Grand Rapids
News Feed
Events
Local Businesses
Classifieds
Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Grand Rapids clergy are challenging police use of head strikes

Also check out Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

Wednesday August 26th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good day Grand Rapids! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Grand Rapids clergy are challenging police use of head strikes
  • What Grand Rapids riders should know as Lime scooters disappear this fall
  • How Tech Week Grand Rapids plans to draw 15,000 tech-minded visitors.

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 56.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 82 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Clergy group raises concerns about Grand Rapids police face punches in June arrest (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids clergy leaders are urging city commissioners to ban police head and face strikes after a June traffic-stop arrest where an officer punched a man who resisted leaving a vehicle. Their letter, signed by 32 pastors, argues officers have safer alternatives, while GRPD maintains the man had multiple chances to comply and links to its public use-of-force policies.
   

2. Lime leaving as GR chooses new e-scooter vendor (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids city commissioners have voted to replace Lime with Veo as the city's sole e-scooter and e-bike provider, with Lime operations ending in October. Officials say Veo will offer safer technology, more accessible options like seated scooters and wheelchair attachments, and lower prices, including discounted rides for residents on assistance programs through Veo Access.
   

3. Shark Tank stars kick off Tech Week Grand Rapids (rapidgrowthmedia.com) — Tech Week Grand Rapids returns September 14–19, bringing more than 15,000 people to Greater Grand Rapids for 150-plus tech events, including a kickoff with Shark Tank's Daymond John and Robert Herjavec. Local companies, schools, and nonprofits will open their doors for workshops, demos, and networking focused on AI, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and more, all aimed at building West Michigan's tech community and talent pipeline.
   

4. Triumph Expands Comeback Run With 16 Additional Shows Alongside April Wine (metalheadzone.com) — Classic rock fans in Grand Rapids can catch Triumph's Rock & Roll Machine RELOADED Tour when its second U.S. leg kicks off here on November 17 with special guests April Wine. The comeback run adds 16 fall dates nationwide as part of Triumph's 50th anniversary, following a successful first round of shows earlier this year.
   

5. New law means Michigan teachers will soon use new way to teach students how to read (wzzm13.com) — Michigan teachers will soon shift to a 'science of reading' approach under a new state law, with training underway now and full implementation planned for the 2027–28 school year. From a Grand Rapids-based report, a Greenville first-grade teacher shows how focusing on letter-sound relationships and tools like sound walls and mirrors can boost students' reading skills and comprehension.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Thursday August 27
  • PTO New Parent Coffee; playground
    Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    8:15 am
  • PTO General Mtg; playground
    Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    8:30 am
  • PTO Back-to-School Bash
    Breton Downs Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    4:00 pm
  • Tuesday September 1
  • Back to School Picnic
    Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    5:30 pm
  • High School Study Skills Workshop (presented by FHN PTO) in Media C
    Northern High School Forest Hills , 3801 Leonard St NE, Grand Rap
    6:00 pm
  • Saturday September 5
  • Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer →
    Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
    6:30 pm
  • Candlelight: Tribute to British Rock Legends →
    Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
    8:45 pm

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This is my neighbor's cat squishy.
    He's been missing for about a month now hoping to find him 10th and Jeanette (Nextdoor West Grand)
  • Can anyone recommend a RELIABLE handyman who will do small jobs or repairs such as hang pictures or patch cracks?
    I have things that have needed doing for quite awhile. (Nextdoor 32nd and Eastern)
  • Pridgeon & Clay, Inc. posted a job opening for Machine Operator in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Cintas Corporation posted a job opening for Warehouse Associate - Loader/Unloader - 2nd Shift - $20.00/Hour in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

More from Grand Rapids
News | Aug 13
News | Jul 28
News | Jul 27
See more on Patch >

Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Grand Rapids Patch

Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.

©2026 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved

Do Not Sell My Personal Information