Grand Rapids Business Journal

LANSING — The Michigan Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to allocate nearly $4.4 billion in federal COVID-19 aid to K-12 schools after Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration reached an agreement.

HealthWest and the Muskegon County Sexuality And Gender Advocates Collaborative are partnering to host Muskegon Pride, a free virtual conference and resource fair for the Muskegon LGBTQ+/SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression) community.

The Grand Rapids City Commission unanimously approved an amendment to an option agreement with the Kent County Road Commission for the sale of the current home of the Kent County Road Commission.

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday outlined how Michigan should spend more than $1.1 billion allotted for child care under the most recent federal coronavirus rescue, proposing to make it more affordable and to give workers $500 retention bonuses every three months.

ALMA — A city in central Michigan is considering a request to turn a former nursing home into temporary housing for young migrants.

Trademark owners will have to adhere to some new rules and procedures later this year, courtesy of the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA.)

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday called for spending a "historic" $250 million in federal coronavirus relief aid to upgrade state parks and trails, a day after Senate Republicans announced a $1.5 billion plan to fix deteriorating local bridges across Michigan.

Grand Rapids is expanding its shared e-scooter and bike share service pilot with micromobility partner Lime.

The East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting two free summer entertainment series, Concerts and Movies in the Park, for all ages at John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE.

EAST LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday proposed expanding government-funded preschool to 22,000 eligible but unenrolled 4-year-olds in Michigan, saying too many cannot access an "incredible opportunity" because of inadequate funding.

DETROIT — A former Detroit city councilman was sentenced Monday to 2 1/2 years of probation after pleading guilty last month to accepting an illegal cash campaign contribution.

The Grand Rapids Police Department hired Karianne Thomas as the department’s first chief of staff.

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday proposed spending $300 million in federal COVID-19 funding to help Michigan businesses pay workers $15 an hour.

The city of Holland’s Principal Shopping District is seeking an individual or a firm to serve as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant for downtown Holland.

The city of Grand Rapids combined the existing downtown social district areas — also known as “refreshment areas” — into one to streamline operations and simplify the boundaries for businesses and visitors.

LANSING — Michigan on Tuesday finalized a requirement that all 440,000 licensed or registered health workers in the state undergo annual hidden bias training to help address disparities in how patients are treated.

LANSING — Michigan crossed a threshold in the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday with a lifting of certain restrictions at outdoor events and inside bars and restaurants.

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed using a budget surplus to finally eliminate a funding gap among K-12 districts, 27 years after Michigan overhauled the financing of public education.

Mel Trotter Ministries is well on its way to improving how it addresses the city’s homelessness crisis.

While many employees are celebrating the impending return of in-person work, their employers’ focus is on ensuring a smooth transition.

Updates to Michigan’s Industrial Hemp Growers Act are giving hemp farmers and growers more latitude to expand.

LANSING — Legislation to close a gap in Michigan marijuana law that has allowed some untested products similar to marijuana to be sold passed Thursday in the state House.

The Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit returns in a new format next week to optimize access in neighborhoods.

As Grand Rapids begins its eighth season of ramped-up road construction, residents can again expect to see improvements to streets and sidewalks throughout the city this summer.

LANSING — Michigan Republicans on Wednesday revised a contentious bill that would have required voters to attach a copy of their photo ID when mailing an absentee ballot application, saying they could include their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number instead.