3/26/25: Climate change grants targeted
March 26, 2025
Today’s sponsor:
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The Trump administration is targeting climate change-related grants in Kalamazoo. Also: Comstock schools has rescinded its policy on trans students. And the city of Portage is doing something it’s never had to do before.
This story is a part of a reporting collaboration with WMUK exploring Kalamazoo County’s housing crisis.
In January, the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition was awarded an $18.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The funds were granted through the EPA’s Community Change grant with the KCCC aiming to make 300 single-family homes in Kalamazoo more energy efficient. But now the KCCC says it is unable to access the funds. This comes after the EPA announced it had canceled $1.6 billion dollars in grants earlier this month.
KCCC Executive Director Jenny Doezema said they have not received word on whether their grant was canceled but recent cuts at the EPA have left them concerned. “We are reading the national news alongside you,” she said. “We are watching the actions the administration is taking with other federal funding and it is unsettling to say the very least.”
Despite this, Doezema said the KCCC remains committed to continuing the project. “The facts remain clear. KCCC and collaborating partners’ project funds, supporting critical investment in your community, are under contract and legally obligated,” Doezema said. “We are steadfast in our dedication to this work and continue to move forward without disruption; building project infrastructure, including the hiring of staff.” – Michael Symonds, WMUK
The Portage City Council is doing something it’s never done before: look for a new city attorney. The city’s current attorney, Catherine Kaufman, is on a contract that is set to run out this summer. The city has worked with her firm since before it was even a city. Three law firms have submitted qualifying bids for the role. City council members will set a date for interviews during their next meeting in April. – John McNeill, NowKalamazoo
More News You Need To Know
Comstock schools rescinds trans student policy citing Trump threats
The Comstock Public Schools Board of Education has removed a policy on trans students. It covered things like privacy, bathroom use, and protection from harassment. Superintendent Jeff Thoenes said the action was needed to avoid the district becoming a target of the Trump administration. He said existing district and state rules provide protections for trans students and that officials are working with the families of trans students to address concerns. [WOOD]
Trump admin revokes WMU climate change grant
The Trump administration has canceled a grant that would have brought a Mexican professor to teach at Western Michigan University for a year. Javier Becerril García, a professor at the Autonomous University of Yucatán in Mexico, was set to come to Kalamazoo under a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program grant approved by the Biden administration last year. García would have worked with community groups here and co-taught a class on climate change. [WMUK]
The first falcon egg of the year
Kalamazoo’s own celebrity peregrine falcon couple have produced their first egg of the year. The Audubon Society of Kalamazoo announced on Monday that the female laid an egg a little after midnight. Rebecca and Kewpie, as the pair are known, nest every year in a custom-built nesting box on the 13th floor of the Fifth Third Building downtown. They typically lay three to four eggs, each about two days apart. You can watch the family live on the ASK’s Nest Cam. [ASK]
– Newsletter laid by Ben Jones
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Strength to Strength: Maximizing Our Organizational Energies A Table Talk Session – Legacy: Cultural Wellness
3/26, 9:00 AM
Baby/Toddler Storytime at Portage District Library – Portage District Library
3/26, 9:30 AM
Village Playdate and Diaper Giveaway – Rootead
3/26, 10:00 AM
Card Groups: Hand & Foot – Richland Area Community Center
3/26, 11:30 AM
Card Groups: Euchre – Richland Area Community Center
3/26, 12:00 PM
ArtBreak: The Art of Puppetry – Online
3/26, 12:00 PM
Exploring Wild Foraging with Gabrielle Cerberville – WMU, Sangren Hall
3/26, 12:00 PM
Ping Pong – Richland Area Community Center
3/26, 1:00 PM
Groundbreaking Ceremony: The Legacy Senior Living – The Legacy Senior Living
3/26, 3:00 PM
Reading with Carly – Kalamazoo Public Library, Eastwood
3/26, 4:30 PM
Belly Dance Classes – Portage Family Healing Center
3/26, 5:00 PM
Event Academy: Event Marketing & Sponsorship – Mayors’ Riverfront Park
3/26, 5:30 PM
Wednesday Night Ride – Kal-Haven Trailhead
3/26, 5:30 PM
Wednesday Game Night – Main Street Pub, West Main
3/26, 6:00 PM
Geek Night – Public Media Network
3/26, 6:00 PM
Reignite Recovery Open House – Community Healing Centers
3/26, 6:00 PM
Pride Book Club: The Price of Salt – Comstock Township Library
3/26, 6:00 PM
Understanding What Remains – Portage District Library
3/26, 6:30 PM
Trivia @ The Backyard of Kalamazoo – The Backyard of Kalamazoo
3/26, 6:30 PM
Open Mic Comedy at Sit and Stay Winery – Sit and Stay Winery
3/26, 6:30 PM
Team Trivia Night – First Presbyterian Church, Richland
3/26, 6:30 PM
Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones: Understanding What Remains with Jesse Lincoln – Portage District Library
3/26, 6:30 PM
Trivia in the Taproom – Apoptosis Brewing Co.
3/26, 7:00 PM
Music Bingo Night – Main Street Pub Vicksburg
3/26, 7:00 PM
Sporcle Trivia at Brewery Outré – Brewery Outré
3/26, 7:00 PM
Karaoke Bingo – Presidential Brewing Co.
3/26, 7:00 PM
K-Wings 269 Night – Wings Event Center
3/26, 7:00 PM
LFG Trivia Night – LFG Gaming Bar
3/26, 7:00 PM
Faculty and Guest Artist Recital: Multimedia Concert – Dalton Center Recital Hall
3/26, 7:30 PM
Open Mic Night @ Louie’s Trophy House – Louie’s Trophy House
3/26, 8:00 PM
The Scene Session: Nate Emerson Trio & Quantum Sextet – The Clover Room
3/26, 8:00 PM
Extreme Karaoke – Shakespeare’s Pub
3/26, 8:30 PM
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide – Comstock – Family Worship Center
3/27, 8:45 AM
Yoga-Hatha Vinyasa with Cathy Tucci – Richland Area Community Center
3/27, 9:00 AM
Gentle Yoga – Ayurvedic Wellness Center
3/27, 10:00 AM
Swingin’ with Susan – Richland Area Community Center
3/27, 10:30 AM
Lenten Organ Recital Series – First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo
3/27, 12:00 PM
Books and Bellies – Northside Association for Community Development
3/27, 2:00 PM
Resilient Voices: Women Refugees in Focus – WMU, Sangren Hall
3/27, 3:30 PM
Imagine Kalamazoo 2035: Plan It! Phase Meeting 4 – Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
3/27, 4:00 PM
March for Meals Pasta Cooking Classes – Milestone Senior Services
3/27, 5:00 PM
Website and Web Marketing Workshop – Kzoo Makers
3/27, 5:30 PM
Adult Book Club: The Reading List – Comstock Township Library
3/27, 5:30 PM
Disclosure Film Screening and Community Conversation – Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
3/27, 6:00 PM
League of Extraordinary Explorers – Kalamazoo Public Library, Central
3/27, 6:00 PM
Monthly Euchre Tournament – Crafted Copper
3/27, 6:00 PM
Wine & Euchre Night: Shuffle, Sip, and Play at 468 Wine – 468 Urban Winery
3/27, 6:00 PM
Triple Threat Trivia Live with FLOTUS – Presidential Brewing Co.
3/27, 6:30 PM
Wax Wings Trivia Night – Wax Wings Brewing Co.
3/27, 6:30 PM
Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Kalamazoo County – People’s Church
3/27, 6:30 PM
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