Good Day
Grand Rapids
Thursday, November 13th, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 13th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Dahlia Swanson, a 4-year-old from Alto with cerebral palsy, was crowned the first Little Miss Wheelchair America during a ceremony at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids on Wednesday and will hold the title for two years. Dahlia said she planned to advocate for adaptive sports and inspire others, and her parents said they were proud of her achievements—highlighting a new role in celebrating ability and determination. WOOD TV
- ➤ A 4-year-old patient at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Dahlia Swanson, was crowned Little Miss Wheelchair America on Wednesday—she was previously named Little Miss Wheelchair Michigan and was born with cerebral palsy that she manages with ongoing outpatient therapy. FOX 17
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A late-night adult-only bakery named Slutty Buns will open on November 21 at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen—serving cinnamon rolls for pick-up or delivery with playful names like cinn-a-slut. It will initially offer treats on Fridays and Saturdays for two weeks before expanding to Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. WOOD TV
- ➤ Steelcase’s CEO Sara Armbruster will leave the company in December after nearly 20 years at the firm following its $2.2 billion acquisition by HNI Corp — additional top leaders will also depart while Bob Krestakos remains until 2026 to manage the transition, and HNI’s CEO Jeffrey Lorenger will lead the combined company while preserving the Steelcase brand and headquarters in Grand Rapids. MLive
- ➤ New Holland Brewing Company will offer its limited-run Dragon’s Milk Origin Honey and Maple bourbons on Saturday, Nov. 22 at brewpubs in Holland, Grand Rapids and Battle Creek — tasting rooms in Grand Haven, South Haven and Saugatuck will also have the products available. Customers are encouraged to arrive early as supplies are limited. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Singer Meghan Trainor will perform at the Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids on June 18, 2026—one of the first stops on her Get In Girl Tour where she will join Icona Pop while venue construction stays on schedule and budget; tickets will go on sale to the public Nov. 21 with other major acts set to appear during the new venue’s inaugural season. WOOD TV
- ➤ Downtown Grand Rapids received a 37-foot concolor fir tree from Watson’s Tree Farm that city officials and Rockford Construction chose for Rosa Parks Circle. The tree will rest briefly before crews add 50,000 lights and it is set to be lit on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6:45 p.m. — the event follows the Santa Parade — to boost holiday spirit. ABC 13
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ On Oct. 24, the GVSU Board approved three construction projects at its Allendale campus using the Strategic Capital Reserve Fund — totaling $17.15 million — to upgrade athletic and academic facilities. Rockford Construction was picked to build a new 12,800–square-foot indoor baseball and softball training facility costing $5.65 million — featuring locker rooms, team lounges and batting cages — while Clark Construction will renovate the Louis Armstrong Theatre for $5.2 million and Granger Construction will upgrade the student services building for $6.3 million. WOOD TV
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Junior Riley Loehfelm helped Forest Hills Northern win its regional semifinal over Grand Haven on Tuesday night at Hudsonville High School, moving her team into the Division 1 regional finals. She also passed 1,000 career kills—an important milestone in her play. MLive
- ➤ JT Sokolove, a Hudsonville High School graduate and Michigan State alumnus, is training hard and using social media to try out for the Savannah Bananas baseball team as the draft starts today; he practices lifts, backflips, and baseball drills to show his skills and gain support from local fans (including those in Grand Rapids and Detroit). FOX 17
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YDG Live Performance
9-10:30 p.m. — Elevation — Tickets available — Experience the versatile sounds of YDG as he rises in the underground bass community with electrifying performances.
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Grand Rapids Gold vs. Motor City Cruise
7-8:30 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — $20+ — Enjoy an exciting matchup as local favorites Grand Rapids Gold take on Motor City Cruise in an evening of professional basketball.
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Anne Wilson Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience inspiring music from rising Christian artist Anne Wilson in an intimate venue.
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West Michigan Lutheran Science Day
9:30 AM – 1:35 PM — West Michigan Lutheran High School — Registration required — Engage in hands-on water-based science experiments for students in grades 5–8.
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QuickBooks Online Training
1-5 p.m. — Grand Rapids Office — Cost not listed — Level up your accounting skills with hands-on training in QuickBooks Online.
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Christkindl Markt 2025
8-9 p.m. — Grand Rapids Downtown Market — Free entry — Experience the magic of a traditional European Christmas village with artisan vendors and holiday cheer.
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Charlotte Checkers vs Grand Rapids Griffins
7-8:30 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Watch the action live on FloHockey as two top teams face off on the ice.
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Made Market - Grand Rapids Holiday Market
10 AM - 5 PM — Goei Center — Free entry — Explore 60+ local makers and their unique, handmade goods this holiday season.
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Postmodern Jukebox: Magic, Moonlight & Mistletoe Tour
8-9:30 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience a night of vintage musical magic with genre-twisting covers and holiday classics.
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TVBOO Live Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — The Intersection — Ticket prices vary — Experience electrifying bass music and high-energy performances from rising star TVBOO.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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