Stories

Innovation News NextGenAI photo

U-M joins new OpenAI initiative to advance AI research and education

U-M's participation has the potential to strengthen the university's AI resources and boost its ability to conduct groundbreaking AI research. 

Longform A rendering of the Equitable Ann Arbor Land Trust's proposal for development on the former University of Michigan Hospital dump site. The proposal would bring 2,165 housing units to the site after environmental remediation.

Ann Arbor nonprofit's affordability solution: Thousands of new housing units in walkable communities

How long does it take for you to go from your house to school, a grocery store, work, or a park? Urban planners at the Equitable Ann Arbor Land Trust want the answer to be a 20-minute walk, no matter where you live. 

Longform Maribeth Leonard

Countywide mental health millages have remarkable results

Jackson, Hillsdale, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties passed mental health millages and seen positive impacts such as expanded access to care to their residents, increased service capacity, improved crisis response, and more.

Longform Maribeth Leonard

Countywide mental health millages have remarkable results

Jackson, Hillsdale, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties passed mental health millages and seen positive impacts such as expanded access to care to their residents, increased service capacity, improved crisis response, and more.

Longform Maribeth Leonard

Countywide mental health millages have remarkable results

Jackson, Hillsdale, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties passed mental health millages and seen positive impacts such as expanded access to care to their residents, increased service capacity, improved crisis response, and more.

Longform A Way Home Point in Time Count

Counting the unhoused in Kalamazoo County to learn more about local needs

On a bitterly cold night in January, volunteers spread out across Kalamazoo County to see how many unhoused people they could find. It's part of what the federal government calls the Point in Time count, and it gives communities information as they prepare services and policies to serve this population. 

Longform Maribeth Leonard

Countywide mental health millages have remarkable results

Jackson, Hillsdale, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties passed mental health millages and seen positive impacts such as expanded access to care to their residents, increased service capacity, improved crisis response, and more.

Feature Story Franciscan Life Process Center Art Director Kathleen Bechtel

Designed in Michigan: Reawaken creativity at the Franciscan Life Process Center

For those looking to explore their creativity in a meaningful, hands-on way, the Franciscan Life Process Center’s 2025 workshops present an exciting opportunity.

Partner Content Passengers loading on a COA bus in Port Huron.

Blue Water Area Transit partners with the Council on Aging

Blue Water Area Transit partners with many agencies in the community, including the Council on Aging to provide transportation services and has received numerous awards for services.

Feature Story Hamilton Community Schools nurse Jen Yoder has been named Michigan’s School Nurse of the Year.

Nurse honored for bridging health care gaps in schools

Jen Yoder, named Michigan’s School Nurse of the Year, helps bridge health care gaps for students through Holland Hospital’s school nurse program.  

Feature Story The Tony Roussey Building Futures Scholarship starts with a $100,000 contribution to an endowment at West Michigan Construction Institute.

Scholarship honors construction leader, expands career pathways for trades

Holland-based EV Construction’s $100,000 endowment at WMCI honors Tony Roussey’s legacy while addressing workforce shortages by funding scholarships for future skilled trades professionals.

Feature Story Lack of access to equipment, education, and platforms often limits entry into the traditional storytelling landscape.

Youth film contest empowers stories on food justice

The Nourishing Narratives contest invites youth to create mobile films on food justice, supported by Mosaic Film Experience and Newman’s Own Foundation.

Feature Story The Easter Egg Scramble, set for April 5 at Roosevelt Park Community Center in Muskegon, is just one of several egg-related activities in the April calendar for West Michigan.

April things to do: A student art exhibition, Easter events, theater, and spring break activities

It’s April, time for spring flings, spring breaks, Arbor Day, Earth Day, and several egg-stra special events this Easter. And don’t forget art, music, theater, and crafts.

Feature Story andrewdoyleronyob

Now showing: The environment is the star of this annual film festival in Manistee

Folks from all over Michigan are gathering this weekend in Manistee to promote environmental stewardship through an annual film festival and other events.  

Feature Story harvestingcherries

Cherry Republic expands in Leelanau County

Cherry Republic, the retailer of all things cherries, is expanding its distribution and fulfillment center in Empire. The $2.8 million project will create jobs and mean purchasing more cherries. 

Development News A rendering of the new Bay View Sports Complex in Alpena.

Alpena plans new sports complex at park on Lake Huron shoreline

“This restoration project will create a variety of public recreational uses at a new sports complex in a great location in Alpena,” says MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz.

Development News “The Lakeshore Trail project will create further connectivity amongst the developing regional trail network in Southwest Michigan,” says MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz.

Lakeshore Trail extension to start construction in June, adds two miles to 20 mile trailway

“The Lakeshore Trail project will create further connectivity amongst the developing regional trail network in Southwest Michigan,” says MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. 

First cougar cubs discovered in Michigan in more than a century

“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.