Stories

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Inaugural Surge Summit brings Tech Week GR expansion to Holland

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 Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has again been recognized by the State Bar of Michigan for its pro bono contributions.

Lawyers recognized for pro bono work to help Michigan grow

Legal Aid of West Michigan and local attorneys are helping Michigan’s “clean slate” laws work for the betterment of the community.

Feature Story Kate Pew Wolters

Published Together: Ensuring kids are ready for kindergarten

Ready by Five helps improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age 5.  

Feature Story Kara Wood

Published Together: Amphitheater and soccer stadium offer opportunity

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 The Avenue Apartments completion was celebrated by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cookout on July 17.

Avenue Apartments’ renovation creates upgrades, more units

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 The Grand Rapids Public Museum will present the final installment in its GR Stories series, “The 14th Amendment – Living, Loving, and Learning,” at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Museum’s GR Stories series discusses history of local housing discrimination

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 Ariane Donnelly, Anne Davis, and Tanya Andrews at the Prescription for Health booth at the Pittsfield Township Farmers Market. Prescription for Health is Washtenaw County's produce prescription program.

Prescriptions for fresh produce grow in Michigan through collaboration and new funding

Efforts are underway to better coordinate efforts between produce prescription programs and to create more standardized funding mechanisms for them.

Feature Story King's Kid Christian Daycare staff members Adrian Robinson, left, Lolita Granger, center and Tamara Jones laugh Wednesday, July 17, 2024, as they play with toys in one of the classrooms in the Detroit child care center.

MiLEAP fund provides essential equipment, upgrades for child care facilities

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.   

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West Michigan events celebrate 34th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

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 The development of the Emory Arts and Culture Hub will further the work of The Diatribe in the Grand Rapids art community.

Local arts organization breaks ground on new community arts building

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's Maryann Lesert's new novel is “Land Marks.”

GRCC professor talks about new novel, “Land Marks”

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 R. Emma Johnson, CEO of Asher Legacy Group.

Watercolors 7: The Grand Renaissance honors iconic group Switch

Watercolors, an annual celebration of Black culture, is marking its seventh year with its inaugural ceremony honoring the R&B group Switch.

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Muskegon adventure park showcases accessible recreation

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.

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DNSWM launches #DWord Campaign during Disability Pride Month

Disability Network Southwest Michigan (DNSWM) has launched the #DWord campaign, aiming to reshape cultural perceptions of the word "disability."

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How Hunt 2 Heal provides free, accessible opportunity to spend time outdoors

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 Amy Nichols, campus coordinator for the Region IV Area Agency on Aging, at the Campus for Creative Aging's booth in the South Haven Art Fair. She shows an example of the Window to Our World art project for care partners.

Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement

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 Pat ApPaul's latest work is "Soverign," a photo zine and ArtPrize entry documenting drag in Muskegon.

Photographer explores Muskegon’s drag community for zine, ArtPrize project

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 Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen welcomes students at Lee High School to Voices of Youth.

Voices of Youth: Listening to the issues facing Grand Rapids teens in 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 participant Teresa Blackwood

Voices of Youth: Are schools doing enough to address bullying?

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 Children enjoy a fresh and nutritious meal with local produce, inspired by culinary professionals.

How 10 Cents a Meal brings healthy food to more Michigan kids

The Michigan program supplements the food service programs’ budgets for fresh produce, encouraging a greater menu variety and healthier eating habits for kids statewide.