Good Day
Grand Rapids
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ West Michigan will host many events this weekend — in Grand Rapids, the Griffins will face the Manitoba Moose tomorrow with giveaways and the marathon offers several race options, while East Grand Rapids welcomes its second annual Harvest Festival, and other areas feature a Mario Kart tournament at Kent Career Tech Center, a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with cast appearances at Four Winds Casino, a Downtown St. Joseph Spooktacular, a 20th anniversary party at the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, and an Off-Broadway Irish show in Benton Harbor — all set to engage local residents. WOOD TV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Bojangles, known for its fried chicken and biscuits, will soon open Michigan’s first location near Grand Rapids at 1730 28th St. SW in Wyoming — a 2,223-square-foot former Taco John’s that is part of a plan to add 18 new locations by the end of 2025. MLive
- ➤ Raising Cane’s will open its first West Michigan restaurant at 3650 28th Street SE in Kentwood on November 18—crews began demolishing the former Outback Steakhouse in spring and the new site will have a double-lane drive-thru, on-site parking, and seating both indoors and outdoors. FOX 17
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ May Erlewine, a native of Big Rapids, will perform at the Wealthy Theatre today with a new rock-heavy sound from her album What It Takes—she will join Packy Lundholm on stage and more tour dates are expected soon. ABC 13
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Georgetown Elementary in Hudsonville welcomed Roo—a facility dog trained to help students manage stress and anxiety—as a new part of its mental health support system. The dog started working in early October and now assists staff during classroom activities and story time to create calmer environments. FOX 17
- ➤ Officials announced a new Catholic Promise scholarship at Catholic Central that will reduce net tuition to $6,000 per student starting in the 2026-27 school year for families with incomes under $300,000. Families can apply beginning November 1 and attend sessions at 8:30 a.m. on Oct 22 + 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct 30 at the Catholic Central Student Center. MLive
- ➤ Godwin Heights Public Schools are asking voters to approve a 25-year, $44.5M bond that will update classrooms, improve safety, and purchase new school buses — school officials say the bond will fund building renovations and technology upgrades with no tax rate increase, and voters will decide on November 4th. MLive
- ➤ Wyoming Public Schools is urging voters to approve a 10-year sinking fund millage—set at .4595 mills for 2026 through 2035—to pay for school repairs, safety, technology, and buses without increasing net taxes. Voters will decide on Nov. 4, and the measure is expected to generate about $630,427 in its first year. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Wyoming Public Schools is asking residents to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4 for a $29.75 million bond proposal—this will fund new learning spaces, air conditioning and secure school entrances. The district also seeks votes on two millage proposals to renew funding for repairs without raising taxes. MLive
- ➤ Kent Intermediate School District is asking county voters to approve a 10-year, 0.9-mill enhancement millage (which will fund public and charter schools) on the Nov. 4 ballot. If approved, the measure will restore the funding rate by adding 0.0502 mills to support programs including special education and career training. MLive
- ➤ City officials in Grand Rapids narrowed the park naming to Unity Park in a second vote that ended 52 to 49—neighbors, including families near the nearly acre park behind Southwest Middle High School, are eager for the project to move forward with a public hearing scheduled for October 21. Work on the park is underway as the city finalizes a timeline for construction. FOX 17
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A 32-year-old woman was diagnosed on March 13 with stage 2 breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy at U-M Health West—she is now cancer-free while doctors stress the need for breast self-awareness as cases grow among younger women. FOX 17
- ➤ Michigan lawmakers introduced a bill—House Bill 4969—that will regulate natural kratom by banning synthetic opioid variants and enforcing labeling and age rules. The measure seeks to protect consumers from mislabeled products that contain dangerous synthetic drugs. ABC 13
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TAUK Concert
7:00-9:30 p.m. — Elevation — Ticket prices vary — Experience an innovative fusion of sound and improvisation with the acclaimed band TAUK.
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Southeast Area Farmers Market with Friends of GR Parks Pumpkin Party
3 p.m. — Dean Lake Park — Free admission — Celebrate fall with local vendors and pumpkin-themed fun for the whole family.
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Cage The Elephant Concert
6-9 p.m. — GLC Live at 20 Monroe — Ticketed event — Experience an evening with the uniquely self-aware and poignant sounds of Cage The Elephant.
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Storytime for Young Readers
10:00-10:30 a.m. — Allendale Twp Library — Free entry — Enjoy storytime with songs and early literacy fun designed for kids under 6 with a caregiver.
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Neon Trees Live in Grand Rapids
8-9:30 p.m. — Elevation — Tickets available — Experience an evening of dynamic rock and heartfelt authenticity with Neon Trees as they promote their new album.
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Tate McRae Concert
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices range from $132 to $218 — Experience an electrifying evening with Tate McRae live in concert.
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Chris Thile Concert
7-10:30 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Tickets required — Experience the multifaceted musical talents of Grammy-winning mandolinist Chris Thile live in concert.
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Manitoba Moose at Grand Rapids Griffins
7:00–8:30 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Low cost tickets available — Enjoy an exciting AHL matchup between the Manitoba Moose and the Grand Rapids Griffins.
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Electric Citizen Live Show
7:00 – 9:30 PM — The Pyramid Scheme — Tickets available — Experience the electrifying rock sounds of Cincinnati's Electric Citizen in a vibrant live performance.
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MANIA: The ABBA Tribute
6:30-8:00 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket information available online — Experience the unforgettable tribute to ABBA with dazzling performances and all their classic hits.
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