Stories

Longform Dr. Kellen Stilwell conducts telepsychiatry sessions with rural Michigan children and adolescents.

Psychiatric residents and fellows fill gaps in rural Michigan mental health care

Psychiatry fellows and psychiatry residents are helping to fill the gaps in care experienced by rural Michiganders.

Longform Dr. Tolulope Sonuyi, director of Detroit Life Is Valuable Everyday (DLIVE), and Juanita Houston, DLIVE's lead healthy minds coach.

Michigan programs aim to stop violence against youth before it happens

Medical researchers in Michigan are designing innovative programs to intervene in cycles of violence.

Feature Story Carlos Seise performs.Courtesy of Carlos Seise

Carlos Seise: An international operatic tenor in West Michigan

Carlos Seise, 61, a professional operatic tenor, has been quietly residing in West Michigan for the past 24 years. He has traveled the world sharing his gift with audiences for 40 years and recently has been helping young singers with their own musical gifts.

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As flooding happens more often, plans emerge to put Nature to work in handling the overflow

Across the Great Lakes basin scientists and planners are pivoting to re-examine alternative drainage systems and to address barriers — including obsolete data — that may stand in the way of innovative, sustainable green designs that could help alleviate flooding.

Feature Story Lucia Rios

Why commemorating Global Accessibility Awareness Day is important

This global event shines a light on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. The idea is that every user deserves a first-rate experience on the web.   

Feature Story Courtesy of Tyler Herbstreith

Rural library branches impact on communities by providing connections and resources

Within Kent District Library’s network of 20 branches, a variety of communities are served, with unique needs at each location, whether urban or rural. At rural branches, the library staff provide crucial resources like reliable, high-speed Internet, tech lessons, audiobooks and more to residents who might not otherwise have access to such.

Feature Story Courtesy of Tyler Herbstreith.

Rethinking design with a focus on restoration and regeneration

The 2023 Wege Prize provided an opportunity for students worldwide to create solutions to challenging social and environmental issues. Looking ahead, additional opportunities are available to continue the momentum and develop a more sustainable future.

Feature Story Courtesy of Colin Holohan

Humane Society of West Michigan finds a 50-pound tortoise a forever home

Voices of Youth participant Ry Johnson spoke to to Aurora Lewis, lead foster organizer at the HSWM, about the animals that have been abandoned at the shelter, who shared a story about the 50-pound tortoise that was dropped off.  

Partner Content A Farmers Market Food Navigator assists shoppers at the Muskegon Farmers Market.

Michigan Fitness Foundation connects families to farmers and fresh, locally grown food

Michigan Fitness Foundation has been working with Michigan farmers and farmers market managers to reduce barriers to accessing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for families on tight budgets. 

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Degage enlists artist Derrick Hollowell to engage its patrons through art

Heartside area artist Derrick Hollowell was commissioned to create a large mural that accompanies a new donor wall at Degage Ministries. 

Longform Caregiver Incentive Project (CIP) founder Eric Paad and CIP spokesperson Dorothy Paad.

UP nonprofit offers education and support in effort to end caregiver shortage

The Marquette-based nonprofit Caregiver Incentive Project is working to create solutions to Michigan's alarming caregiver shortage.

Partner Content A family enjoys jump roping along the Lansing River Trail.

Rec-Connect™ makes fitness fun for everyone

Across the state, Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Rec-Connect™ demonstration series is being used in communities to inspire and empower people to engage regularly in physical activity.

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Sean Prusko combines technology and music to create House

Sean Prusko, Grand Rapids resident and fourth-year student at Ferris State University, has been putting his double major to use by producing electronic music for the past couple of years. His love of technology and music has allowed him to create music, collaborate with other producers and connect with record labels in the house music genre.

Feature Story Athletes attending their first year have a set schedule to try everything the SEC offers. For those who return in subsequent years, the young athletes get to customize their schedule.

Sports Education Camp can be life-changing for athletes who are blind, low-vision

Now in its 33rd year, the Michigan Blind Athletic Association’s Sports Education Camp, which will be held this month at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, teaches youth basic adaptive sports skills and activities.

Feature Story mentalhealth1

Prioritizing mental health in May and beyond

This month serves as an opportunity to further remove the stigma around mental health conditions, which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), affect 970 million people worldwide.

Feature Story The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) is the state association representing and advocating for Michigan’s public mental health system and those served by this system.

Community Mental Health Association of Michigan study shows integrated care is growing

A recent study by the Center of Healthcare Integration and Innovation shows that integrated care in Michigan’s public mental health system has not only grown in the last six years but that the initiatives are diverse and available in rural, suburban, and urban committees.

Longform Employees at Brody's Be Cafe in Ada, which employs people living with disabilities.

Here's how three Michigan nonprofits empower people living with disabilities

These nonprofits are taking innovative approaches to supporting and empowering people with disabilities so they can truly achieve the rights promised to them by the law.

New owners to continue Grand Rapids’ LaFontsee Galleries legacy

New owners plan to continue legacy of Grand Rapids’ LaFontsee Galleries.

Partner Content A meal at El Azteco West in Lansing. The restaurant partnered with NorthWest Initiative to feature only 100% organic juice with its kids' meals.

NorthWest Initiative collaborates with community to create a healthier Lansing

NorthWest Initiative offers food distribution, community gardens, nutrition education, cooking programs, school-based gardens, and a mobile farmers market.

Feature Story StopMotionAnimationWorkshop

Free Media Literacy Summit aims to increase community knowledge and experiences

The inaugural Media Literacy Summit, hosted by GRTV of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center and the Grand Rapids Public Library, is a free event providing hands-on experiences, panel discussions, and workshops led by renowned professionals in media literacy. There will be four immersive workshops educating attendees about the media creation process. The summit takes place on at the Wealthy Theatre 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 13.