Former vice-mayor and commissioner Lynn Ward Gray joins Community Matters amid her most recent drive to become Battle Creek mayor. Gray discusses her view on leadership with integrity, transparency, and what real access looks like day to day. From affordable housing...
Battle Creek City Commission at-large candidate Joe Harris joins Community Matters to talk about why he’s running and how an investigative mindset can change the way city decisions get made. He explains his views on listening, transparency, and accountability, plus...
Community Matters candidate interviews continue with at-large city commission candidate Autumn Smith. Smith, a frequent critic of the city administration and commission, talks about why she believes local government must enforce policy, follow the law, and, in her...
Battle Creek mayoral candidate Dr. Tino Smith talks about why he’s running and how he wants to reconnect residents who feel shut out of City Hall. Smith discusses talk transparency in government, neighborhood voice, public safety tech, housing pressure, and the...
Battle Creek Police Department Sergeant Corey Champlin talks about a recent spike in vehicle thefts and why certain cars are getting targeted right now. He walks through practical car theft prevention steps you can take today to reduce your risk. Episode...
Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke discusses his bid for re-election and explains why he sees housing, public safety, and tax relief as the city’s most urgent priorities. Episode ResourcesBattle Creek Mayor websiteCity of Battle Creek websiteBattle Creek City Clerk...
Miles for Memories founder Sherii Sherban talks about their annual Community Stroll and why Calhoun County keeps showing up to build Dementia awareness, reduce risk through movement, and fund programs that help families. She digs into the real community impact events...
Sarah Lundy from the Calhoun County Household Hazardous Waste Department discusses what you can and can not bring to the county's last household hazaradout waste collection pick up for 2026, on September 14. Lundy offers tips on how you can make the disposal of...
Jen Hsu-Bishop with the United Way of South Central Michigan breaks down what Michigan’s SNAP work requirements mean right now and what Medicaid work requirements could mean starting in January 2027. She offers some simple things you can do to prevent benefit loss,...
Allie Stoddard from Binder Park Zoo talks about Maaga Shamba, a complete reimagining of the former Forest Farm space that will soon feature a redesigned cheetah habitat plus new species. She explains how exhibit decisions get made, what fall looks like at the zoo, and...
