News You Need To Know

Investigation finds school admin created ‘toxic environment’

Tyler Langs “has negatively impacted students, created a toxic environment, and cast aspersion on” Climax-Scotts Community Schools. That’s according to a letter posted on the district’s website Monday. Langs is the head football coach, athletic director, and dean of students, and has been on paid leave during an investigation into complaints about his behavior. [WWMT]

Battery facilities on the agenda in Oshtemo Thursday

There’s a moratorium on building battery energy storage systems in Oshtemo for the time being, but the township’s planning commission will get to hear from experts on the subject during its Thursday meeting. The possibility of building such facilities has drawn backlash in several Kalamazoo communities over the past few months. [WMUK]

Sit and Stay Winery not sitting still

Deb and Bob Gilman, the owners of Sit and Stay Winery, want to expand their brand and their footprint. They are taking over the neighboring space at 262 E. Michigan Ave. and are planning to move into beer brewing. They have applied for a Michigan microbrewer license, and are waiting for approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. [MLive (may have paywall)]

‘A mighty wave and a great river’: Cornel West speaks at MLK Day event

Philosopher and activist Cornel West – who knew Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – spoke at Western Michigan University’s MLK Day celebration Monday, urging attendees to carry on the ideals of the late civil rights leader. “He’s a mighty wave and a great river. He was a cracked vessel just like each and every one of us, but he chose to muster the courage to think critically for himself,” he said. [WMUK]

– Newsletter critically thought out by James Sanford & Ben Jones