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Planning commissioners unanimously recommended the data center moratorium zoning amendment, along with the task force recommendation, to the City Commission. The task force idea came up during public comment when resident Katie Bloom, who said she also serves on the city’s Environmental Concerns Committee, expressed support for the moratorium and called for a task force representing a wide range of stakeholders. Commissioners agreed with Bloom and added the amendment to their recommendation. 

The first Monday in September marks Labor Day, an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. Labor unions have long fought for changes in wages, working hours, and workplace conditions in the United States, winning reforms that reshaped American workplaces.  But shorter working hours have not meant that workers and corporate leaders have shared equally in economic gains.

James “Jim” Berry, first-year superintendent at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District (ISD), shared his perspective on his goals for his new role and the state of education amid the AI boom. We spoke with Berry about his first few weeks in his new role, his visions for the future of ISD amid an ever-changing job market, and how he plans to give students the tools they need to succeed.

The ballot proposal would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities from making certain direct or indirect political contributions. It would also restrict government contractors with more than $250,000 annually in qualifying contracts, along with certain people and organizations affiliated with those companies, from contributing to candidates in jurisdictions that awarded the contracts. 

City staff recommended purchasing a Meeting Owl 5 Pro camera and supplemental equipment for up to $5,000, along with adopting a video retention policy. The proposed policy called for recordings to be deleted one day after the minutes for the corresponding meeting were approved — which occurs at the following meeting, typically 2-3 weeks later — unless a legal, FOIA, audit or investigation hold applied. The system and policy were voted down unanimously.

The event has long been a staple of the city and its downtown block, and 2026 will be no different, as festivities will take place on North Main Street from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, September 6. In addition to the live music, there will be food trucks and a kids zone from 1 to 4 p.m., while businesses in the Main Street Commons will also be open.