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 Voices of Youth Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: How teens can help friends in crisis

Jack ReillyMonday, June 2, 2025
A Voices of Youth writer delves into how teens can best help comfort friends in crisis. Experts stress the importance of sincere support, open dialogue, and knowing when to guide someone toward professionals.
Partner Content Event helps autistic children and adults get used to the airport environment and boarding experience. Second Wave - MichiganEquity

On Board for Autism: Airport simulation helps autistic kids take flight

Estelle SlootmakerFriday, May 30, 2025
To help autistic people and their families manage  these challenges, Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), Delta Airlines, and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport partner to host On Board for Autism events that prepare them to successfully take a flight.
Feature Story Samson's Barbershop Economic Development

‘That was really big for us,’ How United Way’s mini-grants support small businesses

Kristen AguirreThursday, May 29, 2025
As the product line for Samson's Barbershop grows, a Kalamazoo Enterprise Grant has helped them keep up with the equipment they need to producing the hair care products their customers are raving about.
Longform Braylon Youker Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Inside KRESA's Career Connect Campus — a new era for career education

Braylon YoukerTuesday, May 27, 2025
Voices of Youth's Braylon Youker gets a firsthand look inside KRESA's $100 million state-of-the-art Career Connect Campus. "I can’t wait to see [the students’] eyes light up," says Eric Stewart, Asst. Superintendent. "We’ve built this for them.”
Feature Story Climate change and vulnerable SWMi Collaboration Economic Development

‘Folks aren’t left behind’: Climate change readiness includes protecting homes of most vulnerable

Julie RiddleThursday, May 22, 2025
As local governments use regulations to protect against the impacts of a changing climate, several new efforts in Kalamazoo show how going green can boost local economies while keeping people most susceptible to the harm of climate change safe in their own homes. 
Feature Story Calhoun County Land Bank Building Communities

Brownfield assessment and revitalization throughout Calhoun County focus of $1.5 million EPA grantEfforts will help with future housing and development

Jane ParikhWednesday, May 21, 2025
A $1.5 million EPA Brownfield grant will help revitalize vacant and contaminated properties in Calhoun County. Led by the Calhoun County Land Bank and its partners, the initiative aims to pave the way for future housing and commercial development, particularly in Battle Creek and Albion.
Longform small-judy-logan Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Dental aid helps cancer patients regain health and dignity

Shandra MartinezWednesday, May 21, 2025
HNC Living Foundation provides dental care, nutrition, and support to head and neck cancer patients facing financial and treatment challenges.
Longform Braids Economic Development

Dream of Kalamazoo Foundation exemplifies nonprofits' financial underpinning of economic development

Natasha RobinsonWednesday, May 21, 2025
Lalonie Willhite founded Dream of Kalamazoo Foundation to make sure kids growing up in foster homes didn’t encounter struggles with self esteem that comes with foster and adoptive parents not knowing how to care for all textures of hair. The Dream of Kalamazoo Foundation also is an example of how a nonprofit contributes to economic growth right here in the community while fulfilling its core mission of giving back.
Longform Merze Tate SWMi Journalism Collab Community Development

The Kalamazoo City parks that kids like the best – and least

By Andrew MinegarWednesday, May 21, 2025
Studies show children who had access to parks were less likely to suffer from obesity, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Merze Tate Explorers set out to find out what to expect when visiting Kalamazoo City Parks. And they ranked  their favorites. 
Partner Content Boy in classroom Second Wave - MichiganEquity

Blueprint for school funding would ensure equitable resources in special education

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, May 20, 2025
The MI Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint would ensure that Michigan adequately and equitably funds public special education in Michigan. 
Feature Story All Gods Children teacher Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

No-cost pre-K for all Michigan 4-year-olds enrolling for 2025-26 school year

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, May 20, 2025
QA with Jeffrey Capizzano, Policy Equity Group, on the implementation of Pre-K for All no-cost preschool for Michigan 4-year-olds.
Feature Story Voices of Youth Politics Community Development

Voices of Youth Commentary: How social media shapes and divides progressive politics

Braylon YoukerTuesday, May 20, 2025
This Voices of Youth commentary looks at how social media is fueling divides within the Democratic Party and argues that progressives can find strength in their differences by focusing on shared values and community-based action.
Feature Story Voices of Youth: Student Racism Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Racism is a hard lesson for young people in high school

Kayla RicardoMonday, May 19, 2025
This Voices of Youth story focuses on teenagers' experiences with racism in their schools, describing the casual use of slurs and stereotypes as both painful and normalized among peers trying to fit in. While some youth express hope for change, others feel racism has become more insidious and less overt.
Feature Story Elopement Day Entrepreneurship

Seeking a less stressful, elegant wedding option? Consider Elopement Day at Battle Creek farm

Jane ParikhSunday, May 18, 2025
Bridgett Blough and Trent Thompson of Of The Land in Battle Creek are redefining weddings with their June 7 Elopement Day, offering intimate ceremonies for just $2,900 — well below the national average.
In The News KalamazoO College Singers Arts and Culture

K College Singers to perform Michigan premiere of choral work inspired by eco-poet Wendell Berry

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
The Kalamazoo College Singers present the Michigan premiere of Hymnody of Earth, a choral work by Malcolm Dalglish inspired by Wendell Berry’s writings, on Tuesday, May 20, at Stetson Chapel. 
Longform Lauren LaPine Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Medicaid cuts would destabilize mental health care: How Michigan is responding

Brianna NargisoTuesday, May 13, 2025
Proposed Medicaid funding cuts would dismantle critical services, especially for residents facing poverty, mental illness, or substance use disorders — and reduce access to mental health services for all.
Longform Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Day Safe Communities

'We're all related, we're all connected': Many march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

Jane ParikhThursday, May 8, 2025
The loss of a missing or murdered Indigenous person deeply impacts entire communities, as systemic issues of underreporting and inadequate justice persist. Tribes like the Notawaseppi Huron Band of the Potowatomi continue to demand accountability and raise awareness through events like National MMIP Awareness Day.
Longform Michigan News Agency Arts and Culture

Final Chapter: Kalamazoo remembers Dean Hauck and the legacy of Michigan News

Mark WedelThursday, May 8, 2025
Kalamazoo bids farewell to Dean Hauck, the spirited soul behind Michigan News Agency, whose store was a haven for readers, writers, and community voices since 1947. Her legacy lives on in every page turned, every story shared, and memories of the unmistakable scent of print.
Feature Story Jack Girsbach Arts and Culture

Antique expert to share tips, tricks, and treasures at Battle Creek’s Regional History Museum

Jane ParikhThursday, May 8, 2025
Antiques expert Jack Girsbach will speak at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum on May 10, sharing tips on spotting valuable finds and stories from his collection. The event explores the evolving appeal of collecting across generations.
Feature Story School burnout Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Burnout in high school can happen, but you’re not alone

Delilah ReynoldsThursday, May 8, 2025
High school burnout goes beyond stress, driven by academic pressure and personal struggles. Support from teachers and the community can make a crucial difference.
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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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