Michael Symonds
WMUK reporterReport for America national service program corps member Michael Symonds joined WMUK’s staff in 2023. He covers the “rural meets metro” beat, reporting stories that link seemingly disparate parts of Southwest Michigan. He started his journalistic career at Western Michigan University’s student newspaper, the Western Herald. He was also a news intern at WMUK and hosted the talk show “Stupid Questions” on WIDR-FM, where he interviewed guests from political experts to student leaders. Michael is a graduate of WMU with a B.A. in Journalism and Digital Media.
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After closing its doors seemingly for good last March, a formerly Kalamazoo-based plastic free, eco-friendly store is reopening in Indiana. -
In Kalamazoo, Academy Street and West Main Hill's Peake Road have been closed to traffic for several years, leading one resident to wonder why and if they will ever reopen. -
Dozens of people packed a meeting room to express concern regarding the potential removal of thousands of trees throughout the county. -
The deal will see wage increases and more vacation times, along with other benefits pushed for by union members. -
The book includes the story of a Battle Creek woman who escaped slavery in Kentucky, but had to leave her sister to do so. It took decades for them to reunite. -
After over a week of striking, the UAW and American Axle reached an agreement on Wednesday that, if ratified, will improve wages, vacation times and other benefits for members. -
After striking for over a week, the union reached a tentative agreement last night with automotive parts manufacturer American Axle. -
National Nurses United says cuts to Medicaid and Medicare passed last year may lead to services being cut at the hospital. -
A union representative said contract negotiations appeared to be going well this weekend, but they fell apart Monday. -
A plan to cut down thousands of trees along rural roads in Kalamazoo County has some residents organizing against it.
