The stories that stayed with us: A year of Second Wave journalism
Through bikes, poetry, wetlands, old theaters, and everyday helpers, Second Wave writers and photographers revisit the stories that defined their year.
Calhoun County
Family’s culinary vision takes flight with newest Latin American eatery at Kellogg Field
San Francisco Latin American Cuisine, a high-end eatery featuring bold flavors from across Latin America, has taken flight inside the Battle Creek Executive Airport, bringing a major-city dining experience to Kellogg Field.
Michigan steps up with stipends for the teachers who shape a child’s first five years
Michigan is launching a $16 million pilot to boost wages for early childhood educators. Battle Creek early childhood leaders respond.
FOCUS Forward program tackles the ‘Failure to Launch’ crisis among youth in Calhoun County
FOCUS Forward, a holistic, trauma-informed support program by Starr Commonwealth, is addressing the rising “Failure to Launch” crisis by helping vulnerable 16- to 24-year-olds overcome barriers like housing, transportation, and poverty to pursue education, stability, and employment.
Know Your Rights: Protesting without fear of retribution in Battle Creek
A recent “Know Your Rights” panel in Battle Creek brought together community leaders, legal experts, and organizers to educate residents on how to protest safely and effectively — emphasizing nonviolence and the power of collective civic action.
From tiny tappers to grown-up groovers, Battle Creek’s new Dancescape gets people movin’
Blending passion with purpose, Martina Reed’s new studio, Dancescape, brings high-energy dance classes to kids and adults in Battle Creek, creating an inclusive space where all ages can move, grow, and groove.
Lakeview’s Minges Brook Elementary named one of America’s Healthiest Schools
Once considered an overlooked option by parents, Minges Brook Elementary has transformed into a nationally recognized leader in student health and trauma-informed education.
GVSU, local leaders, celebrate Battle Creek Innovation Hub as central to regional transformation
The newly renovated Battle Creek Innovation Hub, launched through a partnership between GVSU, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Battle Creek Unlimited, aims to drive education, entrepreneurship, and community growth in Southwest Michigan.
Solutions at home: How Battle Creek leaders are rethinking housing
Battle Creek is reimagining housing — with ideas such as ADUs, cottage courts, and zoning reforms — to ensure affordability and inclusion across income levels.
Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek plays a key role in unlocking housing for the justice-involved
A new state-funded program in Calhoun and St. Joseph counties helps justice-involved individuals secure stable housing through landlord partnerships and financial incentives.
