extend orange barrel season
It is that time of year, orange barrels everywhere and traffic delays common. Add to the mix a wetter-than-normal spring - and predictions for a wetter-than-normal summer - and West Michigan's construction season is on the verge of longer than normal. Managers at the Michigan Department of Transportation said Monday that a couple of dozen projects underway in the region were already behind… → Read More
Data confirms a cooler, wetter spring 2019 than normal in West Michigan
Michiganders have felt it since March 1, and the data now confirms: Spring 2019 was cooler and wetter than normal in West Michigan. Precipitation was about 17% higher and temperatures were a couple degrees lower than normal for the three months from March to May, known as meteorological spring. West Michigan's average precipitation for the three-month period totaled 10. 68 inches, making it 1.… → Read More
Forward Focus: How attending a local summer camp changed one campers life for the better
Pretty Lake Camp in Mattawan, Michigan has provided a free camp experience to at risk youth for 103 years. Pretty Lake Camp accommodates approximately 800 children each summer. Many of the children who attend Pretty Lake Camp face significant challenges at home, in school, and in their community. (WWMT/Randi Burns) "Pretty Lake Camp, I would describe as the community's camp,"CEO of Pretty Lake… → Read More
West Michigan farmers find this year's crops behind schedule, slowed by a wet, cool spring
Growing season is pacing a bit behind normal this year, with the cool, wet spring taking the blame. Southwest Michigan, in the third week of May, is seven to 10 days behind normal for the spring growing season. Northern counties in the region are further behind, by about another week. At this point in the year, temperatures of 28 degrees Fahrenheit or below would damage flowers and young fruit. → Read More
Today marks 39 years since Kalamazoo County's deadliest tornado
On May 13, 1980, an EF-3 tornado tore through Kalamazoo County. The tornado left five people dead and 79 injured, making it the deadliest tornado for the county. It started in Oshtemo Township, off on Michigan 43 and was on the ground for 10. 6 miles. The tornado tracked through parts of the Westwood, Vine and Edison neighborhoods, eventually ending southeast of Comstock Township. Follow Randi… → Read More
South Haven Police Department adds two specialized dogs to the K-9 unit
With summer season right around the corner, South Haven Police Department added two more dogs to its K-9 unit. The newest additions are Ryker, a German Shepherd specialized in detecting narcotics, and Rocco, a Beligian Malinois specialized in the detection of bombs and explosives. Both Ryker and Rocco came from Pennsylvania and joined the department in September 2018. → Read More
South Haven one of the first cities to be designated as a Pure Michigan Trail Town
There are more than 12,500 miles of state-designated trails and pathways in Michigan. "Michigan is the trail state," said David Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan. "We have more trail mileage than any other state in the country and we're very proud of that. → Read More
Lake water temperatures too cold to swim despite warmer spring weather
Although warmer temperatures make it feel like summer, experts urged people not to jump right into the lakes quite yet. Lake Michigan water temperatures range from mid 30s to lower 40s for late April. "Water temperature that is 70 degrees and lower can start causing hypothermia quickly," Deputy Chief Fire Marshall with South Haven Area Emergency Services, Tony Marsala said. People can lose body… → Read More
Spring clean ups and brush collections begin for some cities in West Michigan
As snow continues to melt across West Michigan and April has arrived, several cities prep for brush collection and spring clean-up. Many families were out Tuesday, April 2, 2019, gathering leaves, twigs, branches and debris for their city's collection. "Cleaning up the yard, picking up after my dogs and picking up after mother nature," Kalamazoo Resident, Thomas Standal said. "Got my friend's… → Read More
Chief message behind statewide tornado drill: Have a plan to stay safe at home
At 1 p. m. Wednesday, tornado sirens and other warnings spread across the state of Michigan; but it was only a drill. Thestatewide tornado drillwas organized as part of Michigan's severe weather awareness week, March 24-30, 2019. Emergency management officials said the day should remind all of us to practice our severe weather action plans. While most people will never witness a tornado in their… → Read More
Clean up continues after high wind leaves damage across West Michigan
Winds continued to howl Monday after Sunday's storm swept through West Michigan, leaving many with damage to handle. Strong wind snapped a sign that stood outside Locey Pool and Spa Company in Kalamazoo on Lovers Lane for over 20 years. "I pulled into work this morning going 'okay, everything looks good' and then I noticed our sign," Nicole Locey said, owner of Locey Pool and Spa Company in… → Read More
Open for business: few businesses stay open during harsh winter conditions
It was a quiet, but cold, Wednesday throughout downtown Kalamazoo because many businesses posted signs in their front windows. Signs that read closed due to inclement weather. "It's only the crazy Greeks opened, everybody else closed," Stacy Skartsiaris, owner of Theo and Stacy's restaurant, said while laughing. A few stores remained open downtown, but for their own reasons. "You can't be… → Read More