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West Michigan Teachers Surprise Winners With Trip to Atlanta After Hearing Only Five Will Go
150 West Michigan teachers attended a surprise announcement during Huntington Bank's Ignite the Classroom event, where they were told all of them would attend the Ron Clark Academy training in Atlanta after initially believing only five would be selected.
Kentwood Public Schools to Seek $125 Million Bond for New Middle School, Ice Arena Restoration and STEM Center
Kentwood Public Schools seeks $125 million bond for new Valleywood Middle School, ice arena restoration and STEM center, with construction beginning in 2028 if approved by voters on May 5.
Kentwood Public Schools to Seek $125 Million Bond for New Middle School, Ice Arena Restoration and STEM Center
Kentwood Public Schools seeks $125.33 million bond for new Valleywood Middle School, Kentwood Ice Arena restoration, and STEM center expansion. Property tax increase of 0.5 mill would add approximately $6.68 per month for average home owners.
Kent County Voters Face Five Ballot Questions on May 5 Special Election, Including $125M School Bond and Fire Department Vote
Kent County voters will decide on five ballot questions on May 5, including a $125.33 million Kentwood Public Schools bond, a Nelson Township disincorporation vote, and millage renewals for Northview and Wyoming school districts.
Grand Rapids Teachers Union Pushes to Remove Lawyers from Bargaining Table After 18-Month Contract Delay
Grand Rapids Education Association petitions school district to remove lawyers from bargaining table and replace them with district employee and board member after 18-month contract delay
Kentwood Public Schools Seeks $125 Million Bond for Major School Facility Projects
Kentwood Public Schools seeks voter approval for $125 million bond to fund new Valleywood Middle School, restore Kentwood Ice Arena, and add second performing arts center as district grows by 800 students over past decade.
Popular Ada Trail Flooded for Weeks as River Levels Rise Across Kent County
Rising water levels at Roselle Park in Ada Township have closed a popular walking trail for several weeks, forcing residents to find alternative exercise locations as heavy rainfall continues across Kent County.
Grand Rapids Hosts Key PitchMI Regional Competition as Michigan Startup Hub Emerges
Grand Rapids hosts PitchMI Healthcare regional competition as Michigan's $2.3M startup tour highlights city as innovation hub with upcoming Defense and Aerospace semifinal in September
Grand Rapids Man Charged in Multi-State Counterfeit Cash Scheme Spanning 14 Other States
A Grand Rapids man faces five felony charges after being identified as the suspect in a counterfeit cash operation that authorities say spanned 14 other states.
Grand Rapids Public Schools Senior Earns Acceptance Into Five Ivy League Universities, Including Harvard
Grand Rapids Public Schools senior Krishna Mano becomes first student in school history to receive acceptances from five Ivy League universities including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, UPenn, and Columbia.
Grand Rapids Man Charged in Multi-State Counterfeit Cash Scheme After 5-Month Investigation
56-year-old Grand Rapids man arrested after 5-month investigation reveals he was involved in manufacturing counterfeit currency worth $30,000 across 15 states
Transplant House of West Michigan Saves Families Thousands in Medical Bills During Organ Wait
Transplant House of West Michigan provides free housing and financial relief to families awaiting organ transplants, saving thousands in medical travel and hotel costs.
Father Figure Arrested After Truck Accident Kills 3-Year-Old Girl in Cedar Springs
A 33-year-old father figure is charged with reckless driving causing death after a 3-year-old girl was killed in a Cedar Springs truck incident where she was told to "race" a pickup truck driven by her fiancé's partner.
Michigan Cities Reconsider César Chavez Street, School Names After Abuse Allegations Surface Nationally
Michigan cities including Grand Rapids, Lansing, Pontiac, and Flint are reconsidering street and school names named after César Chávez after a New York Times investigation surfaced allegations that the late labor leader sexually abused girls
Fiery Crash on US-131 Nears Downtown Grand Rapids: Gasoline Tanker Explodes After Two Semi-Trucks Collide
Two semi-trucks collided on US-131 near downtown Grand Rapids, igniting a gasoline tanker carrying 8,000 gallons and closing the highway for nearly 12 hours. Both drivers escaped with minor injuries.
Michigan Emergency Operations Center Activated Over Rising Water Levels at Cheboygan Lock and Dam
Gov. Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center as the Cheboygan River rises to within 18 inches of the dam crest, prompting sandbagging efforts and flood preparedness measures.
