Features

Feature Story The Muskegon County Airport is slated for a major renovation and modernization of the passenger terminal this year.

Muskegon County Airport marks new era of air service

Muskegon County Airport says its new carrier, Denver Air Connection, will provide improved reliability and service. It will replace Southern Airways Express.

Feature Story Jim Baumann and Michelle Cortright meet at Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company in Boyne City. They launched The Boyne Citizen earlier this month - a nonprofit digital newsletter.

As local media disappears, 'Boyne Citizen' returns under nonprofit model

Local news is disappearing across the American landscape. That means residents no longer get the information they need to understand important local issues. In Northern Michigan, a community-minded couple hopes to break that cycle -- they've resurrected The Boyne Citizen as a nonprofit digital newsletter.

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.

Partner Content Parents indicated that needed services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and paraprofessional support were inadequate.

Survey activates education advocacy for Michigan children with disabilities

Special Education Experience (SEE) survey results revealed that needed improvements in special education that the state identified in 2014 have not been made.  

Feature Story Champions of Wayne students with Wayne Memorial High School staff and mentors at the Student Achievement Banquet on June 20, 2024

Visionary Wayne Memorial High School program helps students succeed by paying themNonprofit Journal Project

At Wayne Memorial High School, Champions of Wayne pays students $250 per semester to work with mentors to meet personalized goals.

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 Participants in the 2023 songwriters retreat.

Port Austin sets the stage for a songwriting retreat

The fourth annual Huco Songs songwriter retreat weekend takes place at the Port Austin Artist in Residence Bee Barn from Sept. 27-29. The retreat invites songwriters of all ages, experience, and styles to learn techniques, tips, and collaborate with a supportive network of creatives.   

Feature Story onawaybranchlibrary

Spark grant will help Onaway with trailhead, recreation improvements

Onaway, a small city not far from the Mackinac Bridge, has been awarded a big Michigan Spark grant to help with the development and improvement of recreational amenities and a trailhead.

Feature Story sunrisephotographer

Capturing the sunrise: A Marquette photographer's years-long mission

Bugsy Sailor has taken a photo of the sunrise every morning of every day for nearly six years straight. In 2019, he started the Year of the Sunrise project, and today has a gallery of photos on display online, and at his store, the Upper Peninsula Supply Co.   

Feature Story Nic Theisen (left), co-owner of Loma Farm and Farm Club, plants brussels sprouts with employee Dexter Lamie.

Labor of mixed emotions

Is farming a labor of love? Not necessarily, says Nic NAME, the subject of a recent Points North podcast. 

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 The Autonomous Surface Vessel en route to Lake Superior.

Autonomous vessel to map the Great LakesBut first it will solve Lake Superior mystery

The Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University this week launched its Autonomous Surface Vessel. The unmanned vessel will map the Great Lakes and help answer decades-old questions involving the whereabouts of more than 200 unaccounted for shipwrecks and plane crashes in Lake Superior. 

Feature Story DoubleTree

DoubleTree Hotel in BC to offer premier hospitality for guests, hands-on learning for students

Battle Creek welcomes DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in September. As part of a unique community partnership, the hotel will feature luxury accommodations and a hospitality training center, the first 'training hotel' in Southwest Michigan.

Feature Story Josh Chapman, President and CEO, YMCA of the Blue Water Area

Blue Meets Green collaborative feeds economic prosperityNonprofit Journal Project Feature

The Blue Meets Green collaborative considers all sectors while cultivating a prosperous St. Clair County.  

Feature Story Project Connect Flyer

Project Connect brings together Sanilac County residents and resources

Taking place 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, September 26 at the Sandusky Fairgrounds, Project Connect will share resources, services, food, health care access, and more with county residents in need.

Feature Story The comfortable meeting room at 1Q1.

Need to work away from home? Consider these co-working spaces in rural Michigan

Looking for a remote place to work? Considers one of these co-working spaces across rural Michigan. These spaces are ideal for solo work and also to collaborate with others. The amenities include more than an endless supply of coffee.

Longform Chelsea Area Fire Authority Chief Robert Arbini.

Chelsea firefighters seek help to restore aging fire station

Chelsea Area Fire Authority Chief Robert Arbini is sounding an alarm – but it's not for the type of emergency that most community members might imagine. This time Chelsea's fire station at 200 W. Middle St. is in urgent need of rescue.

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.

Feature Story The Going PRO Talent Fund grants will benefit several industries, with manufacturing receiving the most awards, 54.

GoingPro grants boost workforce development across West Michigan

Benteler Automotive is one of 94 regional employers that have been awarded $4.8 million in the Going PRO Talent Fund grants. These awards will support skill development and workforce capabilities across multiple industries.