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  • 📍 What’s up with the air quality? | June 6th, 2025

📍 What’s up with the air quality? | June 6th, 2025

Plus, free planet fitness gyms, fishing, and more

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Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — and we drop the best events, happenings, and news around town in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I woke up a tad happier than normal today. Why?

Two reasons. It’s Friday and it’s National Doughnut Day. And I love a sweet treat.

I haven’t quite picked the place I should grab a doughnut from, so I’d like to ask you


Who has the best doughnuts around Grand Rapids? đŸ©

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

P.S. I’m usually unaware of upcoming holidays (or gag national days), but this week i’m on a roll, folks.

~LeQwane L.

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The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Housing

26 New Apartments Are Coming To Division

A new 26-unit apartment building is planned for the corner of Division and Logan. The city awarded first-time builder Hansen a $200K grant to help cover costs. The project will be located at 443 Sheldon Ave. SE and it’ll feature mixed-income housing, ground-floor parking, and all-electric utilities. The project is expected to break ground by spring 2026. | Read more here

Weather

Watch The Air Quality

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has pushed air quality to unhealthy levels across Michigan (including GR). While some reports I read indicated that conditions have improved, there is still “moderately bad air quality” for most of the town. Hazy skies and a smoky smell may linger until early Saturday, when shifting winds are expected to fix the issue over the weekend. | See a live update on the air quality

Due to this, all Planet Fitness locations are opening their doors for free to anyone who wants to work out over the weekend. All you’ll need to go is your ID.

Community

GR Honors Victims of Gun Violence

This weekend marks the 11th year of the national Wear Orange movement, held near National Gun Violence Awareness Day. People are encouraged to wear orange, plant marigolds, tie orange ribbons, or change porch lights to honor lives lost or affected by gun violence. While the Blue Bridge was set to light up orange again this year, a technical issue is preventing the color change. So if you peep lots of orange this weekend, that’s why! | Learn more about the movement

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CREW HIGHLIGHT

This is our new section for reader-submitted shoutouts, stories, and opinions that lift up our community.

Biking from GR to LA for a Cause | Submitted by an anonymous reader from Kentwood

Two longtime friends from Grand Rapids, Tommy Gehl and Michael Vansuilichem, are doing a cross-country bike ride from Grand Rapids to Los Angeles to raise $50,000 for the L.A. Fire Department Foundation.

The ride starts on Monday and it’s a part of a campaign they set up called Pedal to the Rescue.

The trip will span 3,400 miles over three months. And this isn’t random. The idea was drummed up years ago when the two were in high school. Between training, planning, and college finals, the duo has been preparing for 6+ months.

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Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

đŸ„œ Swim Season Is Here

Grand Rapids community pools and splash pads are now open for the season. Briggs and Martin Luther King Pools are open from June 6th to August 16th, while Richmond Pool is closed until a few pump issues are resolved. The city’s 15+ Splash Pads are open from today through September 14th.

🎣 Free Fishing Weekend

This weekend, anyone can fish in inland or Great Lakes waters for free. And although there are rules, there are no restrictions on which species of fish you can catch.

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Friday, June 6th

Saturday, June 7th

Sunday, June 8th

Live Music

Friday, June 6th

Saturday, June 7th

Sunday, June 8th

*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.

Outside The Plaza

Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids

Muskegon:

That’s All For Today


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