Kalamazoo Archives

Celebrating the life of a Fetzer visionary: Robert F. ‘Rob’ Lehman

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November 12, 2026

Robert F. Lehman became president of the Fetzer Institute in 1989, guiding its pioneering exploration of the relationship between mind, body, and spirit. Under his leadership, the Institute supported groundbreaking research in mind-body health, contemplative practice, and human development, including the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Healing and the Mind with Bill Moyers. He also established the Institute’s first fellows program and oversaw the opening of Seasons, its retreat center, in 1994.

Tuesday’s midterm elections by the numbers

By Maxwell Knauer

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Elections

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November 10, 2026

Here in Michigan, the midterm trends were no different than they were nationally. Democrats won the governor’s office, a U.S. Senate seat and nine of the state's 13 seats in the House, flipping three congressional districts – 4th, 7th, and 10th – previously held by Republicans. Democrats also regained control of the Michigan House of Representatives and expanded their majority in the state Senate. However, in St. Joseph County, Republican candidates remained the top vote-getters in most major races, while voters in Three Rivers delivered a different set of results.

A closer look at Kalamazoo’s healthcare proposal, criticized by mayor as ‘dark money’ ploy

By Maxwell Knauer

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Elections

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October 22, 2026

At face value, the proposal appears aimed at improving healthcare access and affordability. However, local officials argue it is a political tactic designed to influence two congressional races by drawing attention to healthcare issues in those districts. The amendment is on the ballot in six cities: Lansing, East Lansing, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, and Portage. These cities fall into Michigan’s fourth and seventh congressional districts, represented by Republicans Bill Huizenga and Tom Barrett, respectively.

Your guide to proposals on the ballot this November

By Maxwell Knauer

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Elections

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October 14, 2026

Watershed Voice has outlined the different ballot proposals voters in southwest Michigan and across the state will be voting on. The proposals range from a statewide campaign finance law aiming to get "money out of politics," and a local municipalities decision to ban marijuana establishments, all of which are detailed here.

Geek Fest returns to Kalamazoo this weekend

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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October 8, 2026

Geek Fest returns to the Kalamazoo County Expo Center on Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m to 3 p.m., bringing together gaming enthusiasts, artists, and fans of all things geek-related for an afternoon of activities. One of this year’s featured guests is Roger Clark, the actor best known for portraying Arthur Morgan, the main protagonist of Rockstar Games’ critically acclaimed 2018 video game Red Dead Redemption 2.

Kalamazoo officially has a data center moratorium

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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October 6, 2026

The moratorium, which lasts until October 5, 2027, includes data centers, battery energy storage systems (BESS), cryptocurrency mining centers and artificial intelligence data centers. Monday night’s meeting included the final public hearing on the ordinance before commissioners voted to approve it.

A play inspired by the Flint crisis is coming to Kalamazoo this October

By Maxwell Knauer

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Culture

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September 30, 2026

The Poisoner, a neo-noir thriller inspired by the Flint water crisis, is coming to Kalamazoo’s Judy K. Jolliffee Theatre for three performances from October 22 through October 24 as part of a seven-city national tour. Written by first-time playwright M.M. Haney and directed and developed by two-time Obie Award-winning director Lee Sunday Evans, the fictional story follows a journalist who returns to his hometown and begins investigating a water crisis.

Kalamazoo passes robust surveillance contract policy mandating all related items must come to commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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September 22, 2026

Kalamazoo City Commissioners passed a policy change which will bring all Flock and related surveillance contracts directly to commissioners for consideration, regardless of the price of the contract.

Kalamazoo commissioners seek broader oversight of surveillance technology

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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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.

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