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City staff has been directed to draft a formal policy governing media access to the city’s audio-visual system, a policy the Three Rivers City Commission could consider adopting as soon as their next regular meeting on June 2. Watershed Voice asked City Manager Joe Bippus on April 9 for permission to connect directly to the city’s audio system in an effort to improve the sound quality of its livestream. Bippus responded April 14 and denied the request. “I think it would be best if you found another option for improving your sound quality,” Bippus wrote in an email to Watershed Voice. “If I allow you access, I have to allow anyone else access to our system. I don’t think that is a good idea for the city.” Tuesday’s vote reversed that position and formally began the process of establishing a policy that would permit media access.

St. Joseph County voters will decide a number of competitive federal, state, and local races when they head to the polls for Michigan’s August 4 primary election. Three Rivers voters in the city’s 2nd District will also have a competitive local race. Josh Hoeppner, Maurice D. Kelly, and incumbent Steven Haigh are seeking the seat. Because the office is nonpartisan, the top vote-getter in the primary will advance according to the city’s election rules. 

About 30 people, most of them Dowagiac residents, attended State Rep. Brad Paquette’s virtual town hall Thursday to discuss Hyperscale Data’s proposed expansion plans. The town hall opened with a presentation from Anderson Economic Group COO and Director of Public Policy and Economic Analysis Sarah Thiele, who outlined what she described as the economic benefits data centers can bring to local communities. Her presentation was met with sharp criticism from attendees, who questioned the assumptions behind the report and raised concerns about transparency, environmental impacts, and what they described as misleading public statements from Hyperscale Data.

The Three Rivers City Commission will hold its annual budget hearing during its regular business meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m..  The hearing is the public’s only formal opportunity to comment on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget before commissioners vote on whether to adopt it. City charter requires the budget to be adopted on or before the second meeting in June, but city staff are recommending commissioners approve it immediately following the hearing and commission discussion.

Commissioner Aaron Miller introduced a resolution asking the commission to authorize an investigation by outside counsel. The proposal would have examined whether Mayor Frank Perez, Richard Bir, Cathi Abbs, and Linda Harrington potentially violated Michigan law, applicable case law, commission procedures and the city charter. Miller said an outside review would provide a path toward greater transparency. City Attorney T.J. Reed clarified that any investigative report would first be reviewed by the commission, which would then determine what information, if any, could be released publicly.

The union said American Axle has earned $8.4 billion in profits over the past decade while CEO compensation totaled $111 million during that period. Combined compensation for the company’s five highest-paid executives reached nearly $231 million, according to the union.