Features

Longform Joe Volpe, program manager at Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Mental health takes heavy toll on Michigan's LGBTQ youth

Mental health is a major challenge for Michigan youth in general, but the problem is even greater for the state's LGBTQ youth.

Feature Story Miss Michigan Miss Bay County Jenae Lodewyk list

From pageant newcomer to state crown, Miss Bay County is the reigning Miss Michigan

Jenae Lodewyk, a Bangor John Glenn High School graduate and the reigning Miss Michigan, uses the pageant platform to empower women.

Feature Story Consumers Energy list

Study draws a picture of the possibilities at the former Karn site in Hampton Township

A comprehensive study, titled "Where the River Meets the Bay," calls for transforming the former Dan E. Karn Generating Plant site into a public space featuring outdoor recreation areas, natural habitat, mixed-use development, and a clean energy complex.

Longform Elizabeth Agius

Michigan organizations, universities, and agencies growing the public health workforce

Michigan, as well as the rest of the world, is going through a health care workforce shortage. The Michigan Health Council’s (MHC) Michigan Health Care Workforce Index projects that nearly all 36 health care occupations will experience workforce shortages between now and 2033.

Longform GHS Urgent Care

Funding gap threatens care for Michiganders utilizing community mental health

Michigan’s community mental health agencies face deep revenue gaps this year — a projected $93 million.

Feature Story Energize list

Bay Area Energize celebrates 15 years of helping young professionals launch careers

Bay Area Energize, a program of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrates its 15th anniversary. This networking organization fosters personal and professional growth, community engagement, and lifelong friendships among professionals under 40.  

Feature Story Indie Spot mural list

New murals in Bay City add a splash of color to the community

A summer festival rallied volunteers and artists to create three murals on the sides of buildings in two Bay City neighborhoods.   

Feature Story HHM Logo

Independent films and live music take center stage during the Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival

The Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival begins Thurs., Sept. 26 and ends Sun., Sept. 29.

Feature Story BayAreaCommunityFoundation

Bay Area Community Foundation to honor three people for their legacy of giving and leadership

In September, Bob and Joyce Hetzler and Cathy Washabaugh will be awarded the Peggy Rowley Community Enrichment Award. The honor recognizes their volunteer efforts to uplift Bay County.  

Feature Story United Way list image

Families face challenges in paying for basic necessities, even when wages rise

Nearly half of Bay County families are making less money than it costs to live here. Nicole Luczak from the United Way of Bay County recently explained how quickly working families can find themselves unable to make ends meet.

Feature Story Bay County Library System 50th list image

Happy Birthday! This month the Bay County Library System celebrates 50 years

Fifty years ago, five separate libraries in Bay County united to form one county-wide system. This month, the Bay County Library System celebrates its 50th anniversary with a series of events.

Feature Story Bay City State Park list

Bay City State Park renovations bring visitors and positive responses

Visitors can experience a recently renovated Bay City State Park, with new and improved parking lots, sidewalks, pedestrian signs, bus zones, electric vehicle parking spots, and an upgraded visitor center.  

Longform Danielle Atkinson, founder and national director of Mothering Justice, has been instrumental in advocating for paid leave in Michigan.

Paid sick leave and family leave are moving forward in Michigan. Here's what's next.

For more than a decade, Michigan advocacy groups and some legislators have been working to expand paid leave from work for Michiganders – and this year, their efforts are paying off in two major ways.

Development News John Montgomery

Fourth Estate acquires Issue Media Group, the parent company of Route Bay City

Network of local news outlets will continue two-decade legacy of community-driven journalism.

Feature Story Great Lakes Prid

Great Lakes Bay Pride celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride in August

After June's cancellation, Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival brought the rainbow to match the rain at Bay City’s Wenonah Park in August.

Feature Story Jayce Woods list

Youth Advisory Committee empowers teens to change their community for the better

Members of the Youth Advisory Committee – a program of the Bay Area Community Foundation – have identified adolescent mental health and first aid awareness as priority areas for funding. For 30 years, YAC has helped teens fund programs to help their peers.

Feature Story School books list

Michigan expands tuition-free access to community colleges, boosting higher education equality

The Michigan Reconnect program is now open to students as young as 21. The goal of the scholarship is to increase the percentage of Michigan adults with postsecondary education to 60% by 2030.

Feature Story Public Art list image

Public Art Passport highlights hidden art in open spaces

Explore the region with a new perspective with the help of the Public Art Passport. The passport guides visitors and residents to where they can find local art. It also shares the stories behind the pieces.  

Feature Story Fishing tourney list image

Fishing tournaments reel in dollars, tourism, and community engagement for the region

Smallmouth and largemouth bass aren’t the only things national fishing tournaments are reeling into the Great Lakes Bay Region. Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw also saw hundreds of people and nearly a million dollars come into the area from direct spending of participants and tourists from these annual events.

Feature Story Dr. Nicolas Mouawad list image

Bay City physician named one of the top vascular surgeons in the nation

Newsweek named Dr. Nicolas J. Mouawad as one of the top 200 vascular surgeons in the nation. That’s good news for the community.

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