Michael Symonds

Where is the middle, and can we meet in it? About 20 people gathered in Dowagiac Tuesday night to discuss the impacts of Trump administration policies. Organizers hoped people on the left and right would attend.

“I don't know how you meet in the middle of insanity."
@swmiindivisible.bsky.social
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

See the application to rezone land near the Asylum Lake Preserve The car wash proprietor who owns the land has sought to rezone and develop it before. Proposals to build next to the nature preserve have proven controversial.

An application obtained through the Michigan Freedom of Information Act shows that a limited liability company called Stadium Drive #1 is behind the recent request to rezone land adjacent to Asylum Lake Preserve.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Southwest Michigan organizers work on security plans for "No Kings 2.0" protests Amid high-profile incidents of political violence, local organizers say they're focused on safety for the next No Kings protests on October 18.

"We're aware of the political climate in the country, and we felt it was our best interest to increase the number of peacekeepers at this event."
@kzooindivisible.bsky.social
@swmiindivisible.bsky.social
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Historical society celebrates renovations to Schoolcraft Underground Railroad Station The Schoolcraft Historical Society celebrated the completion of renovations to the Dr. Nathan Thomas House on Saturday, marking 50 years since its original renovation and the group's founding.

"It's been 50 years, we hope for at least another 50 years."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

The Asylum Lake car wash proposal may have returned, with a new rezoning request A controversial plan to build a car wash near the Asylum Lake Preserve in Kalamazoo may be back, after an application to rezone land near the lake was submitted to the planning commission.

Drive and Shine Car Wash, which owns the land, has submitted similar applications in recent years in an effort to build their fourth car wash in the Kalamazoo area.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Exit Hinman, enter Lead Balloon at Kalamazoo's shuttered State Theatre Kalamazoo’s historic State Theatre has new owners nearly a year after the venue closed indefinitely, who hope to see it preserved, restored and reopened.

“They have grit and determination. They have heart and they have vision. That's exactly what this special place needs."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Battle Creek community members discuss the city's housing issues Battle Creek community members gathered for a workshop tackling the city’s housing challenges Monday, but some said it overlooked data relevant to low-income communities.

"You can imagine what it's like to be paying 80% of your monthly income on just your housing.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

"We go where they are": Farmworkers' rights group changes tactics amid deportation fears A group that advocates for farmworkers in Michigan celebrated its five-year anniversary at the end of last month. But not a single farmworker came to the UFW Foundation’s event.

“To be completely honest, we have lived in fear the majority of our lives, and it's not the first thing that's going to break us down."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
@ufwfoundation.bsky.social

Instructors' union files an unfair labor practice complaint against KRESA An organization representing teachers at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency says KRESA is dragging its heels on a contract, which the agency denies.

“We feel like they're stalling in hopes that at some point, the new union members will get tired and want to drop out of the union."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
#Union #Education

What time is it? Almost time for Waldo Library's new clock hands Students returning to Western Michigan University may have noticed that Waldo Library’s clock is missing its hands, but they may soon return after being removed in May.

“When they brought the hour hand in, this thing was folded over completely.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
#WMU #Broncos

Advocates hope banning many utility donations will help clean energy legislation in Michigan Renewable-energy advocates say utilities have too much influence over the officials that regulate them, and that a proposed ballot measure could help change that.

“Take an issue like community solar... It doesn't get passed because DTE and Consumers don't want it.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

S.H.E. Shed hopes to reduce waste by offering free used items to WMU students The Western Michigan University Office of Sustainability hopes to keep items out of the landfill by giving them to students who need them.

“Sometimes we use something, we no longer need it and we really don't know what to do with this thing and this is really a great idea to allow other people to benefit from it.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Palisades becomes the first decommissioned U.S. nuclear plant to return to operational status More than three years after it was decommissioned, the Palisades Nuclear Plant has returned to operational status, but there's still more to be done.

"When we started this, the thinking was, 'Well, this has never been done before. So, could it be done?' And now we're proving that yes, it can."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Look what came in the mail! 📫

WMUK's RTDNA Regional 2025 Edward R. Murrow Awards!

Best News Documentary & Best News Series in Region 7!🏆

@reportforamerica.bsky.social

State budget or not, these Southwest Michigan schools will continue to serve free meals State lawmakers have yet to pass a budget that would fund Michigan's free meal program, but the state superintendent is urging districts to providing them this fall.

“I don't doubt that we still need to advocate for the continuation of the Michigan School Meals program because that is something that may come into account as the federal funding disappears.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

EPA cancels $7 billion solar grant program, putting a Benton Harbor project in limbo The Environmental Protection Agency cancelled the program last week. Benton Harbor is one of the many awardees now left without funding.

