PMN Connector

Two men sit at the table in the podcast studio, looking at each other. Both are wearing headphones and speaking into microphones. The man on the left has a laptop in front of him, and the man on the right has a book sitting near him titled "A Fighter's Chance".
Impact StoriesPMN Connector

“What this place has done for me” – Impact Story

After a lifetime in public service, Joseph Patrick Fair was ready for a new challenge. Joseph enjoys a good challenge. After working in public service all his life, he has done things many of us can never even imagine –…

Alt text: A two-panel illustration contrasting the challenge and solution of civic information access. The top panel shows social media content flooding through an algorithm filter while civic buildings and voter turnout fade into the background. The bottom panel depicts a central media archive — with icons for video, audio, and recording — connected by roots and circuits to pillars of civic infrastructure, books, and film, representing the preservation and distribution of the public record.
Notes from the Network

What Happens When No One’s Watching

There's a moment in a lot of local government decisions where the public finally takes notice, and it's often late in the process. A rezoning has been working its way through a planning commission for months. A contract was approved…

gavel to gavel over image with american flag in background
PMN Connector

Gavel to Gavel: A Look to Upcoming Local Government Meetings and Key Agenda Items – March 30 – April 2

Tuesday (03/31): Oshtemo Township Joint Board Meeting (5:30 PM, PMN3): Oshtemo Township will hold a Joint meeting of the Township Board, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Downtown Development Authority (DDA, South Drake Road Corridor Improvement Authority (SoDA), and Oshtemo…

A diagram illustrating how information flows through a community — from media sources including a microphone, megaphone, book, and group discussion — through a civic building, broadcast tower, mobile device, and ballot box — culminating in an active circle of engaged community members sharing and amplifying information.
Notes from the Network

What If We Built It Right?

Most conversations about the future of local news start in the same place: decline. Shrinking newsrooms, disappearing coverage, communities left without reliable information about the things that shape their daily lives. It's a real problem, and it deserves serious attention.…

gavel to gavel over image with american flag in background
Local GovernmentPMN Connector

Gavel to Gavel: Local Government Meetings and Key Agenda Items – March 23 – 26

As we enter another week, take a look at what's on the agenda for our local boards and commissions. Monday (03/23): Kalamazoo Township Board of Trustees (7:00 PM, PMN4): The Board will vote on the adoption of Ordinance No. 644,…

A man operates a camera which is pointed towards a lit up stage where two people holding instruments sit in chairs.
Impact StoriesPMN Connector

Helping nonprofits share their impact

Every day, nonprofits in Kalamazoo County are doing vital work that strengthens our community. But it's hard for many nonprofits to find the time or resources to share their work with the community consistently. The economic challenges are severe. According…

A blurred collage of neighborhood and civic scenes, including a zoning notice sign, a school board meeting sign, houses, and a construction site, with the cover of the Michigan Media Ecosystem Report centered in the foreground at an angle. The report cover shows people recording a podcast in a studio and includes the logo of The Pivot Fund.
Notes from the Network

What Michigan’s Media Landscape Tells Us About the Future We Need to Build

Something is broken in how communities get the information they need to function, and a new statewide report puts data behind what many of us already know from experience. The Michigan Media Ecosystem Report, published in November 2025 by The…

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