Author

Maxwell Knauer

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Maxwell Knauer attended Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in philosophy and political science.

He previously worked for Ohio State’s student newspaper, The Lantern, and interned with the Columbus lifestyle magazine CityScene before relocating to Kalamazoo.

Knauer, 23, enjoys watching movies, reading books, and playing basketball. Some of his favorites include RoboCop, My Dinner with Andre, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Maxwell's Latest Articles

Kalamazoo’s inaugural Black Pride festival takes place this weekend in Bates Alley

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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August 25, 2026

“We're at a special time in history where it's important to reclaim and claim our joy and the beauty of our gathering together and basking in the creativity and ingenuity and community that we have created and that we can continue to create through an event like this,” Michelle S. Johnson, executive director and co-founder of the Institute of Public Scholarship, told Watershed Voice. Johnson organized the inaugural event alongside Michael Cleggs-Arnott of OutFront Kalamazoo.

Watershed Voice’s 2026 Artist Showcase is now live on YouTube

By Maxwell Knauer

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Culture

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August 19, 2026

The showcase featured performances from the *culture is not optional Family Band, Torrey Brown, Mitchie Moore, Eddie Leboeuf, Shy Winters, Gospel Mime Minister, Lucky Fultz, Alek Haak-Frost, Debbie Allen, Courtney Moore, Just Mikel, and Mister Aubs. Viewers can watch the showcase video in its entirety or jump directly to individual performances using the timestamps and links included in the video description.

Three Rivers approves new website as livestream plans remain in development

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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August 19, 2026

During public comment, resident Austin Kane urged commissioners to begin livestreaming their meetings again. This prompted Mayor Angel Johnston to ask City Manager Joe Bippus for an update on the commission's June 16 direction for Bippus to explore city-run livestreams. “We’re probably developing an RFP (request for proposal) that we’ll send out,” Bippus said, in part. Johnston then asked Bippus when the system would be ready, Bippus said he did not know.

Dad’s Place in Three Rivers suddenly closes

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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August 19, 2026

Dad’s Place, a longtime breakfast diner in Three Rivers, closed Tuesday, August 18, after announcing its closure on Facebook earlier that day. “Due to the rising costs, lack of help, and just being damn tired, we are sorry to inform you all that today is the last day our doors are going to be open for business,” the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post.

Kalamazoo City Commission passes one-year data center moratorium

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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August 18, 2026

The moratorium comes amid growing data center development nationally and closer to home. The city’s agenda report cites an increase in proposed data centers and battery energy storage systems in Kalamazoo County and elsewhere in Southwest Michigan. Locally, debate has centered on Harbor Farmz, a Kalamazoo-based cannabis company that is selling its facility at 2839 Full Circle Drive and marketing the property for potential redevelopment as a data center. Company representatives at Monday’s meeting urged commissioners not to adopt the moratorium.

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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August 18, 2026

Commissioners will be asked to consider an initial-term investment of $27,626 in CivicPlus Municipal Websites Central related services to replace the city’s website and improve its ability to “provide accessible, secure, and user-friendly information to residents, businesses, and visitors,” according to the agenda packet. The packet does not state when the new website would launch or whether the existing site would experience downtime during the transition. The program would also allow amended sections of the municipal code to link back to the meeting where legislation was adopted, giving staff and residents “instant access to the agenda, minutes, audio, video, and vote tallies,” when applicable. The city has not publicly provided an update on its plans to explore livestreaming options, and the website change does not itself indicate that meetings will be livestreamed. Commissioners directed City Manager Joe Bippus to explore city-run meeting livestreams during their June 16 meeting but have received no public update from Bippus since.

Sturgis commission pays down hospital bonds, moves forward with Doyle roof project

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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August 13, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission met Wednesday, August 12, approving the use of $3 million to pay down hospital-related bonds, increases to annual utility rates, the city’s 2026-27 budget, and up to $800,000 in bonds for the Doyle Community Center roof project.

Dowagiac council approves $10K for sound study at data center

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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August 12, 2026

On Tuesday, August 11, Hyperscale announced that its board is reviewing strategic alternatives for its Michigan data center, including a potential sale or lease of part or all of the facility. The company said the review is intended to “maximize stockholder value.”

Kalamazoo commissioners reluctantly adopt Healthcare Action Committee resolution; set date to consider moratorium

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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August 11, 2026

Commissioners said their "hands were tied" after unanimously adopting a resolution Monday to set the election date and determine ballot language for a proposed city charter amendment that would establish a Citizens' Healthcare Action Committee. Officials criticized what they described as an out-of-town organization taking advantage of and misinforming residents. Mayor David Anderson described the organization's funding as “dark money,” said he does not support the initiative, and will “work from now until November 4 to make sure that’s communicated.”

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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August 11, 2026

Commissioners are expected to consider paying down $3 million in outstanding debt connected to past Sturgis Hospital improvements, approve annual utility rates, and hold a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2026-27 budget. Commissioners will also consider issuing up to $800K in bonds for the Doyle Community Center roof project. This will be the first meeting where interim City Manager Doug Terry will serve as the lone city manager after former City Manager Andrew Kuk’s final meeting on Wednesday, July 22.