Good morning, Kalamazoo.

An Office Depot in Portage fired the manager on duty Friday night after refusing to print a Charlie Kirk poster for a vigil at Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo—lawmakers have since criticized the decision and the store apologized while reviewing its training practices.

Dozens of people gathered at Bronson Park downtown Friday night to honor activist Charlie Kirk with flags, flowers, music, and prayers.

Organizers said the peaceful vigil, monitored by police, promoted unity and a second gathering is planned at Western Michigan University on Sunday — a sign that the community comes together in hard times.

The Broadway musical 'Come From Away' will open at Farmers Alley Theatre on September 25—October 19 to share the true story of kindness shown after 9/11 with local and New York-based actors.

The production will honor the brave acts of compassion from that day.

269 Fest will begin Sept.

19 as a weeklong festival designed to celebrate culture, creativity and community in Kalamazoo. Former mayor Bobby Hopewell co-organized the event with local partners—residents can soon enjoy more events and a growing downtown event center in the coming years.

Dark comedy Bad Haircut, filmed in Kalamazoo in summer 2023, will debut at Fantastic Fest in Austin from September 18—25 and director Kyle Misak with producer Jon Petro expect the film to later reach theaters or streaming services.

Kalamazoo County opens the Arthur & Mildred Woollam Nature Preserve in Texas Township, built on the former Rota-Kiwan Boy Scout Camp site, with 212 acres of water, woods, and trails.

The grand opening is today from 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. and includes food, games, and outdoor activities funded by private donations.

Kalamazoo County officials are moving forward with The Landing Place, a family homeless shelter at a former hotel on East Kilgore, even after a $500,000 pledge from Portage was lost due to a change in location—officials say renovations will allow a gradual opening with full supports like job training and childcare planned for this winter.

West Main Street in Kalamazoo will reopen Monday after MDOT and Hoffman Bros.

Inc. completed a $7.8 million expansion that repaved the roadway, added a westbound lane, rebuilt intersections, and upgraded traffic signals — final sign placement and cleanup are still pending with minimal disruption expected.

Kalamazoo officials approved funding that pays for one-way bus trips for unhoused individuals to reach family or shelters as part of a supportive program—since December 2023, about $11K has been spent on trips reaching distant cities like Las Vegas and Florida.

An additional $15K was approved in August to continue the service.

Boaters in Saugatuck and Douglas will see dive boats and rescue teams on the Kalamazoo River today as multiple agencies carry out a training exercise from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.—the drill includes water rescues and underwater searches with marked safety zones, and boaters must follow on-water instructions.

Voting for the fourth Game of the Week is open with nominees Colon at Climax-Scotts, Pennfield at Harper Creek, and Portage Central at Battle Creek Central and votes must be cast by 12 p.m. on September 16th — News Channel 3 will broadcast live coverage on the home team's turf on September 19th.

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.

Book Fair Fundraiser

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Bookbug & This is a Bookstore — Mention Gryphon Place and support local programs while browsing books.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.