The Chronicle News

09/08/2026

The newest edition of The Chronicle News is now available.

In this issue, we explore the theme “Building What Comes Next: Community. Opportunity. Legacy.”

Inside:
Master tailor Eric W. Stiles Sr. launches $8 nationwide fashion classes.
Questions remain in the Dean Transportation review involving a Lansing student.
Fonda Brewer and Summer Breeze Productions turn celebration into community impact.
We revisit Sojourner Truth’s powerful Battle Creek legacy.
We examine the fight to preserve the Eastside Lansing Food Co-op.
Plus stories from Jackson, Grand Rapids, East Lansing and across Michigan.

Read the full issue here

The Chronicle News
Connecting Communities Since 1986

This edition of The Chronicle News explores what it means to build what comes next — through community, opportunity, service, history and legacy. Inside this issue, we feature master tailor Eric W. S

09/07/2026

Most people know the name Sojourner Truth. Far fewer know that one of America’s most important voices for freedom chose Battle Creek, Michigan, as home for nearly three decades.

And there’s much more to her story than the famous phrase generations have been taught to associate with her.

From abolition and women’s rights to voting, land ownership and control over her own image, Truth spent her life challenging America to live up to its promises.

Explore the remarkable Michigan chapter of her story:

https://www.thechroniclenews.com/post/sojourner-truth-s-michigan-years-the-battle-creek-legacy-of-a-woman-who-would-not-be-silenced

Known across the nation as an abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, Sojourner Truth spent the final decades of her life in Battle Creek, Michigan, where her legacy remains woven into the city’s history.Long before her name appeared on monuments, school buildings, books, and history lessons, ...

09/07/2026

What are we leaving behind for the people coming after us?

In this edition of The Chronicle News, Publisher Yanice Y. Carter reflects on a thread connecting stories across Michigan: people building, restoring, teaching, protecting, remembering and creating opportunities that may outlive them.

From entrepreneurs and educators to advocates, parents and neighbors, the future isn’t simply something that happens to us. It’s something we build.

Read Building What Comes Next:
https://www.thechroniclenews.com/post/notes-from-the-publisher-building-what-comes-next

09/06/2026

Come talk to BWL and over two dozen community partners ready to help you! Come to the BWL Community Resource Fair at Gier Community Center on October 21 from 3-6pm.

Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HEuaNTVDC/.

09/05/2026

🚌 QUESTIONS REMAIN AFTER PATTENGILL BUS INCIDENT

When a six-year-old child is allegedly placed on the wrong school bus, the question cannot simply be whether a mistake happened. The bigger question is: What safeguards were supposed to stop it?

A Lansing mother says her autistic son was placed on a bus he was not assigned to during the first week of school. Dean Transportation says it continues to review the student’s transportation with Lansing School District officials, but several questions submitted by The Chronicle News remain unanswered.

We examine the incident, previous transportation concerns involving autistic students and the systems designed to make sure children get where they are supposed to go.

Read the full story:
https://www.thechroniclenews.com/post/dean-transportation-review-continues-as-questions-remain-after-pattengill-bus-incident

09/05/2026

🧵 FROM FASHION HOUSES TO HOME SEWING MACHINES

What if professional fashion training cost less than lunch? ✂️🧵

Master bespoke tailor Eric W. Stiles Sr. is bringing more than four decades of fashion-industry experience directly into homes across the country through E.W.S. Fashion Academy. Beginning Sept. 12, aspiring designers, tailors, home sewers and entrepreneurs can access many professional online sessions for just $8.

From sewing and pattern making to garment construction and fitting, Stiles is making skilled fashion education more accessible, one stitch at a time.

Read the full story:
https://www.thechroniclenews.com/post/from-fashion-houses-to-home-sewing-machines-master-tailor-launches-8-nationwide-fashion-classes

09/05/2026

🖤✨ PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

For Fonda Brewer, a good party should leave behind more than pictures. It should leave behind impact.

Through Summer Breeze Productions, Brewer and her partners have turned elegant celebrations into opportunities for fellowship, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and community service. This fall, Fall to Black: A Black & Bling Affair brings that mission back to Greater Lansing with entertainment, voter awareness and support for women veterans.

But the story began years ago with friendship, loss and a celebration that grew into something much bigger.

Meet the woman and the mission behind the movement.

https://www.thechroniclenews.com/post/party-with-a-purpose-fonda-brewer-turns-celebration-into-community-impact

09/05/2026

🖤 More Than a Party. It’s a Party With Purpose.

On Episode 119 of The Sunday Chronicle, we sit down with Fonda Brewer of Summer Breeze Productions and talk about the story, relationships, entrepreneurship, and heart behind Fall to Black.

What began through friendship and celebration has grown into something bigger, a platform that brings people together while shining a light on the organizations, entrepreneurs, and people doing meaningful work throughout our community.

And because we believe in giving you a little flavor with your inspiration 😂🍗, Episode 119 also takes you inside the Michigan Chicken Wing Festival, happening this weekend in downtown Lansing.

🎙️ Listen to Episode 119:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sunday-chronicle/id1605634196?i=1000787710795

The Sunday Chronicle
Stories. Community. Culture. Conversation.

09/05/2026

🍗 LANSING, IT’S WING DAY! 🔥

The 12th Annual Michigan Chicken Wing Festival is happening TODAY and Sunday at Adado Riverfront Park, and on Episode 119 of The Sunday Chronicle, we’re talking about the festival, the community behind it, and what you can expect this Labor Day weekend.

But that’s not all. 👀

We’re also sitting down with Fonda Brewer of Summer Breeze Productions to talk about Fall to Black, the vision behind the event, her journey as an entrepreneur, and why creating events with purpose matters.

🎙️ Episode 119 is available now.

Listen here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sunday-chronicle/id1605634196?i=1000787710795

And if you’re in Lansing today, come out to the Michigan Chicken Wing Festival at Adado Riverfront Park from 2–9 PM!

Good food. Good people. Good conversation. That’s what community sounds like. 🎙️❤️

09/03/2026

📚✨ ONE BOOK. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE GRAND READ.

A community-wide reading initiative is bringing mid-Michigan together through the power of shared storytelling.

The 2026 One Grand Read selection is There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib. The previously listed title, Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper, was the 2025 selection.

The initiative brings together local libraries, bookstores and Michigan State University in a celebration of books, conversation and community. 🐦📖

👀 Read more from The Chronicle News:
https://www.thechroniclenews.com/post/one-grand-read-to-unite-community-through-shared-storytelling