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Will a $40M youth sports complex be built in Portage, Kalamazoo, or Texas Twp?

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Another big step forward has been taken in the effort to bring a $40 million youth sports complex to Kalamazoo County. Local leaders say the process of selecting a location is nearing its final stage.

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners has officially appointed a 13-member committee tasked with evaluating potential sites for the complex, which could open as early as 2027, according to Discover Kalamazoo.

“This is just a huge win for the community,” County Commissioner Dale DeLeeuw said at Tuesday night’s commissioner meeting, adding that the complex is a project that everyone seems to be in favor of thus far.

Commissioner Abigail Wheeler, one of two commissioners appointed to the committee, echoed the excitement.

“There’s no opposition because there’s not a bad side to this,” Wheeler said. “It’s a win-win-win for us as commissioners. We are providing another opportunity for the youth in our community.”

The new sports complex will need a large plot of land near highways with access to hotels and restaurants, as well as be able to host major tournaments and serve local youth during the week, according to Discover Kalamazoo.

“We’re seeking expertise in areas such as hoteliers, sports experience, tourism, project development, and finance,” Jane Ghosh, executive director of Discover Kalamazoo, said.

Discover Kalamazoo nominated eight of the committee’s 13 members, including business and hospitality leaders like:

  • Jill Bland, Southwest Michigan First
  • Annemarie Boarman, Next Level Sports Center
  • Jane Ghosh, Discover Kalamazoo
  • Brian Persky, Discover Kalamazoo
  • Rich MacDonald, The Hinman Company
  • Dev Patel, representing multiple area hotels
  • Corey Person, youth mentor with United Pursuit
  • Fred Rahme, hotel representative

The county nominated the remaining five members:

  • Kalamazoo County Commissioner Abigail Wheeler
  • Kalamazoo County Commissioner Monteze Morales
  • Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess
  • Portage City Manager Pat McGinnis
  • Texas Township Superintendent Brooke Hovenkamp

Representatives from all three municipalities reportedly under consideration for the complex are included in the committee, with Portage, Kalamazoo, and Texas Township all in the running.

Currently, only one potential site has been made public — a location near the Air Zoo in Portage.

Corey Person, a local youth basketball mentor for United Pursuit, is on the team helping choose the location and told News Channel 3 that regardless of where it ends up, the project is an opportunity to transform lives for kids in the region.

“You can only take on as many kids as you have space for,” Person said. “We have a lot of kids in Kalamazoo who are looking for these types of opportunities, and we just haven’t had the facilities or structures to do so.”

The proposed complex would include indoor and outdoor facilities capable of hosting large-scale tournaments and training events, particularly for basketball and volleyball.

The $40 million project is being funded through a 4% hotel assessment approved by 82% of voting hotels in Kalamazoo County in April. That cost can be passed on to guests, with the idea being that more sports tourism will bring more hotel bookings.

“This is an effort to fill a gap in the community — for kids locally and for tourism,” Brian Persky, sports event development director at Discover Kalamazoo, said. “Those tournament dollars are going elsewhere right now. We want to keep and generate those in Kalamazoo.”

Persky said the complex could even lead to more hotels being built to meet increased demand, if current hotels reach capacity.

Once a location is finalized, a permanent governing authority will be formed to manage the construction and operations of the facility, according to Discover Kalamazoo.

The idea being that the complex will be used during the week for local youth and on weekends to host tournaments that will draw in traveling teams, and tourism dollars, to the region.

Persky told News Channel 3 he hopes to see the concept he and the Discover Kalamazoo team have been pouring into come to reality as soon as possible. He said, along with his team of 13, there have been countless community members who have poured advice and support into the project to make it successful and to reach all the benchmark goals to this point.

The ultimate goal is to open doors to the complex no later than 2028. “My kids are eight and ten. I tell everyone, ‘I want my kids to play in this facility,’” Persky said.

Discover Kalamazoo anticipates a decision for where to officially break ground will be proposed within the next few weeks, and then county commissioners will send out an official notice to the public regarding the project.

Stay with News Channel 3 for new developments as this project continues to take shape.



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Trump health agency proposes rules to limit gender-affirming care for youth

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THE INDIANA CONTEXT: Attorney General Todd Rokita was one of two state attorneys general attending the announcement in the nation’s capital. “We must protect our kids and put an end to these irreversible and harmful experimental procedures that often lead to lifelong regret,” he said. “We are blessed to have an administration in the White House fully committed to the same kind of commonsense values that prevail among everyday Hoosiers in Indiana.”

