Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight

Empowering voices: Black disability history workshop returns Read Article

Fran Dwight

Reclamation & Testimony: Kalamazoo nonprofit premiers stories of the unhoused Read Article

Casey Grooten

Preserving Indigenous language focus of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Read Article

Building businesses and community at Jerico in Kalamazoo's Edison neighborhood Read Article

Fran Dwight

PHOTOS: Rootead's annual Youth Drum and Dance Ensemble wows once again Read Article

Fran Dwight

Small blueberry farm survives by going organic Read Article

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

Features

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Longform On the Ground Northside Ennovy's Beauty Bar Building Communities

On the Ground, Voices of Youth, Faith in Action and more: The projects of Second Wave

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 17, 2025
Our look back continues with stories we love. Many of these stories reflect what is happening in the community at large. Others are covered as part of a specific reporting project. We're proud to have worked with community partners to raise up people and issues that are important to our communities.
Feature Story At the Douglass 15 year anniversary Building Communities

15 Years of Second Wave: A celebration of community, journalism, and solutions

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 17, 2025
At a time when local journalism is as important as it has ever been, Southwest Michigan's Second Wave turns 15. Founding Managing Editor Kathy Jennings shares reflections on the journey.
Feature Story 15 years

A look back at the top read stories from the past 15 years of Second Wave

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 17, 2025
Can you recall your favorite Second Wave story over the past 15 years? Here's a list of our most-read stories to jog your memory. Let us know if your favorite is here. 
Feature Story 15 years

Kalamazoo Promise Returned: In pictures and words

Simon BorstThursday, April 17, 2025
In 2014, artist Simon Borst created a thank you for the Kalamazoo Promise by featuring in words and pictures those like him who also benefited from the scholarship program. We reprise his work here during the 20th year for the Promise.
Longform Summit Pointe Youth Services staff, from left, Matt Jones, Beth Decker, Sam Stover, Melissa DeDie, a Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Community mental health and child welfare collaborate to care for Michigan’s vulnerable children

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, April 15, 2025
Michigan’s community mental health (CMH) agencies are the lead in providing mental health care for children in the child welfare system.
Feature Story Anderson & Roe Arts and Culture

'Rock star' classical pianists to perform at Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra's season finale

Jane ParikhThursday, April 10, 2025
“It’s quite a coup that we were able to bring (Anderson & Roe) here,” says BCSO Director Anne Harrigan of the well-known piano duo. "The way they play and interact with each other is something you don’t see every day.”
Longform Hands Off Kalamazoo Community Development

Hands Off! demonstration in Kalamazoo drew nearly 4,000

Mark WedelThursday, April 10, 2025
Close to 4,000 people lined South Westnedge Avenue in Portage to participate in the Hands Off! Kalamazoo rally, one of over 1,400 protests that took place Saturday throughout all 50 states.
Longform Hands Off Battle Creek Community Development

Hands Off! protest in Battle Creek was an all-hands-on-deck moment

Jane ParikhThursday, April 10, 2025
On the Ground Project Editor Jane Parikh and OTG Photographer John Grap headed out this past Saturday to find out why people were participating in the Hands Off! Rally in Battle Creek. See also the video interviews that demonstrate the wide variety of reasons people chose to protest.
Feature Story Queer Representation in Media Arts and Culture

Voices of Youth: Queer representation in media and its impacts

Lila McCarthyThursday, April 10, 2025
“When I was coming out in 2018, I felt safe to do so within my friend group partly because of the media we were consuming, which was slowly including more queer characters, and the conversation about queer actors and artists became much more public."
Feature Story "... at least 17 children at any time are boarding in an emergency department across the state.” Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan's hospitals and improved pediatric behavioral health care

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, April 8, 2025
The Michigan Health and Hospital Association addresses pediatric behavioral health care with data, advocacy, and grant funding of member hospital programs. 
Feature Story Vintage crash market

Vintage vendors "crash" campus for market event

Mary Smithnosky Friday, April 4, 2025
The local organization Vintage in the Zoo is holding a vintage "crash market" at WMU’s student center Monday, April 7.
Feature Story Village Network Equity

Village Network leads work to create a Black Wall Street in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, April 3, 2025
Plans for launching a Black Wall Street movement in Battle Creek will include a Black-owned business directory and two new websites with a mission to create "collective independence."
Feature Story A Way Home Housing in the time of DOGE Community Development

Housing in the time of DOGE: Where do we go from here?

Mark WedelWednesday, April 2, 2025
There are complicated politics and attitudes aimed at efforts to provide affordable housing. In a recent public discussion, Kalamazoo County Housing Director Mary Balkema detailed the projects underway and outlined the barriers to getting housing up as fast as some community members would like, including the current climate of uncertainty regarding funding.
Feature Story On the Ground Battle Creek Pride Equity

Battle Creek Pride hosts informational workshop in wake of efforts to overturn same-sex marriage

Jane ParikhWednesday, April 2, 2025
"I want to prepare people for these possible outcomes while keeping them present, focused, and together in community. There are so many moles to whack in this horrible game we’re playing.”
Feature Story Trans Day of Visibility Arts and Culture

Trans folx celebrate Trans Day of Visibility by sharing their artwork in Kalamazoo

Maya JamesTuesday, April 1, 2025
To honor Transgender Day of Visibility, OutFront Kalamazoo hosted a Trans Gallery for the Art Hop in March. Social Practice Artist Maya James spoke with several artists whose work has many intersections — from cover crops to animation.
Feature Story SWMi Journalism Collab Equitable Housing

Density debate: How Kalamazoo-area communities are thinking beyond single-family homes

By Julie Mack for MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette)Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Homeownership has long been an essential part of The American Dream. In the post-World War II housing boom, that often meant three- or four-bedroom homes on large lots in neighborhoods located a car drive away from commercial development. It’s time to rethink that paradigm, many say.
Longform Jessica Rickert Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jessica Rickert inspires native dentists

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 31, 2025
Jessica Rickert, DDS, the first American Indian female dentist, advocates for oral health equity and inspires Native youth through mentorship and representation.
Feature Story Kalamazoo Promise Kids and Education

The Kalamazoo Promise keeping its generous promise and more for 20 years

Al JonesThursday, March 27, 2025
Still going strong after two decades, the Kalamazoo Promise has grown and pivoted to adjust to current trends and needs. "We started to realize that every student's story is unique." 
Feature Story GVSU Innovation Hub Community Development

Groundbreaking Innovation Hub in Battle Creek creates abundant opportunity downtown

Jane ParikhThursday, March 27, 2025
"All of this will help to build a downtown where people want to live, where businesses want to relocate and grow, and where stores want to open, all of which is essential for the future success of Battle Creek.” 
Longform Time to Wing It Entrepreneurship

Time to Wing It: Battle Creek Biggby owner excited to launch community-oriented wing restaurant

Jane ParikhThursday, March 27, 2025
Battle Creek Biggby owner is winging it with a new wings restaurant on Michigan Avenue West — by putting customer service and community first.
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Battle Creek

Village Network leads work to create a Black Wall Street in Battle Creek 

Plans for launching a Black Wall Street movement in Battle Creek will include a Black-owned business directory and two new websites with a mission to create "collective independence." For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

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

"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, that 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."  Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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