Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Good morning, Kalamazoo. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo needs 200 volunteers for its annual 5K at Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Saturday, May 16. Volunteers must sign up online with a background check by April 20 at 5pm to receive a t-shirt plus help 730 girls run safely. WKZO
- ➤ Youth leaders and community advocates will host the 3rd Annual Emerging Leaders Summit to End Gun Violence on Friday, April 17 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Douglass Community Association to provide a safe space for Kalamazoo teens to share experiences and earn gift cards (first 50 registrants). WKZO
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Kalamazoo Farmers Market will be managed by Gamsho Group after People’s Food Co-op lost its contract amid internal turmoil; city commissioners will vote on the deal on April 20 and the co-op will run the winter market through April 25. MLive
- ➤ United Airlines postponed its planned service from AZO to Chicago due to capacity limits at O’Hare; the airline will begin four daily flights on June 1 and is assisting customers with refunds and alternate options. MLive
- ➤ The City of Kalamazoo Planning Commission is meeting at 7 p.m. today to review a proposal to redevelop 3810 E. Cork St. into a QuikTrip gas station and 5,312 sqft convenience store that would replace an abandoned building, add green space, and create 20 to 25 jobs. WWMT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Bike Friendly Kalamazoo and Clark Logic finalized an agreement to install the 'Joys of Bicycling' mural on the west-facing wall at 436 West Willard Street along a dedicated bike lane near the new Kalamazoo Event Center; a call for muralists will be issued in April. WKZO
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business received a $17 million gift from The Stan Lucas Trust — the largest donation to the college — to fund hands-on learning, startup programs, tech immersion, and career readiness for nearly 3,000 business students, officials said. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, Kalamazoo County veteran Michael Fry was honored by U.S. lawmaker Tim Walberg as Veteran of the Month—recognizing his 13 years in the Marine Corps and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. WWMT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Local high school baseball stars for 2026 have been spotlighted for standout pitching and hitting skills based on strong performances last season. The list includes players from schools such as Mattawan, Kalamazoo Central, and Plainwell who will energize spring competitions. MLive
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Celebration of Community Poets
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Crawlspace Comedy Theatre — Free entry — Celebrate local poetry and enjoy performances from talented community poets and musicians.
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Kalamazoo Comic-Con
12-7 p.m. — Kalamazoo County Expo Center — $22 Fri Adult ($55 for 3-day pass) — Explore the world of comics with celebrities, voice actors, and authors.
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Meet the Author: Dolen Perkins-Valdez
3-5 p.m. — Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Engage in a Q&A and book signing with the author of 'Take My Hand'.
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WMU College of Aviation Fly-In
12-5 p.m. — WMU College of Aviation — Free entry — Bring the family for fun activities, egg hunts, and a showcase of aircraft at this annual celebration.
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MI CUPA HR Annual Conference
7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Paid parking — Explore impactful HR strategies for higher education professionals.
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Good Night, Oscar
7:30-9:45 p.m. — Farmers Alley Theatre — Ticket prices range from $20-$52 — Experience the witty and poignant tale of Oscar Levant on a late-night talk show in the 1950s.
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Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon 2026
7 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Bronson Park — Registration required — Celebrate health and community at the annual marathon in Kalamazoo.
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2026 Kalamazoo Rock, Mineral, Gem, and Fossil Show
2-8 p.m. — Kalamazoo County Expo Center — $5 adults, kids under 12 free — Explore one of Michigan's largest showcase of minerals, gems, and jewelry from 50 vendors.
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Future Islands Concert
Time unknown — Bell's Beer Garden — Ticket prices vary — Experience the energetic sound of Future Islands alongside Open Mike Eagle in a lively setting.
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Emmy Kastner Book Release Event
5-6 p.m. — Bookbug & this is a bookstore — Free entry — Celebrate the release of a delightful picture book filled with ice cream and laughter.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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