Michael Symonds

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."
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#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.
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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."
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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."
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@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."
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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.”
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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."
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#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.
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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."
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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."
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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?’”
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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."
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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."
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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."
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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.”
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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."
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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.
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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."
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Microsoft plans a data center in Allegan County If built, the center would only be about 20 miles from another proposed Microsoft data-processing facility. The company bought more than 200 acres of land near Dorr Township last year.

Some residents are strongly against the proposal, expressing concerns at meetings and on social media about how much water and electricity the center would use.
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As grant cuts hit two Kalamazoo-area projects, leaders say they will find a way forward Michigan House Republicans cancelled $645 million in state grants earlier this month. Several were for projects in and around Kalamazoo.

“Mr. Hall's description of how he views these district grants is inflammatory, I think, and state funding is really needed."
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Why's That: Who was the Eddie of Eddie's Lane? Kalamazoo is home to many streets named after figures in its history. One namesake is a small one-way street between Western Michigan University's east and west campuses.

“Every bit of writing about him that I found talks about him as always having a smile for everyone."
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Some retired Borgess nurses are set to lose a benefit that helps them pay for health insurance The benefit helps retired nurses pay for Medigap, which covers medical costs not covered by Medicare.

“Healthcare costs are going up, the cost of lab work, office visits, all of that is going up. And so I just feel like I'm digging a hole here.”
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State representative Steve Frisbie backs an effort to keep protections for Burmese nationals According to the Burma Center in Springfield, around 50 Temporary Protected Status-holders and asylum-seekers could be affected in the Battle Creek area.

“I hope Senator Peters and Slotkin can get on board, as well as some of the other Michigan delegation.”
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Kalamazoo gets high marks on accessibility from disability-focused travel agency Kalamazoo County has one of the highest number of verified accessible destinations for those with physical disabilities in the United States, according to Wheel the World.

"People with disabilities, like other people, they have money and often times they're limited in their ability to spend that money because of lack of accessibility."
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DOE announces $400 million to support new reactors at Palisades Nuclear Plant The news comes as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission prepares to hold a meeting on the condition of steam generators at Palisades.

"SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the President’s manufacturing boom, support data centers and AI growth."
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The city expects a crowd when it holds a hearing on rezoning land near Kalamazoo's Asylum Lake The Kalamazoo City Commission has postponed a decision on where and when to hold the hearing as it looks to accommodate a large number of people.

The city expects a large turnout for the upcoming public hearing on the proposed rezoning, leading commissioners to discuss how to best accommodate the potential crowd.
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Instructors' union to file sixth unfair labor practice against KRESA A union for instructors at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency said some of its members are receiving raises while others are not. KRESA disputes that those employees are in the union.

"It feels like a punishment to us for wanting to unionize.”
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Kalamazoo planning commissioners vote not to recommend rezoning land near Asylum Lake The decision came during a public meeting Thursday at which dozens of people voiced their opposition to the proposal.

The decision came after more than an hour of public comment at an hours-long evening meeting.
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Former WMU football player Marshawn Kneeland dies at 24 Kneeland, a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, was found dead Thursday after a police chase, according to law enforcement.

"Marshawn was a beloved member of our campus community and a proud alumnus"
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Paw Paw food pantry sees new faces after SNAP shutdown Volunteers at one food pantry said the increase in visitors has been "immense."

“Today’s probably the busiest day I’ve ever had since I’ve been here, and we don’t really know what to expect."
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