Features

Feature Story trinityhealthshelby

Q & A with rural hospital leaders

The COVID-19 pandemic’s effects are still being felt in health care systems across the nation. It's the same in rural Michigan communities. We spoke with Munson Healthcare and Trinity Health Grand Haven and Shelby Hospital to hear their perspectives, concerns, and future outlooks. 

Partner Content Carlson's Fishery opened in 1904 at Fishtown in Leland.

More than just a filet of fish

Iceland has figured out how to use almost 100% of every fish caught – not just the filet. By making things like durable leather, beauty products and skin graft bandages, it’s increased the value of Atlantic cod from about $15 to over $5,000. Can this approach help the struggling Great Lakes fishery?  

Feature Story Marysville Community Center is located at 876 E. Huron Blvd.

100 years of community spirit: The history of Marysville

Explore the history of Marysville as the city celebrates its 100-year anniversary on May 10 at Alexander's Premier Banquet Facility. 

Feature Story small-fiber

Holland’s community-owned broadband network building ‘fiberhoods’

Holland’s first “fiberhoods” will go live this summer, and the build-out is expected to be completed in summer 2026.

Feature Story Fishing list

Bay City lands four fishing tournaments this summer

Hundreds of anglers will visit the Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River in June and August for four high-profile fishing tournaments. The tournaments should have a substantial impact on the local economy.

Longform Corey Houser.

Southeast Michigan expungement fairs set formerly incarcerated job-seekers on road to employment

Michigan Works! Southeast and other partners have been making it easier for formerly incarcerated job-seekers to expunge their records for at least 10 years.

Longform Robert Sheehan  and colleague, Valerie Jamerson, take a look at the new Tool Kit.

Social Work Career Promotion Tool Kit shares benefits and pathways to rewarding careers

The toolkit is designed to enhance recruitment and promote social work career opportunities across the state. It includes sample language for websites, emails, and social media posts as well as recommended language for various professionals, including high school guidance counselors, college academic advisors, and behavioral health providers. There are also photographic materials for outreach usage.   

Feature Story Vision and hearing screenings vital to children’s health, academics, and social success.

More state funding needed for children’s hearing and vision screening

In Michigan, around one million school aged children take part in hearing and vision screenings each year. Approximately 88,000 of them need help and are referred for further hearing and vision services. These services are vital to children’s overall health as well as to their academic and social success. 

Feature Story The latest installation in Port Austin's barn art project is a mural by Detroit artist Bakpak Durden. Inspiration came from a local poet.

Detroit artist Bakpak Durden's mural is the latest barn art in Port Austin project

The newest installation in Port Austin's popular barn art project is a mural by Detroit artist Bakpak Durden. The work, “Confronting Loneliness,” was inspired by the poems of Port Austin poet Jane Mayes.

Feature Story orvbylake

New 'ride' showcases Cadillac as an ORV destination

The growing popularity of off-road vehicles prompted the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau to take another look at local roads. The result? The newly designated ORV Scenic Ride offers outdoor enthusiasts a 100-plus-mile excursion through woods and scenic spots in Wexford County.   

Feature Story The new University of Michigan facility in Wayland is staffed by three primary care physicians and three advanced practice providers.

U-M Health-West opens new $10.4M Wayland Health Center

University of Michigan Health-West has opened a new, larger $10.4 million Wayland Health Center to address the needs of Wayland’s growing population.

Feature Story Eagle Release List

Exploring Isabella Cat Clinic's wildlife rehabilitation efforts

The Isabella Cat Clinic in Mt. Pleasant, known for its feline care services, also operates the Isabella Feline Adoption & Wildlife Center, a non-profit founded by Dr. Catherine Lindstrand over two decades ago. Collaborating with Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, the clinic rehabilitates various wildlife species, from birds and rabbits to bald eagles and fox kits. With a dedicated staff and donation-based funding, the clinic's efforts exemplify a commitment to wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.

Feature Story Finlandia University is always looking to expand its educational offerings.

Finlandia's Old Main lives again

The former Finlandia University's Old Main has a new owner and a new future. Naturally Michigan Properties plans to use the historic building as an inn, reception space and boutique gallery.

Feature Story  Clay hands being made for a Muskegon Museum of Art touring Through Our Lens: Hands exhibit.

White Lake council boosts rural access to the arts

A group of mothers in the White Lake area came together to create their own arts organization when they couldn't find anything local for their children. Today, the Arts Council of White Lake -- Nuveen Center is a vibrant arts center for the community, offering classes, programming, music, exhibits and other events.

Feature Story With events like the Gaylord tornado in mind, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County is preparing for unexpected disasters.

Preparing for disaster: Community Foundation of St. Clair County creates fund for catastrophes

Disasters are not common in Michigan but there have been a memorable few in the past several years. With that in mind, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County has initiated a fund to meet the immediate needs like housing, food and medical care and also to help long-term recovery efforts.  

Feature Story Marla Schneider, Muskegon County’s economic development director

Muskegon Heights’s new industrial parks strategy is key step in bolstering economic development

Muskegon Heights is poised for success with available vacant land and buildings ready for development, say officials. 

Feature Story small-rendering

State backs collaborative approach to affordable housing project

A church, two nonprofits, the city of Holland and a Native American tribe are coming together to create 52 affordable housing units in Holland. The state is supporting the project with access to low-income tax credits. 

Feature Story Dillon Barr works with students in a classroom, teaching them about how to find to find their path.

Port Huron author turns imagination into reality

Dillon Barr, a Port Huron-based author, uses his passion for comic books to inspire imagination in kids worldwide.  

Longform Vibrant Futures

Early Education Community of Practice brings unified message to state focus on early childhood care

The Community of Practice has expanded to 30+ Michigan organizations focused on early childhood. Members have access to a variety of resources and experts and are able to provide solutions and mobilize quickly.  

Partner Content Accommodations can help create a successful visit.

Simple accommodations can eliminate barriers to health care

Because equal and quality access to care is so important, making sure medical practices improve access and accommodations for people with autism is a crucial goal of the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM).