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A 5-minute start to your day living, working, and playing in Kalamazoo County. In your inbox every Monday through Friday morning at 6am.

The Daily Newsletter Archive

5/30/23: Shrinking and growing

Some parts of Kalamazoo County are growing; others are shrinking according to new Census data. Also: A new initiative aims to decrease gun violence in southwest Michigan. And downtown Kalamazoo will look very Seussian this weekend.

5/26/23: New contract, more money

KPS approved a contract with its new superintendent and it comes with more money than the last one. Also: Police are hunting for the women who abandoned another woman in the woods last month. And next week's Scripps National Spelling Bee will include a newby speller from Kalamazoo.

5/25/23: KPS suspensions

Kalamazoo parents are worried about how often suspensions are happening in their kids' schools. Now trustees are too. Also: A display of downtown street plans drew comments and suggestions. And family planning is now on the list of services Kalamazoo County provides.

5/24/23: Drive-thru marijuana

The city of Portage will now allow drive-thru marijuana dispensaries. Also: A virtual event tomorrow will seek to answer questions about Kalamazoo's downtown event center project. And southwest Michigan welcomes a new bishop.

5/23/23: Found in a walk in the woods

Nabe Shin, a staple at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market and a forager for decades, on the life lessons and other sustenance found in a walk in the woods. Also: Gun violence is on the rise in Kzoo, with four dead in less than two weeks. And a group that teaches young, disabled people to bike is seeking volunteers.

5/22/23: A (mostly) peaceful protest

A weekend protest over a drag show in Portage remained mostly peaceful despite some angry yelling between two sides. Also: Kalamazoo schools officially hired Darrin Slade to be its superintendent. And a Wednesday open house will show off new plans for changing a downtown street from a one-way into a two-way.

5/19/23: 'Shut it down'

Kalamazoo residents had some harsh words for area leaders after a state report detailed air pollution on the Northside. Also: An expert on the subject is criticizing that same report and its methodology. And a local pizzeria is shutting down after 42 years.

5/18/23: More info, not solutions

Members of the public will get to hear directly from state experts about toxic gas emissions that have plagued Kalamazoo's Northside for decades. But don't expect solutions, just explanations. Also: A decade of downtown construction is now underway. And a local high school choir wants "to know what love is."

5/17/23: The Big Fight

A two-year-old boxing gym is growing out of its digs in Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood. Word is spreading quickly that this safe haven for kids is building champions. Also: G-A schools has voted to ban a book from its high school library. And county leaders have allocated money from this year's housing millage.

5/16/23: Pollution a priority

Kzoo city leaders say cleaning up air pollution on the Northside is a top priority. Also: Kalamazoo is rejoining a regional economic development org two years after they split up. And there are photos popping up all over Bronson Park.

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