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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Feature Story National Cereal Day Building Communities

Battle Creek breakfast companies unite to raise funds for United Way — one cereal box at a time

Jane ParikhThursday, February 27, 2025
Battle Creek's two big cereal companies, WK Kellogg Co. and Post Consumer Brands, come together for the second annual Battle Creek Cereal Sale to raise funds for United Way of South Central Michigan.
Feature Story Blueberries SWMI Journalism Collab Economic Development

Small blueberry farm survives by going organic

Jarret Whitenack | Encore MagazineThursday, February 27, 2025
For the past 80 years the Mitchell family has been growing blueberries on land that has been passed down through the generations. At one time in their part of Van Buren County, that wasn’t unusual. Today it is. Read on to find out why.
Feature Story Iridescent Health Healthy Communities

Shining an iridescent light on LGBTQIA+ healthcare: Cares of Kalamazoo opens new clinic

Casey GrootenThursday, February 20, 2025
Iridescent Health, a welcoming, inclusive clinic with a focus on LGBTQ+ individuals and underserved communities, celebrated its Grand Opening on February 12 in Kalamazoo.
Longform Voces Early Childhood Kids and Education

Back office resources designed to support Calhoun County childcare businesses

Jane ParikhThursday, February 20, 2025
“The intent of starting this back-office type of process or support is an acknowledgment that Early Childhood professionals are doing multiple jobs all at once. If some of the back office responsibilities can be done collaboratively by the CCBO, that’s one way to make the childcare profession more appealing and prevent burnout.”
Feature Story Early Education Kids and Education

Kindergarten readiness programs demonstrating success in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, February 20, 2025
“If everything goes along business as usual, the Kindergarten readiness rate would most likely be only about 30 percent. To reach 54.9 percent shows that the work being done is producing great results.”
Longform Carmen Bell Arts and Culture

Opera premiere in Battle Creek gives voice to the Tangled Roots of slavery

Jane ParikhThursday, February 13, 2025
“Our African history runs deeper than slavery, but it is a part of it. The spirituals are intertwined throughout our history,  our faith, and became anthems of the civil rights movement. There are classical, jazz, and hip-hop themes  intertwined within the score.”
Feature Story SHARE Center Healthy Communities

Providing emergency overnight shelter comes at a price for Battle Creek’s SHARE Center

Jane ParikhThursday, February 13, 2025
“The SHARE Center is the last hope for many people, and the organization faces a very real threat of de-funding by the Federal government, which will result in more needless suffering, more death."
Feature Story Expensive houses in kalamazoo SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development

Yes, housing really is more unaffordable in Kalamazoo — here’s why

Brad Devereaux, Julie Mack and Scott Levin, Kalamazoo Gazette/MLiveThursday, February 13, 2025
In Kalamazoo County. Incomes have risen 19% since 2019 — but housing prices are up 46%. Finding housing that doesn’t break the bank used to be a problem for low-income folks. Now, even households with a decent salary are in a pinch. Kalamazoo County is not alone — its housing woes are a microcosm of the nationwide housing crisis.
Feature Story ESPN Expensive houses in kalamazoo SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development

Sí, la vivienda es realmente más inasequible en Kalamazoo -aquí está el porqué

Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com, Julie Mack | special to MLive, Scott Levin | slevin@mlive.comThursday, February 13, 2025
En el condado de Kalamazoo. Los ingresos han aumentado un 19% desde 2019, pero los precios de la vivienda han subido un 46%. Encontrar una vivienda que no cueste mucho dinero solía ser un problema para las personas de bajos ingresos. Ahora, incluso los hogares con un salario decente están en apuros. El condado de Kalamazoo no está solo: sus problemas de vivienda son un microcosmos de la crisis inmobiliaria a nivel nacional.  
Feature Story Affordable Housing St.Joe County SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development Building Communities

What qualifies as affordable housing in St. Joseph County? We asked a developer, residents, and more

ALEK HAAK-FROST & FRANK STANKO, WATERSHED VOICEThursday, February 13, 2025
“We’re more powerful as a county and can have more of an impact by having all these talented, smart, dedicated people collaborating on these issues,” John Carmichael says.
Feature Story Affordable Housing St.Joe County SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development Community Development

¿Realmente qué se considera como vivienda asequible en el condado de St. Joseph?