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) – President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Thursday in a campaign to block minors’ access to gender-affirming care nationwide.

Under two proposed new rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hospitals would be barred from providing gender transition treatment for children as a condition of participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs, and Medicaid funding would be prohibited from being used to fund such care for minors.

As most hospitals receive Medicare and Medicaid funding, the rules would essentially have the effect of a nationwide ban if they are finalized.

The announcement came a day after the U.S. House passed a bill that would impose federal criminal penalties for gender-affirming care for minors and hours before it advanced a separate measure that would prohibit Medicaid funding for gender transition treatment for minors.

The proposed regulations, which will next undergo a period of public comments, are certain to draw legal challenges.

The efforts build on Trump’s executive order in January that restricted access to gender-affirming care for kids.

More than half of states already have laws or policies aimed at limiting youth access to gender-affirming care, according to the nonpartisan health research organization KFF.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced the proposals alongside several other health officials at a press conference at HHS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The room featured a handful of GOP members of Congress. At least two Republican state attorneys general — Ken Paxton of Texas and Todd Rokita of Indiana — were also in attendance.

At the press conference, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said the FDA is also sending “warning letters” to 12 breast binder manufacturers and sellers for “illegal marketing of breast binders for children for the purposes of treating gender dysphoria.”

Breast binders are used to flatten tissue in the chest.

Kennedy said his agency’s Office for Civil Rights is moving to “reverse the Biden administration’s attempt to include gender dysphoria within the definition of disability.”

House passes anti-transgender bills

The proposed rules are part of the Trump administration’s broader anti-trans agenda.

Trump has signed executive orders that make it the “policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” aimed to bar openly transgender service members from the U.S. military, and sought to prohibit trans athletes from competing on women’s sports teams consistent with their gender identity.

Meanwhile, efforts at the congressional level to restrict youth access to gender-affirming care face a dismal path in the Senate, where any legislation would likely need the backing of at least 60 senators to advance past the filibuster.

The House passed a measure Wednesday night, 216-211, that would subject medical professionals to up to 10 years in prison for providing gender-affirming care for minors.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who sponsored the legislation, called its passage a “win for children all over America,” in a social media post Wednesday.

It’s likely the last legislative achievement for the Georgia Republican, who is resigning from Congress in early January.

Four Republicans voted against the measure: Reps. Gabe Evans of Colorado, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mike Kennedy of Utah and Mike Lawler of New York.

Three Democrats voted with the GOP to back the bill: Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas and Don Davis of North Carolina.

The House also passed a measure Thursday, 215-201, from Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw and Greene that aims to prohibit “Medicaid funding for gender transition procedures for minors.”

Cuellar, Gonzalez and Davis also backed the GOP-led bill, along with fellow Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state.

‘Cruel and unconstitutional attacks’

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, blasted the administration’s proposals, saying they “would put Donald Trump and RFK Jr. in those doctor’s offices, ripping health care decisions from the hands of families and putting it in the grips of the anti-LGBTQ+ fringe.”

Robinson also emphasized that the rules are “proposals, not binding law,” and called on community members, health care providers, administrators and allies to “be vocal in pushing back by sharing the ways these proposals would be devastating to their families and the healthcare community at large.”

The American Civil Liberties Union also condemned the administration’s proposals and vowed to challenge the efforts in court.

Chase Strangio, co-director of the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project, dubbed the proposals “cruel and unconstitutional attacks on the rights of transgender youth and their families.”

Strangio said the proposals would “force doctors to choose between their ethical obligations to their patients and the threat of losing federal funding” and “uproot families who have already fled state-level bans, leaving them with nowhere to turn for the care they need to survive and thrive.”

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Accordion is part of Tom Izzo’s fabric, from home to hoops to holidays

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Dec. 19, 2025, 12:52 p.m. ET

East Lansing — There Tom Izzo sat Wednesday night, with a white accordion in his hands, his players wearing Christmas hats and singing carols. It’s a tradition at his last radio show before the holiday, complete with a freshman song, a meet-and-greet with fans and, of course, a few stray chords from Mr. March turned Mr. Music. Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, Up on the Housetop, even Silent Night.



