John Ball Zoo’s baby pygmy hippo debuts to zoo members
One of John Ball Zoo's newest residents has made his public debut, almost two months after he was born.
Marker commemorates Grand River Bands trade route in Eastown
An educational sign was unveiled in Eastown Monday, highlighting a more than 200-year-old trade route traversed by the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians.
W MI families turn to food pantries amid SNAP funding uncertainty
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Uncertainty surrounding the government shutdown and the pause to food assistance funding has people in West Michigan looking for help from local food pantries. The USDA announced via its website that they will not disperse Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds on Nov. 1. It will...
Grand Rapids neighbors brace to stop get SNAP benefits
The Community Food Club in Grand Rapids is nearing its busiest time of the year, but leaders say the looming pause of SNAP benefits is driving more people to look for help to put food on the table.
Michigan Leaf Blowing Mistake Can Be Dangerous, Costly
A simple leaf-blowing mistake in Michigan can lead to legal trouble and dangerous road hazards for others.
20-year-old sentenced to prison in accidental GVSU shooting death
OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — A 20-year-old Jenison man learned how much time he will spend in prison after pleading guilty to a charge stemming from the death of 19-year-old Connor Lotterman at party in Tallmadge Township earlier this year. In September, Westen Meulenberg, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge...
SNAP benefits will pause in November. Scholten, food bank leaders are calling for action
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — More than 1.4 million Michiganders could lose access to food assistance next week as the federal government shutdown forces a pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has directed Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services to...
West Michigan Brewery Guide 2025
Since at least 2012, breweries have been deeply intertwined with West Michigan’s culture. That was the year Grand Rapids was voted by readers as Beer City, USA, and it only spurred dozens more craft breweries to open across the region. While some spots sadly didn’t survive the last few years, many breweries remain...
Annual Operation Green Light initiative in Kent County to honor veterans
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- As part of the third annual "Operation Green Light" initiative, Kent County Veterans Services will be distributing 2,000 green light bulbs to help light the county green. From November 4 through the 11, the agency is encouraging residents and businesses to swap out their outdoor lights...
FOREVER HOME: Meet 15-year-old Isaieh!
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan. — Each month, we take the opportunity to spotlight a teen living in the foster care system, in hopes that someone watching may want to welcome them into a forever home. This month, we introduce you to Isaieh, who may be one of the biggest animal lovers we’ve ever met. During a recent visit to...
