Good morning, Portage.

United Way Days is underway with a five-day push to log 1,000 acts of care and runs through Friday, with in-person volunteer projects in Battle Creek, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing + more to meet rising local needs.

The Michigan Association of State Universities released its Fall 2026 preliminary report showing public university enrollment fell to 254,107 students, down from 259,330 last year.

West Michigan schools mirror the trend: Western Michigan is down to 16,696 (-3.66%), Grand Valley to 21,382, and Ferris to 9,386 (Fall 2026).

Portage Public Schools will relocate Moorsbridge Elementary students next year while crews renovate the building to add a kitchen, improve security, and install air conditioning.

The work is part of the Build the Future of Learning bond approved by voters in 2021 and 2025, and the school board will consider parent comments.

Gull Meadow Farms will hold a free Pumpkin Drop at 2 p.m. and candy cannon firings at 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov.

1 at 8544 Gull Road in Richland. The candy cannon needs daily admission or a season pass, and the farm will offer 30+ attractions, wagon rides + a 6-acre corn maze.

Portage Central finished the regular season 8-1 after beating St. Joseph 28-14 and is No. 14 in MLive’s Top 25, and the Mustangs will meet Hudsonville in Round 1 of the playoffs.

The Associated Press released final 2026 high school football rankings after the regular season, placing Portage Central No. 10 in Division 1 (8-1).

MLive identified 70 Kalamazoo-area high school players to watch as the 2026 playoffs kick off Friday, Oct.

30, with standouts from Portage Central, Portage Northern, Paw Paw, Vicksburg and other local teams set to shape the run to Ford Field.