Features

Feature Story Kids

What do breastfeeding, sanitation, vaccines, and lead paint have in common? Public health.

Q&A with Norm Hess, executive director of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health.

Feature Story Boys in preschool

Por qué los preescolares con autismo se benefician de la educación temprana

Early Education Matters habló sobre este importante tema con Heather Eckner, directora de educación estatal de la Autism Alliance of Michigan (Alianza para el Autismo de Michigan, AAOM) y madre de dos niños autistas.

Longform Lapeer County EMS Education Program Manager Luke Bowen leads a session of the new EMT training program.

Free EMS education program helps ease EMT shortage in Lapeer County

In Lapeer County, east of Flint, a new EMT education program is helping to grow the county's EMT and paramedic workforce.

Feature Story forbushstart

No snow? As long as it's cold, you can cross-country ski at this hidden gem: Forbush Corner

Forbush Corner in northern Michigan is one of the few cross-country ski areas in the state that can make its own snow. The nonprofit center, beloved for its trails and friendly vibe, hopes to expand with other outdoor activities.

Longform Highline Spirits founder Christi Lower at the Highline Room in Dexter.

Dexter's Highline Spirits aims to make whiskey appreciation accessible for everyone

A revelatory experience with whiskey 10 years ago led Dexter resident Christi Lower to make an unusual career pivot and make her passion for the spirit more accessible to all.

Longform A Meals on Wheels Western Michigan volunteer makes a delivery.

Inflation, aging population, and loss of COVID funding impact Michigan Meals on Wheels programs

Many Meals on Wheels providers report that challenges have arisen as their client lists continue to grow thanks to an aging population, even as pandemic relief funding dries up.

Partner Content littleacornlogo

A Crisis of Care: Testing a new model of childcare in Northport

There are two common models for childcare in our country: Childcare centers, and home-based care. In Northport, they're testing a hybrid approach.

Feature Story Jordan Scheidecker, Disability Resources Specialist at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) and Head Coach of the college’s wheelchair basketball team, rallies the players during halftime.

St. Clair County Community College leads the way with new adaptive sports program

Open to students and community members alike, St. Clair County Community College’s new wheelchair basketball adaptive sports program is working to promote more inclusivity in the region, bringing together basketball enthusiasts of all abilities.

Feature Story training-small

222 West Michigan businesses will split nearly $16M in training funds

The Going PRO Talent Fund will help train, develop and retain more than 3,400 current workers, apprentices and newly hired employees.

Longform The MALPH staff: Jodie Shaver, Vickie Johnson, Edward Witherspoon, Gwen Tithoff, and Norm Hess.

Michigan Association for Local Public Health helps build health across the state

Michigan Association for Local Public Health advocates for policies, initiatives, and collaborations that build health across the state and individually through trainings and workforce assistance.

Feature Story Dining area of a Northern Lakes CMHA group home.

Adult foster care homes provide caring, community-based living

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority offers adult foster care (AFC) homes to adults living with disabilities in across Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee, Roscommon, and Wexford counties.

Feature Story Boys in preschool

Why preschoolers living with autism benefit from early education

 Early childhood education presents a golden opportunity to set up  children living with autism for academic success.

Longform Melanie Brim, former president and CEO of the Michigan Health Council.

How can Michigan solve its growing health care workforce shortage?Nonprofit Journal Project

One study found that nearly all of the 36 Michigan health care occupations it analyzed are projecting workforce shortages between now and 2032. What can be done?

Feature Story Zachariah Malachi and the Hillbilly Executives.

In Manchester, live music creates a sense of community

The live music scene in Manchester is thriving, thanks to Manchester Underground Music and Art. Musicians of all genres perform regularly at the Raisin River Distillery, attracting people from all over the region.

Feature Story Thunder Bay Theatre is the only year-round professional theater in northeast Michigan.

The show will go on at Alpena's Thunder Bay TheatreRenovations move forward after December fire

The Thunder Bay Theatre, the only year-round professional theater in northeast Michigan, vows to continue with long-planned renovations, despite a setback because of an early December fire. 

Longform Jim Bardenhagen of Suttons Bay-based Bardenhagen Farms is one of many Michigan farmers who sold his produce to Michigan clients through Cherry Capital Foods.

After a Traverse City food distributor's closure, Michigan farmers work to keep produce in state

Cherry Capital Foods closed in November, leaving Michigan farmers and produce buyers scrambling to figure out what's next. 

Longform Photos of Indigenous family food traditions submitted to the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.

Michigan's Indigenous children receive culturally sensitive nutrition education through new program

The 13 Moons Curriculum enriches the lives of children up to age 5 with an academic foundation focused on culturally relevant, healthy eating.

Feature Story Aleis Hansen List

New trails and upgrades await in 2024Q&A with Alexis Hansen, Director of Isabella County Parks & Recreation

Alexis Hansen brings a wealth of experience to the mid-Michigan area from varied recreation roles—including her most recent position as Director of Isabella County Parks & Recreation. The county boasts diverse parks, trails, and plans for upgrades. Explore the exciting enhancements Hansen anticipates in 2024, from trail expansions to facility improvements, aligning with a new five-year recreation master plan.

Feature Story SE Food Dist

Soaring Eagle celebrates openings of four restaurants within new Food District

Several nationally recognized restaurant brands have opened their first locations in Michigan within the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort’s new Food District. Set up similar to a food court, Chicken Guy!, Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, and Bonanno’s New York Pizzeria are now open in Mt. Pleasant.

Feature Story trackchairSmall

DNR fund drive helps make state nation’s leader in accessible track chairs

Michigan now offers more track chairs for public use than any other state parks and recreation system.