If you live near the river, you've probably heard this debate. The City Commission approved the amendment 6-0 Tuesday, after a Kent County judge ruled in August that the venue had to follow the city's noise ordinance. City officials call the vote a clarification of the exemption they meant to give in 2023. WOOD reports the venue stays regulated by its special land use permit from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Crain's says at least 32 people spoke during about an hour of public comment, mostly asking the commission to table the vote or say no. Business owners and Grand Rapids Chamber leaders spoke in support. FOX 17 reports Plaza Towers neighbor Hal Froot said he might have to move. Mayor David LaGrand said, "I expect we will have ongoing community conversations about this."
Permit limit: 105 dBA averaged over 10 seconds at the mixing position
Permit requires sound monitoring at three spots inside the venue
Lawsuit: nuisance claims still need a ruling or resolution
How the noise exemption got to Tuesday's vote
July 2023Commission votes to include the amphitheater in its noise exemptions.
May 15Venue opens with a Lionel Richie performance.
Aug. 21Judge rules the amphitheater must comply with the noise ordinance.
Oct. 27Commission votes 6-0 to amend the ordinance to exempt the venue.
Two GRPS superintendent finalists interview in public at 5 p.m. today
If you want a say in who leads Grand Rapids Public Schools, tonight's your night. Finalists Kelly Greene and Allison Tingwall interview with the board Wed., Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. at GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave. NE, mlive reports. Greene is GRPS's chief area instructional leader. Tingwall is executive director of principal quality for Chicago Public Schools.
The superintendent search narrowed from 35 candidates to 2
WGVU says Greene supports 14 schools and Tingwall oversees district strategies across more than 520 schools. WOOD reported the board kept candidate details confidential until it named the finalists. They will replace Leadriane Roby, who steps away at the end of her contract.
When: Wed., Oct. 28, 5 p.m.
Where: GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave. NE
Watch online: live.grps.org
Community survey drew 1,421 responses
The superintendent search reaches public finalist interviews on Oct. 28
Feb.Board announces Roby's contract extension and the search begins.
Aug.-Sept.District holds 20 focus groups, town halls and an online survey.
Oct. 24Six semifinalists are interviewed.
Oct. 28Two finalists are interviewed in public at 5 p.m.
June 2027Roby's tenure ends after seven years, on June 30.
GVSU starts work on its $166 million Blue Dot Lab at the Eberhard Center downtown
Demolition and construction began inside the Eberhard Center, and leaders called Tuesday the symbolic start of construction. Crain's reports leaders expect to finish in summer 2029. The project pairs a $101.4 million renovation of the 10-story Eberhard Center at 301 West Fulton Street with a $64.6 million addition near the Blue Bridge, mlive reports.
The $166 million project splits into a renovation and an addition
GVSU President Philomena Mantella told WOOD the ecosystem is "much more than a building." Some faculty still question the cost and debt. GVSU's enrollment is 21,382 students this fall, slightly down from last year.
Bond: GVSU's board approved up to $139 million
State money: $30 million more allowed after a final state sign-off this summer
RFK Jr. says more than 250 hospitals have signed a pledge to serve healthier food
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the milestone Monday during a Grand Rapids visit. Corewell Health helped design the voluntary Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, Kennedy told WWMT.
More than 250hospitals have signed the pledge
HHS and CMS launched the voluntary pledge in July.
mlive reports Corewell's chef calls its approach "stealth health." A lentil bolognese, for example, is 50% lentils. Corewell CEO Tina Freese Decker said the system is "focused on serving whole foods, cutting back on sugar and sodium, and using healthier cooking methods," per DBusiness.
Participation is voluntary, with no federal mandates or financial penalties tied to purchasing decisions
New badge: "Committed to Excellence in Hospital Nutrition"
Fried food: bake, roast or grill instead
The pledge asks hospitals to change what they serve and teach
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Raising Cane's will open in Walker on Mon., Nov. 16, and is hiring 100 people
If you're hunting for a job or a chicken-finger fix, mark Mon., Nov. 16. The restaurant at 3179 Alpine Ave. NW opens that day, just weeks after the Grandville location opened. Starting pay is $15 an hour, and walk-ins are welcome at interviews held daily through Fri., Nov. 6.
