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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Longform SWMi Journalism Collab COVID Cohort Healthy Communities

The COVID Cohort: How the 'pandemic skip' is affecting young adults

Julie Riddle for Encore MagazineThursday, November 14, 2024
Three years after the height of the pandemic, despite normal life having fully resumed, some young adults feel their mental age and their current stage of life don’t match up to their chronological age. Here is how college-run preparation programs, job training, and individualized wrap-around services are helping. 
Feature Story Alma Powell Library Kids and Education

Planning continues for short- and long-term locations for Kalamazoo's Northside library

Al JonesThursday, November 7, 2024
The closure of the Alma Powell Branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library stunned Northside residents. Plans are underway for short and long-term locations that will feature facilities that meet residents' needs.
Feature Story State Rep. Carrie Rheingans Equity

NHPB among Michigan’s 12 Tribes represented in the rooms where laws are being made

Jane ParikhThursday, November 7, 2024
Thanks to the passage of Bill 5600, Michigan's Native Tribes will have a voice in legislation that impacts them.
Feature Story Housing Solutions Tiny Houses update Building Communities

Three tiny houses on Kalamazoo's Northside are a huge step in efforts to build affordable housing

Al JonesThursday, November 7, 2024
HOPE Thru Navigation broke ground on the project on April 2, 2024, using a small plot of land it purchased from the City of Kalamazoo at the southeast corner of North Street and Westnedge Avenue. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Tiny Houses of HOPE Development is expected this month.
Feature Story Estefany Paniagua-Pardo Kids and Education

Battle Creek Bearcats attending Grand Valley State University have internship opportunities

Jane ParikhThursday, November 7, 2024
GVSU's Pipeline Program is now offering internships to Battle Creek Bearcats in addition to helping students with academic preparedness, overall wellness, and connecting with their on-campus communities.
Longform SLD Reads Kids and Education

PHOTOS: SLD Read honors 50 years of literacy success at A-Listers event

Casey GrootenThursday, November 7, 2024
SLD Read, a nonprofit literacy education organization, celebrated 50 years at its A-Listers Literacy Event this October. The event also honored students and tutors at the celebration which took place at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan facility.
Longform K-Connect's data dashboard for Kent County. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Local health statistics are a click away as community health dashboards proliferate in Michigan

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 31, 2024
Community health dashboards are readily available online resources that compile various health data for different regions.
Feature Story Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s new sensory room offers a calming space for neurodivergent travelers, reducing anxiety and improving accessibility. Equity

Ford airport unveils sensory room for neurodivergent travelers

Tommy AllenThursday, October 31, 2024
Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s new sensory room offers a calming space for neurodivergent travelers, reducing anxiety and improving accessibility.
Feature Story Zaria McCroy speaks. Equity

Disability Network honors Southwest Michigan advocates of independence, accessibility

Shandra MartinezThursday, October 31, 2024
Two Southwest Michigan residents and an organization were honored by the Disability Network Southwest Michigan for their work to advance independence and accessibility.”
Feature Story Carey Whitfield Equity

Battle Creek’s NAACP is “ALL IN” for the annual Freedom Fund dinner

Jane ParikhThursday, October 24, 2024
“This year, we are laser-focused on democracy and on individuals and those associated with the event this year who are motivated to get out, let their voices be heard, and vote."
Feature Story Ukrainian Homemade Food Entrepreneurship

Do it — Try the honey cake from Kalamazoo's Ukrainian Homemade Foods

Casey GrootenThursday, October 24, 2024
"We Ukrainians all love to eat delicious food, and accordingly, cook it," says Iryna Zykova who with partner Oleksii Severyn launched Ukrainian Homemade Foods which sells food that reflects "old family recipes" that feature a "mix of different cultures."
Longform Solfed Farms Sustainability

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

Mark WedelThursday, October 24, 2024
Not everyone can live off the grid in a home made of straw. Larissa Touloupas and her husband Ondrej Pekarovic are seeking to do just that. She says, "I think you can do it with minimum inputs if you're creative and if you're willing to be uncomfortable."
Feature Story Unhoused Community Development

Does Kalamazoo have more than its share of unhoused people?

Al JonesThursday, October 24, 2024
Does the increasing number of unhoused people in Kalamazoo reflect the county's population? Or are people coming from elsewhere? And are there enough services available to provide for the growing needs?
Feature Story Marisa Bianan Arts and Culture

Marisa Bianan: Carrying on the legacy of dance at Wellspring Dance Company

Zinta AistarsThursday, October 24, 2024
After 43 years of founding and running Wellspring Dance Company, Cori Terry is passing the mantle to new Artistic Director Marisa Bianan. Terry says she feels like "she hit the jackpot" in Bianan with someone who "has it all."
Feature Story Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra Veterans Arts and Culture

Local veterans to be honored during Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra concert

Jane ParikhThursday, October 24, 2024
The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra's performance, "American Veteran," on Nov. 2 will honor local veterans both through musical selections and an accompanying slideshow.
Longform Jae Gerhart, manager of farm programs for Trinity Health Ann Arbor, at The Farm at Trinity Health in Ypsilanti. The Farm offers a produce prescription program for those who struggle to afford healthy food. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Medicaid funding could expand and sustain Michigan's produce prescription programs

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, October 24, 2024
Michigan is seeking approval for a new funding structure that could use Medicaid dollars to pay for programs that offer "prescriptions" for free fresh fruits and vegetables.
Partner Content AAoM's Navigating Autism Today Conference takes place November 15, 2024, in Grand Rapids at the Grand Valley State University Pew Campus L.V. Eberhard Center. Second Wave - MichiganEquity

Navigating Autism Today Conference in Grand Rapids focuses on navigating autism for a lifetime

Valerie LegoTuesday, October 22, 2024
The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is preparing for its upcoming Nov. 15 Navigating Autism Today Conference in Grand Rapids. The event connects families and autistic individuals with resources and support networks on critical topics: financial planning, health care advocacy, employment, and independent living solutions for adults on the spectrum.
Longform “By working with our community and fostering dialogue about gun safety, we believe we can reduce firearm injuries and build a safer future for all.” Deanna Price Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

How public health focuses on gun safety and reducing firearm violence

Brianna NargisoTuesday, October 22, 2024
Michigan's public health experts are working to address firearm accidents and violence through community partnerships and education programs. 
Feature Story Kalamazoo Event Center Economic Development

Northside residents hear plans and ask questions about the $300M Kalamazoo Event Center

Al JonesThursday, October 17, 2024
Nearly 100 Northside residents gathered to hear developers and partners discuss the proposed Kalamazoo Event Center and its impact on the neighborhood. Details were also shared about workforce development.
Feature Story Punk Rock Flea Market Arts and Culture

Get your Punk on in Battle Creekat the soon-to-be semi-annual Punk Rock Flea Market

Jane ParikhThursday, October 17, 2024
“Everybody knows what a flea market is. When I was growing up there was a flea market in a parking lot that had everything from car parts to clothes to records. We are doing that same thing with an edge to it."
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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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