Epicenter Fifty years in focus capturing generations and preserving memories Read Article

Guys & Dolls marked their 50th anniversary milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 17, 2025 with the Chamber of Commerce and their clients.
Photo: Guys & Dolls marked their 50th anniversary milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 17, 2025 with the Chamber of Commerce and their clients. Courtesy Guys & Dolls Photography

Metromode LGBTQ+ owned businesses in Metro Detroit you should know about Read Article

Genevieve Fox.

Epicenter Four Suns Farm opens for its first full summer season in Mt. Pleasant Read Article

Courtesy Sally Rudy / Four Suns Farms

“A lifeline for families,” PreK for All expands access and raises expectations Read Article

John Grap

Epicenter From the classroom to the community, Allison Arnekrans finds purpose in building a culture of care Read Article

Courtesy Allison Arnekrans

Epicenter Blossoms, Bridges, and River Views: Where to hit the trails this spring in Mt. Pleasant Read Article

Deerfield Park is located at 2425 W. Remus Rd. in Mt. Pleasant.
Photo: Deerfield Park is located at 2425 W. Remus Rd. in Mt. Pleasant. Courtesy Alexis Hansen / Isabella County

Route Bay City New equipment helps plant wildflowers in order to draw in pollinators Read Article

Photo courtesy of Great Plains

Metromode Living on couches, in hotels, or in cars, many in Oakland County experience "hidden" homelessness Read Article

Shariki Bell's apartment in Pontiac. Bell lived in a camper in her friend's driveway from 2006 to 2012 due to a mental health crisis.
Photo: Shariki Bell's apartment in Pontiac. Bell lived in a camper in her friend's driveway from 2006 to 2012 due to a mental health crisis. Steve Koss

Southwest Michigan Public to get first look at Ott Biological preserve upgrades Read Article

Southwest Michigan Open Roads, Kalamazoo's bike hub, moving and growing Read Article

Fran Dwight

Rural Innovation Exchange Charlevoix's iconic castle: A story of innovation, history and change in Northern Michigan Read Article

Epicenter Inside Soolicious Cake Art Studio: Passion, precision, and the perfect buttercream Read Article

Soolicious Cake Art Studio is located at 4912 E. Pickard Street in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Photo: Soolicious Cake Art Studio is located at 4912 E. Pickard Street in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. Photo Credit Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant

Southwest Michigan Phenomenal Woman: Bringing historical women's stories to life in Battle Creek Read Article

JohnGrap

The Keel For the love of the game: Port Huron Prowlers players work to keep their hockey careers alive Read Article

The Port Huron Prowlers on January 17, 2025 against the Mississippi Sea Wolves.
Photo: The Port Huron Prowlers on January 17, 2025 against the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Photo courtesy of Port Huron Prowlers.

Rural Innovation Exchange From Munising to Memphis: Two brothers' journey to winemaking in rural Michigan Read Article

Concentrate Big House, big environmental impact: How U-M is reimagining sustainability at Michigan Stadium Read Article

Michigan Stadium.
Photo: Michigan Stadium. Doug Coombe

Metromode Yoga with cats brings the mental health we need right now Read Article

Steve Koss

Concentrate Whitmore Lake's M-36 coffee roastery carries on legacy of Ann Arbor's Espresso Royale coffee shops Read Article

M-36 Coffee Roasters co-owner Ken Pargulski at their Whitmore Lake headquarters.
Photo: M-36 Coffee Roasters co-owner Ken Pargulski at their Whitmore Lake headquarters. Doug Coombe

The Keel Pivot Roasters: A Blue Water Area business with global roots Read Article

Pivot Roasters coffee beans tumble in a drum roaster.
Photo: Pivot Roasters coffee beans tumble in a drum roaster. Rachael Odish.

Southwest Michigan Tribal Voices Amplified: A new era of representation in Michigan legislative history Read Article

John Grap

Cross-sector partnerships key to prosperity in downtown Howell Read Article

Downtown Howell’s success is testament to the power of collaboration
Photo: Downtown Howell’s success is testament to the power of collaboration Steve Koss

Southwest Michigan Can the 'River of Death' be tamed? West Main residents, businesses express appetite for 'road diet' Read Article

Reid Williams, NowKalamazoo

Metromode How does affordable housing get built in Oakland County? Read Article

Shepherd House, a new affordable housing development catering to LGBTQ+ seniors in Ferndale.
Photo: Shepherd House, a new affordable housing development catering to LGBTQ+ seniors in Ferndale. Steve Koss

Metromode Is this Detroit's most outrageous fall dessert? Shake bar goes over the top Read Article

Supplied

Southwest Michigan An adventurous, low-frequency life: Creating straw bale home and farm from scratch at Solfed Farms Read Article

Fran Dwight

Heartside Rising: The arts inspire growth in eclectic Grand Rapids neighborhood Read Article

Tommy Allen

Rural Innovation Exchange How one rural Michigan brewery created community Read Article

A craft beer enthusiast, Jeremy Grossenbacher grew up in Coopersville.
Photo: A craft beer enthusiast, Jeremy Grossenbacher grew up in Coopersville. Craig Watson

Midland Meet Me in Midtown: The revitalization of a Midland neighborhood Read Article

