Featured Stories

Out of balance: The story of salmon in Lake Michigan

Second Wave Media / Octane Design Thursday, May 18, 2017

Michigan's multi-billion dollar salmon sports fishery is in peril. Check out our interactive to learn the story of how this happened and what officials are doing about it.

Environment, Great Lakes Stewardship, Greater Lakes, Preservation

'Still here, still resilient': How Muskegon Museum of Art's new exhibit amplifies Native voices

By Anna Gustafson Thursday, May 11, 2017

At a time in our history when there was state-sanctioned genocide against Native Americans, when thousands of Native Americans had died on the Trail of Tears, when Native communities had been decimated by disease brought by settlers, when white Americans were forcing Native American children into military-style boarding schools, the photographer Edward S. Curtis began a 30-year effort to document Native American cultures. Beginning May 11, the public can get an extensive look at Curtis’ work at the Muskegon Museum of Art’s biggest exhibition ever.

Arts & Culture

Muskegon Lakeshore

Battle Creek is ahead of the curve in addressing childhood trauma

By Theresa Coty-O'Neil Thursday, May 11, 2017

Battle Creek is building community, resolving conflict, and creating resiliency in its students who may have experienced repeated trauma.

Building Communities, Education, Michigan Nightlight, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit

Technology transforms the hospitality industry in Grand Rapids

By Matthew Russell Thursday, May 11, 2017

It takes more than just a celebrity chef and a few honeymoon suites to make truly memorable hotel. Behind the scenes, there's a world of integrated data, targeted messaging, and technologies that allow guests to customize their experience and actually make it more like home.

High Tech/High Growth, hospitality, Hotels, Restaurants, Technology, Urban Innovation Exchange

East Hills - Cherry Hill

GRPS Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal speaks at the state of the schools address.

GRPS Superintendent celebrates success in annual State of the Schools address

By Lauren Fay Carlson Thursday, May 11, 2017

GRPS Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal delivered the fifth annual State of the Schools Address on Thursday, May 4. Weatherall Neal spelled out the myriad of successes—both big and small—that the school district has experienced since she took the helm in 2012. Most of all, she encouraged community support. "Stay with me. Stay with the district. Stay with these children," she said.

Education

Rapid Blog: On policing, policy and metrics...and a safer city for all of us

By Tami VandenBerg Thursday, May 04, 2017

"The officers pointed guns at the kids while one cried hysterically and another begged, “Don’t shoot me.” After five unarmed African American boys were stopped at gunpoint by police, Well House Executive Director and community leader Tami VandenBerg takes a look at what the community can do, and what other cities have done, to address police procedure and community engagement with the local police force.

Civil liberties, Community Engagement, Law, Public Policy, Rapid Blog

Burton Heights/Garfield Park

RapidChat: Peter Varga

By Jenna Morton Thursday, May 04, 2017

Earlier this year, long-time Rapid CEO, Peter Varga, announced his plans for retirement in 2018. But before he says his final goodbyes, Varga reflects on his past years being at the forefront of Grand Rapids' dynamic public transportation systems.

RapidChat, Transportation

Making sense of our stories: In Michigan's literary landscape, Adam Schuitema shines

By Anna Gustafson Thursday, May 04, 2017

Adam Schuitema's newest book, The Things We Do That Make No Sense, delves into familiar territory: many of its stories are set in Michigan, including in Grand Rapids. Opening with a tale set in Creston and ending with another that partially takes place in Heritage Hill, this book by the Alger Heights author draws inspiration from our city to create unforgettable characters who remind us of the power of the written word.

Arts & Culture, Education, Publishing

Heritage Hill, Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave, Creston-Cheshire

Canoemobile guides GRPS students along the Grand River

By Allison Torres Burtka Thursday, May 04, 2017

More than 1,000 eighth graders in the Grand Rapids Public Schools will get a chance to see their city from a new perspective next week: from a canoe. A program called Canoemobile, which brings canoes to urban areas across the country for hands-on learning experiences, is setting up at Riverside Park May 8 to 12. The experience aims to foster an appreciation of nature, boost performance and engagement in school, and build participants’ confidence, teamwork, and relationships with others.

Building Communities, Community Engagement, Education, Environment, Michigan Nightlight

Creston-Cheshire

A fond farewell and the changing of the guard

By Tommy Allen, Publisher Thursday, May 04, 2017

Rapid Growth's Publisher Tommy Allen pays tribute to our former Editor Anna Gustafson as he introduces our new Editor Lauren Carlson. Please join us in celebrating these two innovative women of Rapid Growth.

Publishing, Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor

Muskegon Lakeshore

ACLU West Michigan hosts National Political Director Faiz Shakir

Lauren Fay Carlson Thursday, May 04, 2017

Faiz Shakir, the new national political director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the special guest speaker at the ACLU of Michigan Standing Together for Justice Annual Luncheon on Thursday, May 11 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Starting his new position in January of this year, Shakir has already made great strides as one the youngest senior staff members of the 97-year old organization. With the goal of implementing grass-roots organizing on a national scale, Shakir aims to reimagine the mission of the ACLU to empower everyone to be an agent for change.

Civil liberties, Community Engagement, Community Organizing, Government, Immigration, Law, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit, Public Policy

UIX: Canning Diva Diane Devereaux brings can-do attitude to changing how we eat

By Matthew Russell Thursday, April 27, 2017

When it comes to food, perhaps no innovation has transformed what, how, when, and even where we eat more than preservation. And in West Michigan, the "Canning Diva" is helping others understand that innovation in new ways.

Food, Small Business, Urban Innovation Exchange

How coworking spaces are growing an entrepreneurial community in Grand Rapids

By Leandra Williams Thursday, April 27, 2017

Coworking spaces in Grand Rapids are creating a place for entrepreneurs, creatives and the community to connect and collaborate. Venues like The Factory, The Space at Start Garden, Left Right Boom Collaborative, and Urban LINC offer more than just a spot to work. They are providing members with the support and educational opportunities needed in a city that aims to be synonymous with entrepreneurship.

Building Communities, Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Making it in Grand Rapids, Small Business

Franklin-Eastern, Madison Square

As construction industry faces shortage of workers, West Michigan groups innovate to fill gap

By Ken James Thursday, April 27, 2017

In what has become a national trend, West Michigan's construction industry is facing a serious shortage of workers — and even more talent will be needed in the near future. To address this, local trade alliances and educational leaders are rising to the challenge and are helping to provide local training programs and shape the future of construction in the region.

Building Grand Rapids, Construction, Education

RapidChat: Heartside Ministry's new director Tendai Masiriri on his journey from Zimbabwe to GR

By Jenna Morton Thursday, April 20, 2017

Growing up in Zimbabwe, Tendai Masiriri was inspired at an early age to want to make a difference in other people's lives. He started down a career path of social work, and now, about a quarter century later, he is the executive director of Heartside Ministry.

Non Profit, RapidChat