Local search for Grand Rapids places

4+ hour, 58+ min ago (337+ words) December 15, 2025 / 11:29 PM EST / CBS Detroit Literacy is on the decline in Michigan, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she wants to stop it in its tracks. The governor shared during this year's Michigan Literacy Summit that one in three students in Michigan tests below average. Michigan used to rank higher, but nowit is 44th in the nation when it comes to reading at grade level. Whitmer says it's due to multiple things, from decades of disinvestment in education to the pandemic. "Literacy is directly correlated to higher incomes, greater productivity more innovation," Whitmer said at the summit. For the rest of her term as governor, Whitmer says literacy will be her top priority. "A literate population is more civically engaged, more empowered, more equal," said Whitmer. In a room filled with educators from across Michigan, the governor didn't place blame for the…...

6+ hour, 4+ min ago (638+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, MI " Bishop David Walkowiak of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids apologized to victims of clergy abuse but said the church has taken steps to prevent victimization, particularly of children. The bishop spoke Monday, Dec. 15, after state Attorney General Dana Nessel released a report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct of diocese priests since Jan. 1, 1950. The report is part of a statewide investigation begun in 2018. "While it is difficult for our church to face the harsh reality contained in this report, it provides a necessary opportunity for us to pledge to do better and move forward in the light of Christ," he said, during a press conference at diocese headquarters. He noted that none of the 51 priests mentioned in the report are in active ministry in the Diocese of Grand Rapids and that no criminal charges have resulted. The…...

6+ hour, 32+ min ago (1072+ words) The firing of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore and his subsequent arrest has resulted in more scrutiny to athletic director Warde Manuel. The handling of the investigation that found "credible evidence" Moore was involved in'an "inappropriate relationship" with a staffer has resulted in a look into the athletic department as a whole. The university Board of Regents met with Manuel on Thursday, Dec. 11 to discuss the Moore scandal, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Detroit Free Press, part of USA TODAY Co. Meanwhile, the law firm of Jenner & Block, which did the initial probe into allegations with Moore but didn't discover anything, is investigating the athletic department. It's just one of the several incidents that have happened at Michigan recently in athletics, but they've all happened under Manuel's leadership since he took the position in 2016, putting into question…...

6+ hour, 42+ min ago (261+ words) ANN ARBOR, MI " A popular sports bar for students in Ann Arbor closed last weekend after 17 years of operation. Blue Leprechaun, 1220 S. University Ave., closed its doors on Saturday, Dec. 13, Niko Porikos, whose father Perry is the longtime owner of both the former bar and the Brown Jug, confirmed. He said its closure was partially up to the landlord's discretion and partially because the owners did not want to renew the lease. He said he does not know who the future business owner will be or why the lease was not renewed. Despite the closure, Porikos hopes the future business owner will honor the bar's mementos. "There's a lot of really cool moments in history on the walls there so hopefully whoever buys it continues on with some of that history," Porikos said. The Brown Jug will remain open and Perry…...

6+ hour, 50+ min ago (438+ words) Poggi told the players and their parents that athletic director Warde Manuel hoped to have a new coach hired by the end of the month, said the person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details from the call. Moore's firing left the No. 18 Wolverines scrambling to retain recruits and give current players reasons to stay out of the transfer portal. That's going to be quite a challenge. Michigan has begun practicing for its bowl game with Poggi and assistants, none of whom know if they will be a part of the team's staff in 2026. The Wolverines announced less than two weeks ago that 27 prospects signed commitments to play football for the maize and blue and the class was ranked No. 11 by 247Sports. Two of those players, however, asked for and were…...

