Good morning, Portage.

Veterans 1st will host the first annual Women Veterans Conference at Kalamazoo Radisson Hotel from June 8 to June 10.

The event will feature veteran speakers including Lorrena Black, Suhey Fisher and Michelle Martin plus keynote speaker Zaneta Adams, with leadership workshops and a Boots + Gowns Gala planned.

Fifth Third Bank and Comerica Bank will close 75 Michigan branches this summer, including locations in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.

Officials say the merger will provide customers with more bank sites than each bank offered before.

Consumers Energy filed a request on Tuesday, June 2 to raise residential rates by 9.8% as part of plans to invest in tree trimming + burying power lines to improve grid reliability.

The new rates will take effect by May 1, 2027 once the application is reviewed.

Workers at American Axle in Three Rivers struck on Monday and Tuesday, demanding higher pay, which may force automakers to slow truck production due to missing parts (their supply relies on just-in-time inventory).

The stop may ripple to affect local and regional vehicle availability.

Michigan-based Champion Foods recalled Motor City Pizza Co. 5-cheese bread sold at retailers including Walmart and Costco after a supplier recalled an ingredient for possible salmonella contamination (no illnesses have been reported).

Consumers can contact Champion Foods for further details.

Rx Kids is now available to more communities in Jackson, Kalamazoo + Muskegon counties, giving pregnant women $1,500 upfront and $500 monthly for up to one year in areas including Galesburg, Jackson, and Muskegon.

Portage Central hosted a girls soccer game on May 8 as the Michigan High School Athletic Association tournament advanced into regional semifinal and final rounds for all four divisions.

Local fans tracked the bracket matchups as the season progressed.