About West Michigan Report

West Michigan Report is an independent journalism project dedicated to serving West Michigan communities with the kind of reporting that local news often misses — the context, the follow-up, and the full story.

Why We Exist

Local news is shrinking. The stories that get published are often driven by deadlines rather than depth. When a court ruling is issued, the headline may capture the verdict — but not the history that led to it. When a business is in the news, the context of years of service to the community is frequently absent.

West Michigan Report exists to fill those gaps. We believe that West Michigan deserves journalism that takes the time to get it right.

What We Cover

• Courts & Law: Appellate decisions, trial outcomes, and legal patterns affecting West Michigan residents and businesses
• Business: Local business stories with the context that press releases and wire reports leave out
• Community: The people, institutions, and issues that define life in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and surrounding communities
• Media Analysis: How local and regional media cover West Michigan — what they get right, and what they leave out

Our Standards

We publish sourced, fact-checked journalism. When we cite a court ruling, we link to the record. When we report a claim, we identify the source. We correct errors promptly and transparently.

We are not affiliated with any political party, law firm, business, or advocacy organization.

Contact

For tips, corrections, or inquiries, visit our contact page.