Features

Feature Story West Michigan’s booming hospitality sector is featured on the 2025 HotJobs! list as a top career path with growth potential.

Hospitality Jobs heat up on 2025 HotJobs! List

West Michigan’s booming hospitality sector is featured on the 2025 HotJobs! list as a top career path with growth potential.  

Longform Summit Pointe Youth Services staff, from left, Matt Jones, Beth Decker, Sam Stover, Melissa DeDie, a

Community mental health and child welfare collaborate to care for Michigan’s vulnerable children

Michigan’s community mental health (CMH) agencies are the lead in providing mental health care for children in the child welfare system.

Feature Story For 10-year-old Connor Trelfa, the Spencer Township branch of the Kent District Library isn’t just a place to borrow books, it’s a second home.

Literacy Matters: 5 stories that celebrate the evolution of our libraries

Libraries are transforming into lively centers of belonging, with these five stories showcasing how Kent County’s libraries ignite curiosity, foster connections, and promote community-wide learning.

Feature Story Gail Eichorst is a volunteer driver with Disability Network West Michigan.

Volunteers find purpose, fulfillment at Disability Network West Michigan

Volunteers at Disability Network West Michigan find satisfaction through meaningful roles, supporting events, community programs, and accessibility initiatives.  

Feature Story Alan Hartline wears a Local Flavor t-shirt at Kingma's Market entrance.

From Detroit to Grand Rapids: How a community-focused grocer flourishes despite challenges

During these times of increasing grocery prices and the strong presence of big-box stores, Kingma’s Market nestled in Grand Rapids’ Cheshire neighborhood wonderfully showcases how local flavor, community spirit, and thoughtful leadership can truly transform what a neighborhood grocery store can be.  

Feature Story Rynita McGuire, crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2025, uses her platform to inspire mentorship, advocate for inclusion, and challenge disability stereotypes.

Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2025 advocates for the mentorship she wishes she had

Rynita McGuire, crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2025, uses her platform to inspire mentorship, advocate for inclusion, and challenge disability stereotypes.

Feature Story A workplace ESL course at HNI helps immigrant employees overcome language barriers, build confidence, and access greater opportunities on the job.

Workplace ESL program empowers Hope Network Industries employees

A workplace ESL course at HNI helps immigrant employees overcome language barriers, build confidence, and access greater opportunities on the job.

Feature Story GVSU’s proactive use of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is lowering student debt and expanding college access for thousands of Michigan families.

GVSU reduces student debt with state scholarship program

GVSU’s proactive use of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is lowering student debt and expanding college access for thousands of Michigan families.  

Longform Jessica Rickert

Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jessica Rickert inspires native dentists

Jessica Rickert, DDS, the first American Indian female dentist, advocates for oral health equity and inspires Native youth through mentorship and representation.

Feature Story A revamped library at Kent County Juvenile Detention Center, supported by a partnership with volunteers and KDL, improves behavior and literacy.

Library overhaul builds culture of reading at youth detention center

A revamped library at Kent County Juvenile Detention Center, supported by a partnership with volunteers and KDL, improves behavior and literacy.

Feature Story Influencers and friends Stefanie Schaffer and Erika Nala Franco toured Grand Rapids in their wheelchairs. Their video is out now.

Wheel the World designation spotlights GR’s accessibility

Grand Rapids' commitment to inclusivity takes center stage as Wheel the World highlights the city's accessible attractions, dining, and experiences.

Feature Story Volunteers walking to planting sites, ArborFest 2024, photo by Tiffany Fant (Mo'Photography LLC).

ArborFest unites neighbors to grow Grand Rapids' tree canopy

Grand Rapids’ ArborFest brings volunteers together to plant trees, restore urban canopies, and foster community connections.

Feature Story Surrounded by members of the 2025 class, GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella shares the success of the DCIH.

Healing the Pipeline: GVSU’s bold response to a regional nursing crisis delivers four years later

How a state-of-the-art health education center, powered by philanthropy and partnerships, is reshaping the future of care in West Michigan.

Feature Story andrewdoyleronyob

Now showing: Calvin University filmmakers among the highlights of environmental film festival

Folks from all over Michigan gathered in Manistee to promote environmental stewardship through an annual film festival and other events.  

Feature Story Cody Kirby, visiting economics professor at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business, and Daniel Montanera, assistant professor of economics there, Co-authored a paper calling Grand Rapids a "beacon of light" for health care jobs.

Study: Greater Grand Rapids a ‘beacon of light’ in health care hiring

A study by two economics professors finds that Greater Grand Rapids’ healthcare labor market and real wages in key occupations are a “beacon of light” amid Michigan’s slower job growth.

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Looking for news about the people and projects going on in Ottawa County, from Grand Haven to Holland, check out The Lakeshore.

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