The ongoing 2025 United States federal government shutdown began October 1 and has caused the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to warn states that “there may be insufficient funds to pay for November SNAP benefits” unless the impasse ends. In Michigan alone, approximately 1.4 million people — about 13 percent of households — rely on SNAP. Watershed Voice has compiled the following list of resources in St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties.
For those who have not yet turned in absentee ballots — you have until Monday to register for one at your clerk's office — or are planning to vote in-person on Election Day, Watershed Voice has compiled the following guide to races appearing on local ballots to provide readers with information about who is running.
Bowersox Floor Center said the ad was “misinterpreted” and not meant as racist after readers condemned it on social media.
Angel Johnston, Three Rivers Mayor candidate filled out our questionnaire, below are her answers.
Watershed Voice invites readers to share their Halloween spirit. Send photos of you, your friends, family, or pets in costume to maxwell@watershedvoice.com. If we receive enough submissions, we’ll publish a Watershed Voice reader costume gallery next week. All are welcome.
The commission will hold a second reading of the ordinance at its next regular meeting on Wednesday, November 12, again seeking public input. After the second reading, there is a 20-day waiting period before the ordinance could take effect.
The book follows two boys as they face challenges on each hole of an 18-hole course, learning about the world, teamwork, and friendship along the way. All proceeds from the event, including 100% of the author’s royalties, will be donated to the Cassopolis food shelf to help feed local families in need.
Representatives from Confluence were present at the meeting and said other cannabis companies that are not vertically integrated — that is, not growing and selling their own products — are struggling. They emphasized that Confluence is locally owned and operated, and that six of their employees have purchased homes in Three Rivers.
Commissioners plan to use the first and second readings to gather public input. During the September meeting, Commissioner Aaron Miller said he expects the city will hear from residents throughout the first year of the program.
The panel featured five journalists, each representing a different outlet within the collaborative, of which Watershed Voice is a member: Gordon Evans of WMUK, Lem Montero of Public Media Network, Aya Miller of MLive, Kathy Jennings of Second Wave Media, and Reed Williams of NowKalamazoo.
A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR
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