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Daniel J. McGaffick | News, Sports, Jobs

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Daniel J. McGaffick

With sadness in our hearts but with the sure hope of life eternal, we announce the passing of Daniel J. McGaffick of Lakewood, NY (formerly of Industry, PA) on Dec. 15, 2025.

Daniel (Dan) was born in July of 1978 to Keith and Marian Shakley McGaffick of Industry, where he was raised with an older sister and younger brother, enjoying neighborhood and church friends and family. He graduated from Western Beaver High School, where he was active in sports and music, and continued his education at Houghton College, earning a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Camp Administration. Dan then settled in Western New York.

Dan was encouraging and caring – he enjoyed people and always shared a positive outlook. His Christian faith set the tone for the way he lived his life. He consistently joined Sunday services on-line at both his church in NY, where his son also helps lead worship, and at his hometown church in Ohioville, PA. Dan also drew inspiration from the worship services of former youth group friends and college classmates who are now pastors and worship leaders.

Since youth, Dan loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, biking, rock climbing, camping, rafting, and skiing among other things. He ran the Pittsburgh Marathon; hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail; rappelled from the cliffs at Annapolis Rocks; skied New York’s best powder; and climbed up Colorado’s Buffalo Mountain at sunrise, just to be greeted by a grizzly old mountain goat at the top. A favorite childhood memory was an epic snowball fight on Andrew’s Glacier in the Rocky Mountains in the middle of July. Dan was affectionately known by his nickname Spidez, based on his penchant for scaling difficult climbing routes. He enjoyed exploring the nearby Allegheny National Forest trails and often was accompanied by his son Reese, with whom he shared many treasured times. Daniel also cherished outdoor adventures with his brother Steve and conversations with his sister Carrie and other family members over holidays and special events.

Dan and Reese also shared a love of movies, art, and cars, and Dan was creatively talented with drawing and sketching. (When Reese was still young, Dan taught him how to recognize and draw the front end (emblems) of cars, fostering a gift that grew into innovative and complex designs as Reese grew older). Dan enjoyed watching Reese’s sports competitions, academic endeavors, and musical talents and could not have been more proud a father.

Dan had a bent toward the theatrical, as well, and when in college, had fun with his friends putting together elaborate skits for talent show nights that became well-known across campus. He enjoyed his college friendships immensely and was blessed by their close connections over the years.

Dan’s early work experience included church youth pastoring, selling cars, serving as activities director at a nursing home, and working as camp staff. For the last 20 years, he worked at Chautauqua Machine Specialties as a machinist and quality manager. There, he was trained in the trade by owners Denny and Cindy, who took Dan under their wing and treated him as a son. We as a family are so grateful for the love and support the Furlows have shown Daniel over the years.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Marian Shakely McGaffick of Industry, PA, in 2019; maternal grandparents, Bruce and Martha Shakely of Brighton Township, PA; and paternal grandparents, Willard and Nita Jane McGaffick of Industry, PA. Dan is survived by his son, Reese, and Reese’s mother, Casey McGaffick of Ashville, NY, as well as father, Keith McGaffick of Industry, PA; sister, Carrie McGaffick of Ashburn, VA; brother, Stephen McGaffick, of Edwards, CO; and many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

One could not be more blessed than we were to have Daniel as a son, father, and brother. He was deeply beloved. In Dan’s memory, we encourage friends to visit a National, State, or local park or plan a great outdoor adventure.

The funeral will be held at 6 pm Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Panama Methodist Church, where friends will be received from 3-6 pm Tuesday. The funeral will be livestreamed at panamamethodist.org.

A second funeral service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Four Mile Church, Beaver, PA where friends will be received from noon to 2 pm Saturday. This service will be livestreamed at Fourmile.org.

Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Industry, PA.

In recognition of Dan’s love for Christian youth ministry, memorial contributions can be made in Dan’s memory to: Bemus Point Global Methodist Church (youth group); Panama Global Methodist Church; Four Mile Church; or The Center (Midland, PA).

You may leave words of condolence at lindfuneralhome.com.



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‘Lights, Camera, Action, a Hollywood Christmas’ draws thousands to Chino | Community News

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Lively bands, the Grinch, Star Wars characters, and many youth organizations marched in downtown Chino last Saturday morning for the annual Chino Youth Christmas Parade.

