A man who threatened student protestors on social media has been sentenced to probation The comments were aimed at Battle Creek high schoolers who planned to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mark David Hendricks called on people to “come armed” to Lakeview High School, where students planned to stage a walkout in protest of ICE.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

WMU scholarship recipient recounts journey from Burma to US, escaping Rohingya genocide Western Michigan University President Russ Kavalhuna recognized three recipients of a scholarship for first-generation students. One is an electrical engineering student from Burma.

"On the human trafficking boat, I almost fell into the ocean, died from starvation, dehydration, and drink salt water to stay alive."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Governor Whitmer helps break ground on affordable housing facility for people in recovery Governor Gretchen Whitmer came to Kalamazoo today, visiting the city to break ground on an affordable housing project for people impacted by drug addiction.

“Housing saves lives. It helps people in recovery get back on their feet and stay there."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Michigan offering student loan assistance to some providers treating opioid addiction Physicians, counselors and other providers in Michigan may be eligible for a state student loan repayment program if they begin to offer or expand on their existing substance use disorder treatment pr...

“We hope that it can encourage people to go into these SUD treatment fields, knowing that there are programs that could help them after they graduate.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

WMUK wins MAB Broadcast Excellence Awards The awards are for stories that were broadcast in 2025.

Back into work after a week away, and I come back to MAB award announcements!

Broadcast Excellence & Merit in Spot News!

www.wmuk.org/2026-04-03/w...

Current and former Stryker employees seek damages after hack The company faces lawsuits from three former employees, and one person who still works at the company.

See legal documents from the four cases Stryker now faces from current and former employees who say the company failed to protect their data. The company was hacked by an Iranian-linked group earlier this month
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

A fruit expert says Southwest Michigan blueberries are safe despite a cold snap, but the weather is getting "wiggly" Temperatures in Southwest Michigan have fluctuated this month, jumping between the high 60s to below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Unpredictable spring, unpredictable fall. So like, those shoulder seasons are really are just much more unpredictable than they have been in the past."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Comstock trustees will discuss whether the township's supervisor can continue to sell alcohol A local ordinance appears to bar elected officials from selling alcohol while in office. Township officials expect a crowd at the rescheduled meeting.

"Public time and resources are being spent pursuing a political vendetta and witch hunt."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

The Branch District Library creates an archive to remember the impact of the March 6th tornado The library is asking Branch County residents to submit their photos, videos and firsthand accounts so future generations can better understand the tornado's impact on the community.

"Not only do I want the images, but I want the memories behind the images because that to me is the most important part."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Embattled Kalamazoo Township Treasurer resigns after two censures The Kalamazoo Board of Trustees accepted Sherine Miller's resignation Monday morning. It's not yet clear when residents will vote on the office.

Will Kalamazoo Township residents vote for a treasurer this November? Officials say they're still figuring that out.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Iranian-linked group takes credit for Stryker hack The group claims it wiped 200,000 Stryker systems, servers and mobile devices, along with stealing 50 terabytes of "critical data."

The group claimed it wiped over 200,000 Stryker systems, servers and mobile devices, and extracted 50 terabytes of “critical data.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

United Way of Southwest Michigan to send more funds to local branches helping with tornado recovery The group said these funds will go to local branches helping the hardest hit areas by Friday's tornadoes and storms, like St. Joseph County United Way, which has been helping Three Rivers residents re...

"Trees are down on houses. There is debris hanging from the wires. The electrical cords were wrapped up in the trees."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Berrien County's health department warns about 7-OH, an opioid found in some kratom products A state House bill introduced last month would ban kratom and 7-OH statewide.

"They can be bought like Coca-Cola."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
#Kratom

Is the Michigan National Guard a part of the war with Iran? It's hard to get an answer WMUK reached out to state and federal authorities to ask if Michigan National Guard members have been deployed in relation to the United States' ongoing war with Iran.

WMUK reached out to state and federal authorities to ask if Michigan National Guard members have been deployed in relation to the United States' ongoing war with Iran.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Lawsuit claims Kalamazoo Public Schools failed to protect LGBTQ+ student from bullying and assault The student's attorney said KPS "failed miserably" to protect a non-binary student at Loy Norrix High school who faced harassment and assault based on her identity.

“I was looking at a situation that was just offensive and it offended me from a civil rights point of view and a civil liberties point of view."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

West Michigan Congressional representatives respond to US war with Iran All criticized Iran's government, but Democrat Hillary Scholten also criticized President Trump for going to war without Congressional approval.

