Features

Feature Story Dr. Yang Jiao is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Midland Public Schools

Year in Review: Midland Public Schools DEI with Dr. Yang Jiao

A Year in Review and a Look Ahead with the Midland Public Schools DEI Director Dr. Yang Jiao

Feature Story Donna St. John is the executive director of Home to Stay.

Year in Review: Home to Stay Executive Director Donna St. John

A Year in Review and A Look Ahead with Home to Stay Executive Director Donna St. John

Longform Medical debt

As Oakland County pays off 80,000 residents' doctor bills, how can Michigan solve medical debt?

Oakland County's debt relief initiative highlights the overwhelming burden of medical debt for countless others in Michigan and beyond.

In The News Groundbreaking ceremony for the Midland County ESA

Midland County ESA breaks ground on a new future

After years of planning, the project to renovate and expand the ESA’s main school building has come to fruition.

Development News Selma Yamamoto is the president of the Rotary Club of Midland Morning.

Profile Q & A focuses on the Rotary Club of Midland Morning

In our series about local service organizations and their impact on our community, Catalyst interviews the president of the Rotary Club of Midland Morning.

Development News Heather displays her work at Creative 360.

Creative 360 invites community to explore inclusive Artshop classes

Creative 360 is hosting an Artshop open house event on Jan. 9. The center will showcase its wide range of classes and inclusive programming designed for people of all ages and abilities.

Feature Story Two of the younger participants in the Midland Chess Club.

Midland Chess Club provides social space for all ages and ability levels

Time at home during the pandemic and The Queen’s Gambit miniseries helped launch the Midland Chess Club last year. The group meets at Creative 360’s downtown location on Thursday evenings.

Longform Alison Hirschel, director and managing attorney for the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative.

Michigan works to continue residents' lifesaving health coverage after post-pandemic Medicaid cuts

When the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 expired in May 2023, over 500,000 Michiganders stood to lose their Medicaid health insurance coverage. But the state is working to help residents maintain coverage.

Development News Dow Gardens Christmas Walk is scheduled for Dec. 7-9 & 14-16.

Take a snowy stroll through Dow Gardens for their Christmas Walk event

Now is the time to walk through a winter wonderland at Dow Gardens this holiday season. Their upcoming Christmas Walk tours invite the community to walk or ride through the lit-up, festive grounds.

Partner Content  For many, the holidays mean spending time with friends and family. However, in the swirl of the holiday “to-do” list, ensuring those relationships take precedence can be a challenge.

6 tips for a healthy holiday season from MyMichigan Health

Between the extra sweets, family get-togethers, and additional stress, the holidays can be a difficult time to stay healthy. To help, MyMichigan Health has put together a list of six tips – based on their new Pivio program, a healthy lifestyle medicine program – to help the community stay healthy this holiday season.   

In The News "Wall Breaking" ceremony at the Center for the Arts

Center for the Arts “Wall Breaking”

Unique beginning for a major project to reimagine the Center for the Arts.

Longform Katie Wendel, director of planning and advocacy at Area Agency on Aging 1B, which recently launched a voucher program to help unpaid caregivers afford respite care.

Finding temporary care is a challenge for Michigan's many unpaid caregivers, but help is available

Approximately 1.7 million Michiganders are unpaid caregivers, and they often desperately need a break from that work. Resources, like a new voucher program to pay for respite care, can help.

Development News THe CNC Nature Art Show & Sale takes place Fri & Sat, Dec 1 & 2.

Chippewa Nature Center invites community to annual Nature Art Show & Sale

The Chippewa Nature Center offers you the opportunity to get started on your Christmas shopping list with its special Nature Art Show & Sale. 

Feature Story Eli @ Wooden Gate Camp

Differently Abled: Offerings in Midland area to those with disabilities

The Midland community is able to serve people who need varied supports.

Feature Story Wild-Rice-Small

Copper Country initiative emphasizes fresh and local foods

In the western Upper Peninsula, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community strives toward the goal of food sovereignty, strengthening the community's ability to produce more of its own fresh and local food sources. 

Longform Ken Nixon, director of outreach and community partnerships for Safe & Just Michigan.

Lack of data raises questions about quality and cost effectiveness of Michigan's prison health care

According to Michigan researchers and advocates for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, health care in prison is far less than adequate.

Development News "Cirque Dreams Holidaze"

Midland Center for the Arts holiday season provides festive fun for the whole family

Midland Center for the Arts is celebrating  the holidays with a lineup that includes The Holiday Art Fair, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, and Center Stage Theatre: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Partner Content Image of grief-man with candle

Finding peace and showing love when the holidays lack joy

For those struggling with grief and loss, the holiday season can be particularly challenging. MyMichigan Health professionals offer words of encouragement to help those coping with grief and loss through this time, as well as advice for the family and friends of those struggling so they can support their loved one.

Feature Story Daniel Shook & Sean Paisley at Virtue Spirits Distillery

Bourbon Junkies set to open a distillery

The proof is in the pour for two local entrepreneurs who've turned a hobby into internet stardom and a new distillery.

In The News One of the new Dial-A-Ride electric vehicles

EV added to Dial-A-Ride fleet

City of Midland rolls out two new electric vehicle vans.