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🌱 Patch AM: How new Grand Rapids hospitals will change kids’ care by 2026

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Hello Grand Rapids! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How new Grand Rapids hospitals will change kids’ care by 2026
  • How a Grand Rapids online chat led to child exploitation charges
  • How are Michigan politicians splitting over Trump’s strike on Venezuela?

Also on today's calendar: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Grand Rapids and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one volcano say to the other volcano? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Low clouds, with a high of 32 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Monday: Low clouds, temps: high: 37, low: 29.
  • Tuesday: Ice, then rain, with a high of 38 and low of 32 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Health systems near finish line on projects to grow new care capacity (crainsgrandrapids.com) — Major pediatric and rehabilitation projects in Grand Rapids are set to significantly expand care for children and adolescents by 2026, including new facilities at Pine Rest and Mary Free Bed. Additional orthopedic and specialty-care centers in Wyoming, Zeeland, and Holland will shift some services out of downtown Grand Rapids while improving access across the region.
   

2. Grand Rapids man arrested, facing charges for allegedly sexually accosting a 14-year-old (wwmt.com) — A man from Grand Rapids has been arrested and charged after an online investigation into alleged inappropriate communications with someone he believed was a 14-year-old, according to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s human trafficking task force handled the case and is using it to warn families about online dangers, urging anyone with information about suspicious activity to contact law enforcement.
   

3. Michigan leaders speak out after U.S. strikes Venezuela, captures president (wzzm13.com) — From Grand Rapids leaders are reacting sharply to a U.S. strike in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro, with Democrats condemning the move and Republicans largely praising it. Local members of Congress, including Rashida Tlaib and John Moolenaar, are using social media and statements to frame the attack as either illegal overreach or a justified blow against a narco-terrorist regime.
   

4. Career-high triple-double headlines Muskegon-area girls hoops roundup for Jan. 2 (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids Covenant Christian’s girls basketball team edged Kent City 34-30, erasing a fourth-quarter deficit to stay unbeaten in non-conference play. The game highlights a busy night of Muskegon-area girls hoops, including Ravenna junior Natalie Rosel’s massive triple-double and several other notable matchups and final scores from around West Michigan.
   

5. ‘Safety Town' program would teach Walker kids lifesaving skills in mini city (mlive.com) — Walker officials are planning a four-day “Safety Town” program in June 2026 to teach young kids lifesaving skills in a mini city, modeled on programs already running in places like Grand Rapids. The event at Zinser Elementary will cover fire, bike, bus, and pedestrian safety, with local police, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers involved, and organizers exploring scholarships so cost doesn’t keep families away.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • *UPDATE* HE HAS BEEN FOUND THANK YOU!!
    My dog lucky was right behind me while getting something out of my car around 10pm last night, jan 2nd. I didn’t notice him behind me and… (Nextdoor Midtown)
  • Icicle growing day today;
    also, a word of thanks for the neighbors here and there who clear the sidewalks up and down their block, not stopping at the edge of their own… (Nextdoor Diamond)
  • AIMS Advantage INC posted a job opening for Janitorial Custodian in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Suburban Inns, Inc. posted a job opening for Expeditor - Big E's Sports Grill EBL in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I lava you.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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