Grand Rapids Public Schools is down to two superintendent finalists. The Board of Education picked Kelly Greene and Allison Tingwall Monday night. WOOD reports the board expected three names, but one candidate decided not to continue.
FOX 17 says both have about 20 years of experience in education. Greene supports 14 northwest and northeast quadrant schools. Tingwall is a former principal of Curie Metropolitan High School and earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan.
The two finalists work in Grand Rapids and Chicago
Finalist
Current role
Kelly Greene
GRPS Chief Area Instructional Leader, Northwest Quadrant
Allison Tingwall
Chicago Public Schools Executive Director of Principal Quality
Public final interviews: Wednesday, starting at 5 p.m. at GRPS University
Watch live: live.grps.org
Earlier Wednesday: tours and focus groups with community members
“I believe that we will have a decision made on Wednesday.”
Jose Rodriguez, Board of Education president
Public Safety
A person pulled from the Russwood Avenue house fire in Northeast Grand Rapids has died
A person pulled from a burning Northeast Grand Rapids house Saturday has died, WOOD reports. Firefighters went to Russwood Avenue NE near College Avenue NE just before 6 p.m., and mlive says they were told someone was still inside.
Crews went in through a side window to a bedroom and pulled out an unresponsive person, News Channel 3 reports. FOX 17 reported Saturday that another adult got out on their own and was also taken to the hospital.
The fire unfolded over Saturday and Monday
Oct. 24Firefighters pull an unresponsive person from a bedroom through a side window.
Oct. 24Two people are taken to the hospital.
Oct. 26Fire officials say the rescued person has died.
Oct. 26Fire investigators and outside experts are set to return to look for the cause.
Cause: under investigation; no more details until it ends
A firefighter had minor injuries, a city spokesperson said
Pets: two dogs rescued; a third unaccounted for Saturday evening
Labor
Bradford White workers vote Sunday on an offer the company calls its "best" and "final."
If you've been following the Bradford White strike, there's a new offer on the table. WOOD reports a union representative said the company called Monday's offer its "best" and "final," and members vote Sunday. Workers have been on strike since Sept. 16.
The Middleville strike is big and long-running
1,300+
union members on strike at Bradford White
1978
was the last time the UAW walked a picket line, the union says
86 years
about how long Bradford White has been in Middleville
Workers rejected the last tentative agreement Friday. FOX 17 reports talks resumed Monday, and UAW Local 1002's Dan Snowden said concerns about contract language and wages contributed to the rejection. Bradford White said it was "disappointed" by the vote.
Union's complaints: spousal exclusion language and some pay issues
Company: the rejected deal offered "meaningful wage increases"
Snack Shack owner lets picketers park behind his business
🚌Transit
The Rapid gets a $6 million state award to add bus service for downtown venues
The Rapid has a $6 million state award to expand service to downtown venues, Grand Rapids Magazine reports. The money will support service to Acrisure Amphitheater, the future Amway Soccer Stadium, Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place, and DeVos Performance Hall.
$6 millionstate award to expand The Rapid's service to downtown venues
It comes through MDOT's Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund.
The plan calls for up to six additional buses on high-demand evenings and more park-and-ride connections. King, who handles external affairs for The Rapid, told WGVU that bus rider demand is up even though parking hasn't run out. The extra service also aims to help hospitality, health care, retail, and service-industry workers on evenings and weekends.
Builds on: Laker Line, Silver Line, and the DASH circulator
Money comes through the Neighborhood Roads Fund (Public Act 16 of 2025)
Funding for new services will be pursued in a future grant round
“We certainly didn't run out of parking.”
Jeffrey King, external affairs, The Rapid
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Asbestos adds about $1.6 million and months to the Kent Community Hospital demolition
Asbestos is making the old Kent Community Hospital more expensive and slower to tear down. Crain's Grand Rapids Business reports the demolition budget went from $2.8 million to about $4.4 million, and WOOD says the finish moved from August to March. WOOD puts the extra cost at about $1.5 million. Facilities director Tim Bradshaw said crews "found significantly more asbestos" than the initial bid covered.
The hospital demolition budget grew to about $4.4 million
Original budget$2.8 million$2.8 million$2.8 million
Updated budget$4.4 million$4.4 million$4.4 million
Structural demolition began Oct. 19 at the county's Fuller Campus. The 1970s section is next, probably starting in mid-to-late November, with the 1920s portion last. Network180, the county's community mental health agency, still operates in a building connected to the hospital, so crews have to pull the buildings apart carefully.
Demolition is now expected to finish in March
Jan. 2026Internal abatement and demolition of the hospital begins.
Oct. 19The structural demolition phase begins.
Mid-Nov.Crews are expected to start on the 1970s portion.
March 2027Demolition is now expected to finish, instead of August.
