🌱 Grand Rapids Activists Fight For Social Change + Local Spins Fest

Hello, neighbors! It's Monday in Grand Rapids and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: More clouds than sunshine. High: 80 Low: 54.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warm. High: 81 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories in Grand Rapids today:

1. Advocates in the Grand Rapids area held a public forum with lawmakers and city leaders on Saturday, May 20 to talk about various social concerns throughout the city. The forum was hosted by Together West Michigan from around 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Trinity Reformed Church. About 300 people attended the event and they were able to talk through issues relating to housing, mental health, policing, affordable child care, and language access for immigrants. (WOODTV.com)
2. The Grand Rapids Police Department responded to reports of a shooting on Saturday afternoon near M.L.K. Jr. Street SE and Dallas Avenue SE. When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they saw a woman with a gunshot wound to the chest who was quickly taken to the hospital and now is in stable condition. Officers believe that the woman was most likely walking in the area when the shooting took place, but no suspect information has been confirmed. (WOODTV.com)
3. This weekend, downtown Grand Rapids played host to the second annual Local Spins Fest, a music festival featuring female-led bands from the area. Crowds gathered at the Studio Park piazza to hear performances by Grace Theisen Band, Lokella, Sarena Rae, Earth Radio, In the Valley Below, and Kari Lynch Band, who played “upbeat, energetic and musically diverse sets.” The event coincided with the 11th anniversary of the Local Spins website. (Local Spins)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Monday, May 22

• BOM Score Season Opener at The Score Restaurant & Sports Bar (3:00 PM)

Tuesday, May 23

• Tuesday Bluegrass Jam at Switchback Gear Exchange (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• According to a newly released report by U.S. News & World on Thursday, Grand Rapids was listed as one of the country's best places to live. Despite Grand Rapids ranking 20th on the overall list, the city also ranked second for the "Best Places to Live in Michigan, 26th on "Best Places to Retire in America," and 14th on the "Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in America." (WWMT)
• On Saturday, May 20, parents and teachers of the Grand Rapids Public School District urged board members to increase school security and add more mental health experts districtwide. More than 20 community members voiced their concerns at a two-hour long public safety forum and had the opportunity to ask district leaders questions about upcoming safety measures to prevent any guns from entering schools. (MLive.com)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 23)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with a new update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.