Good Day
Grand Rapids
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 19th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Gomez, a friendly black lab mix weighing 65-70 lbs and over one year old, was available for adoption Tuesday from Mackenzie's Animal Sanctuary—he gets along well with kids, dogs and cats and loves both playtime and cuddles. FOX 17
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Kentwood welcomed the new Raising Cane’s as it opened Tuesday at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and festive events starting at 8 a.m.—early guests lined up for free gift baskets and combo offers. WOOD TV
- ➤ Allegiant Air pilots picketed at Gerald R Ford International Airport on November 18, 2025, as part of a nationwide effort to secure better contract terms after nearly four years of talks—union representatives warned that low wages could lead to pilot shortages and disrupt holiday routes. FOX 17
- ➤ Commerce Club is a new private business and social club coming to downtown Grand Rapids—renovations will start early next year at 61 Commerce Avenue near Division Street and the club will open before the end of 2026. The club will offer a café, overnight suites, gym, and speakeasy lounge and requires a referral from one of more than 50 founding members, in partnership with Detroit-based Real Times Media. WOOD TV
- ➤ Starting next year, Allegiant Air will add two nonstop routes from Gerald R. Ford International Airport — one to Santa Ana, California and one to Philadelphia. The flights will run twice a week beginning in May, and discounted one-way fares are available on the airline's website with tickets needing to be purchased by Wednesday for travel dates through Aug. 18. WOOD TV
- ➤ Raising Cane’s will open its first West Michigan restaurant today at 10 a.m. in Kentwood on 28th St. SE, where a community event will begin at 8 a.m.—featuring a ribbon cutting, a drawing for 20 free Cane’s for a year cards, and special giveaways for the first 100 combo buyers. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Christkindl Markt vendors spent this week preparing holiday stalls and decorations for the local event that returns for its third year in Grand Rapids—adding new offerings like white Gluhwein and a bubbles bar. The market expanded from 30 to 60 vendors, opens today and runs through Dec. 23. WOOD TV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Six major projects in Grand Rapids totaling $1.3 billion are set to transform the Grand River corridor into a hub for recreation and entertainment—Acrisure Amphitheater and Amway Soccer Stadium are underway with openings planned for Memorial Day and spring, while the Grand River Greenway, John Ball Zoo Aquarium and other projects are in planning or early construction stages. MLive
- ➤ Ongoing issues at an Indiana BP refinery have kept West Michigan gas prices above mid-October levels, with Grand Rapids recording an average price of $3.17 per gallon. A Citgo refinery near Chicago raised output by 6,000 barrels a day to help ease costs — though experts expect prices to remain high through Thanksgiving. FOX 17
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids approved the name Unity Park for a new park (costing $2.3 million) after a poll of 415 residents favored it over the earlier proposed Navarro Plaza name. The park (located at 680 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood) began construction this summer and will open next summer. MLive
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ West Michigan doctors urge parents to vaccinate children against the flu as holiday travel nears—CDC data showed 280 children had died by mid-September because most were not vaccinated. They warn that young kids with severe signs, such as trouble breathing or dehydration, need prompt care to prevent further complications. ABC 13
- ➤ A study by Citizens Research Council of Michigan finds that local residents have worse health outcomes because they lack enough financial resources for stable income, education, jobs, and access to food and transportation—researchers also note that violent incident rates are higher than in other states and hope the report sparks future policy changes. ABC 13
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ LMCU Ballpark will debut a new drink rail seating section and upgrade reserved box seats before the 2026 season, replacing a 125-seat bleacher section with modern, comfortable options at the Whitecaps stadium. MLive
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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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GR Turkey Trot 2025
8:10 a.m. — Van Andel Arena — Registration fee required — Celebrate fitness and community spirit with the 33rd Annual Grand Rapids Turkey Trot 5K run/walk.
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Straight No Chaser Holiday Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Tickets vary — Enjoy a festive evening filled with holiday cheer from the renowned a cappella group Straight No Chaser.
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Candlelight Concert: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
6:30-7:29 p.m. — Wealthy Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a magical candlelight concert featuring the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons performed by the KalHaven String Quartet.
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Los Tigres del Norte Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Tickets on sale — Experience the legendary Los Tigres del Norte live in a musical journey through their classics and new hits.
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A Magical Cirque Christmas
7:30-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience breathtaking variety acts and holiday magic for the whole family.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship.
~ John D. Rockefeller
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