Some question aggressive police tactics in West Michigan
Controversy over police force has hit not only Ferguson, Missouri but a small town in West Michigan as well. Some residents in Barry Township, Michigan are getting angry over the build-up of its police...
View ArticleHere are 10 West Michigan trails to explore this fall
The days are getting shorter, but don't resign yourself to settling in for a long, lazy season inside. One of Grand Rapids' greatest assets is the natural beauty that surrounds this mid-size city, with...
View ArticleMichigan's investment culture must adapt to help new businesses grow
The Next Idea Michigan’s economy is changing, and our state’s investment culture must change along with it. As we work to diversify by stimulating entrepreneurship, innovation and talent attraction,...
View ArticleLaughFest comic builds show around her "mean mom"
Gilda’s LaughFest 2015 kicks off in Grand Rapids this Thursday (March 5). The 10-day comedic festival will feature stand-up, comedy films, improv, comedy showcases and more all over West Michigan. The...
View ArticleTeens with disabilities cut loose at "Best Prom Ever"
Ten years ago, two women from west Michigan started something called the "Best Prom Ever." They were Sparta High School special education teacher Renne Wyman, and a mother of one of her students,...
View ArticleCelebrating West Michigan's Hispanic heritage
The city of Holland in West Michigan has certainly made its Dutch heritage known. If the name alone isn’t enough for you, the city has held an annual Tulip Time Festival, celebrating all things Dutch...
View ArticleTaking dance offstage and onto the screen
West Michigan, you're getting a chance to see unique performance art in the form of music, movement, choreography, film happening Jan. 8-17 at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids....
View ArticleHow the largest gay resort in the Midwest is in Michigan's "Bible belt"
This week Michigan Radio is airing a series called Community Vibe . We’re showcasing one interesting thing about different towns across the state. Today we’ll visit the neighboring communities of...
View ArticleWhy ready, able, diverse women are so often passed over for leadership roles
Attention businesses and organizations in West Michigan: women of color are more than ready, willing and able to take on leadership roles. That's the message on this International Women's Day from a...
View ArticleNew initiative hopes to boost entrepreneurship in West Michigan’s Latino...
The Next Idea West Michigan's got a bigger Latino population than the state average, but the number of Latino-owned businesses in the region has not been keeping pace. Ferris State University wants to...
View ArticleLocal Spins: Exploring West Michigan’s diverse music scene
West Michigan is turning out many talented artists and many styles of music these days. Editor and publisher John Sinkevics has been covering West Michigan’s music scene on his Local Spins website to...
View ArticleMixtape: New music from In The Valley Below, Organissimo, Above and Below
Summer has been full of music festivals in Michigan, many of them showcasing regional and local Michigan artists. Local Spins Editor and Publisher John Sinkevics told Stateside about groups in West...
View ArticleMixtape: New music from Lady Ace Boogie, Billy Strings, and Lipstick Jodi
Each month, Stateside checks in with John Sinkevics , the editor and publisher of Local Spins , a site that covers West Michigan’s music scene. Sinkevics discusses new artists, their backstories and...
View ArticleMixtape: New albums from Bigfoot Buffalo, Joshua Davis, and Blushing Monk
This week, John Sinkevics introduces us to three new albums coming out in November. Sinkevics is the editor and publisher of Local Spins , which covers west Michigan’s music scene. Bigfoot Buffalo, The...
View ArticleMixtape: Public Access, Cabildo, and Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions
Time now for our regular check-in on the West Michigan scene with John Sinkevics, editor & publisher of the LocalSpins.com . This month, he brings us three rocking bands - a super-group, a "rock en...
View ArticleWhat’s causing the ‘logjam’ in the Grand Rapids housing market?
This is the time of year when For Sale signs start popping up with the spring crocuses and tulips. But the home-buying season might be a challenge this year in Grand Rapids, despite high home prices.
View ArticleTheater Talk: Our picks for the West Michigan summer theater season
It’s time for another edition of Theater Talk . David Kiley , editor-in-chief of Encore Michigan , joined Stateside to preview and review plays, with a special focus on West Michigan.
View ArticleWest Michigan Mixtape: Dacia Bridges Project, Suzies, Lazy Genius
New and exciting artists are cropping up around West Michigan. There are even a few moving from abroad to join the lively music scene there. Editor and publisher of Local Spins , John Sinkevics...
View ArticleWest Michigan Mixtape: Major Murphy, Brian Koenigsknecht, Michigan Rattlers
This very hot summer week is a great time to find some new music to enjoy, preferably indoors and in front of an air conditioner. John Sinkevics , editor and publisher of Local Spins, joined us once...
View ArticleWest Michigan Mixtape: Jake Allen, Brotha James, Joshua Davis
This month’s check-in with Local Spins editor and publisher, John Sinkevics , takes a look at musicians plying their trade in the northern climes of the Lower Peninsula. Sinkevics joined Stateside to...
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