Good morning, Portage.

Monoform Cinema in Kalamazoo will host a screening of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land on May 4 at Dormouse Theatre — located at 1030 Portage St — with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. The film, which has shown only in select theaters and is not available on streaming services, tells the story of destruction in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

Michigan's 44th Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Michael F.

Rice, announced his retirement Friday (April 4) and will serve until October 3 as he shifts focus to family and consulting work. He led public schools for six school years (with 12 years at Kalamazoo Public Schools) and oversaw improvements in graduation rates and student support services.

Beacon Health Systems reached a definitive agreement to purchase four Ascension hospitals—including a 422-bed hospital in Kalamazoo and hospitals in Allegan, Dowagiac, and Plainwell along with 35 outpatient clinics and an ambulatory surgery center.

The sale awaits approval from state attorneys general and will be completed this summer so that no Ascension hospitals remain in Michigan.

Portage Free Tree Giveaway

10 AM – 1 PM — Ramona Park — Free trees for residents — Help restore Portage’s natural landscape post-tornado with a free tree giveaway event.