“I can guarantee you with the energy bills that residents are paying, anything that would lower it is needed."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Latinx Festival to bring food, music and a back-to-school giveaway to Kalamazoo Latin American culture will be on full display Saturday at the 4th annual Kalamazoo Latinx Festival.

“I hope that they can get to hear some music that they enjoy. And I hope that they have fun. I hope they get to see that Kalamazoo is quite a diverse community.”
#Latinx #ICE

KDPS suspends the use of masks by undercover officers after community concerns The announcement comes as masked immigration officers carry out raids around the country.

"At this time I believe this is the right step to avoid contributing further to public fear or uncertainty."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
#Kalamazoo #KDPS #Masks

70-Year-Old activist makes stop in Kalamazoo in cross-country bike ride for Gaza After biking over 1,000 miles, a 70-year-old activist will be greeted by the Kalamazoo Non-violent Opponents of War when he arrives Tuesday night to talk about the war in Gaza.

“It all adds up. All the stuff, all these little actions, these vigils, fasts, bike rides, meeting with congressmen, protests. It's all part of a big movement to end this genocide.”
@nhpeaceaction.bsky.social
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Calhoun County ranks among the top counties for diabetes deaths, but local groups are trying to change that Calhoun County has a diabetes problem, in the top quarter of death rates in the state. But there are those who are trying to help.

"We want to help them learn to control their diabetic condition so they minimize the impact on other health issues but also live a more active and a more fulfilling life."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

"Pick and choose": Pavilion Estates ban on window ACs is inconsistent, say residents Residents of a South Bend mobile home park braced for a ban this summer on window-unit air conditioners. It’s been delayed, but a Kalamazoo County mobile home park owned by the same company does ban w...

"I don't honestly see how that's legal or humane.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

NorthPointe Woods greenhouse brings fresh produce to senior residents A Battle Creek-based senior living facility will show off its self-sustaining greenhouse this Thursday.

"This is very important not only just to the staff and to the residents, but also to the families of our residents."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

“I am Potawatomi:” Short film and workshop puts spotlight on endangered indigenous language The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is hosting a screening of "Bodewadmi Ndaw" Thursday, which covers the near death and current revitalization of the Potawatomi language.

"There was a big term; ‘beat the Indian out of them.’ And I think that definitely came through and unfortunately was incredibly successful."
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@kiarts.bsky.social

Alleged bomb-throwing near Gobles leads to charges including terrorism Van Buren County deputies were met with an explosion when they attempted to arrest a fugitive in Pine Grove Township.

Van Buren County deputies were met with an explosion when they attempted to arrest a fugitive in Pine Grove Township.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
#Terrorism

Tenant advocates aim to get renters' rights on the ballot in Kalamazoo Organizers with a statewide group are seeking signatures with the goal of putting two proposals before city voters.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm from renters in the area.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

MDHHS raises funding rates, but a Cass County mental health agency says it isn't enough Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network says the state has increased its funding to help pay for mental health services. But its CEO says they still face a budget crisis.

"The mid year rate amendment helped push our cash flow issues into the spring of 2026. MDHHS is still underfunding the CMH system."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
#MentalHealth #MDHHS

If you don't have the right tool for the job, Community Homeworks' new library might If you’re a Kalamazoo County resident with a project in mind, but no equipment to get it done, Community Homeworks' new tool library may have what you need.

“We really want this to be a resource to the community to empower people to tackle the things that they want and need to do."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Trump's budget bill could cut services for disabled students, educators say The version of President Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” that passed the US House would cut Medicaid funds to at least some school districts.

"We are educating kids today. We are going to educate kids tomorrow. We sure would like not being hamstrung as we do that, and this Big Beautiful Bill doesn't help us achieve what we need."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Why's That: What's with the barbed wire and antennas at this Allegan County 'home'? Just northwest of the small town of Allegan sits what looks like a normal family house, but it's surrounded by a barbed wire fence and large antennas. So, what happened here?

“They had a whole company of infantry stationed here, guarding it during the war."
#FCC #WW2 #ColdWar #Radio

"It took the gatekeepers away:" Professor discusses how Black Twitter reshaped media representation Sherri Williams is an Associate Professor and Researcher of media, race and representation at American University and she grew up in Kalamazoo. Her most recent book, Black Social Television, will be t...

"Black Americans have had to be defensive of our images throughout the time that we've been in this country because our images have been so distorted and used against us to justify our oppression."