Good Day
Grand Rapids
Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 2nd of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On Friday, October 3, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastown Pediatric Dentistry will host a mini fall fest where attendees can paint pumpkins, play games + win prizes, and the Grand Rapids Public Library's mobile library will visit the event for families. FOX 17
- ➤ Happy Cat Cafe in Grand Rapids celebrated its 1000th cat adoption when a Parisian family adopted Mountain, a black kitten, after losing a pet — the cafe at 447 Division Ave partners with Fig and Friends Pet Rescue and has helped hundreds of cats find homes since 2017. WOOD TV
- ➤ The Kent County Animal Shelter in Grand Rapids will unveil a memorial garden on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m.—a project created by Girl Scout Troop 4921 as part of their Silver Award to honor pets and support grieving families. The garden features a stone bench and plaque and comes with a grief kit to help families remember their beloved companions. MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Meijer confirmed Wednesday it began acquiring properties in western Pennsylvania as it plans to expand its grocery stores—no timeline for new openings was given. The move follows recent expansion efforts by competitors and aims to bring fresh, affordable groceries to more customers. WOOD TV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ After the federal shutdown closed the Ford museum yesterday, ArtPrize moved many artworks to The Morton apartment building on Ionia Ave NW—some artists left their pieces at the museum where they remain votable on the app. MLive
- ➤ On Sept. 26, ArtPrize News 8 showcased artworks from local artists in the contest. The Ford Museum closed due to a federal shutdown—forcing some artists to relocate their pieces for the final days of the competition. WOOD TV
- ➤ Michigan inmates from Muskegon Correctional Facility created the welded sculpture 'Arc of Redemption'—a piece formed from scrap metal and copper wires—that is on display at The B.O.B. through Oct. 4 following ArtPrize in downtown Grand Rapids. MLive
- ➤ Leon Alderman’s ArtPrize entry, Envelope from Home, is on display at Veterans Memorial Park and shows a collage of decades-old letters, postcards and stamps from his military service—each item capturing cherished memories and moments with loved ones. The exhibit invites viewers to write their own letters and connect with the past through the power of the written word. WOOD TV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Lakeshore Advantage raised $2.4M through its Powering Our Future campaign, beating its goal of $2.3M to help create over 9,000 West Michigan jobs by 2030—part of a plan to add 5,000 primary jobs and 4,374 indirect jobs while fueling more capital investments. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Whitmer signed a continuation budget yesterday to keep the state government open as legislators work on a full budget. Lawmakers will vote on a complete budget later this week—expected to fund state road repairs, education, health care, and public safety. WOOD TV
- ➤ City officials and community leaders broke ground on the Oxford Trail project Tuesday evening to extend a trail from Oxford Street SW to Hall Street and Godfrey Avenue and repair the link between Wealthy and Oxford Streets. The project will add a playground, outdoor fitness gear, an amphitheater, and a basketball court—funded partly by a state grant and city funds to connect local neighborhoods. WOOD TV
- ➤ Grand Rapids is moving forward with a solar project at the old Butterworth Landfill to power its city buildings with renewable energy—city officials said the 2-megawatt installation will have bids reviewed in 4 to 6 weeks and will benefit from federal tax credits if it starts before July 4. FOX 17
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ October marks Menopause Awareness Month as Dr. Bitner from True Women's Health told FOX 17 that menopause is a natural phase all women experience, with symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes. She said new treatments including bioidentical hormone therapy and neurokinin targeted therapies are available while lawmakers plan bills to improve insurance coverage. FOX 17
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Rock of Ages Musical Performance
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts — VIP tickets available — Experience the electric atmosphere of the iconic Rock of Ages musical featuring classic rock hits.
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Ben Folds with Grand Rapids Symphony
7:30-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket info TBA — Experience the influential sounds of Ben Folds in a grand orchestral setting.
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Rock of Ages Musical Performance
2:00 – 3:30 PM — Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts — VIP tickets available — Experience the classic rock musical with premium seating and hospitality options.
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Gordon Food Service Food Show 2025
Oct 7-8 — DeVos Place — Free entry — Explore a wide range of chicken products at the Gordon Food Service Show.
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White Reaper Live Performance
6:30-8 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Ticket prices vary — Experience the high-energy sound of White Reaper, blending glam and grit for an unforgettable night of music.
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Rooftop Gas and Electric Training Class
9 AM - 12 PM — Young Supply Company - South Grand Rapids — Cost not specified — Dive into the intricacies of DDC and non-DDC control systems under expert guidance.
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Stand Atlantic Concert
6-10 p.m. — GLC Live at 20 Monroe — All ages welcome — Experience the energy of Stand Atlantic live in Grand Rapids.
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Brandon Lake - King of Hearts Tour
7:00 – 8:30 PM — Van Andel Arena — Tickets from $94 — Experience an inspiring evening of worship and music with Brandon Lake.
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The Third Mind Live Performance
7-9:30 p.m. — The Stache — Tickets available — Experience a supergroup inspired by psychedelic improvisation with captivating vocals by Jesse Sykes.
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Maddox Batson Concert
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Elevation — Check website for ticket prices — Experience the remarkable songwriting of a young talent who navigates the music scene with wisdom beyond his years.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.
~ James Clear
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