State Archives

Michigan lawmaker explores changes to public notice rules, raising transparency concerns

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March 26, 2026

Municipalities pay newspapers to publish these notices, with costs varying based on the number and length of postings. According to recent Three Rivers City Commission agenda packets, the city paid $740 to the Three Rivers Commercial-News for fiscal year 2026 public notices. A separate payment of $290 for the same category was recorded February 13. If lawmakers pursue changes, they could alter where and how notices are published, potentially shifting some requirements away from newspapers. However, state Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) has said she is not seeking to eliminate public notice requirements altogether.

Kalamazoo City Commission tables Safe Routes to School contract amid public pushback

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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February 17, 2026

Commissioners voted unanimously to table the item and revisit it at a future meeting. City staff said they plan to prepare additional information, including visuals, and hold a meeting to gather resident feedback before returning to the commission. “If we postpone it to one more meeting, it’s not going to have a delay on receiving the funds,” Commissioner Jae Slaby said. “It will not jeopardize these funds. It will not jeopardize the contract. So why not just have the due diligence done and send the message to the community that we are hearing their concerns?”

Journalists and advocates gather in Kalamazoo to discuss affordable housing

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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February 6, 2026

Panelists included journalists who regularly cover housing and community issues — Watershed Voice editor-in-chief and founder Alek Haak-Frost, Brad Devereaux of MLive, Jordyn Hermani of Bridge Michigan, and freelance journalist Al Jones, project editor for On the Ground Kalamazoo — as well as housing advocates Gwendolyn Hooker of Kalamazoo-based Hope Through Navigation, Shanay Settles of the Calhoun County Health Department, and Patsy Moore of Mount Zion Baptist Church and Legacy Senior Living.

Michigan mental health service shift blocked by Court of Claims

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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February 3, 2026

The dispute began last fall, when the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a request that would have consolidated Michigan’s 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) regions—funded primarily through Medicaid behavioral health dollars—into three “super-regions.” Regional PIHPs later learned that they, as the current providers, were excluded from bidding because they are statutorily restricted to operating within their designated regions. The PIHPs filed a lawsuit, arguing the RFP violated Michigan law and threatened locally administered mental health care that has existed since the 1990s.

Watershed Voice: Year in Review

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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December 30, 2025

Before our three-week publishing pause, Watershed Voice invites our readers to take a look back at the past year in local news. For Watershed Voice, it was a year marked by change, as we transitioned from one staff writer — Najifa Farhat for the first half of the year — to another, Maxwell Knauer, for the second half of the year. No matter the author of our stories, we aimed to bring prompt, fact-based, independent reporting to Southwest Michigan. Here’s a look at some of our favorite, most impactful, and most-read stories of 2025.

Michigan state senator moves to guarantee marriage equality in Michigan constitution

By Maxwell Knauer

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State

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November 14, 2025

Because the Michigan Constitution can only be amended through a voter-approved ballot measure, Senate Joint Resolution F, must first secure a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers. In the Senate, that means 25 votes. Democrats hold 19 seats, and Sen. Jeremy Moss said all have co-sponsored the resolution, leaving six Republican votes needed for passage. If approved by the Senate, the resolution would move to the House, where a two-thirds vote is also required – 73 votes total. Republicans currently hold a 58–52 majority.

Michigan misses budget deadline, passes short-term funding to avoid shutdown

By Maxwell Knauer

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State

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October 1, 2025

Lawmakers already missed the July 1 deadline when the legislature is required to pass school aid funding, typically alongside a full budget.

Meeting primer: Lockport Township Planning Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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October 1, 2025

This month’s meeting is drawing heightened attention as commissioners consider a proposed Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) text amendment. Some residents have raised safety and land use concerns about allowing large battery storage units alongside solar facilities, pointing to risks such as fire hazards and changes to rural character. Township officials, however, are urging residents to “slow down and know the facts,” according to a statement on the township’s website.

Residents urge Kalamazoo to ‘deflock’ as commission reviews city manager search

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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September 16, 2025

Community members called for the removal of Flock cameras, and city staff provided an update on the search for a new city manager during Monday's Kalamazoo City Commission meeting.

Michigan residents left waiting for lawmakers to decide future of key services ahead of October 1 deadline

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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September 10, 2025

If lawmakers fail to strike a deal by October 1, Michigan could face a government shutdown — a reminder of how closely Lansing’s choices are tied to services local residents depend on, like access to critical mental health services, addiction treatment, and autism support programs.

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