Interviews run daily through Nov. 6 and the Walker restaurant opens Nov. 16
WOOD reports the first family in line at Grandville had waited more than 18 hours. Regional vice president Kevin Ryan said, "We're going to open about 100 restaurants this year alone." A Holland Township location is also planned.
Apply: jobs.raisingcanes.com
Hiring: 100 positions, from cashiers to fry cooks
Walk-ins welcome at interviews
Interviews run in two windows each day
Homewood Suites by Hilton Walker Grand Rapids North, 3410 Walker Ave. NW
Are you planning to try the new Raising Cane's in Walker?
Be the first to answer.
🚒Around Kent County
Walker names David Moore as fire chief and Brandyn Heugel as interim police chief
Walker commissioners approved both picks Monday night. Heugel becomes interim police chief Nov. 1, when Chief Keith Mankel retires after 33 years, mlive reports. Moore is expected to start Dec. 14.
Walker's fire chief search narrowed 21 candidates to one
Moore most recently was chief of fire aviation for the Texas A&M Forest Service. He fills the role after Fire Chief Russell "Rusty" Shoultz died in May. Under Shoultz, the department became staffed 24 hours a day for the first time since 1937, per mlive. WZZM notes Heugel is the current deputy chief.
Heugel starts as interim chief Nov. 1
Moore expected to start Dec. 14
Heugel was promoted to deputy chief in December 2025
Walker's new leaders bring decades in public safety
Mankel, years of service (retiring)33 years33 years33 years
Moore, years of experience30 years30 years30 years
Heugel, years with department28 years28 years28 years
A state board tabled the Gotion settlement until a special meeting planned for November
The Michigan Strategic Fund board met in closed session Tuesday and asked for more time on a settlement framework for Gotion's failed battery plant in Green Township, about an hour north of Grand Rapids. WOOD reports the board will vote at a future meeting.
Only $23.7 million of the state's money was paid out
Planned plant$2,400 million$2,400 million$2,400 million
Grant never disbursed$125 million$125 million$125 million
Paid to buy the land$24 million$24 million$24 million
Under the proposed deal, Gotion would walk away, return the land and stop seeking damages from the township. The state would drop its demand that Gotion repay the grant. WOOD adds the township board approved executing the agreement earlier this month, subject to amendments.
Land goes to the state land bank until it's repurposed
Gotion sued the township in March 2024
Gotion's Chicago-area battery pack plant is moving ahead
$24 millionin grant funding the state would stop demanding Gotion repay
The state's economic development arm said about $23.6 million to $23.7 million was disbursed, to reimburse land costs.
Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you.
— Jean-Paul Sartre
🛍️The Buy
🗒️News Notes · More
Election
The U.S. Department of Justice told Grand Rapids and six other Michigan municipalities that federal monitors will be at polling places on Election Day, Nov. 3. Statewide, more than 1.39 million voters have already cast ballots. Metro Times
Ballot
Voters will see two statewide proposals on Nov. 3. Proposal 1 asks whether to hold a constitutional convention, and Proposal 2 would bar certain utilities and big state contractors from making campaign contributions. WOODTV.com
Canal Park
The reimagined Canal Park has reopened along the Grand River with a playground, 14-foot-wide sidewalks and a heated pavilion. The official grand opening is scheduled for spring. FOX 17
Sleep Out
Covenant House's second annual Sleep Out starts at 6 p.m. Thu., Nov. 5, at 26 Antoine St. SW. It's free, and you can register at sleepout.org/grandrapids. FOX 17
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👋The Wrap
Jack Skellington, meet a full orchestra. The Grand Rapids Symphony plays Danny Elfman's score live while The Nightmare Before Christmas plays on screen at DeVos Performance Hall. Catch it Fri., Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m., or at the Saturday matinee on Halloween at 2 p.m. It's rated PG, so it works for a family outing. Pick the matinee if you want your Halloween evening free for trick-or-treating.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? GRPS names two superintendent finalists; interviews are Wednesday
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.
