Features

Feature Story Avid-hotel

Holland hotelier partners with GR firm to buy struggling Zeeland hotel

Peter D. Beukema, owner of downtown Holland’s Tulyp in Holland, sees potential in the Zeeland hotel, located in a high traffic spot. 

Feature Story Beacon Small

Muskegon recycling company plans $17.5M expansion

Beacon Recycling expects to add 36 jobs with a project that will bolster its metal recycling capabilities and sustainability efforts in West Michigan.   

Feature Story munisingwelcomesign

Big projects ahead in downtown Munising

Two-multimillion-dollar projects will bring much-needed housing and commercial development to Munising, the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. 

Longform Natalie Visser, an assistant supervisor for MOKA, left, and Tracy share a warm embrace during a life skills session on cooking at a MOKA site in Wyoming.

Recruiting direct care workers a challenge for Michigan's adult foster care homes

The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan found that adult foster care homes and other agencies are struggling to recruit and maintain workers in part due to higher wages in alternative occupations.

Longform Alison Hirschel, director and managing attorney for the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative.

Michigan works to continue residents' lifesaving health coverage after post-pandemic Medicaid cuts

When the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 expired in May 2023, over 500,000 Michiganders stood to lose their Medicaid health insurance coverage. But the state is working to help residents maintain coverage.

Feature Story Rob and Alana Ward.

Father-daughter team embark on second season running Shea Tree Farm

After taking over Shea Tree Farm last year to protect the property from plans for housing development, Blue Water Area residents Rob and Alana Ward share their experience learning how to run a Christmas tree farm and future plans for the business.

Feature Story Trails-Small

‘It really opened up my world’: Users welcome health benefits of accessible trails

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan worked closely with Disability Network West Michigan to develop an accessible trail system that gives visitors like Jeffrey VanDyke access to the health benefits of being in nature. 

Feature Story The gift shop at Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm.

Dasher? Dancer? Prancer? Nope. But there are "other" reindeer at this festive farm in Clare County

What better way to celebrate the holiday season than a visit to a reindeer farm? Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm in Clare provides an educational and entertaining environment year-round with reindeer, alpacas, cows, a playground, gift shop, cafe, and plenty of photo opportunities.  

Feature Story "A vibrant downtown is crucial for the prosperity of our community,” Allegan Mayor Roger Bird says. The city celebrated the completion of its downtown streetscape project on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25.

Downtown Allegan celebrates grand opening of $9M streetscape project

Downtown Allegan's newly upgraded sidewalks and streetscape took half the projected time. The city celebrated the $9 million accomplishment — and its downtown businesses — during a Small Business Saturday ribbon cutting event.

Feature Story Books line shelves in the library in the Harbor Beach Community House.

It's a gym, theater, library ... a building for the community in Harbor Beach

The community of Harbor Beach is a small, tight-knit community, with the Community House at the center of it. The 100-year-old building features a library, gym, theater, serving as a hub of activity for local residents.   

Feature Story hydroplantopening

State-of-the-art aluminum recycling plant opens in Cassopolis

Eighteen months after breaking ground for construction, the new Hydro aluminum recycling plant has formally opened in Cassopolis. The Norwegian company is the first business in the village's research and technology park. 

Longform Katie Wendel, director of planning and advocacy at Area Agency on Aging 1B, which recently launched a voucher program to help unpaid caregivers afford respite care.

Finding temporary care is a challenge for Michigan's many unpaid caregivers, but help is available

Approximately 1.7 million Michiganders are unpaid caregivers, and they often desperately need a break from that work. Resources, like a new voucher program to pay for respite care, can help.

Feature Story Wild-Rice-Small

Copper Country initiative emphasizes fresh and local foods

On its reservation in the U.P.'s copper country, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is striving toward the goal of food sovereignty, strengthening the community's ablility to produce more of its own fresh and local food sources. 

Feature Story Historic Homes list

Historic Bay City homes open their doors for tours in early December

The CANA Holiday Parlour Tour offers an inside glimpse of eight homes in one of Bay City's historic districts.

Feature Story Marysville Blast From The Past is located at 1315 Gratiot Blvd. in Marysville, Michigan.

Multigenerational passion for antiquing leads to new business, Marysville Blast From The Past

New Blue Water Area antique store Marysville Blast From The Past continues the tradition of a shared passion for antiquing across multiple generations.

Longform More than 500 students, staff, teachers, and volunteers participated in a Mental Health Fair and Walk at Detroit’s University Prep Art & Design Middle High School in October.

Michigan’s community mental health agencies work hard to prevent youth suicide

Michigan’s community mental health agencies (CMHs) and organizations across the state understand that asking questions and having conversations about mental health and suicide is a very significant step in prevention. 

Feature Story Wild-Rice-Small

Copper Country initiative emphasizes fresh and local foods

In the western Upper Peninsula, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community strives toward the goal of food sovereignty, strengthening the community's ability to produce more of its own fresh and local food sources. 

Feature Story btrendy

From farm to fashionEntrepreneur opens Oscoda storefront after years online

Entrepreneur moves her online clothing business from the farm to a storefront in Oscoda, bringing a sense of style and trendy clothing to the northern Michigan lakeside community.

Feature Story playground

East-central Michigan collaborates to solve childcare crisis

Organizations from several counties in east-central Michigan come together to survey residents, businesses and others impacted by the lack of childcare in the region. The goal is to use the survey results to come up with a strategic plan. 

Longform Christine Manninen

Working remotely -- and happily -- in the U.P.

This current era of remote work allows professionals across many industries to choose where they want to work. For many, that choice is to work from home. A few professionals share their stories and perspectives of national remote work while living in the U.P.