No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

Voices of Youth: Shaped by the scroll — when likes define life Read Article

No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
Photo: No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

As sponsors pull back, community organizations step up to support Battle Creek’s Pride Festival Read Article

Courtesy, BC Pride

Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors Read Article

Cottonbro via Pexels.com

Voices of Youth: Death of transgender man Sam Nordquist raises concern for safety of trans youth Read Article

No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
Photo: No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

Battle Creek man covets Michigan Works! award as he waits for his green card Read Article

Courtesy: Michigan Works! Southwest
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

Features

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Longform Dominion March Safe Communities

Ministers lead Dominion March to galvanize community to end gun violence in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, May 1, 2025
Following the recent gun deaths of two Kalamazoo youth, the Northside Ministerial Alliance organized a Dominion Walk for peace and against gun violence that drew over 250. “There’s more of us in the community than there are shooters, and so if we make our voices loud and do what we’re supposed to, I think we can make it better.”
Feature Story Ott Biological Preserve Arts and Culture

Public to get first look at Ott Biological preserve upgrades

Jane ParikhThursday, May 1, 2025
“The development of Ott Biological Preserve has been a labor of love for the County Parks Department for years. This grant allowed us to really establish a strong trailhead at this location, rather than just a dirt lot."
Feature Story Linda Pell attended the April 5 Hands Off demonstration on Beckley Road in Battle Creek. Arts and Culture

Actions speak louder than words for Calhoun County groups working to preserve Democracy

Jane ParikhThursday, May 1, 2025
"One of our underlying goals is that we want our community to stop being divided; that is not doing anybody any good. What’s going on nationally is affecting our community to keep us from being progressive. Community members are the first line of defense."
Longform SWMi Journalism Collab hair and reading

'We want to give back.' Kalamazoo event encourages literacy through barber shops and community

Kristen AguirreThursday, May 1, 2025
There are community partners willing to go the extra mile to support families with young children, say those who recently enjoyed such an event. It was all about haircuts and reading at Rob’s Barbershop in the Vine on a Friday afternoon.
Feature Story LIST IMAGE RAZA Community Development

How this native of India has become an advocate for Kalamazoo's unhoused

Katie Houston, Encore MagazineThursday, May 1, 2025
Now completing her first year as director of development and operations for Kalamazoo Housing Advocates, Maliha Raza seeks to help others find their home here. 
Feature Story Housing developments on Rose and Wall streets in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Community Development

Density debate: How Kalamazoo-area communities are thinking beyond single-family homes

Julie Mack for MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette Thursday, May 1, 2025
Homeownership has long been an essential part of The American Dream. In the post-World War II housing boom, that often meant three- or four-bedroom homes on large lots in neighborhoods located a car drive away from commercial development. It’s time to rethink that paradigm, many say.  
Feature Story SWMI Journalism Collab Hosing in Portage

Portage chooses 3 areas for ‘walkable villages,’ higher density housing

Julie Mack for MLive/Kalamazoo GazetteThursday, May 1, 2025
Last summer, the Portage Planning Commission adopted a new city master plan that includes multiple ways to encourage more housing development. Here's how it's going. 
Longform SMALLBrush-Mentone Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

Shandra MartinezFriday, April 25, 2025
McMillen Health’s Brush program equips families and educators with easy-to-understand oral health tools, transforming access in underserved communities.
Longform Open Roads Transportation

Open Roads, Kalamazoo's bike hub, moving and growing

Mark WedelThursday, April 24, 2025
Open Roads, a youth development bicycle organization, repair service, and shop in Kalamazoo, is moving and expanding. "We run programs that the community needs, when the community needs them," says Executive Director Isaac Green, who envisions becoming "the bicycle hub of Kalamazoo."
Longform Kimball House Museum Arts and Culture

In service of history: KCC students engage in 'accidental learning' at Kimball House Museum

Jane ParikhThursday, April 24, 2025
Thanks to a service learning history course at Kellogg Community College, students get hands-on experience bringing history to life at the Kimball House Museum.
Feature Story Speak It Forward Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo's ‘Speak It Forward’ continues to help others find their voice and celebrate success

Al JonesThursday, April 24, 2025
Speak It Forward hosts the Kirk Latimer Celebration of Success, the group's 16th event that will highlight a year's worth of working with youth and honor its late co-founder. The event takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Chenery Auditorium.   
In The News R.I.S.E. Equity

Grant is a game-changer for Battle Creek’s R.I.S.E. Corp.

Jane ParikhThursday, April 24, 2025
Social emotional learning, violence disruption, and financial education are some of the youth programs that will be expanded at R.I.S.E. Battle Creek thanks to a $250,000 W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant.
In The News Kalamazoo Poetry Festival Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo Poetry Festival honors 'Gratitude' this year with a three-day event

Thursday, April 24, 2025
This year's Kalamazoo Poetry Festival features the theme "Gratitude" during a three-day celebration of all things poetry, April 24 to 26.
Partner Content AAoM NAT Conference vendors include autistic artists and entrepreneurs. Second Wave - MichiganEquity

Beyond awareness, autism acceptance affirms neurodiversity and improves lives

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 17, 2025
The Autism Alliance of Michigan and other advocates for autistic people are working hard to move from raising autism awareness to fostering autism acceptance. 
Feature Story 15 years Building Communities

Meet the team: A great group of reporters, photographers, and a community engagement specialist

Second Wave StaffThursday, April 17, 2025
Second Wave has been fortunate to be able to publish the works of an experienced team of local writers over the past 15 years. 
Longform 15 years

Highlights of 15 years of photography

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 17, 2025
Photography has always been important to Second Wave. Here are just a few examples of photographers' work that has complemented our stories.
Longform On the Ground Northside Ennovy's Beauty Bar Building Communities

On the Ground, Voices of Youth, Faith in Action and more: The projects of Second Wave

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 17, 2025
Our look back continues with stories we love. Many of these stories reflect what is happening in the community at large. Others are covered as part of a specific reporting project. We're proud to have worked with community partners to raise up people and issues that are important to our communities.
Feature Story At the Douglass 15 year anniversary Building Communities

15 Years of Second Wave: A celebration of community, journalism, and solutions

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 17, 2025
At a time when local journalism is as important as it has ever been, Southwest Michigan's Second Wave turns 15. Founding Managing Editor Kathy Jennings shares reflections on the journey.
Feature Story 15 years

A look back at the top read stories from the past 15 years of Second Wave

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 17, 2025
Can you recall your favorite Second Wave story over the past 15 years? Here's a list of our most-read stories to jog your memory. Let us know if your favorite is here. 
Feature Story 15 years

Kalamazoo Promise Returned: In pictures and words

Simon BorstThursday, April 17, 2025
In 2014, artist Simon Borst created a thank you for the Kalamazoo Promise by featuring in words and pictures those like him who also benefited from the scholarship program. We reprise his work here during the 20th year for the Promise.
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Battle Creek

Former local shelter transforms into lifeline for Southwest Michigan Veterans

“We are the only Veterans organization in Southwest Michigan doing what we’re doing. I like to call us a neutral spot. We don’t care what branch of the service you were in or what your discharge status is. People I’ve talked to have said it’s about time." For more On the Ground Battle Creek stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Helping Vets in Kalamazoo who were 'smoked by life'


In 2024, 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness in the United States, and 68 of those were in Kalamazoo County, though local officials say they are sure that number has since increased. Many unhoused veterans don’t know there are benefits and programs that can help. Here’s how to get connected.Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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