News 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.

OutCenter announces move to downtown Dowagiac

By Watershed Voice

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Dowagiac

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September 9, 2026

OutCenter Southwest Michigan has announced its new office location in downtown Dowagiac, Michigan. For nearly 15 years, the OutCenter has made its home in the Arts District in Benton Harbor, providing a welcoming and visible presence for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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September 8, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, September 9, at 6 p.m. Commissioners will work through a light agenda with three new business items. They will consider three tree maintenance and forestry contracts, a $60,000 marketing contract for the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, and an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Summit Polymers’ facility expansion.

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.

Celebrate and reflect this Labor Day

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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September 4, 2026

The first Monday in September marks Labor Day, an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. Labor unions have long fought for changes in wages, working hours, and workplace conditions in the United States, winning reforms that reshaped American workplaces. But shorter working hours have not meant that workers and corporate leaders have shared equally in economic gains.

Q&A: Jim Berry, Superintendent of St. Joseph County Intermediate School District

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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September 3, 2026

James "Jim" Berry, first-year superintendent at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District (ISD), shared his perspective on his goals for his new role and the state of education amid the AI boom. We spoke with Berry about his first few weeks in his new role, his visions for the future of ISD amid an ever-changing job market, and how he plans to give students the tools they need to succeed.

‘Money out of politics’ will be on Michiganders’ ballots this November

By Maxwell Knauer

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State

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September 3, 2026

The ballot proposal would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities from making certain direct or indirect political contributions. It would also restrict government contractors with more than $250,000 annually in qualifying contracts, along with certain people and organizations affiliated with those companies, from contributing to candidates in jurisdictions that awarded the contracts.

Live-streaming plan heads back to drawing board in Three Rivers

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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September 2, 2026

City staff recommended purchasing a Meeting Owl 5 Pro camera and supplemental equipment for up to $5,000, along with adopting a video retention policy. The proposed policy called for recordings to be deleted one day after the minutes for the corresponding meeting were approved — which occurs at the following meeting, typically 2-3 weeks later — unless a legal, FOIA, audit or investigation hold applied. The system and policy were voted down unanimously.

Three Rivers commission to vote on livestream equipment and policies

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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September 1, 2026

This Tuesday, September 1, at 6 p.m. the Three Rivers City Commission will meet and consider the purchase of equipment for city-administered live-streaming. Commissioners will decide which video camera system to purchase with the Meeting Owl Pro 5 Camera and supplemental equipment being recommended by staff. The total cost would be $5,000 from the general fund. The agenda packet also includes a retention policy, which recommends the recording is kept on the city’s YouTube until one day after the minutes of that meeting are approved — typically two weeks after the livestream takes place.

Camp Eberhart’s ropes course goes out on top

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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August 27, 2026

In the early 1990s, YMCA Camp Eberhart began building a ropes course that would challenge campers for years to come. Tucked beneath a canopy of towering pine trees, the course rises from the woods on wooden poles, some made from trees cut from the site during its original construction. But after more than three decades of campers climbing through the trees, the course has seen its last summer. Eberhart retired the aging course at the end of this year’s summer camp season and is now preparing to replace it.

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