Good morning, Battle Creek.

Binder Park Zoo is celebrating its 50th anniversary season after opening on May 1 and has welcomed over 10 million visitors since 1975.

The zoo will host events such as the Cheetah Chase 5K on June 21, Wild Wednesdays in July, Tour de Zoo, and Corks & Kegs on Sept. 6 — marking the milestone with live music and enhanced conservation efforts.

Lowe's offers a free MyLowe's Rewards membership that gives shoppers tiered perks such as free shipping, exclusive discounts and member gifts, and today the first 150 members at local Lowe's will receive free items—sunglasses, koozies and more—as part of the ongoing Rewards Week sale running through May 14.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, attended minor seminary in West Michigan and graduated from St. Augustine Seminary in 1973 — he returned in 2013 for a reunion at Felt Estate, the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo confirmed.

Michigan's new weekly jobless claims jumped nearly 130% from 5,381 to 12,287 for the week ending May 3, based on a report by the U.S. Department of Labor & manufacturing, food services, and support sectors were hit the hardest.

West Michigan doctors are concerned as U.S. measles cases have surpassed 1,000 because the region’s immunization rate is only 84% when 95% is needed to prevent an outbreak—it reports nine cases in Michigan with an outbreak in Montcalm County.

They urge residents to get vaccinated now since measles can spread quickly and might rise when school resumes in the fall.

Alyssa Smith of Harper Creek was named Enquirer Athlete of the Week after her team beat Marshall 4-1 in Interstate 8 Conference play—she scored two goals and earned 64 percent of the vote by the 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline.

Battle Creek Farmers' Market

9 AM – 1 PM — Festival Market Square — Free entry — Discover fresh local produce and enjoy live music from talented musicians every Wednesday.

2025 Brass Band of Battle Creek Spring Concert

7:30 p.m. — WK Kellogg Auditorium — $25-$65 — Lydia returns for a delightful evening of brass band music that the community won't want to miss.

Isaiah 117 Red Door Dash 5K

1-4 p.m. — 7290 B Dr N, Battle Creek, MI — Entry fee applies — Lace up your shoes and help support children in foster care in the local community.

Virtual Senior Living Tour

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. — Beadle Lake Afc Home — Free entry — Explore exceptional senior living options with nutritious meals and engaging activities.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship

June 6-8 — Battle Creek Country Club — Admission details TBA — Experience thrilling golf action at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship featuring rising stars from the Epson Tour.

Clint Black Concert

8:00-9:30 p.m. — FireKeepers Casino Hotel — Tickets starting at $47 — Experience the country music icon Clint Black live in concert.