Good Day
Grand Rapids
Friday, April 3rd, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 3rd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Nelis' Dutch Village in Holland Township will open its 30-foot Tulip Tower ride on May 1 for families with children 12 and under, and the park will also host a Community Day Food Drive on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free admission with one food donation). MLive
- ➤ Rorey Brown, 24, says she is ready to thank the strangers who helped her survive a jump from a bridge on Alpine Avenue in 2017. She shared her story at 13 ON YOUR SIDE studio and invites anyone who assisted to contact reporter Riley Mack. ABC 13
- ➤ Grand Rapids Public Schools received proposals for the former Alexander and Stocking Elementary sites as part of its Reimagine GRPS initiative. The district will present a recommendation to the Board on Monday, May 11 at the Rev. Lyman S. Parks Administration building + neighbors can review the ideas online. FOX 17
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Mud Room owners Kris and Troy Kaley will open Eastown Pottery in the Kingsley Building (1422 Robinson Road SE) later in May to offer 24-hour member access, classes, and workshops for local residents. MLive
- ➤ Grand Rapids-based Vetr Health will pitch its AI platform for mobile vets at Michigan’s Next Big Idea Pitch Competition on Apr. 21 in East Lansing, where five local entrepreneurs vie for a $10,000 cash prize as part of the Small Business Summit running through Apr. 22. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On its 70th anniversary, survivors recall the F5 tornado that struck West Michigan on April 3, 1956, causing nearly 20 deaths and severe damage in Hudsonville and nearby communities. Memories highlight the community's resilience as locals share stories of broken homes and personal loss from that historic day. MLive
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Businesses in Holland are preparing for Tulip Time (May 1-10) as the festival is expected to bring thousands of visitors and boost local revenue. Shop owners say tourist spending will support a strong summer season in the region. FOX 17
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby recommended that deputy superintendent Brandy Lovelady Mitchell’s contract not be renewed after a 2024 investigation found her leadership style devalued staff; a board meeting on April 27 will address the decision. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Four top GRPS employees have been on paid administrative leave since February, with their combined pay estimated at about $213,794 through June 30; one case involved a DUI violation (with reasons for the others still unknown). ABC 13
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Amplify GR is building a 45-unit mixed-income apartment at 1480 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Boston Square after receiving a $1.3M MEDC grant to support housing and a new food hall. Construction began in January and is expected to finish by July 2027. MLive
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The West Michigan Whitecaps started their season Thursday night in Eastlake when they played the Lake County Captains, and they will return to LMCU Ballpark for a home opener Tuesday with new manager René Rivera and championship-returning players. ABC 13
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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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Annual Easter Brunch Buffet
10 AM – 4 PM — Reds at Thousand Oaks — Adults $39, Children 5–12 $16 — Indulge in a delightful array of breakfast favorites and holiday specialties.
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The Lion King Stage Musical
7:30-9:30 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Tickets available — Experience the breathtaking artistry and unforgettable music of this award-winning Broadway classic.
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Broadway Rave - Musical Theater Dance Party
7:30 p.m. — The Stache — Cost varies — Dance the night away to Broadway hits and connect with fellow theater lovers.
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Katy on Keys at Mojo's Dueling Piano Bar
8 PM - 12 AM — Mojo's Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant — Cover charge may apply — Experience powerhouse vocals and a fun atmosphere with Katy on Keys at this lively dueling piano event.
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Full Moon Sound Bath Experience
6-9 p.m. — The Big Room — Reserve your spot — Experience grounding and deep relaxation under the full moon with intentional sound healing.
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Quintet Revelations by The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
7:30-10:30 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Ticket info not provided — Experience the power and richness of a piano quintet featuring works from renowned composers across centuries.
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Rivertown Races (10 km)
8 p.m. — Millennium Park — Registration fee — Experience a scenic 10km race amidst the beauty of Grand Rapids' largest urban park.
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We Them Ones Comedy Tour
8:00-10:00 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket info available — Experience a night of laughter with headliner Mike Epps and a stellar lineup of comedians.
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STOMP Performance
7-10 p.m. — Forest Hills Fine Arts Center — Check the event page for ticket prices — Experience an electrifying performance that transforms everyday items into captivating rhythms.
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Join the Grand Rapids ONE, TWO, SEVEN Short Film Team
Do you wanna support a GR film production made-up of a Michigan cast & crew? Follow and make a pledge to the ONE, TWO, SEVEN Seed&Spark page - an original comedic and heartwarming short film shooting this May.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A happy person isn't someone who's happy all the time. It's someone who effortlessly interprets events in a way that benefits them.
~ Naval Ravikant
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