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

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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.

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

Michigan counties, towns spend $30B a year. Could collaboration get more done?
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News
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August 12, 2026

Berrien County leaders recently established a new nonprofit that works to keep housing affordable. It’s an example of cooperation that policymakers wish happened more often among the state’s 1,856 counties, cities, townships and villages. Collectively, those local governments spend more than $30 billion a year, according to US Census data, including $1.7 billion in state revenue sharing.

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

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