Ben Lando
Bio
Ben Lando, a 4th generation Kalamazooan, became a journalist more than 20 years ago covering Kalamazoo city and county governments and other community stories for local radio stations and newspapers. Based in Washington, D.C., from '06-'09, he was a reporter and editor for United Press International covering U.S. and global energy/political/security stories. He moved to Baghdad in '09 as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Time, and other news outlets. He founded www.iraqoilreport.com which remains the premier outlet covering economic, security, and political developments. He returned home in 2013, started a family, and launched NowKalamazoo in 2019.
Articles
‘Time to double down’
Advisor to a gun violence prevention initiative in Kalamazoo says the severity of the crisis looms large, despite a recent drop in homicides.
KDPS chief loses misconduct review, wins retirement deal
Kalamazoo’s chief of public safety stands accused of discrimination and harassment during the brief time he was in charge of the department. But Vernon Coakley is being allowed to retire with a year of pay and full benefits.
A look in the mirror
A consultant hired by the city of Kalamazoo didn’t just recommend 40 policy changes, it also suggested better communication to the community and a police department more receptive to critique – two ways to avoid a repeat of the summer of 2020.
Progress, in-progress
A consultant recommended dozens of changes to Kalamazoo city administration and police policies following the controversial summer of 2020 protests. Over a year later, a quarter of them have yet to be fully completed.
Meet our new Managing Editor
Dear Reader, When I founded NowKalamazoo in 2019, our mission was to fill the gap in community news coverage with truly local, independent, high-quality journalism. Beginning with our award-winning coverage of the homelessness crisis, we’ve expanded into telling the stories of local entrepreneurs, restaurants and chefs, and other people and organizations whose actions are an […]
More public restrooms are coming to downtown Kalamazoo
City officials outlined plans and solicited input from businesses on a range of downtown Kalamazoo priorities.
Tucker Carlson fans turn anger toward Kzoo city commissioner
Chris Praedel and the rest of the Kalamazoo City Commission stopped public urination from going on someone’s criminal record. But because he used the term “equity” to explain his vote, a Fox News host featured him on his show, and fans from around the country bombarded Praedel with angry messages.
Why is Kalamazoo killing the one-way streets?
The City of Kalamazoo is planning to switch Kalamazoo and Michigan avenues from one-way to two-way. We get your questions answered about this major development underway in downtown Kalamazoo.
New cocktail lounge mixes culture and history
The new Dabney & Co., named after a pioneering mixologist who was forced to buy his way out of slavery, will open in the former Civil House Coffee space in downtown Kalamazoo.
Finding Peace During War
A decade ago, two enemies in Kalamazoo put down their guns. Following two straight years of record gun violence in the city, their intervention program remains especially vigilant in helping others decide to disarm – or not pick up a gun in the first place.
