🌱 Tropical Butterfly Exhibit Returns + City's Energy Ranking

Hey, Grand Rapids! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know today in town.

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First, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds. High: 35 Low: 32.

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Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. The largest tropical butterfly exhibition in the country is returning to Grand Rapid's Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The exhibit named "Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming" will allow fans to see more than seven thousand butterflies and moths across roughly 60 different species. Officials with the exhibit said they aim to highlight the power of flowers at the exhibit this year. (GR|MAG)
2. A Kent County man won a $150,000 Powerball prize. The prize is through the Michigan Lottery and Joseph Bessert was able to match four white balls to clench it. The winning ticket was purchased online with the winning money being allocated by Bessert to pay off his home and some being used for renovations. (Fox17)
3. The City of Grand Rapids moved up two slots in the national energy rankings to the 31st spot. The ranking list compiled by the American Council on an Energy-Efficient Economy looks at a city's efforts in reducing energy waste and efforts to move towards a cleaner grid. Officials with the city report that they hope to continue to move up in future rankings. (WOODTV.com)

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Today in Grand Rapids:

• Bingo At The Plainfield Senior Center (1:00 PM)
• FLEX Hour At The Walker City Recreation Department (1:15 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Grand Rapids Ballet celebrated National Ballet Day yesterday. (Instagram)
• Grand Rapids Public Schools reminds the community that this year's Count Day determines a portion of the school district's funding. Click to learn how to not miss Count Day. (Facebook)
• Grand Rapids Public Museum reminds the community that they are still collecting Carousel photo submissions. (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.