Good morning, Portage.

Southwest Michigan First named Jennifer Owens as its new chief executive officer — she returns to the organization after serving as vice president and leading a 12-year tenure at Lakeshore Advantage, promising to drive local economic initiatives.

At Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta on Tuesday, June 30, more than 100 endangered Mitchell's Satyr butterflies were released in a new conservation effort; officials say a total of 300 will be released in the coming days to boost the species' survival.

Community Action Michigan will deliver boxes of signatures today to the Kalamazoo City Clerk (a step to put a health care initiative on the November ballot) amid plans for similar proposals in Portage and nearby cities to lower costs and expand access to care.

As temperatures rise and summer activities continue, Dr. Mark Miller (chief of emergency medicine at Beacon Health System in Kalamazoo) advises staying hydrated and taking breaks when signs of heat illness occur, such as painful cramps.

His warning comes as brutal heat and humidity are expected through Thursday.

MLive selected the 2026 Kalamazoo-area Girls Soccer Dream Team highlighting top players including Mattawan’s Cassidy Parmelee, the Player of the Year, after six teams captured district championships and many athletes earned all-state honors.

2026 PZSC Cars & Cocktails

4-7 p.m. — Portage Zhang Senior Center — Free entry — Enjoy a lively car show with awards, entertainment, and food at the annual Cars & Cocktails event.