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Feature Story
Inaugural Surge Summit brings Tech Week GR expansion to Holland
Shandra Martinez
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
The half-day event will highlight product and technology startups in West Michigan’s Lakeshore region and aims to ignite conversations about pathways to innovation for businesses at all stages and sizes.
Feature Story
Lawyers recognized for pro bono work to help Michigan grow
Kelsey Sanders
Friday, August 2, 2024
Legal Aid of West Michigan and local attorneys are helping Michigan’s “clean slate” laws work for the betterment of the community.
Feature Story
Published Together: Ensuring kids are ready for kindergarten
Kate Pew Wolters
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Ready by Five helps improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age 5.
Feature Story
Published Together: Amphitheater and soccer stadium offer opportunity
Kara Wood
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Kara Wood encourages her fellow Kent County voters to choose yes on Aug. 6 for the Kent County Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal in our latest edition of Published Together.
Feature Story
Avenue Apartments’ renovation creates upgrades, more units
Kelsey Sanders
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Affordable housing is often a concern to younger people just moving into the workforce, but it also affects older adults. Now, Orion Construction, in conjunction with LINC UP, is addressing that need.
Feature Story
Museum’s GR Stories series discusses history of local housing discrimination
Shandra Martinez
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
In partnership with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, the panel discussion will explore the history of local housing discrimination and protections with Grand Rapids residents, historians, and housing advocates.
Longform
Prescriptions for fresh produce grow in Michigan through collaboration and new funding
Estelle Slootmaker
Monday, July 29, 2024
Efforts are underway to better coordinate efforts between produce prescription programs and to create more standardized funding mechanisms for them.
Feature Story
MiLEAP fund provides essential equipment, upgrades for child care facilities
Sarah Spohn
Monday, July 29, 2024
Quality child care is necessary, but not always available or affordable. The MiLEAP Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund has launched a $59 million fund to provide new and expanding home-based and center-based facilities across the state.
Feature Story
West Michigan events celebrate 34th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act
Shandra Martinez
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 will stop in Muskegon and Kalamazoo to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Feature Story
Local arts organization breaks ground on new community arts building
Ashley King
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
The Diatribe has begun construction on the Emory Arts and Culture Hub, which will serve as a space for the community to come together and create.
Feature Story
GRCC professor talks about new novel, “Land Marks”
Shandra Martinez
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
GRCC's Maryann Lesert talks about her new novel, “Land Marks,” which centers on college students trying to save Michigan forests from being devastated by a fracking company.
Feature Story
Watercolors 7: The Grand Renaissance honors iconic group Switch
Shanika P. Carter
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Watercolors, an annual celebration of Black culture, is marking its seventh year with its inaugural ceremony honoring the R&B group Switch.
Feature Story
Muskegon adventure park showcases accessible recreation
Shandra Martinez
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Muskegon Luge and Adventure Sports Park, located in Muskegon State Park, offers accessible recreation activities such as zip lining, archery, luge, rock climbing, and more.
Feature Story
DNSWM launches #DWord Campaign during Disability Pride Month
Shandra Martinez
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Disability Network Southwest Michigan (DNSWM) has launched the #DWord campaign, aiming to reshape cultural perceptions of the word "disability."
Feature Story
How Hunt 2 Heal provides free, accessible opportunity to spend time outdoors
Shandra Martinez
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Carson Nyenhuis started Hunt 2 Heal to provide an accessible outdoor experience for others after being outdoors helped him recover from a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Longform
Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement
Estelle Slootmaker
Monday, July 15, 2024
Since 2017, the Campus for Creative Aging has been offering a variety of innovative opportunities for older adults in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties – and helping younger residents understand and respect their older neighbors.
Feature Story
Photographer explores Muskegon’s drag community for zine, ArtPrize project
Shandra Martinez
Monday, July 15, 2024
Photographer Pat ApPaul’s latest project explores Muskegon’s drag community. He has a Kickstarter to fund a zine with this work and has received a grant to exhibit it in ArtPrize.
Feature Story
Voices of Youth: Listening to the issues facing Grand Rapids teens in 2024
Lindsay Patton
Friday, July 12, 2024
Through Voices of Youth, Kent County teens explore modern issues, from bullying to the pandemic, that affect them through Rapid Growth's journalism workshops.
Feature Story
Voices of Youth: Are schools doing enough to address bullying?
Teresa Blackwood
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
A 2019 survey taken of high school students in Michigan showed that over 20% of get bullied. “Matt's Law,” which became law in 2011 and has been updated since then, requires schools to have a bullying policy in place and to report bullying incidents.
Feature Story
How 10 Cents a Meal brings healthy food to more Michigan kids
Kelsey Sanders
Monday, July 1, 2024
The Michigan program supplements the food service programs’ budgets for fresh produce, encouraging a greater menu variety and healthier eating habits for kids statewide.
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Across Our Network
"Hallowed ground": Performers reflect on 60 years of community and creativity at the Ark
Source: Concentrate
Ferncliff Trolley Tours offer a unique look at Springfield history
Source: Hub Springfield
Mixed-use developments in Ferndale and Southfield vary in size and scope but both win state support
Source: Metromode
Clearwater highlights local impact of CDBG, HOME programs for National Community Development Week
Source: 83Degrees