Kalamazoo Archives

Kalamazoo commissioners seek broader oversight of surveillance technology

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September 9, 2026

During the Kalamazoo City Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 8, commissioners decided to delay the formal adoption of a policy that would require contracts involving automated license plate reader technology to come before the City Commission, regardless of cost. Vice Mayor Drew Duncan proposed expanding the amendment, asking that the policy incorporate all law enforcement surveillance technology, not just license plate readers.

Kalamazoo to consider data center ‘task force’ alongside moratorium

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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September 8, 2026

Planning commissioners unanimously recommended the data center moratorium zoning amendment, along with the task force recommendation, to the City Commission. The task force idea came up during public comment when resident Katie Bloom, who said she also serves on the city’s Environmental Concerns Committee, expressed support for the moratorium and called for a task force representing a wide range of stakeholders. Commissioners agreed with Bloom and added the amendment to their recommendation.

A different kind of house music

By James Sanford, NowKalamazoo

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Culture

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August 26, 2026

This Saturday in Kalamazoo roughly a dozen performers and bands will play mini-concerts around the Vine neighborhood during a five-hour Vine Porch Crawl. The plan is to start at 2 p.m. at the Vine Neighborhood Association (806 S. Westnedge Ave.) with a set by Persian Rugg to kick off the neighborhood tour. For the full lineup and locations, read this article.

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.

Local record store offers place to discover new music beyond digital platforms

By Chidalu Nnorukah, Matthew Studier, Sasha Wilson & Tabassum Sayeka Tarannum

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Culture

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August 20, 2026

Over the years, Satellite Records has continued to grow in size, inventory, popularity, and customer base, a success owner Michael Evans largely attributes to the Kalamazoo community. The store has been operating in Kalamazoo for more than 15 years, and Evans remains grateful for the consistent support from residents and customers.

Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative to host session about finding trustworthy news in the age of AI

By Watershed Voice

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Kalamazoo

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August 20, 2026

The free event, which includes dinner and discussion, will be suitable for teens and adults, and feature Western Michigan University School of Communication Professor Sue Ellen Christian, who will share tools, tips, and tactics on how to spot misinformation and manipulated images, and what to look for to identify quality news sources. Participants will need a charged smartphone to participate fully in the workshop.

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.

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.”

2026 Primary Election results part 2: El-Sayed wins Democratic Senate nomination, incumbent Steve Carra advances

By Maxwell Knauer

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Elections

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August 5, 2026

El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic nomination, receiving 48.48% of the vote (740,950 votes), while Stevens received 47.51% (726,057 votes). Former candidate Mallory McMorrow, who withdrew from the race in early July, still received more than 50,000 votes. While some votes are still being counted across the state, the Associated Press has called the race for El-Sayed.

Polls open for Michigan’s primary election, a final reminder

By Maxwell Knauer

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Elections

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August 4, 2026

Primary Election Day has arrived in Michigan with voters across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties heading to the polls Tuesday to choose party nominees for statewide office, narrow down local races ahead of the November general election, and for some, decide on millages. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot.

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