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Grand Rapids Public School Superintendent Bernard Taylor wants to use money pitched by the Obama administration to halt teacher layoffs. But Taylor plans to use the cash to pay for health care costs for existing district employees. In August, the U.S. House of Representatives had a special session to approve a $26 billion jobs bill that the politicians said would save teachers from being laid off. At the time, some Republicans said it was a "giveaway to teachers' unions." Taylor said at a recent school board meeting that he would like to use the $3.5 million his district will receive...

GRAND RAPIDS -- Former President George W. Bush was by turns affable, relaxed -- and deadly serious in his local appearance Wednesday. "Yeah, we water-boarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed," Bush said of the terrorist who master-minded the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington. He said that event shaped his presidency and convinced him the nation was in a war against terror. "I'd do it again to save lives."

Marion Ladewig's legacy is reflected in yellowed newspaper clippings, record books, multiple halls of fame and in the memories of those who watched her win bowling's biggest national events and then provide color commentary on a popular local bowling television show... Ms. Ladewig, a lifelong Grand Rapids resident regarded internationally as the greatest woman bowler ever, died Friday of heart failure, her daughter LaVonne Vicari said. She was 95...

Talk about a political rock star. A crowd estimated at more than 1,500 already had lined up by mid-morning at a Grand Rapids, Mich., bookstore in advance of a 6 p.m. book signing by 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, whose book "Going Rogue" has already become a runaway bestseller -- one day after its release. Die-hard fans of the former Alaska governor traveled from all over the state and began setting up outside a Barnes & Noble store in the city's Woodland Mall at around 9 p.m. last night, hunkering down in 30-degree overnight temperatures to camp out...

Folks, Post here if you are going, know someone who is going, have reports on the size of the crowds, or interaction with Gov. Palin. WWJ Radio Detroit this morning @ 5:00am noted people were already getting their wrist bands that early for the book signing in the evening.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night to mourn the death of Thomas Pauli.Authorities say he died of hypothermia in January after two downtown shelters wouldn't let him inside. The shelters say they were just abiding by the law.Pauli's past criminal record kept him out, the 52 year old man was a sex offender."The law states they can't reside within 1000 feet of a school," said Rev. Ralph Collins of Mel Trotter Ministries.Marge Palmerlee of Degage Ministries says it's the wording she'd like to see changed."Staying at a mission is not actually residing, it's just...

From the makers of "No More Red Pens in School" and "Don't Call Me Washington - Call Me Slave Owner," comes the newest creation from the fabled partnership of Sensitivity and Esteem (formerly Multiculturalism and McCartney) - the latest feel-good initiative from today's fraternity of whinycrat educators, called "No More Fs."In Grand Rapids, Michigan, a new approach to handling failing high school students is being implemented - and even the Teachers union isn't sure about it. It involves the removal of the dreaded "F" grade from report cards in favor of a more accommodating (and less judgmental)"H" grade.School Superintendent Bernard...

When high school students in Grand Rapids Public Schools fail a class this fall, they won't get an "F" or an "E" -- they'll get an "H." "An 'H' is a failing grade," district spokesman John Helmholdt told 24 Hour News 8. But that new failing grade comes with second chance -- students who get an "H" will be able to re-take the class or the part of it they failed the next semester.

The Salvation Army and police are looking into the thefts of toys for the WOOD TV8/WOTV 4 Salvation Army Angel Tree Toy Drive.(Hope that the Huntington Bank has a good photo of the perp.)

Sinclair Crushes Obama Today Barack Obambi rolled up into Grand Rapids speaking and sounding like a lot of hot air. At the same time Larry Sinclair arrived with a megaphone. 80 percent of the crowd were college students with a smattering of folks in suits and some black folk. Well all of a sudden a tall big white kid asks Larry if he would like to give his view out over the airwaves. He hands Larry the cell phone and Larry starts to conduct an interview with the most popular radio station in Grand Rapids. 104.5 WSNX. Then the Grand...

