Local

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Michigan House passes bills requiring drug tests, school attendance for welfare

The Michigan House has approved measures that would deny welfare benefits to recipients with truant children or recipien...

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Grand Rapids implements marijuana decriminalization

Nearly six months after Grand Rapids voters approved a measure to amend the city charter to make marijuana a civil infra...

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Michigan legislators introduce bill to decriminalize marijuana

Legislators have introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana in the state of Michigan with bipartisan support. The bill...

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Budget deal faces some hurdles

Michigan lawmakers hope to pass a final budget for the state by June but face a few stumbling blocks, including educatio...

Photo by Brittany Beezhold.
Torrence O’Haire, The Starving Artist, innovates culinary niche

Torrence O’Haire, The Starving Artist, is a self-made private chef developing a difference in the culinary culture. As...

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Grand Rapids hopes to remove dams from Grand River

Joining a larger trend of Michigan cities improving their waterways by removing dams, Grand Rapids is planning a $27 mil...

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Urban developers consider removing S-curve of U.S. 131

A growing group of local urban advocates are pushing to replace the S-curve of U.S. 131 that passes directly through dow...

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Police raids on medical marijuana dispensaries lead to arrests

Several medical marijuana dispensaries in Grand Rapids have been raided and arrests have been made as police enforce a M...

Kyle Ripley (right) started Clique on April 16, 2012 with his father Steve Ripley (left). Photo by Brittany Beezhold.
Clique coffee bar fosters appreciation of local, hand-brewed coffee

Through coffee beans, Hario V60 pour-overs and shots of espresso, Clique Coffee Bar (1600 East Beltline NE) is creating ...

Homeless students in Michigan rise 66 percent in four years

The number of homeless students in Michigan has increased 66 percent since the 2009-2010 school year, from 22,600 during the 2009-2010 school year to more than 37,500 homeless students in Michigan during the 2011-12 year. The ...