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 2024 Kalamazoo Women's March Equity

PHOTOS: Kalamazoo Women's March draws over 1,000

Fran DwightThursday, October 17, 2024
Since 2016, Kalamazoo has been hosting annual women's marches. This year's theme was "We are not going back!" Over 1,200 people showed up to march for women's and LGBTQIA+ rights on Oct. 13. Check out Fran Dwight's photos!
Feature Story Young Voters Kids and Education

What are young voters' concerns? KalaSalon hosts Young Adult Voters Panel to find out

Sam KappThursday, October 17, 2024
Local organization KalaSalon invited young adults from the area to answer questions about their views on the upcoming 2024 elections.
Longform Edison Variety Show A Way Home Housing Solutions Community Development

Edison variety show raises funds and awareness of homebuyers' need for down payment assistance

Mark WedelThursday, October 17, 2024
What do an "unhinged" taco-buying customer, a spoken word duo, and dancers from Move with Joy have in common? They all recently came together to raise awareness and funds for down payment assistance for Edison neighborhood homebuyers.
In The News Home Energy Efficiency Summitt Technology and Innovation

Kalamazoo’s first-ever Home Energy Efficiency Summit to be held this Saturday

Sam KappThursday, October 17, 2024
Home Energy Efficiency Summit seeks to educate attendees on what they can do to improve efficiency and save money.
Longform Nurses like District Health Department #10’s Becky Gossman RN are only one facet of the future public health workforce. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Redefining public health in Michigan: A vision for a post-pandemic future

Brianna NargisoTuesday, October 15, 2024
The Michigan Association for Local Public Health is advocating for a transformative vision of public health, one that accounts for the complexities of today’s diverse communities and the ever-evolving landscape of health needs. 
Feature Story Community mental health agencies from all over the state came to the 2024 rally to show support for their clients and friends and to advocate for a stronger mental health system. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

20th 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes' rally promotes public mental health care

Monique BedfordTuesday, October 15, 2024
Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) Walk a Mile in My Shoes Rally congregates advocates from across Michigan to support public behavioral health care. 
Feature Story Revolutionary Love Project Building Communities

Revolutionary Love Project comes to Battle Creek to create a space of love for the community

Jane ParikhThursday, October 10, 2024
Revolutionary love is when, “We are brave enough to look upon anyone around us and say, 'You are a part of me I do not yet know. I will let your story into my heart. I will let your grief into my heart, and I will fight for you when you are in harm’s way.'”
Feature Story Citizens Rising Kids and Education

Exorbitant campaigns, disinformation, and dark money are nonpartisan issuesFred Upton and Mark Schauer discuss threats to fair elections

Mark WedelThursday, October 10, 2024
Republicans and Democrats agree that expensive campaigns, disinformation, and 'dark money' are all threats to fair elections. Citizens Rising, a nonpartisan Kalamazoo group, hosted a recent forum on protecting democracy.
Feature Story Battle Creek Central H.S. Band Arts and Culture

Students are jumping on the marching bandwagon at Battle Creek Central High School

Jane ParikhThursday, October 10, 2024
Battle Creek Central High School's Marching Band Alum Fred Jankowski takes the reins as the new band director and is focused on rebuilding the program after losses to the program during the pandemic.
Feature Story Tsugi Ogane Arts and Culture

How a 94-year-old's visit strengthens the bond between Kalamazoo and its sister city, Numazu, Japan

Mike WenningerThursday, October 10, 2024
Tsugi Ogane's recent visit to Kalamazoo, her sister city, rekindled memories of visits past, including Mike Morrison's stories shared by his grandfather, former Kalamazoo Mayor Paul Morrison, regarding his visit to Numazu, Japan in 1963.
Feature Story LifeWays Staff Healthy Communities

LifeWays peer support and recovery staff inspire clients to 'walk the walk'

Rylee BarnsdaleTuesday, October 8, 2024
LifeWays employs peer support specialists and recovery coaches for clients to work with throughout their recovery journeys. 
Feature Story Anti-gun Violence Safe Communities

Outreach efforts are working to keep violent crimes down in KalamazooPolice and community organizations having impact

Al JonesThursday, October 3, 2024
“I think it’s that balance between outreach and enforcement that is what’s working. . .The outreach folks are talking to the enforcement folks and vice-versa. I think that’s what’s really got a handle on our shootings and homicides.”
Feature Story Robert Shegog Diversity

Former Albion wrestling standout comes out of the closet and wrestles with the truth

Jane ParikhThursday, October 3, 2024
“I had a private life and a public life and I decided who knew what. Now that the book is out I have a recorded legacy of my authentic truth.”
Feature Story Community Peace Project Safe Communities

Voices of Youth: Kalamazoo youth 'at forefront' in fight to decrease gun violence and its impactsYouth-driven Community Peace Project teaching resilience, stress management skills

Regina KibeziThursday, October 3, 2024
"The vision for Kalamazoo after the success of the program is a community that knows how to self-regulate, not only when traumatic experiences happen, but in their daily lives."
Feature Story Commerce Pointe Gallery Arts and Culture

25-year retrospective celebrates one of Battle Creek’s longest-running art galleries

Jane ParikhThursday, October 3, 2024
What started as art displayed on walls in a public space became one of Battle Creek's longest-running art galleries. A 25-year retrospective is planned for Oct. 18 at Commerce Pointe Art Gallery.
Longform Of the Land Arts and Culture

PHOTOS: It's harvest time in Southwest Michigan and Calhoun County farm and school celebrate

John GrapThursday, October 3, 2024
If you don't yet have a pumpkin, these photos might get you in the mood. Photographer John Grap captured some harvest joy at Of the Land, a homestead, farm, and farm school, in Battle Creek.
Feature Story Kalamazoo Forward Ventures Equity

$50M Kalamazoo Forward Ventures becomes Southwest Michigan’s first Black-owned investment fund

Al JonesThursday, September 26, 2024
“We understand that traditional businesses are often being funded and started by traditional white males. The new fund answers the question: “So how do we support people outside of that group?”
Feature Story Women In Wind Sustainability

Women and wind: KVCC academy training women for sustainable future in wind industry

Caroline BissonetteThursday, September 26, 2024
Women are helping harness wind as a renewable energy source thanks to Kalamazoo Valley Community College's nationally-recognized Wind Turbine Training Academy.
Feature Story Village Network Diversity

World's Biggest Rice Table: Village Network of Battle Creek connects cultures through rice

Jane ParikhThursday, September 26, 2024
"At the core of the various rice dishes there was one common denominator: rice. We believed that this would help us all see that at the core we are the same.”
Feature Story Bellflower Entrepreneurship

Simpler space, simpler time: Cooper Township one-room schoolhouse charms as small events venue

Zinta AistarsThursday, September 26, 2024
Thanks to the vision and hard work of the building's neighbors, a charming one-room schoolhouse in Cooper Township now hosts small events that celebrate important milestones — and more.
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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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