09/17/2008 Grand Rapids, MI Straight Talk Town Hall Meeting on September 17th Please join John McCain and Sarah Palin for a Straight Talk Town Hall Meeting in Grand Rapids, MI. Live Video Stream http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mccain-2008-live

Grand Rapids, MI ? (WZZM) Sources close to the GOP have confirmed the three biggest names in Republican politics will visit the Grand Rapids area within the month. WZZM 13 News has learned Republican Presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate Governor Sarah Palin will make a joint appearance Wednesday, September 17th. The event will take place at GRCC's Ford Fieldhouse at 4:30p.m. Ticket information will be released as soon as it becomes available. Also, President Bush is expected to attend a private fundraiser on September 30th at the Ada Township home of Dick DeVos. A source close to...

What: Grand Rapids, MI Straight Talk Town Hall Meeting on September 17th When: September 17, 2008 4:30 p.m. Where: Grand Rapids Community College: Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse 143 Bostwick Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Please join John McCain & Sarah Palin for a Straight Talk Town Hall Meeting! Wednesday, Sept. 17th Grand Rapids Community College Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse 143 Bostwick Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Doors Open at 4:30 pm Tickets will not be available until Monday September 15th To RSVP, please reserve your ticket at one of the following locations.

Christian publisher Zondervan is facing a $60 million federal lawsuit filed by a man who claims he and other homosexuals have suffered based on what the suit claims is a misinterpretation of the Bible.

"When John Brookner died of liver cancer at the age of 66 in late May, he'd been living at the Grand Rapids Home For Veterans for 12 years. Up until the day before he died, Brookner didn't want his daughter to know his condition. Officials at the facility showed the paperwork documenting his wishes to 24 Hour News 8." Veteran dies, family notified 38 days later.Video at link.Sad story.Doesn't sound like the daughters kept in close touch with their Dad.

GRAND RAPIDS -- Kent County Republicans continue to claim a recent break-in at their Grand Rapids headquarters was politically motivated And one party leader publicly blamed unnamed Democrats in a mass e-mail sent to supporters. "We knew the Democrats would do anything to win, but we didn't expect this!" wrote Kent GOP Chair Dave Dishaw in a note asking for money to help cover "costs" and support candidates. Grand Rapids Police on Tuesday confirmed they are investigating an early morning break-in that occurred last Thursday at the GOP's offices at 264 Leonard St. NW, near U.S. 131. Lt. Ralph Mason...

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A helicopter crashed at a hospital on Thursday, sending thick, black smoke over downtown and forcing the evacuation of patients from the building. It was not clear whether anyone had been injured in the crash, which happened around 11 a.m. A fire dispatcher confirmed the crash happened at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, but could not provide any other details. The police department was setting up a command center, but had no other details. Lynda Ignatoski, who was standing outside the Towers Medical building on the Spectrum Health campus, told The Grand Rapids Press she saw the...

GRAND RAPIDS -- If not rain nor snow nor dark of night, what did prompt reports last winter that mail went undelivered on the Northwest Side of Grand Rapids? The Postal Service isn't saying, even though nearly half of the 59 letter carriers from the postal station at 1625 Walker Ave. NW faced suspensions ranging from two days to nine months. The last of the suspensions of 29 workers ended in August. But officials refused to reveal details. In fact, with the help of their unions and arbitration, all of the workers received back pay for their time off, said...

The Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post and Van Buren County Central Dispatch began receiving strange reports of a man in a wheel chair being pushed by a semi truck on Wednesday afternoon. The wheel chair of a 21-year-old man became lodged in the grill of a semi truck as the vehicle pulled out of a gas station. The semi then began driving down Red Arrow Highway, with its new and unusual hood ornament still attached. At speeds up to 50 miles per hour for 4 miles!

Superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools Bernard Taylor is looking for ways to improve after an instructional audit showed high rates of failure in high schools. The audit shows more than 50 percent of students at all four high shools did not meet district standards on writing assessments. Also, more than 65 percent of freshmen are failing classes. (snip) Other numbers in the audit indicate the number of freshmen with a grade point average below 2.0 increased and more than 40 percent of high school students missed more than 10 days of school in core classes. Taylor said he won't...