Alek Haak-Frost & Frank Stanko, Watershed Voice Thursday, February 13, 2025
«Somos más poderosos como condado y podemos tener un mayor impacto al tener a todas estas personas talentosas, inteligentes y dedicadas colaborando en estos temas», dice John Carmichael.
Feature Story Happy Cities Healthy Communities

Joyful Streets, Real-World Struggles: "Happy Cities" author on the journey to transform Kalamazoo

Mark WedelThursday, February 6, 2025
"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, the city has been taking action to make some changes that in the short term some people might find uncomfortable, but in the long term are going to set the city on course for more vitality, more health, more equity, and I would say more happiness for the people who choose to live here."  
Feature Story Battle Creek TRHT Equity

Battle Creek Truth Racial Healing and Transformation still a change agent in a changing world

Jane ParikhThursday, February 6, 2025
Local equity leaders remain steadfast while tackling questions of what's next for DEI and racial healing.  “Fearmongering and overwhelm are deliberate tactics meant to discourage progress — but we refuse to be derailed. We are committed to moving forward."
Feature Story Encourage Battle Creek Building Communities

Nonprofits can't do it all — Encourage BC supports those who address needs in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, February 6, 2025
“Some are standalone organizations and some are individuals who want to do great work in the community but don’t have the capacity to build out an organization around their work. These folks are able to do these different projects, have relationships with their donors, and get educated about philanthropy through this work. We want to give them as much autonomy as possible."
Longform Tara Poore, manager of Children’s Services, left, and Megan Ford, manager of Autism and Intellectual Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Michigan student loan repayment program helping to tackle mental health workforce shortage

Brianna NargisoTuesday, February 4, 2025
Michigan has long faced a critical shortage of mental health professionals, impacting access to vital care for communities across the state. To address this growing challenge, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the Behavioral Health Now Loan Repayment Program, a strategic initiative aimed at attracting and retaining mental health professionals by alleviating the financial burden of student loans.
Feature Story Renee Thompson with Disability Advocates of Kent County makes adjustments to the new walker being loaned to Ronny Richardson through DAKC's Occupational Therapy Equipment Loan Closet. Equity

Finding belonging through empowerment: One journey with Disability Advocates of Kent County

Tommy AllenSaturday, February 1, 2025
For Ronny Richardson, Disability Advocates of Kent County's Occupational Therapy Equipment Loan Closet didn't merely provide him with needed medical equipment; they extended personalized support to empower him and help him fully participate in his community. 
Feature Story Phyllis Neal found a way to give back in retirement through the AARP and Disability Network West Michigan. Equity

AARP program helps seniors find purpose and make a difference

Shandra MartinezFriday, January 31, 2025
After retiring from social work, Phyllis Neal sought a meaningful way to give back. An AARP program led her to Disability Network West Michigan, where she found a renewed sense of purpose and full-time employment.
Feature Story Rx Kids Healthy Communities

Rx Kids expands its prescription for health, hope, and opportunity in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, January 30, 2025
Kalamazoo Rx Kids will provide participants a one-time, lump-sum, prenatal allowance of $1,500 and an additional $500 per month for the first 12 months of a newborn's life. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and partners, the program will begin in February.
Feature Story Kellogg Community College Chorus Arts and Culture

Music program hits the high notes at Kellogg Community CollegeAssociate of Fine Arts in Music degree launching

Jane ParikhThursday, January 30, 2025
Kellogg Community College is growing its music program as it launches an Associate of Fine Arts in Music degree in Fall 2025.
Feature Story Shonda Buchanan Arts and Culture

A Kalamazoo poet's journey home and her upcoming book on Nina Simone, 'The High Priestess of Soul'

Casey GrootenThursday, January 30, 2025
Shonda Buchanan, poet, memoirist, and Western Michigan University Professor of English, returned home to Kalamazoo where her family has deep roots. Her upcoming book, "The Lost Songs of Nina Simone" will be released in May 2025.
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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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