AUSTIN JACKSON

Jun 01 2026EDUCATION

Flag Day Fun: Jackson College Celebrates with Games, History and Freebies

Jackson College is throwing a Flag Day party on June 15 from 10 a. m. to noon, and everyone’s invited. The event mixes education and fun, letting guests explore the stories behind Old Glory. Families can dig into craft stations, play flag-themed games, and check out military displays. The celebratio

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Austin’s Big Plan Falls Short on Business Growth

Austin’s next big development plan, set to be approved soon, promises big changes for the city. But so far, it’s mostly just words. The city talks about improving life here, yet the main focus seems to be on parks, trails, and housing—not business. Sure, some projects like new trails and a medical r

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May 20 2026OPINION

Turning graffiti targets into neighborhood art

Austin has a quiet battle playing out on street corners where plain green utility boxes once stood. These dull metal boxes were easy pickings for overnight taggers, but the city decided to flip the script. Instead of fighting vandalism with more locks or fines, they turned nine boxes into canvases f

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May 18 2026CRIME

Teenage gunmen caught after Austin shooting spree

Austin police announced that two teenagers were taken into custody following a series of gunfire incidents over the weekend. The first suspect, 15 years old, was apprehended after taking a firearm from a local shop. The second, 17, had an existing warrant for stealing a gun from the same establishme

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May 10 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Drive‑In Nights: A Glimpse of Jackson’s Golden Screen Era

Jackson, Michigan, once buzzed with the hum of car radios and the glow of a giant screen as people gathered for evening movies at two beloved drive‑in theaters. The first, opened in 1948, drew families and teens alike with its low ticket price of fifty cents and a promise that kids could stay overni

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May 08 2026LIFESTYLE

A different side of city life

Austin once felt like the perfect home—close to family, with easy friendships and a pug waiting nearby. The city offered free nature spots, cheap drinks, and live music almost every night. Rent was just $850 for a studio in 2016, making it affordable compared to bigger cities. But New York changed

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Apr 10 2026POLITICS

Austin’s Police Unions Push Back Against Accountability

Austin’s police unions have found a new way to shift blame away from officers accused of misconduct. When an officer injured a protester in 2020, the unions filed a legal motion arguing that poor training—not the officer—should take the fall. But here’s the catch: they’ve known about training issues

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Apr 05 2026BUSINESS

Young Man Turns Hard Work Into a Job

Jackson Boutilier, once a 16‑year‑old without a home, now runs his own odd‑jobs service. After a rough year that forced him and his family into a shelter, he started doing tasks like stacking firewood, gardening, cleaning garages, and even scrubbing ovens. The work began as a way to earn extra money

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Mar 27 2026BUSINESS

Future plans for the old stadium land

Jackson County is already thinking about what will happen to the big sports area after the Chiefs leave. The team’s lease ends in 2031, and they plan to move across state lines to a new $3 billion stadium in Kansas. The Royals are also moving out of Kauffman Stadium, so the county must decide how to

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Feb 28 2026SPORTS

A Family on the Fairway: Austin and Jessica Smotherman

Austin Smotherman is a golfer who has spent a decade chasing his dream on smaller tours. He earned a spot on the PGA Tour, lost it, and then fought his way back through the Korn Ferry Tour. In 2025 he won two tournaments in three weeks and returned to the main circuit for 2026. Throughout this rolle

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