"In the coming days, the Administration must provide classified briefings detailing the basis for these actions and their objectives, scope, and risks."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
@scholten.house.gov

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Chief Judge recognized for her work on domestic violence Chief Judge Melissa Pope of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Court received the Judge Libby Hines Domestic Violence Award from the American Judges Association last week.

"We want the violence to stop. We don't want there to be a new victim, a new child that is traumatized by seeing their parent beaten."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Teddy's Law hoped to help rehome lab dogs and cats, but advocates say it's not effective Teddy’s Law of 2023 aimed to get more dogs and cats from Michigan laboratories adopted. But advocates and lawmakers believe the law is missing essential reporting requirements.

"What we would really like to see is just, you know, make sure that everything's being accounted for, that there's transparency to make sure that the intent of this law is really being seen through and followed.”
@humaneworldorg.bsky.social
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Community members ask: What if ICE comes to Kalamazoo? A panel of local officials and organizers addressed questions and concerns on Tuesday, as they sought to prepare for that possibility.

“If they're renting cars and they will, find out where, circle that place, jam up the reservations, park in their parking lot, fill it up. You must obstruct."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social
@kzoodems.bsky.social
#ICE #Minneapolis #Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Township trustees censure treasurer again after $4 million transfer Township officials claim Treasure Sherine Miller transferred millions in tax revenue from the township's checking account without approval from leadership.

According to the resolution, Treasurer Sherine Miller transferred $4 million from the township’s checking account to a township money market account on February 3rd, without notifying or consulting with leadership.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Holtec says recent Energy Department nuclear safety rule changes don't apply to Palisades According to the company, the changes to safety and environmental rules for a new type of nuclear reactor does not apply to the Palisades Nuclear Plant, which Holtec hopes to restart.

“What's happening at DOE is really just a subset of major changes that the Trump administration has ordered across the entire system."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Unionized KRESA instructors will see raises and back pay as negotiations continue KRESA has declared an official impasse in those negotiations.

“They found an issue that we wouldn't cross and they're using that issue to stall this union."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Kalamazoo organizations team up for last-minute warming shelter The idea came to organizers last week, as frigid temperatures loomed in Monday's forecast.

“We just wanted to start somewhere. See how the community came together, how it went off so that we can call again and go, ‘Hey, is this an option?’”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Portage's new single-hauler trash system will go before voters in May The Portage City Council approved a special election petition on Tuesday. The move comes after the city signed a $29 million contract with Waste Management to be its sole garbage collector.

"The quite large sum of money that we have settled for this contract. Are we still held accountable for that? Because if we are, that comes out of the taxpayers' money."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Cornel West will give the keynote speech at WMU's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Additionally, teach-in sessions will include discussion of women in the civil rights movement — including notable participants who have been overlooked — and restorative justice.

“That was one of the things that [King] was most known for, is being able to have moral courage to face mobs, to face scrutiny, to face discrimination, to face violence."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Why's That: What is that strange green object near Mount Ever-Rest? Kalamazoo resident Chris Seck has driven past it quite a few times, intrigued as to what it could be.

This week we're looking back at a story from July about a strange object near Mount Ever Rest on South Westnedge Ave.

“I've always seen it from the road from Burdick as I drive by, and it's about the size of a Volkswagen van."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Financial assistance program for new and expecting mothers expands to Berrien County Rx Kids is expanding despite recent cuts to program funding by Michigan House Republicans.

“It also gives me hope for tomorrow because these kids getting things that they need today, they'll be better students in school and also better leaders of our community in the future.”
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Kalamazoo commissioners will consider a controversial rezoning proposal January 26 The Kalamazoo City Commission also approved the 2026 budget and swore in a new city manager on Monday.

"Everyone will have their opportunity to come up."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Southwestern Michigan College trustees vote to appoint SMC's ninth president If the Cass County community college approves a contract, Klint Pleasant will replace interim President Brent Brewer, who has faced criticism since his appointment in May.

If the community college approves a contract, Klint Pleasant will replace interim President Brent Brewer, who has faced criticism since his appointment in May.
@reportforamerica.bsky.social

Kalamazoo Township nail salon launches GoFundMe after car crashes through shop The business is looking to raise $7,500 to help pay for repairs and other expected costs.

"Thankfully, no one was physically injured, but the emotional and financial damage has been overwhelming."
@reportforamerica.bsky.social