Kent County Dissolved Its Only Independent Oversight of the Friend of the Court in October 2024
Kent County's Board of Commissioners dissolved the county's Citizen Advisory Committee in October 2024, leaving Macomb County as the only county in Michigan with independent oversight of its Friend of the Court. 74 of 75 FOC offices now answer to no one.
Grand Rapids City Leaders Review 12 Officer-Involved Shootings Over Past Five Years
Grand Rapids city leaders review 12 officer-involved shootings over the past five years, finding the prosecutor justified officers' actions in 10 cases.
Semifreddo Rebrands as Waldorf Creamery, Opens New Food Trailer Location at Picnic on Wealthy in Grand Rapids
Semifreddo rebrands as Waldorf Creamery and opens new food trailer location at Picnic on Wealthy in downtown Grand Rapids, launching May 1, 2026.
Michigan Schools Face Teacher Shortage Crisis as Educators Paid 21% Less Than Peers
Michigan schools face a teacher shortage crisis as educators are paid 21% less than other professionals with similar education, driving experienced teachers away and leaving special education positions vacant.
Grand Rapids Public Schools Opens Michigan's First Native American Education Library With 4,000 Books in 16 Languages
Grand Rapids Public Schools has opened Michigan's first Native American Education Library with 4,000 books in 16 languages, serving 200 students from 29 different tribes in a decade-long project.
Michigan State Police Trooper Shoots Man During Mental Health Crisis Call in Muskegon Township
Michigan State Police trooper shoots 58-year-old man in stable condition during response to suicidal person report in Muskegon Township. Trooper on administrative leave pending investigation.
Unhoused Man in Battle Creek Arrested After Stolen Guns From Texas Recovered in Encampment
An unhoused man in Battle Creek was arrested on a probation violation after stolen firearms from Texas were recovered from his encampment near Dickman Road and I-94.
Grand Rapids Public Schools Weighs Proposals to Transform Two Vacant Elementary Sites Into Housing and Community Centers
Grand Rapids Public Schools received seven proposals to repurpose two vacant elementary school sites on the West Side, with plans ranging from affordable housing to community hubs with workforce training and health services. The district will present recommendations to the Board of Education on May 11.
New Family Homeless Shelter Opens in Kalamazoo April 30 After Months of Delays
A new 80-room homeless shelter for families with children opens in Kalamazoo on April 30 after months of delays and millions of dollars in funding. The facility will use a trauma-informed approach with private rooms for each family.
Grand Rapids Public Schools Weighs Seven Proposals to Repurpose Two Shuttered Elementary School Sites
Grand Rapids Public Schools evaluates seven proposals to repurpose two shuttered elementary schools into community centers or affordable housing after receiving nearly 300 suggestions from the community.
Michigan Opens 2026 Road Construction Season With Nearly $2 Billion Infrastructure Push
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially opened the 2026 road construction season with nearly $2 billion in infrastructure investment, launching thousands of new projects across the state.
Grand Rapids Launches First Spanish-Language Emergency Response Training to Address Language Barriers in Disaster Preparedness
Grand Rapids Emergency Management Director Benjamin Rance organized the first entirely Spanish-language emergency response training to help Spanish-speaking residents understand critical safety information during disasters.
Frederik Meijer Gardens Unveils 34-Act Summer Concert Lineup for 2026, Series Begins May 27
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park has announced its complete lineup for the 2026 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens series, featuring 34 acts across the summer season from May 27 through September 16.
62-Year-Old Man Killed After Being Struck by Car at US-31 and 24th Street Intersection in Holland During Early Morning Hours
A 62-year-old man died after being struck by a car while crossing US-31 at 24th Street in Holland early Thursday morning. Witnesses said the pedestrian was crossing against a red light while traffic had a green light. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor.
Pedestrian Killed After Crossing U.S.-31 at Holland Intersection During Early Morning Hours
A 62-year-old Holland man was killed early Thursday after being struck by a car while crossing U.S.-31 at 24th Street against a red light. Police are investigating whether alcohol played a role in the crash.
Grand River Surpasses Flood Stage in Kent County After Heavy Rain, Impacts 100 Homes in Comstock Park
Heavy rainfall pushed the Grand River above flood stage in Kent County, with 100 homes in Comstock Park reporting basement flooding and road closures along low-lying neighborhoods near the river.
Pedestrian Killed After Crossing US-31 at Holland Intersection During Early Morning Hours
A 62-year-old Holland man died after being struck by a Toyota Corolla at US-31 and 24th Street early Thursday morning. Investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor and the victim had been crossing against a red light while traffic had a green light.
