Daily
Kalamazoo
Friday, September 12th, 2025
Good morning, Kalamazoo. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 12th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Kalamazoo’s $515 million Event Center project partners will hold a groundbreaking on Sept. 26 with a formal ceremony at 2 p.m. and a downtown festival on the Mall from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring mascots, live music, games, giveaways and a display of the WMU hockey championship trophy — the center will later serve WMU hockey, WMU basketball and the Kalamazoo Wings, along with trade shows and concerts when it opens in fall. MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Southwest Michigan’s only AAA four-diamond restaurant is located in FireKeepers Casino Hotel near Battle Creek and serves upscale dishes including an $225 A5 Wagyu steak that its chef says will change how guests enjoy steak. The restaurant, opened in 2009 and moved to the hotel in 2021, is now competing for West Michigan Food & Beverage Awards — a step toward its goal of earning a James Beard nomination. MLive
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Kalamazoo city officials warned residents and businesses about scam invoices that falsely appear to come from the Planning Department—scammers use public details to mimic real invoices and ask for wire transfers which the city never accepts. The alert advises everyone to verify email addresses and call 311 if they receive a suspicious invoice. WWMT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Farmers Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo will open a five-week run of the musical Come from Away on Sept. 25, showing a story of hope and kindness in Gander after 9/11—strong ticket sales led to an extension through Oct. 26. MLive
- ➤ Artists in Kalamazoo are encouraged to apply for the Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative grants offered by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo—this competitive program provides up to $5,000 for art projects and $2,500 for career development opportunities with applications due by November 4th. WWMT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Western Michigan University approved a new contract on Sept. 11 that gives part-time instructors a 3% raise, raising their base salary to $1,303 per credit hour for the 2025-26 school year—both a unanimous decision and a move that also simplifies promotion for tenured staff. The contract will increase base pay over three years until the next union negotiations in 2029. MLive
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Forecasts show that summerlike temperatures have returned to Kalamazoo with highs near 80 degrees today and through Sept. 22 — the first such warm spell since Aug. 23, though dry weather may worsen drought conditions. WWMT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The City of Portage acquired the final parcel for the three-mile paved non-motorized Austin Lake Trail along the east shore of Austin Lake and will begin tree removal this winter in preparation for a projected completion in 2027 — city officials approved extra funds after resolving a dispute over the land's value. WKZO
- ➤ Local government and nonprofit partners have issued an RFP seeking experienced providers for day and night shelters to support the unhoused this winter, with expected changes reducing emergency beds by 160 beginning in October. County and city leaders plan to invest $396,750 & $300,000 respectively to ensure safe, warm shelter for vulnerable residents. WKZO
- ➤ WMU professor John Clark said Americans have grown numb to political violence and now treat people with different views as enemies. He pointed to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk's shooting death in Utah as an example of how harsh words can lead to harm+ urging everyone to dial back the dehumanizing talk. WKZO
- ➤ Former Senator Adam Hollier ended his run for Congress on September 11 and shifted his focus to run for Secretary of State, promising to strengthen voting rights and modernize election practices — he served two Senate terms and worked as Director of Michigan’s Veterans Affairs Agency under Gov. Whitmer. WWMT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The DEA Detroit Field Division is visiting college campuses across Michigan and Ohio to warn students about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl overdose—urging the use of available health and education resources as the new school year begins. WWMT
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Weird Al Yankovic: BIGGER & WEIRDER Tour
7:30-9 p.m. — Miller Auditorium — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary comedic rock of Weird Al with special guest Puddles Pity Party in a full-production multimedia show.
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Book Fair Fundraiser
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Bookbug & This is a Bookstore — Mention Gryphon Place and support local programs while browsing books.
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CanAm Peace Jam at Canadiana Fest 2025
4-10 p.m. — Discover Kalamazoo — Enjoy poutine and celebrate Canadian culture with music and a kitchen party.
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Dokidokon 2025
September 21-23 — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Tickets range from $10 to $180 — Join an exciting anime and gaming convention with diverse events and a pirate theme.
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QPR Crisis Response Training
2-4 p.m. — YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo — Free entry — Learn essential skills to help prevent suicide and assist those in crisis.
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Kalamazoo Oktoberfest 2025
4-10 p.m. — Harvey's on the Mall — Ticket required — Celebrate Oktoberfest with drinks, food, live music and an exciting bar crawl experience.
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Goh Kurosawa Performance
2:30-4:30 p.m. — Bronson Park — Free entry — Enjoy a captivating concert featuring original songs and global melodies from musician Goh Kurosawa.
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Swan Lake Performance
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Miller Auditorium — Varied pricing — Experience the timeless and majestic beauty of ballet in this breathtaking production of Swan Lake.
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Dokidokon 2025
Daytime — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Tickets from $10 to $180 — Dive into a world of anime and gaming at Kalamazoo's beloved convention.
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Dokidokon 2025
All day — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Tickets from $10 to $180 — Dive into a weekend of anime and gaming fun with panels, workshops, and cosplay gatherings.
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