UPword Marquette Rising: Outdoor recreation and intentional development fuel growth Read Article

Tom Buchkoe

Prescriptions for fresh produce grow in Michigan through collaboration and new funding Read Article

Bridget Smith, Tanya Andrews, Ashleigh Donahey, Anne Davis, and Ariane Donnelly at the Pittsfield Township Farmers Market.
Photo: Bridget Smith, Tanya Andrews, Ashleigh Donahey, Anne Davis, and Ariane Donnelly at the Pittsfield Township Farmers Market. Doug Coombe

Metromode How parks help to address health equity in Metro Detroit Read Article

People play basketball during a Pistons Neighbors program session in Rouge Park.
Photo: People play basketball during a Pistons Neighbors program session in Rouge Park. Steve Koss

Corktown Rising: Urban dreamers paved the way for historic neighborhood's rebirth Read Article

Southwest Michigan Kalamazoo's Sarkozy Bakery: Old world baking in an ever-changing world Read Article

Fran Dwith

Southwest Michigan Success smells sweet for Battle Creek chocolatier Read Article

Rural Innovation Exchange It's electrifying: The U.P. is home to first of its kind electric off-road vehicle charging network Read Article

Rural Innovation Exchange Charlevoix's iconic castle: A story of innovation, history and change in Northern Michigan Read Article

Features

Innovation News Penny Miller-Nelson Catalyst MidlandKids and Education

From fields to the classroom: Helping students grow, meet Penny Miller-Nelson

People of MidlandThursday, June 19, 2025
Midland Public Schools Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson reflects on her journey from a family farm to educational leadership.
Feature Story Cherry Republic's newest store has opened in Mackinaw City. Rural Innovation ExchangeEntrepreneurship

Cherry Republic opens store in Mackinaw City

RIX StaffThursday, June 19, 2025
Cherry Republic is expanding its footprint in Northern Michigan with a new store in downtown Mackinaw City. What else is ahead for the iconic cherry innovator?
Feature Story Digital rendering of the Lincoln Avenue Loft project in Port Huron. The Keel - Port HuronCommunity Development

Port Huron’s Lincoln Avenue Loft project aims to address urgent housing needs

Layla McMurtrieThursday, June 19, 2025
The Lincoln Avenue Loft Project will bring 40 income-restricted workforce housing units to a central Port Huron site, addressing the city’s deepening housing crisis. With supportive services, transit access, and proximity to key employers, the development aims to create long-term stability for working families and residents.
Longform Lotipha Renée Hunter performs at a drag bingo event at Uplift. Concentrate - Ann Arbor/YpsiArts and Culture

Drag as activism: Washtenaw County performers seek to "demystify" queerness in divisive times

Lee Van RothWednesday, June 18, 2025
Washtenaw County’s drag scene is stepping boldly into the political spotlight, using art and expression to counter rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.
Feature Story A drone view of the campground, perched 200 feet above Lake Superior. UPword - UPEntrepreneurship

Camping with a view: Kona Hills Campground opens in Marquette

UPword StaffWednesday, June 18, 2025
Three lifelong Marquette friends with a passion for the outdoors and rustic camping have come together to create their campground: Kona Hills Campground. The unique 80-acre site boast views of Lake Superior, the Huron Mountains and Marquette.
Partner Content Emmett Township Park. The Keel - Port HuronCommunity Development

New grants boost placemaking in St. Clair County

Community Foundation of St. Clair CountyWednesday, June 18, 2025
The Community Foundation of St. Clair County has made placemaking the center of its mission to connect people and places, from the coastlines of the St. Clair River to the rural stretches of the county’s western towns.
Feature Story The owners of the Three Bridges Distillery and Taproom. Catalyst MidlandEntrepreneurship

Three Bridges distillery expands with craft brews, event space and bigger dreams

Amy HutchinsonThursday, June 19, 2025
Three Bridges Distillery is expanding with a new event space, growing its craft beer and spirits offerings, and eyeing broader distribution while keeping its community roots.
Feature Story Tim Klont is the CEO of MSHDA. Second Wave - MichiganEconomic Development

Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan

Sarah SpohnWednesday, June 18, 2025
Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state. 
Feature Story The Michigan Union. Concentrate - Ann Arbor/YpsiEquity

U-M students respond to DEI programs' end

Anamika SureshMonday, June 16, 2025
In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Anamika Suresh breaks down the recent end of University of Michigan diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and interviews students about the changes.
Feature Story All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, June 17, 2025
All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.
Feature Story Trans Youth Southwest MichiganSafe Communities

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

Sage LeeTuesday, June 17, 2025
The recent death of Sam Nordquist, a transgender 24-year-old, has called attention to a rise in violence and discrimination against transgender youth.  Many are addressing this issue, but also say much still needs to be done to protect trans youth.
Feature Story Michigan Works! Southwest Southwest MichiganCommunity Development

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

Jane ParikhMonday, June 16, 2025
Cuban immigrant Ariel Martinez Ochoa of Battle Creek was honored for his work in healthcare after just three years in the U.S., but his dreams are on hold as he awaits a long-delayed Green Card. Despite the recognition, immigration backlogs threaten to stall his next steps.
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