Latest news with #Kalamazoo
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Kalamazoo Astronomical Society hosts free observing sessions
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — From April through October, visitors to the Kalamazoo Nature Center can join the local Kalamazoo Astronomical Society's public observing sessions and learn more about the night sky. 'We've been at the nature center for probably over 30 years now,' Richard Bell, president of the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, said. 'Since before I've been in the club.' Everything you need to know about the Perseid meteor shower Families and amateur astronomers join Bell and his fellow society members at KNC's 'Owl Observatory,' a 12-foot by 12-foot building with a retractable roof. 'The observatory itself has a 16-inch telescope that we just put in September of 2019,' Bell said. 'Riding on top is a 4-inch refracting telescope that we use for wider field views.' These telescopes are capable of seeing astronomical objects some million or more light-years away and folks are encouraged to bring along their own telescopes for tips and advice from volunteers. 'There's nothing better than one-on-one interaction out in the field,' Bell said. 'Where you can learn how to set it up, properly align it and actually find stuff in the sky.' On Saturday, the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society will be featuring 'The Summer Triangle,' a special cluster of some of the brightest stars in the sky during this time of year. 'The Summer Triangle is an 'asterism,' kind of like an unofficial group of stars,' Bell said. 'It's visible throughout the summer and well into the fall.' Themes for public observing sessions depend on the season and circumstances of the Earth's rotation. In the fall, astronomers can identify the Andromeda galaxy. In the spring, they can see the Virgo star cluster. Astronomers capture the birth of planets around a baby sun outside our solar system 'I try to step aside and do a constellation tour for everyone,' Bell said. 'Basically, a planetarium show but under the real sky so it's much, much better.' Public observing sessions at the Owl Observatory in Kalamazoo are free to the public. Two more will take place this summer on Aug. 16 and Aug. 30. For more information on stargazing in West Michigan, visit the . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrat Sean McCann, a state Senator, announces campaign for Michigan's 4th District
Michigan State Sen. Sean McCann, a Democrat from Kalamazoo, announced July 14 he would seek the party's nomination next year in the state's 4th Congressional District, a seat currently held by longtime Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland Township. McCann has been in the state Senate since 2018, and previously was elected as a state representative from 2011 to 2015. In a release announcing his campaign, he said special interest groups (without specifying which ones) and billionaires currently receive more attention in Washington, where Republicans control both chambers of Congress and the White House, than working class families. 'Families in southwest Michigan know what hard work looks like. But right now, that work isn't paying off like it should, thanks to politicians in Washington who have left us behind to give tax breaks to special interests and billionaires,' McCann said in a statement. 'Our families deserve a representative who works as hard as they do and who focuses on what matters to them, and that's why I'm running for Congress.' His campaign listed protecting Medicaid, reducing costs, not raising the national deficit, boosting small business growth and giving women autonomy over their health care decisions as McCann's other policy priorities. As a lawmaker, McCann chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment in Lansing. He was also the committee's chair in 2023 when it advanced legislation setting one of the most ambitious clean energy standards in the U.S. for Michigan, establishing a goal of using 100% clean energy sources for power generation by 2040. Thanks to Michigan's term limit laws, McCann cannot seek another four-year term in the state Senate. Before being elected to the Legislature, McCann was a Kalamazoo County commissioner and graduated from Western Michigan University, according to his campaign. McCann is not the first Democrat to enter the race for the district — Jessica Schwartz, a Kalamazoo attorney who ran for the seat in 2024 and lost to Huizenga in the general election that year by 12 percentage points, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat again. Diop Harris, a Battle Creek Democrat who previously worked in the U.S. Senate, according to his LinkedIn, has also filed to run for the seat. The 4th District, which covers southwest Michigan, includes all of Allegan and Van Buren counties along with portions of Berrien, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Ottawa counties. The cities of Holland, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo all fall in the 4th District. It's a part of Michigan that has been represented by Republicans in Congress for decades. Huizenga has held the seat since 2022. Before district boundaries were redrawn, much of southwest Michigan was represented by longtime former U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, who was first elected to Congress in 1987. Huizenga has been in Congress since 2011, when he first took office representing Michigan's old 2nd Congressional District, which covered much of west Michigan north of Holland. Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan political analysis website, currently views the 4th District as "likely Republican," meaning the GOP is expected to carry the district again in next year's election. But with Huizenga eying a potential run for U.S. Senate next year, it's not clear Republicans will have the incumbency advantage in the 4th, if Huizenga ends up seeking Michigan's open Senate seat. Democrats are targeting the seat as a potential pickup opportunity, and if Huizenga were to run for Senate the 4th District could be a competitive race. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Democrat Sean McCann announces congressional run in Michigan
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport secures $14 million dollar grant
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport said it received an airport improvement grant of more than $14 million dollars from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport says that the grant will support a handful of projects, such as relocation of the lighting system on the runway site, grading and runway construction. 'Receiving this grant allows for this runway extension, which will enhance runway safety and reduce delays, cancellations, and flights with weight restrictions,' Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport Director Craig Williams said in a statement. 'It's a vital step forward in ensuring our airport remains a reliable and resilient asset for our community and the region.' Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2026 and end in the fall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Kalamazoo Gears Up for Its First-Ever LEGO® Fan Expo This August
Celebrate creativity and imagination with one weekend of building, discovery, and fun for all ages KALAMAZOO, MI, UNITED STATES, July 8, 2025 / / -- Families and LEGO® lovers of all ages are invited to experience a weekend of imagination, learning, and hands-on fun when BrickUniverse LEGO® Fan Expo makes its Kalamazoo debut on August 23–24 at the Kalamazoo Expo Center. This exciting, family-focused event brings together world-renowned LEGO® artists, STEM-based activities, and interactive build zones to inspire creativity in children and adults alike. 'BrickUniverse isn't just a fan expo—it's a celebration of creative thinking, problem solving, and hands-on learning,' says event organizer Angela Beights. 'It's a place where kids and Adults can build together, be inspired by amazing LEGO creations, and learn through play.' What to Expect Jaw-dropping LEGO® displays from professional artists from across the country Educational building zones where kids and adults alike can explore design, architecture, and engineering Vendors selling rare and custom LEGO® sets, minifigures, and accessories Meet-and-greets with expert LEGO® builders, ready to share their process and inspire the next generation Learning Through Play BrickUniverse offers more than just entertainment—it's an opportunity to learn by doing. Children will engage in critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and cooperative problem-solving as they build side-by-side with their families and peers. Educators and parents alike praise the event's ability to spark STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) interest in a hands-on, screen-free environment. 🎟️ Event Details When: August 23–24, 2024 Where: Kalamazoo Expo Center, 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo, MI Tickets: Timed-entry sessions are available at ( ) Advance purchase is strongly recommended, as sessions are expected to sell out. About BrickUniverse: Founded in 2014, BrickUniverse is a nationally touring LEGO® fan event that brings together creativity, education, and community. With thousands of attendees each year, the expo is designed to foster imagination and connection—one brick at a time. Beth Swims BrickUniverse [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Yahoo
KDPS: Man was shot multiple times during fight between two groups, three arrested
A man is in the hospital after he was shot multiple times in Kalamazoo Sunday, police say. (June 22, 2025)