This year’s theme was “Lights, Camera, Action, a Hollywood Christmas.” 

Spectators lined Riverside Drive and Central Avenue for the nearly two-hour parade, which concluded with carnival rides and a holiday fair at the Chino Civic Center.

Courtney Garcia, a longtime Chino American Little League volunteer and this year’s Chino Youth Sports Legends Volunteer Award recipient, served as grand marshal. 



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US Treasuries Post First Weekly Advance Since Late November

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Photographer: Adam Gray/Bloomberg
Photographer: Adam Gray/Bloomberg

US Treasuries wrapped up the first weekly gain since the end of November after unexpectedly cool inflation numbers and a jump in the jobless rate cemented expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates at least twice next year.

While yields edged up on Friday, the 10-year Treasury rate declined four basis points in the week, while the policy-sensitive two-year yield fell by a similar amount as markets priced in a more dovish 2026 path.

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Although markets had already been optimistic about further rate moves after last week’s Fed cut, the rally deepened after data showed the US unemployment rate hit a four-year high and core inflation came in at the slowest annual pace since early 2021.

“The direction of the surprises made sense,” Kelsey Berro, a fixed-income portfolio manager at JPMorgan Asset Management, told Bloomberg Television Friday. “Along the Treasury curve, we’ve been hanging out in the belly of the curve, the five- to 10-year point.”

Money markets now imply two full quarter-point cuts next year, with a 40% chance of a third. The move to price in more easing widened the gap between two-year yields and their 10-year peers to 67 basis points earlier this week, the most since January 2022 on a closing basis.

Still, comments Friday from Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams, who said he sees no urgency to further adjust interest rates, weighed on Treasuries early in New York trading.

With the next major data releases not scheduled until January, investors are now taking a cautious approach heading into the new year. The ICE BofA MOVE Index, a gauge of expected bond-market volatility, is the lowest since 2021.

“The lack of clarity on the data will keep investors on their toes, but we see downside risks to rates as labor market worries persist,” US interest-rate strategists at TD Securities led by Gennadiy Goldberg wrote Friday. “Investors are likely to remain uncertain heading into year-end.”

–With assistance from Carter Johnson.

(Updates with latest prices, TD Securities commentary.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

©2025 Bloomberg L.P.



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Ruben Amorim speaks of youth ‘entitlement’ after Manchester United teens post photo responses to criticism

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The greybeards — yes, including Roy Keane — will be nodding after Ruben Amorim explained what he called a problem of entitlement amongst players following a social scene caused by academy players Harry Amass and Chido Obi.

MORE — Villa vs Man Utd preview

Amorim made comments last week about the struggles of Amass and Obi of late and the players responded on social media by posting images showing good times away from United’s first team. — Amass posted a Player of the Month award won while on loan to Sheffield Wednesday while Obi used a shot of him scoring for United’s U21s.

MORE — Premier League festive fixtures list, storylines

Amorim was asked about the images on Friday and defended his initial comments, saying that players often don’t realize how special the club is until they aren’t involved in it and doubling down on the ‘E’ word.

“I think it is the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club,” he said. “Sometimes strong words is not bad words, sometimes difficult moments is not the bad things for the kids.”

Ruben Amorim on ‘entitlement’ of youth players

To be fair, Amorim was more critical of the players’ responses than their feelings.

The Manchester United boss says the players are welcome to speak with him after hearing his words last week, and implies the problem is with Internet bravery over personal conviction and confidence.

“I think it’s something in our club, and we talk about the players sometimes forget about what it means to play for Manchester United. We as a club sometimes forget who we are and that’s that’s the feeling that I have. I understand everything is the environment, is the moment of the players, the kids they feel entitled.

These are all fair thoughts. Sure they will stick in the craws of Amass and Obi as well as some teammates but they will also send a message to all of the expectations of better attitudes.

Given that Amorim spent most of last season lamenting mentality problems around United and then used the summer to flip his squad, it feels like an okay fight for him.

Amass, 18, has made seven first team appearances for United at his tender age and has gone 90 minutes for struggling Wednesday in all but two Championship matches since arriving on loan in early September.

Obi, who turned 18 last month, has five goals and two assists in 15 matches across all competitions for United’s reserves. The Danish forward made seven appearances for Amorim in the second half of last season but has yet to be selected for a Premier League 18 this season.





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