Good Day
Grand Rapids
Thursday, September 11th, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 11th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids is building the new MLK Park Lodge at 1200 Martin Luther King Jr. St. SE that will feature spaces for fitness, classes and community events. The $19 million center—set to open in February 2026—will offer both free programs and rental options as pricing is reviewed by the city commission. MLive
- ➤ Just Between Friends GR opened a fall resale event Tuesday at the former Art Van location on Alpine Avenue — over 200,000 children’s and maternity items are offered by 930 families for between 50 and 90 percent off retail through Saturday — sellers keep 60 percent of sales after a $15 fee while unsold items go to local charities. WOOD TV
- ➤ AT&T’s new Connected Learning Center opened inside the Baxter Community Center on Grand Rapids’ southeast side — the center now provides high-speed internet, free Wi-Fi, Dell computers, and digital learning tools to bridge the digital divide. Local and state leaders attended the Sept.10 ribbon-cutting as AT&T and Dell donated equipment and pledged more support for similar projects in the future. MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Prime Steakhouse opened at 3874 W River Dr NE in Comstock Park to offer local diners fine-dining service with high-quality steaks at affordable prices—local restaurateur Scott Ingersoll said the restaurant, which held its grand opening on Sept 2, has received outstanding customer feedback and operates Monday through Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m. MLive
- ➤ Bret Feaster—owner of several Jimmy John’s locations—has teamed with his wife and investors to bring six Paris Baguette bakery cafes to West Michigan. Two cafés in Kalamazoo County and four in Grand Rapids will open starting May 2026 with plans to add two or three more per year over three to four years. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Clapp family mastodon bones—dating back 13,210 years and unearthed during road work on their property three years ago—are on display at the Grand Rapids Public Museum where a full-scale replica sits beside many real bones. FOX 17
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Ascend Youth Summer Work Experience helped 92 local youth learn soft skills and gain work experience from June 23 to Aug. 1 plus Jacey Darrow from SoZo Coffee became a permanent employee after building confidence on the job. MLive
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Fish from a pond near historic burial mounds and from Spelman, Luvis, and Porter Lakes are subject to a 'Do Not Eat' advisory after PFAS levels in bluegill and bass exceeded safe limits, as reported by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services on Wednesday afternoon — testing funded by the EPA first revealed these elevated PFOS amounts. MPART will hold a community meeting on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at Wyoming City Hall to answer questions about the findings. WOOD TV
- ➤ EGLE has announced a new PFAS Area of Interest called Chicago Drive and Lee Street Area in parts of Wyoming and Grandville after tests showed raised PFAS levels at Battjes Park in 2023 and in other local waters in 2024 and this summer. The agency collected stormwater samples last month downstream of industrial sites and will investigate to find the source of the contamination. FOX 17
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Whitmer ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff today to honor Patriot Day for those lost on Sept 11. Flags will return to full staff tomorrow, Sept 12, as schools, businesses, and local governments participate in the observance. ABC 13
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ West Michigan is set for a busy weekend—featuring festivals and community events across towns like Muskegon and Grand Rapids, with the Irish Music Festival starting Thursday, Fiesta Mexicana and Fork Fest on Friday, and the Grand Rapids Margarita Festival on Saturday. Residents can also attend the Michigan State Pickleball Championship at Belknap Park, Portage Oktoberfest at South Westnedge Park, Taste of Downtown Holland, and the South Haven Jazz Festival. WOOD TV
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The West Michigan Whitecaps won a 7-2 playoff opener against the Lake County Captains on Tuesday, September 9th at Classic Park and took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Midwest League Eastern Division Championship Series. The team will play Game 2 today at 6:35 p.m. at LMCU Ballpark — a win that pushes them closer to the Championship Series. ABC 13
- ➤ On Sunday, September 14, the LMCU Bridge Run will offer a 10-mile race and a 5K run/walk that starts at 8:00 a.m. at 731 Front Ave NW in downtown Grand Rapids—runners will cross the Sixth Street, Blue, Gillett, and Bridge Street bridges along the route. The 10-mile course will branch toward Riverside Park and back while participants receive a medal and a commemorative t-shirt. FOX 17
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The Machine Performs Pink Floyd
8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Intersection — Cost unknown — Experience the musical legacy of Pink Floyd with a captivating performance by The Machine.
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Come Back To Earth - Tribute to Mac Miller
8-9:30 p.m. — Elevation — Tickets available — Experience the heartfelt performances of the world's first Mac Miller tribute band.
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Scoochie Boochie & Groovebox
7-8:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Tickets start at $76 — Enjoy an unforgettable night with Scoochie Boochie and Groovebox in Grand Rapids.
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Peach Pit Live
8-9:30 p.m. — The Intersection — Ticket prices vary — Experience the emotionally resonant indie rock sounds of Peach Pit featuring their latest album, Magpie.
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Rock of Ages Musical Performance
6:30-9:00 PM — Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts — Tickets available — Experience the rock-n-roll musical set in the 1980s with iconic hits and a fun storyline.
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Jon Pardi: Honkytonk Hollywood Tour 2025
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices vary — Catch country star Jon Pardi live in concert for an unforgettable night of honky-tonk music.
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Wade Bowen Live Performance
7-9 p.m. — Elevation — Check for ticket prices — Experience an evening with one of country music's finest as Wade Bowen showcases his captivating songwriting and performances.
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Luke Severeid: Stand-Up Comedy Show
7-9 p.m. — Ambrosia Theater — Ticketed event — Experience a night of laughter with the metal-loving stand-up comedian Luke Severeid.
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Northlane Live Concert
7-9 p.m. — Elevation — Varying prices — Experience the dynamic heavy music of award-winning Australian band Northlane at their Grand Rapids show.
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Leo Kottke Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Tickets starting at $71 — Experience an unforgettable performance by guitar legend Leo Kottke.
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