Grand River Floods Force Road Closures and Basement Flooding in Comstock Park Area
Grand River flooding in West Michigan forces road closures and impacts approximately 100 homes in Comstock Park and Plainfield Township as the river surpasses flood stage following several days of rainfall.
Pedestrian Struck and Killed at Holland US-31 Intersection During Early Morning Hours
A 62-year-old Holland man died Thursday morning after being struck by a northbound vehicle at the US-31 and 24th Street intersection. Investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor.
Grand Rapids Pauses Wealthy Street Construction After 30 Businesses Push Back Over Parking Concerns
Grand Rapids city pauses Wealthy Street construction project after about 30 local businesses push back over concerns that removing street parking would hurt customers and businesses in the Eastown neighborhood.
Should a GVSU Student Be Handling Complaints Against Michigan Friend of the Court Offices?
Questions arise about whether a Grand Valley State University part-time student law clerk should be handling the complaint intake process for the Michigan FOC Bureau, which oversees 75 offices statewide.
Irish Pub Flanagan's Seized After Byline Bank Wins $536,000 Judgment Against Owners in Loan Default
A judge ordered the seizure of Flanagan's Irish Pub after its owners defaulted on a $750,000 business loan and failed to pay liquor license fines, leaving the establishment closed since June 2025.
Grand Rapids Man Charged in $30,000 Counterfeit Cash Operation Spanning 15 States
Grand Rapids man Matthew Wilson arrested in multi-state counterfeit cash ring spanning at least 15 states after five-month investigation began in October 2025.
Grand Rapids Landlord Killed in Fatal Dispute With Tenant Over Eviction
Grand Rapids landlord Vincenzo Palmeri, 53, was killed by his 33-year-old tenant Najee Franklin in a March 9 dispute over an eviction. Franklin was charged with open murder and assault with a dangerous weapon and denied bond.
Two Grand Rapids Men Ejected and Killed in Separate Fatal Crashes in Ottawa County
Two Grand Rapids men were ejected and killed in separate single-car crashes in Ottawa County on Wednesday morning. Preliminary reports indicate both drivers were unbuckled when their vehicles veered off the roadway.
Kent County Prosecutor Clears Officer in Da'Quain Johnson Shooting, Family Plans Appeal
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced no criminal charges against Officer Christopher Carlson in the fatal shooting of Da'Quain Johnson, determining the officer acted in self-defense. Johnson's family plans to appeal to the state Attorney General.
After 6 Years, Grand Rapids Retail Attraction Specialist Position Ends as Organizations Shift Strategy
After six years helping downtown businesses through pandemic challenges and construction disruptions, Richard App's retail attraction and retention specialist position ends as the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Grand Rapids Chamber shift their approach to supporting small businesses.
Juveniles Charged After Multiple Incidents in Battle Creek Include Vehicle Crash and Shooting Attempt
Three teenagers were taken into custody in Battle Creek after a juvenile boy crashed a vehicle into a home's front porch and another group allegedly tried to steal a vehicle and fired shots at a resident.
Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business Receives Record $17 Million Gift From California Donor
Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business receives a record $17 million gift from The Stan Lucas Trust to fund experience-driven learning initiatives, financial literacy programs, and Silicon Valley innovation programming
After 17 Years of Planning, Grand Rapids Restores Lost Rapids on Grand River Starting Summer 2026
After 17 years of planning, Grand Rapids will restore historic rapids on the Grand River starting summer 2026, removing four dams and adding 20,000 tons of natural rock to create whitewater features downtown.
Grandfather Accidentally Runs Over 2-Year-Grandchild in Battle Creek Driveway, Child Hospitalized in Stable Condition
Grandfather accidentally runs over 2-year-old grandchild in Battle Creek driveway while leaving, child hospitalized in stable condition after family member strikes child through rearview mirror.
Amtrak Cancels Grand Rapids to Chicago Trains After Heavy Rain Washes Out Tracks Near Coloma
Amtrak has canceled its Pere Marquette trains between Grand Rapids and Chicago after heavy rains washed out the track near Coloma. Bus transportation is being provided as an alternative while repairs are made to the railroad line.
Kentwood Issues Historic Proclamation Recognizing Rwanda Genocide Remembrance Day
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley issued a historic proclamation recognizing April 7, 2026 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, honoring more than one million lives lost and calling on the West Michigan community to remember and learn from history.
Kent County Drops Charges in 1981 Deanie Peters Cold Case After Appeals Court Ruling
Kent County prosecutors ended their pursuit of James Frisbie after an appeals court ruled in his favor, closing a prosecution chapter in the 1981 disappearance of 14-year-old Deanie Peters.