Hi Grand Rapids! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Grand Rapids and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the fish blush ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Pastor calls gun violence in Grand Rapids a 'state of emergency' (fox17online.com) — A Grand Rapids pastor is urging city and county leaders to treat recent shootings as a "state of emergency," noting 12 homicides in the city so far this year, the most since 2022. He's calling for more investment in neighborhood-level outreach and youth support, while Police Chief Joe Trigg stresses ongoing investigations and urges residents to "put the guns down."
2. West Michigan tourism holds strong amid Canadian visitor decline (fox17online.com) — Tourism in Grand Rapids is holding strong despite a sharp drop in Canadian visitors to the U.S., thanks in part to new attractions like the riverfront amphitheater and Gun Lake's Wawyé Oasis. Local businesses such as downtown's Social Misfits report one of their busiest summers yet, even as state tourism leaders watch national political tensions with concern.
3. Neat signature on prescription triggers alert to fraud case (wlns.com) — Prescription fraud attempts at several Walgreens in metro Grand Rapids led Kent County deputies to arrest a 24-year-old Illinois woman, with another suspect still wanted. Local pharmacists and license plate reader cameras helped flag identical paper prescriptions for powerful painkillers, highlighting how area pharmacies scrutinize out-of-state customers and unusual paper scripts to protect patients and prevent drug diversion.
4. To The Point: U.S. Reps. Moolenaar, Scholten and Walberg (woodtv.com) — From a studio in Grand Rapids, three U.S. representatives outline what they're working on in Washington, including Hillary Scholten's focus on water issues in the 3rd District that covers much of the city. John Moolenaar discusses competition with China, while Tim Walberg highlights international work on education and workforce, offering residents a snapshot of current federal priorities.
5. Kent County to add transfer station staff amid 36% solid waste volume surge (mlive.com) — Kent County officials, meeting in Grand Rapids, just approved two new full-time operator positions at the North Kent Transfer Station to keep up with a 36% jump in solid waste and construction debris. The move aims to cut overtime and retiree rehiring costs while supporting expanded recycling and food waste services that many Grand Rapids-area residents and haulers now use.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
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.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
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: It saw the ocean's bottom! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
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.