Good Day
Grand Rapids
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 19th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ In Fruitport, 500 children's life jackets will be given away on Sunday at Pomona Park to honor Maxwell Ashcraft, a 5-year-old whose drowning last July led his family to launch Maximum Water Safety. Organizers say the event aims to boost water safety for local kids. ABC 13
- ➤ Sparta will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Lamoreaux Brothers Veterans Memorial Park — the event, organized by American Legion Post 107 and the Sparta Township Historical Commission, includes a wreath laying and name reading for fallen veterans. FOX 17
- ➤ At UM Health-West, 99-year-old Navy veteran Pete Zimmer celebrated his birthday Monday while volunteering at the hospital + has logged over 2,000 hours in safety and maintenance checks since 2017. FOX 17
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Today, the new community bakery Crumb Collective opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Grand Rapids and provides a shared storefront where local bakers can swap resources & build clientele for their own future shops. ABC 13
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Last weekend, downtown Grand Rapids welcomed the opening of the new 12,000-capacity Acrisure Amphitheater, featuring Lionel Richie's headlining concert on Friday and a free celebration Saturday with local music, food trucks and family activities. MLive
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ AAA reports that gas prices in Michigan have jumped 11 cents to $4.84 per gallon, with Grand Rapids nearly at $4.90, meaning drivers filling a 15-gallon tank should expect to pay roughly $73 as many prepare for more expensive Memorial Day travel. ABC 13
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Caledonia High School’s equestrian team was denied varsity letters because it is outside the athletic department; the riders—state champions last fall—are urging the district to change the policy to help boost their scholarship and veterinary school chances. FOX 17
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Monday, West Michigan storms knocked down power lines along Monroe Road in Allegan County and damaged a home in Southwood Village Mobile Home Park in Kent County — Consumers Energy cleared debris while customers waited for power to be restored. ABC 13
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council has launched an anonymous online tool for reporting near-miss traffic incidents and safety concerns. Residents can drop a pin on a map to add details that local governments will use to plan needed improvements. ABC 13
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Candlelight Tribute to Taylor Swift
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Wealthy Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a magical candlelight concert featuring the music of Taylor Swift.
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Daveonce Washington: The Motown Get Down
9 PM – 1 AM — Billy's Lounge — Cost Info Not Provided — Enjoy a high-energy dance party with Da'Veonce & DaFunk Gang featuring modern funk beats.
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Chicago Wolves vs Grand Rapids Griffins (Round 3 - Home Game 3)
7-8 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Watch the thrilling playoff clash between the Wolves and Griffins live on FloHockey.
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Big Boi with Chip tha Ripper
6:30-8:00 p.m. — Acrisure Amphitheater — $1 donation per ticket to The Big Bro Foundation — Enjoy a night of hip-hop while supporting youth empowerment initiatives.
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Prairie Drone Companion Album Release
7-11 p.m. — Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill — Entry TBA — Discover the sounds of local music veterans launching their debut album.
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Cody Johnson Concert
7-9 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of live music with country sensation Cody Johnson.
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Comedy Bang! Bang!
8-11 p.m. — GLC Live at 20 Monroe — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughs with top comedians and great entertainment.
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The Rare Occasions Live Concert
6:30-10:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Ticket prices vary — Experience explosive garage rock anthems with LA-based indie band The Rare Occasions.
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Dan Rickabus Album Release Event
7-10:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Tickets start at $74 — Experience a memorable evening with live music from Dan Rickabus in Grand Rapids.
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The Wallflowers Concert
7:00–8:30 p.m. — Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater — Ticket info available — Enjoy a live performance by The Wallflowers in a beautiful garden setting.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
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Reveal the authorAbout Good Day Grand Rapids
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