Good morning, Grand Rapids.

Downtown businesses are taking part in a spooky scarecrow contest hosted by Oh, Hello Co. Paper & Gifts—voters will choose their favorite entries from Oct.

18—31 so the top three winners can earn trophies and neighborhood bragging rights.

East Grand Rapids students are raising funds through the Hearts of Gold initiative to support the Conductive Learning Center—one of only 10 such facilities that helps individuals with motor challenges through education and therapy.

The fundraiser features yard work, donut sales, and food truck events and will culminate today with a football game where a large check is presented to the center.

5 Seconds of Summer will perform at the Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids on July 29 as part of the Everyone’s a Star World Tour next summer.

Construction is underway on the amphitheater on Market Avenue near US-131—presale tickets start Oct. 30.

Gas prices in Grand Rapids jumped after a small fire at the largest refinery in the Midwest raised wholesale costs—with prices moving from $2.69 on Monday to about $3.29 in some areas by Thursday morning.

Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy said prices are expected to stabilize by the weekend once BP’s oil refinery resumes operation.

On Oct 21, 2025, Comstock Park High School hosted its fourth Student Leadership Summit where students from seven West Michigan schools joined school leaders to share ideas and build leadership skills.

The event—featuring panel talks and keynote speakers Erin Patrice and Tree Beeckman—aimed to give young leaders a strong voice in shaping their schools and community.

John Ball Zoo and Calvin University have partnered to save Michigan's endangered spotted turtles—Calvin University students will care for, feed, and track the baby turtles until they return to the zoo in spring and are released into the wild.

Grand Rapids approved a six-month deal on Tuesday to process wastewater sludge from Wyoming at its Water Resource Recovery Facility — a deal that will see Wyoming paying $0.068 per gallon and the plan will run through February with an option to extend.

The agreement follows new steps taken this summer to reorganize treatment operations and free up capacity for extra revenue.

State data shows nearly one in seven Michigan families may face food insecurity if a government shutdown disrupts SNAP benefit payments in November.

Deanna Abril from Muskegon has stocked her pantry for potential delays — while local food banks warn that the disruption will leave many without the support they need.

The USDA instructed Michigan to pause SNAP benefit coupon distribution for November—affecting more than 1.4 million households that rely on the program as the state cited limited funds, and recipients are advised to contact local offices for updates.

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.

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.

2025 Great Lakes Summit

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — L.V. Eberhard Center — Registration required — Engage with industry experts at Michigan's inaugural summit for data and analytics professionals.

Trunk or Treat Event

6-7:30 p.m. — Messiah Lutheran Church — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of treats, games, and family fun in a festive outdoor setting.

Thunderstruck - America's AC/DC Tribute

8-11 p.m. — The Intersection — Tickets required — Experience the high voltage energy of America's premier AC/DC tribute band live on stage.

Grand Rapids Ballet: Sherlock

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Peter Martin Wege Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a captivating ballet that immerses you in the world of Sherlock Holmes with stunning choreography and storytelling.

Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band Concert

5-6:30 p.m. — Royce Auditorium — Tickets from $76 — Experience an unforgettable evening with Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band in Grand Rapids.

State Champs Concert

6-9 p.m. — The Stache — Tickets available — Experience high-energy pop-punk as State Champs showcases their latest album.

The Book of Mormon

7:30-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Tickets required — Experience the nine-time Tony Award-winning musical hailed as “the best of this century.”

Vended Live Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — The Stache — Purchase tickets online — Experience Vended's energetic performance pushing the boundaries of heavy music.