Good morning, Portage.

Western Michigan University students are moving into campus housing this week as formal move-in ends Saturday with arrivals accepted until Sept.

2. University staff are assisting with check-ins, parking and campus support at the new Valley Oaks residence hall, which added about 1,000 beds as students begin their fall journey.

Michigan has secured $145 million federal funding to improve rail infrastructure for Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water services by upgrading tracks between Dearborn & Kalamazoo, reconstructing four bridges, and replacing a bridge in Jackson.

The projects will boost reliability and shorten travel times for local riders.

Local sportswriter Ehler’s Eye released his predictions for 24 Kalamazoo-area football games scheduled for this weekend, highlighting matchups like Jenison at Kalamazoo Central and Portage Central at Toledo Central Catholic.

He based his picks on discussions with local coaches and trends from past seasons.

MLive released its 2026 Michigan High School Football Player of the Year watch list; voters can cast unlimited votes until midnight Sunday.

The poll features players from across the state including local talent Kane Morris of Portage Northern and Camden Noe of Portage Central.

A newly formed Parchment co-op high school football team played last season’s state runner-up Schoolcraft in a close 28-21 game Thursday night — the team, created after Gull Lake’s varsity season ended, fought hard in the second half as fans united on the field.

The Western Michigan Broncos hosted a luncheon at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo on Thursday afternoon to prepare for the upcoming season.

The team will face the Michigan Wolverines away on Sept. 5 and play Monmouth at home on Sept. 12.