Good morning, Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo County spent $1.5M on GLP-1 weight loss drugs for employee benefits and is considering gym passes as a cost-saving alternative+ officials will revisit the 2027 healthcare plan to manage rising prescription costs.

On Thursday morning, a Charter Spectrum outage disrupted 911 calls in parts of Kalamazoo County, prompting dispatch officials to advise residents to call (269) 488-8911 if emergency lines did not connect.

Officials are considering a pilot Earn a Second Buck program for hunters that offers an extra tag for antlerless deer in counties including Kalamazoo.

The Natural Resources Commission will vote on the proposal at an Aug. 12 meeting (Lansing Community College’s west campus), as some commissioners caution about data bleed.

Michigan health officials report 7,664 cyclosporiasis cases statewide with 1,167 in West Michigan and 153 in Kalamazoo as the FDA retracted a positive test from Taylor Farms and the investigation continues (MDHHS data from Thursday).

Moonlight Festival with Matt Giraud

— Time Range — Old Dog Tavern — Cost Info — Experience a musical journey with Matt Giraud and Wavy Awakening at this lively festival.

Dead Letter Fest 2026

4-11:45 p.m. — Old Dog Tavern — Expected capacity 500 — Celebrate alternative music and DIY culture at a vibrant festival connecting artists and audiences.