8+ hour, 22+ min ago (810+ words) Some of the latest "Dancing with the Stars" celebrities and pros are heading out on tour in 2026, bringing their massive North American trek to venues in both Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The route both begins and ends at the Akron Civic Theater in Akron, Ohio " opening Thursday, January 22 and concluding Wednesday, May 13. The new "DWTS: Live!" outing also includes three separate Michigan concerts: two at the Fox Theatre Detroit (February 24 and May 8), plus one at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids on Sunday, March 8. Fans can find official tickets on Ticketmaster and dwtstour.com/dates. Listings are also available on SeatGeek, Vivid Seats ($20 off a $200+ ticket order with code MLIVE20, offer valid through December 31), and StubHub. Thu, Jan 22 " Akron Civic Theatre; Akron, OH Fri, Jan 23 " The Event Center at Turning Stone Resort Casino; Verona, NY Sun, Jan 25 " Wang Theatre; Boston,…...

9+ hour, 30+ min ago (390+ words) Dave Portnoy and Urban Meyer made a bet The loser owes $2,000 in NIL funds Meyer put Portnoy on blast for not paying up The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes resumed their historic rivalry on the gridiron late last month with the Buckeyes snapping a four-game losing streak in a 27-9 road win. Prior to the game, Michigan alum and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy made a Big Noon Kickoff bet with former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer that led to playful smack talk and plenty of speculation and hearsay between the two analysts. Portnoy wound up losing the bet as Ohio State rolled over the Wolverines, leading Meyer to put the pizza review maven and college football superfan on blast on social media Monday over his unpaid bet. Portnoy's bet was made with Meyer on 'The Game' last month with…...

9+ hour, 55+ min ago (521+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WILX) - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has released a report detailing allegations of sexual abuse involving dozens of priests from the Diocese of Grand Rapids. No criminal charges have been issued in connection with the report's findings. The 336-page report, released Monday morning, was made public to "acknowledge the reports of abuse from victims and to report the Department's findings," according to Nessel's office. This is the fifth of what will eventually be seven reports detailing sexual assault allegations involving Catholic priests at the six Dioceses and the Archdiocese of Detroit. Monday's report names 51 priests who were alleged to have committed sexual misconduct against either children or adults since Jan. 1, 1950. No criminal charges were filed as a result of the investigation into the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Nessel told reporters Monday that, of the cases that had…...

10+ hour, 21+ min ago (242+ words) Michigan, through no fault of its own, still hasn't reached No. 1 in this season's AP Top 25 men's basketball poll. Michigan remained at No. 2 in Monday's weekly update. Arizona stayed on top for the second straight week. The Wolverines are 10-0 and coming off another impressive week: They beat Villanova at home Tuesday 89-61 before going to Maryland and winning 101-83. Arizona (9-0) won by 21 against Alabama in Mobile on Saturday night. The Wildcats received 42 first-place votes. Michigan earned 15, yet only trailed Arizona by 30 points overall in the poll, a relatively small margin. No. 3 Duke received three first-place votes and No. 4 Iowa State received one. Michigan plays just once this week, during final exams, hosting La Salle on Sunday (4 p.m. ET, Peacock). Arizona hosts Abilene Christian and plays San Diego State in Phoenix. UConn rounded out the top five. Purdue (No. 6), Michigan State (9), Nebraska (15), Illinois (18) are…...

12+ hour, 16+ min ago (552+ words) Pat Fitzgerald has been working around the clock'connecting with recruits while simultaneously assembling his coaching staff. That's no easy task, especially stepping back into the college ranks in the middle of recruiting season after time away from coaching. Right now, though, Fitzgerald is doing exactly that. You could call him Diana Ross'because he's working overtime. According to a report on X from Matt Zenitz (CBS Sports), along with Justin Thind and Corey Robinson, Michigan State is targeting Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere for its open defensive line coach position. DeLattiboudere played defensive line at Minnesota from 20152019 before quickly climbing the coaching ranks. Charlotte (2020) Graduate Assistant Oregon (2021) Graduate Assistant Akron (2022) Defensive Line Coach Green Bay Packers (2023) Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship Minnesota (2023) Defensive Line Coach Minnesota (2024) Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line Coach Arizona Cardinals (2025present) Defensive Line Coach As Arizona's…...