Features

Longform Molly Brouwer, infant and family specialist; Bethany Vukusic, Maternal Infant Health Program team su

How public health cares for Michigan's infants and new parents

Michigan’s state and local public health systems make great efforts to ensure that expectant mothers and infants get the best start possible.

Feature Story The Waterloo State Recreation Areas is among the natural assets in the region.

Rebranding: ‘Southern Michigan Outdoors’ plan promotes Jackson’s outdoor assets

Three counties in southern Michigan -- centered around Jackson -- are working to rebrand the rural region as a center for outdoor recreation, a supporter of “rec tech” business innovation and a more attractive place to live.   

Feature Story Paddling Michigan offers day kayak adventures to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Navigating Success: Uncle Ducky's journey from the skies to the shores of Lake Superior

A customer's random request to rent a fleet of canoes from William Duckwall's charter fishing company led to a kayaking enterprise. Today, Uncle Ducky's paddling and other operations are an integral part of the tourism industry in Munising at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. 

Feature Story Timber CC List

Why Mt. Pleasant is central Michigan's cannabis capital: Growth, revenue, and community benefits

Mt. Pleasant has become a hub for cannabis retailers, leading to significant economic and community benefits. Explore the reasons behind the town's appeal to marijuana businesses and the positive impacts on local employment, infrastructure, and city revenue.

Feature Story Small-Go-Beyond

How Women in Tech is elevating West Michigan’s tech scene

Women in Tech is growing as more female tech firm founders and leaders are coming together to support and elevate each other. After taking part in the first annual Go Beyond, they are gearing up for Tech Week Grand Rapids this fall.

Feature Story Cindy Larsen, left, will retire from the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber; Rachel Gorman will take over the role.

Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber President Cindy Larsen to retire

After 25 years of leading the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Cindy Larsen will retire in the fall. The chamber’s chief operating officer, Rachel Gorman, will take over the role.

Feature Story Life EMS Ambulance is expanding its coverage area in West Michigan.

GR-based Life EMS Ambulance expands services to Saugatuck

Life EMS Ambulance adds northern Saugatuck Township, the city of Saugatuck, and the city of the Village of Douglas to its growing Southwest Michigan 911 paramedic response area.

Feature Story Omena Cut Flowers grows 40 varieties of annuals and perennials.

U-pick flower farms blooming across Michigan

U-pick flower farms are sprouting up across Michigan, part of the state's flourishing agritourism industry. Consumers like picking fresh, local flowers and farmers like the additional revenue source. 

Feature Story An artist's rendering of the new waterfront plaza in Benton Harbor.

$2 million waterfront plaza planned for Benton Harbor

Benton Harbor is redeveloping a stretch of waterfront site as community space, with plans for a water taxi dock, kayak launch, and fishing area. 

Feature Story A skier at Mont Ripley. Winter sports like skiing and snowmobiling attract tourists to the region.

Study shows the economic importance of tourism in the counties of the western U.P.

A newly released study underscores the importance of tourism to the economy of the western Upper Peninsula. Officials across the region hope the study further enhances tourism and helps with community planning and promotion efforts. 

Feature Story Seniors Helping Seniors Lakeshore's focus is on hiring seniors to help care for their peers who are less active or independent.

Holland couple’s experience with aging parents leads to new business

Brian and Mollie Gaggin decided to take their careers in a new direction after caring for their aging parents as they battled Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Feature Story Jackie Hanton, vice president of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, running with her daughter Kennedy underneath the Blue Water River Walk archway.

Blue Water River Walk celebrates 10-year anniversary

After years of restoring the shoreline, The Blue Water River Walk has become one of the must-see sights in the area and is known for its wetlands, artwork, and pedestrian trail.

Longform Derek Miller, program supervisor for Kalamazoo County’s Healty Babies Healthy Start & 4Dad Fatherhood Program, with Sidni Miller, community health worker, inside Kalamazoo County’s Health and Community Services building.

$5 million in federal funding will help 5 Michigan organizations reduce infant and maternal deaths

Five Michigan organizations will receive federal support of about $1 million each to improve maternal and infant health in the state.

Feature Story gilmoregasstation

Revving up: The transformative experience of the Gilmore Garage Works program

The Gilmore Car Museum is more than a collection of polished antique cars. The well-known museum in Hickory Corners offers hands-on automotive restoration and maintenance education to youth in southwest Michigan. 

Feature Story cassopolismural

Cassopolis reimagines childcare

Cassopolis returns to the imagination to come up with solutions to a shortage of childcare workers and childcare options in the Cass County community. 

Feature Story Muskegon Lake is the backdrop for life at Adelaide Pointe Marina where future plans also include residential and commercial uses.

Adelaide Pointe celebrates grand opening of Michigan's first new marina in nearly three decades

Adelaide Pointe on Muskegon Lake incorporates both private and public amenities into its plan, including fishing spots, a soft shoreline, and residential property along the lake.

Feature Story The new Ottawa Beach General Store is nearly identical to the 1930s building it replaced with some key improvements.

PHOTOS: Iconic beachside store reopens

Take a look inside the newly rebuilt ‘vintage’ Ottawa Beach General Store that has reopened next to Holland State Park in time for summer.

Feature Story The stately Manistique Bank building was constructed in the early 20th century.

Making a small difference in Manistique

The historic Manistique Bank building in downtown Manistique is undergoing a renovation for commercial and residential uses.

Longform Lunchtime at Oehrli Elementary School in Montague, Mich.

Michigan's free school meals yield high returns for student health and academic success

Michigan has become one of eight states to make free school meals available to all, creating notable benefits for students' health.

Feature Story The Ocean Navigator docks at the new $5 million pier along Houghton's waterfront.

Small ports welcome uptick in Great Lakes cruises

Interest in cruising the Great Lakes continues to grow, and small ports along Michigan's vast shoreline are welcoming more passengers. They're disembarking to explore downtowns, historic sites and natural landmarks.