Stories

Feature Story A map shows the devastation of the Great Fire of 1871 to the city of Holland.

Holland history: The Great Fire of 1871

The final in our Holland History series looks at the Great Fire of 1871. Holland was far from the only city devastated by fire that day.

Feature Story Douglas Easter parade

Things to do in April: Toy show, dance, art, egg hunts, Cowboy Junkies on Lakeshore calendar

Whether your jam is theater, egg hunts, art, birds of prey and beer, or — of course — music, The Lakeshore has it all this April. 

Feature Story Jason Collins, the owner's son, works behind the bar at the Brass Rail Bar in Port Huron.

Port Huron’s historic Brass Rail Bar reopens, "Christmas in July" to return

The Brass Rail Bar, a historic downtown Port Huron establishment, reopened last month with new owners who plan to bring back “Christmas in July” and several other local favorites from the original establishment.

Development News Morrow Road Film

“Morrow Road” film anticipated to wrap production this fall

Filming of “Morrow Road,” a horror movie adaptation inspired by a Clay Township ghost story, creeps closer to completion.

Longform Grand Rapids Assistant Planning Director Jay Steffen describes these new benches in Grand Rapids' Creston neighborhood as a "direct result" of Michigan's Age-Friendly Action Plan.

Michigan Age-Friendly Action Plan aims to make it easier for adults to age in place

Michigan's Age-Friendly Action Plan has established a blueprint that's helping Michiganders ages 50 and older remain connected, feel respected, and live more independently within their communities.

Partner Content Austin Gongos and Nathan Ackerman, co-founders of Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear in Hancock.

FHLBank grants help elevate local small businesses to next level

FHLBank Indianapolis believes in the power of lifting up small businesses, and the big impact it has on their communities. Four businesses in the U.P. were awarded $74,326 in Elevate grant funding. We speak with two of them, and how the funds are allowing them to level up their businesses.   

Feature Story A rendering of the overlook at Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

New visitor center planned for Seney National Wildlife Refuge

A new visitor center and refuge headquarters at Seney National Wildlife Refuge will replace the previous office building – a 1930s-era converted garage to be demolished next month – and the 1964 visitor center that was razed last year. The groundbreaking for this new facility will be held on May 10.

Longform Auryon Azar and Cedrick Charles in front of the future New Lakeview Apartments at EMU.

Here's how EMU is working to update all campus housing by 2025

Welcome Home 2025 is set to update all campus housing, some of it dating to the '70s, to better meet the needs of today's students.

Longform LaQuan Hill and Adam Grant at the A Brighter Way offices.

Washtenaw County organizations aim to make it easier to find employment after incarceration

It can be difficult or even impossible to find work after returning from incarceration, but local businesses and nonprofits are working to change that.

Upper Peninsula lighthouses get improvement funding

“The historic lighthouses lining our freshwater shoreline — the longest in the world — are part of the splendor of Pure Michigan,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

Michigan Tech adds nursing major to help local students

“We know that there is a shortage of nurses and there are also a lot of students who are pursuing a degree in nursing, a lot of them in the Western U.P.,” said Andrew Storer, MTU interim provost.

Innovation News Owner Megan Foldenauer at a pop-up version of the forthcoming Ypsilanti Art Supply and Atelier.

Locally owned art supply store to open in downtown Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti Art Supply and Atelier will be housed inside Riverside Arts Center in downtown Ypsi.

Innovation News Whatabout Theatre Vice President Daniel Jackson and President Michelle Weiss setting up for Whatabout Theatre's first event on September 10, 2022.

New Washtenaw County improv theatre seeks proposals for long-form shows

Whatabout Theatre, a relatively new Ann Arbor- and Ypsilanti-based improv theatre company, is seeking proposals for long-form structured improv shows through a new venture called the Revolving Stage Program.

Innovation News Cover art for "Cinema Ann Arbor."

New book by local author chronicles Ann Arbor film scene's "anarchistic" roots in U-M student groups

The book, titled "Cinema Ann Arbor: How Campus Rebels Formed a Singular Film Culture," will launch June 20 at Literati Bookstore.

Feature Story St. Clair County Community Mental Health

Community mental health youth program promotes physical fitness and healthy eating

St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) Bfit program is geared towards helping children and teens build skills related to physical fitness and good nutrition.

Feature Story WISD students.

Community mental health collaboration with ISD helps students access mental health supports

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is working to fight stigma and provide mental healthcare to students with help from Washtenaw Community Mental Health.