GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Many of my friends and acquaintances have either been ill with the flu, their kids have or the whole family has been down for the count.
I think everyone this season knows someone who is sick with the virus or was recently.
We know flu-like illness levels have been very high in Michigan this year. I was deeply saddened Thursday when I learned that two Kent County children have died after contracting the flu.
Reporter Justin Hicks informed readers that, with the Kent County deaths, the state has now had five pediatric deaths this season. Kent joins Genesee, Macomb and Wayne counties with at least one death to mourn.
Local and state health officials continue to encourage people to consider getting vaccinated to protect their family and the community.
In other community news, Brian McVicar reported that six marijuana companies have sued the city of Grand Rapids. The complaint filed alleges no other type of businesses are forced to pay 3% of their annual sales “under the guise of social equity.”
Businesses that don’t pay the fee risk having their business closed and their license revoked.
Brian also provided our readers four well-sourced and well-written stories tracking the progress of Black residents a decade after Forbes ranked Grand Rapids the second worst large U.S. metro area for Black people to prosper.
He spoke to multiple people in the community. Black residents shared how they felt flickers of hope but also frustration with big gaps in income, homeownership and business ownership that haven’t closed.
That’s what caught our eye in the Grand Rapids area this week that interested readers. Take a look at those headlines, and others, below.
2 pediatric flu deaths reported in Kent County
10 years after damning Forbes report, has Grand Rapids improved for Black residents?
Grand Rapids’ Black homeownership rate stagnant, worst among 50 largest U.S. metros
Grand Rapids unemployment office to close for renovations
Major bridge project over I-96 in Grand Rapids area to begin this spring
Meet the Black CEO who’s shattering barriers in West Michigan’s tech startup scene
Arson suspected in fire that damaged Grand Rapids commercial building
Mom slashed son’s throat, said he wanted to die, police say
338% surge in West Michigan AI job postings prompts GVSU to create new degrees
Five development projects to watch in Plainfield Township for 2025
Hugely popular Grand Rapids Lantern Festival returning to John Ball Zoo
Closing after 4 years, Black-owned wine, jazz bar cites diversity as legacy
‘Monster’ gets decades in prison for sexually abusing children
East Grand Rapids explores parking garage amid high school expansion plans
New home for adults with disabilities opens in West Michigan, adding to campus
5 key findings on Black economic prosperity in metro Grand Rapids
Construction starting soon on new $12M fire station on Grand Rapids’ southeast side
Ex-state House speaker’s brother didn’t know who funded trips to Bahamas, Las Vegas
About Hello, Grand Rapids: Each week, we deliver the big headlines straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter here. Monica Scott is the editor for MLive Media Group’s The Grand Rapids Press and Muskegon Chronicle, who was a reporter who previously covered the city, county and schools in Grand Rapids.
