1+ week, 1+ day ago (601+ words) KALAMAZOO, MI -- A church in Kalamazoo has apologized after a viral TikTok prompted a slew of backlash. The TikTok video showed two church employees threatening to call the police on Mandy " the woman who posted the video " for sleeping in her car parked in the church's parking lot. In a Nov. 15 video, Mandy said Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive was the only outlet to reach out to her to get her perspective after the video went viral. "It's nice to be humanized," Mandy said. "Because out of all the TikTok influencers who have posted my video and are talking about the situation, and other news organizations and online articles, no one else has spoken to me." Here are four things we learned about the situation and the aftermath. Mandy, who declined to share her last name for privacy reasons, first posted the…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (509+ words) KALAMAZOO, MI " A viral TikTok video has prompted an onslaught of backlash against a Kalamazoo church. In the past 24 hours, Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo, has received "hundreds if not thousands" of phone calls and emails after the TikTok video of a confrontation between a homeless woman and two women at the church went viral. The video, posted by @BischYouNasty on Monday, Nov. 10, has received over 5 million views on TikTok in various re-posts and has been shared across other social media platforms. Hector Quemada, who works on the church's mission team, said the church is no longer answering phone calls. Its Facebook page is down, too. "I just want to park my car and sleep," said the woman filming the video. "All I do is park my car here and sleep. That's it. I don't know where else…...

6+ day, 16+ hour ago (277+ words) GRAND BLANC TWP, MI - Grand Blanc Township was among the first communities in the nation to receive an America250 food delivery, part of a nationwide initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to mark the United States" 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The initiative involves sending 250 semi-trucks filled with shelf-stable food to communities in all 50 states throughout 2026. Grand Blanc Township was selected as one of only five launch locations, a choice church leaders said reflected the community"s outpouring of compassion after the Sept. 28 tragedy at the local meetinghouse. "The people of Grand Blanc and the surrounding communities have shown what it means to come together and help others," Grand Blanc Michigan Stake President Marcelino Sanchez said in a statement. "This delivery is a small way to say thank you, help our neighbors in…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (345+ words) DETROIT, MI " As the number of Catholics in Southeast Michigan has dramatically decreased, the Archdiocese of Detroit is restructuring and will likely shutter some parish buildings, the Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger, Detroit archbishop, said in a letter this weekend. "Some parish communities may see changes in how or where they gather, while others may be called to see church buildings closed " structures that have been dear to their hearts for generations," he wrote. In recent decades, Catholics ministered by the archdiocese have dropped from about 1.5 million to about 900,000. Fewer are attending mass or participating in the sacraments and because of aging and retirements, the number of priests is declining, the archdiocese reports. Today, 67% of parishes have fewer than 600 weekly mass attendees, and the most parishes are expected to shrink in the coming five years, reports the archdiocese, which has a website…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (483+ words) KALAMAZOO, MI " After serving over 500 Thanksgiving meals each of the last two years, a Kalamazoo church is changing its approach this holiday season. Instead of preparing a meal at the church this year, Galilee Baptist Church will put together Thanksgiving baskets to distribute in the days leading up to the holiday. "We feel like if we give people a basket that has the Thanksgiving meal that they can cook themselves, they can eat for more than one day," said the Rev. Michael T. Scott. "They can eat on Thanksgiving and then have leftovers for two or three days." This way, people can also share that meal with friends and family in the comfort of their own homes, Scott said. With the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits and other economic factors, Scott has seen a dramatic increase in food insecurity across the community…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago (466+ words) Fox News announced a new faith-based podcast starring big time actors like Kristen Bell, but that was news to the Michigan-born star. The 52-episode "The Life of Jesus Podcast" will debut on Nov. 30 and "bring stories from the New Testament to life through immersive storytelling," Fox News said. In addition to introductions by FOX & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt, more than 100 notable actors are voicing characters of the Bible, including Bell as Mary Magdalene. But according to the Rolling Stone, Bell, of Huntington Woods, was blindsided by the announcement since she had recorded the audio for a separate project 15 years ago. Originally, Bell voiced Mary Magdalene for The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible, a New Testament audiobook released in 2010. A producer tied to the Bible audiobook has since partnered with Gulfstream Studios, which is licensing the podcast production, Fox News…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago (550+ words) How Not to Light a Candle Over a dozen aspects today tempt us to light both ends of a candle. But no one makes holders for that. How do you set it down without catching other things on fire? In a related story, a culture that equates busyness with goodness makes it feel psychologically disagreeable to relax. But the body needs it. And the body tends to win. It will find a way to get what it needs. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Phrases like "self-care," "manifest abundance" or "be mindful" lose potency from over-use, and you're right to be desensitized to anything that doesn't work for you. A disruption will wake your mind back up and let real insight in again. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're not expecting any person or experience to guarantee your happiness. This takes pressure off everything and…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (586+ words) Cosmic Match: Mars and Uranus In the early 20th century, boxing was popular, and the public fascination brought us terms such as, "Throw in the towel," "Have someone in your corner" and "punch-drunk," the latter describing boxers who'd taken too many hits to the head. Today's dazed energy of excitement and exhaustion comes courtesy of a Martian sign change, just before the warrior planet steps into the ring with Uranus. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Honesty is your calling card. What you speak, write and do resonates with truth and impacts people far outside of your circle. Words spoken from integrity ripple through conversations you'll never hear, inspiring others. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You help people. The giver deserves help, too. The frustration you feel isn't entitlement; it's your life-force demanding evolution. It's a healthy sign. The part of you that's yelling "enough" is…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (468+ words) Working Out with Mars The situation between Mars and Neptune recalls how growth happens at the limit. The point where you're challenged, stretched or even fatigued is something to aim for because the "muscle" (literal or metaphorical) rebuilds stronger after strain. As the bodybuilder lifts until the muscle fails, so will we exercise our skills to the very edge, thus pushing that edge ever-further. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your actions are an extension of where you're at in a given time. Your victories, your mistakes -- these are parts of your story, but don't confuse them for the totality of you. None of this completely defines you. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You spend your days being responsible, so of course there's a part of you that imagines what freedom would feel like if every choice could revolve around your own wishes. Say the…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (726+ words) CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kevin Jonas, 38; Tatum O'Neal, 62; Bryan Adams, 66; Art Garfunkel, 84. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take matters into your own hands, and adjust whatever is causing you grief. Finding solutions and taking steps will help you discover what's purposeful. A financial gain is within reach if you assess what you enjoy doing most, and adjust your resume or lifestyle to suit your needs. Change begins with examining yourself, not trying to fix others. 3 stars GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be adventuresome and try something new. The conversations you have and the experience and knowledge you gain will change your perspective and encourage you to enforce an upbeat routine that satisfies your needs. Replace indulgent behavior with worthwhile goals that result in satisfaction and confidence. Focus your energy where it matters and reap the benefits. 3 stars CANCER (June 21-July 22): Hit the reset…...