Good Day
Grand Rapids
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Yesterday, the Grand Rapids Gold hosted their annual Special Olympics Michigan basketball clinic on St. Patrick’s Day plus dozens of athletes received coaching during a 90-minute session before dining and attending the game against Oklahoma City at Van Andel Arena. The event underscored the club’s commitment to local community programs. ABC 13
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Lee and Birch, a local women's clothing retailer with locations across West Michigan, closed after a 20-year run as market challenges made it unsustainable. The owner now plans to focus on her family and explore new opportunities. MLive
- ➤ The local convention authority is studying an expansion of DeVos Place to add a 600 room hotel and 43,000 sqft meeting space at an estimated cost of $354.9 million. Stakeholders will later review funding models — public may need $41 million while private could demand $146 million. MLive
- ➤ Greyson Hunderman, a 17-year-old high school junior, runs Twisted Tap Sugar Shack in Caledonia—growing his family’s syrup business from 90 taps to 10,000 gallons last year while balancing school and work, and he plans further expansion this season. ABC 13
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Princess Laurentien from the Netherlands visited Calvin University Monday, March 16 — she helped plant a scarlet oak tree for the school’s 150th anniversary. She will lead a public lecture today at 7:30 p.m. in the Covenant Fine Arts Center Recital Hall to discuss human design solutions. MLive
- ➤ The Wealthy Theatre keeps its historic charm while serving as a cultural hub on the southeast side. Opened in 1911 and revived with a $2.2M renovation and modern updates by the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, it now hosts local film and media groups. MLive
- ➤ Michigan artist Jill Gates created the official poster “Legacy in Blue and Bloom” for the 97th Tulip Time Festival, set to run May 1–10 in Holland. Organizers praised her work (reflecting local tradition and beauty) for capturing the event’s spirit. MLive
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Faculty, staff and students at GVSU sent an open letter today raising concerns over a $166M tech hub and rising tuition, saying campus input has been lacking in major spending decisions (the project was approved last month). University leaders said the changes are part of a student-focused strategy to meet the state’s talent needs. FOX 17
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids is testing a parking reservation system in downtown ramps for roughly $30 to ease parking ahead of the new amphitheater opening. The one-year pilot begins near the end of April — drivers can reserve spots by paying a fee along with the standard rate. FOX 17
- ➤ Michigan's Department of Treasury released guidance on its 24% marijuana tax, requiring eligible businesses to submit quarterly payments starting April 20 with subsequent dues on July 20 and October 20, and a full return due Jan. 20, while offering penalty relief for good-faith payments (supporting road improvements statewide). ABC 13
- ➤ DTE Energy will replace an aging 22-inch gas pipeline with a new 24-inch line along a 3.1-mile route in Walker this October, with work ending in September 2027 to boost safety and support growing supply near South Grand Rapids (the project also reroutes the line away from densely populated Sunset Hills). MLive
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A $395K grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund will help MiLEAP launch a new virtual infant and early childhood mental health consultation program — the initiative gives educators social and emotional support and will be available within two years. ABC 13
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Hawks Athletics, a Cedar Springs nonprofit offering free baseball training, helps young players improve as MLB spring training continues and high school baseball begins March 25. Volunteers such as co-founders Todd Norman and Brant Bender guide teens including 16-year-old Luke Ball every day + prepare them for college. FOX 17
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Branford Marsalis Quartet Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Ticket information available — Experience the profound talent of Branford Marsalis, a jazz luminary renowned for his dynamic performances and rich musical heritage.
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Mega 80's vs. Class of 98 Showdown
9 PM — Elevation at The Intersection — Tickets available — Experience an electrifying night of music as the 80s and 90s battle it out on the dance floor.
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Secondhand Serenade Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Ticket prices vary — Experience the heartfelt music of Secondhand Serenade in the intimate setting of a local venue.
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Quinn XCII Concert
8-10:30 p.m. — The Stache — Ticketed event — Experience the genre-bending sounds of Quinn XCII with energetic live performances and heartfelt storytelling.
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Sam Bush Performance
7:30-9 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the innovative sounds of Sam Bush blending bluegrass with jazz and rock influences.
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Anthony Gomes Live Concert
8-11 PM — The Stache — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying blues and rock fusion from Canadian guitarist Anthony Gomes.
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Super Future Live
9 PM – 12 AM — Elevation — Tickets available — Experience a unique electronic journey with Super Future's eclectic sounds and high-energy performance.
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K-Pop Kids Dance Party
10:30 AM – 4:30 PM — Elevation — Family-friendly event — Dance along to K-Pop remixes and iconic pop anthems while dressed in your favorite costumes.
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Candlelight - 90s Hip-Hop on Strings
6:30-7:45 p.m. — Wealthy Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the essence of 90s hip-hop reimagined through strings in a magical candlelit setting.
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Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party
9 PM – 12 AM — Elevation — Entry details not specified — Relive the 2000s with top hits and nostalgic vibes from your favorite artists.
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