WGVU News

06/06/2026

The union cited his support of a single-payer health system, banning stock buybacks, and refusal to accept corporate PAC donations among its reasons for backing him

06/05/2026

Construction milestone: final steel beam placed at Grand Rapids' Amway Stadium.

Community members signed the beam signifying the completion of the stadium’s signature steel canopy.

“Now that the basic structure is here, you also get a feel for the dimension and the size of it.”

Dave Van Andel is co-owner and chair of ACGRSoccer, the soccer team that will call the Amway Stadium home next year.

“It’s very exciting to be standing here watching this final beam going in today.”

Community members joined the Van Andel’s signing the beam, signifying the completion of the stadium’s signature steel canopy.

“This has to have an iconic look to it, so when people drive by, they’re like, ‘Wow! What is going on in there?’ And I think that’s going to be a big draw.”

When completed, the $175 million stadium will contain 1,600 tons of steel and seat 8,500 soccer fans who Carol Van Andel says will support West Side businesses.

“You’re starting to see the growth already on the west side, which I think is very important. I think the west side needs a little love because I’m a west sider originally. Someone just told me they live in Standale and they’re like, ‘Wow! We’re starting to see impact on the outskirts.’”

The stadium is expected to generate over $400 million in economic impact for the city over its first 30 years.

https://www.wgvunews.org/news/2026-05-29/construction-milestone-final-steel-beam-placed-at-grand-rapids-amway-stadium

06/05/2026

Odors emanating from a West Michigan composting operation are so foul, planning commissioners voted Wednesday to shut it down

06/05/2026

West Michigan's newest bike park serves as hub that will connect downtown to existing trail networks across the region

Construction begins this month on a 600-foot asphalt pump track designed as the central piece in the Holland Bike Park located just north of the Unity Bridge on River Avenue.

Recreation Manager Kemri Hilton says it links riders to neighborhoods, the waterfront, and the new ice park.

West Michigan's newest bike park serves as hub that will connect downtown to existing trail networks across the region

06/05/2026

Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined local Kalamazoo leaders on Thursday to speak about the importance of gun violence prevention and sign an executive order that re-establishes the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

The event was held at Edison Academy in Kalamazoo, where several speakers joined Whitmer in giving remarks before she signed the order, which also declared June Gun Violence Prevention Month once again.

The order also declares June to be Gun Violence Prevention Month

06/04/2026

A statewide pilot program is breaking down housing barriers for West Michigan residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, creating affordable, independent living spaces

06/03/2026

Step into the Belle Époque: GRAM’s new exhibition captures the spirit of turn-of-the-century Paris.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum opens “Decadent Spirit: French Art at the Turn of the Century" this Friday.

Picture Moulin Rouge cabaret, can-can dancers, and Art Nouveau posters.

The exhibition features 130 works from the Belle Époque – an era of bohemian culture and artistic innovation.

“This was an incredibly fertile moment for art making.”

GRAM Associate Curator Terra Warren says 1880-1910 was a time of immense optimism, just before World War I.

“This exhibition really tries to show the vibrant, diverse reality of Paris at this time, which was really a city where so many kinds of voices were heard. We are trying to showcase the ways in which the women who were depicted were not just a muse, they were not just the subject of the image, but they were all artists in their own right.”

The exhibition features paintings, sculpture, metalwork, paper art, furniture and film from icons like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Alice Guy-Blaché.

“This was also a time of society figuring out what it wanted to be. There were a lot of national conversations between the people on the right and the people on the left. There were a lot of social movements that were happening.”

Warren imagines the era’s creative energy may influence modern visitors.

“There are so many avenues for creativity available to us. And I hope that people leave inspired to make our own time as vibrant.”

“Decadent Spirit” opens May 29 through September 6 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

https://www.wgvunews.org/news/2026-05-28/step-into-the-belle-epoque-grams-new-exhibition-captures-the-spirit-of-turn-of-the-century-paris

06/03/2026

Wednesday, AC Grand Rapids begins taking deposits for the 2027 inaugural season and kicks off a “Summer of Soccer” to build a fan base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup

06/03/2026

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual CEO Summit Tuesday, and despite economic uncertainty, business leaders are leaning into AI and how it will change how you work

06/02/2026

Residents in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights can now enroll in R-X Kids, the nation’s first prenatal and infant cash prescription program