Late 2028The goal is for county staff to move into the new building.
New building: $116 million to $126 million, about 125,000 square feet
County board could consider a bond at its second November meeting
Also approved Oct. 22: $18.5 million purchase of 300 Ottawa Ave. NW
About 187 employees will work in the new building
Elections
Whitmer and RFK Jr. campaigned in Grand Rapids ahead of the Nov. 3 election
If you're voting this year, two big names stopped in Grand Rapids Monday. WOOD reports Gov. Gretchen Whitmer backed Rep. Carol Glanville's run for Michigan Senate District 30, while U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaigned with Republicans John James and Mike Rogers. Early voting runs through Nov. 1, mlive reports, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
Early voting ends Nov. 1 and Election Day is Nov. 3
Oct. 26Whitmer and Kennedy campaign in Grand Rapids.
Whitmer said it's "very possible" Democrats gain control of the Michigan Senate, House, and Governor's Office. At the Republican rally, James said the election will "change the trajectory of this state forever," and Rogers said "people are fired up like we've never seen before." WZZM reports Kennedy also criticized Abdul El-Sayed's pandemic record. Earlier, Kennedy praised Corewell Health's hospital food, and WOOD's candidate rundown introduces the Democratic and Republican candidates for U.S. Senate and Michigan governor.
Kennedy's earlier stop: Downtown Market, for the Healthy Hospital Food Pledge
Corewell changes: local farm food, no-added-sugar drinks, sustainably sourced proteins
Corewell chef Mick Rickard urged families to make time for shared meals
🏒Sports
Griffins call-up Michal Postava wins his first NHL start as the Red Wings beat Edmonton in a shootout
Michal Postava, called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins last week, just won his first NHL start. The Red Wings beat the Oilers 4-3 in a shootout Monday at Rogers Place, mlive reports, and Postava denied Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Detroit beat Edmonton in a shootout
DETDetroit Red Wings4 (won)
EDMEdmonton Oilers3
Final (shootout)Lucas Raymond scored the only shootout goal.
Dylan Larkin tied it at 3-3 with 1:17 left in the third period. Touchdown Wire notes the 24-year-old Czech goalie carried a 1.25 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage with the Griffins into the game.
Postava arrived with strong Griffins numbers
1.25
goals-against average with the Griffins entering Monday
Why he's up: backup Daniil Tarasov was injured in practice
NHL debut: third period of Thursday's 5-2 win at Vancouver
Next: Thursday vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m., with Patrick Kane's return
🗒️News Notes · More
Pitch night
Ten finalists will give five-minute pitches from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at MLK Park Community Center on Fuller Avenue. Five will be chosen to partner with the city and get $10,000 each. WOODTV.com
Animal shelter
The Kent County Animal Shelter is at capacity. If you've lost a pet, call (616) 632-7300 or stop by 740 Fuller Ave. NE with proof of ownership. Sports Radio 98.7
Taqueria closed
Taqueria San Jose at 1338 Division Ave. S will stay closed until further notice after small fires on Oct. 15, 24, and 25. The fire marshal said the electrical service may be the source. WOODTV.com
Red kettles
The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Kickoff is Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle. More than 2,700 Angel Tree applications have already been started in Kent County. WOODTV.com
Christkindl Markt
The market at Downtown Market runs Nov. 18 through Dec. 24 with more than 60 vendors. Event parking is $25 on site or $15 at the McConnell lot. grkids.com
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The Salvation Army wants 250 Angel Tree sites, up from 220
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.
— Benjamin Disraeli
🛍️The Buy
🗒️Around Michigan · More
Ionia fluoride
Ionia is cutting the fluoride in its water from 0.7 to 0.35 milligrams per liter because of a chemical shortage. Battle Creek made a similar move earlier this month. WOODTV.com
K-9 air transport
Michigan State's Veterinary Medical Center, with Corewell Health and Munson Healthcare, launched Spartan Shield, the state's first emergency air transport program for K-9s. The service runs 24 hours for public safety working dogs. WOODTV.com
Ionia's fluoride level drops to half the optimal level
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👋The Wrap
Candy on a Wednesday? Yes, please. Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids hosts Wicked Wednesday on Wed., Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. Expect trick-or-treating, games, and sweet treats at businesses including Kilwins and Big Bob's Pizza. Look for the stop signs in shop windows to see who's handing out candy, and ask about the special offers while you walk from stop to stop.
The Good Day Grand Rapids teamGrand Rapids’ daily newsletter
The 34-city Winter Jam 2027 tour, featuring artists like Crowder and Anne Wilson, includes Michigan stops in Grand Rapids and Ypsilanti, with $15 door admission.
For its 23rd annual Gift of Hope program, Hope Network is encouraging donations of $30 or more from the West Michigan community to benefit individuals in need.
