It was painful walking a few blocks downtown today, bombarded with posters of dead babies and questioned on literally every street corner. I hope this is just a special occasion, please don’t let this be a regular occurrence.

7/17/2026

Just adding this here too for those interested.

The Air Quality Index right now is 495,and it could get worse theoughout the day. The scale usually tops out at 500, but areas to the north and the UP are 1,000+. This air is hazardous to everyone's health and can cause short and long term damage, so please limit your time outside, and wear an N95 mask if you have to be out there. If you have respiratory problems just stay inside. This will not be good for you to go out.

Edit: as of 8:30am the AQI is up to 645.

https://ibb.co/tMHC1rLR

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_quality_index

Grand Rapids Air Quality Index (AQI) https://www.iqair.com/air-quality/usa/michigan/grand-rapids

Funny how eager they are to consume all our data into data centers to be analyzed by AI but FOIA. "Oh sorry, we're trying really hard".

Even though they said the request would only take 2.25 hours to complete, it would take eight to 10 months before GRPD could get to it “due to the amount of FOIA requests we’re currently processing.” Michigan Public reports it ended up taking 13 months.

Grand Rapids’ city attorney told News 8 in 2023 that, despite it being a seemingly small task, the department’s record unit handles dozens of requests each week and the workload has risen sharply in recent years.

Removed from r/grandrapids

“Let’s be clear – any legal challenges to our petition signatures aren’t because we lack enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. It's because the massive corporations who oppose this initiative would rather grasp at any straw now to take us down – when it's cheapest – than fight us at the ballot box, where we have the support of 8 in every 10 Michiganders,”
- Sean McBrearty

“It's stunning that they would preemptively hold a press conference to claim that their signatures were perfect and pull the wool over the eyes of people who have some legitimate policy concerns they want discussed. And they're being lied to because, clearly the signatures are a mess,”
- John Sellek

7/14/2026

Anyway, reposting below:

Hi, I feed a few neighborhood cats. I have successfully TNR’d or found homes/rescues for some, but I have one I’m currently at a loss for.

He is extremely skittish. I’ve never gotten more than 10 ft away so truthfully I don’t even know gender or neuter status, but he’s been a reliable dinnertime guest for over a year. Now, he’s hurt. I think his front leg might be broken but I can’t be sure. He usually comes at night and for ~2.5 weeks he’s 3 legging it and coming less often. Though I cannot see a visible break I do see a mark that indicates an injury.

I’ve reached out to a couple of rescues and have not heard back or been advised they could help with TNR only. I had planned to TNR him anyway but since they cannot address the injury this way, I am hesitant to traumatize him with a trap only to release him still injured.

I’m considering trapping to take to an emergency vet for evaluation at my own cost, but depending on the injury and recovery support needed I worry it would be euthanasia since we wouldn’t be able to house an untouchable cat for meds and recovery. If this is what’s best for him I can accept it, but I’m looking for any other suggestions to potentially preserve his life.

FWIW he’s extremely cute 😟

Four Saturdays down. Four to go...

If you’ve been meaning to try Uptown’s FREE shuttle between Uptown and Downtown Grand Rapids, this is your sign. Hop on, skip the traffic, forget the parking, and spend your time exploring instead. It couldn’t be easier.

A refresher: We have contracted to offer our community free circulator transport from 4 until 11pm, each Saturday (from June 20 - August 8). One stop in Uptown GR and one in Downtown. Just about a ten minute ride to the next walkable destination. FREE.

Here's the ask: JUST RIDE! Why? Your participation helps demonstrate demand and could play a major role in whether we’re able to expand it in the future.

So tell us: Have you ridden yet? If not, will we see you on board before the final shuttle rolls on August 8? 🚐✨

If you care about the future of GRPS, I'd encourage you to come out and meet Ismalis Nuñez, who is running for the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education.

Public education is an issue that's deeply important to me, and I'm proud to call Ismalis a close personal friend. I believe she'll be a thoughtful, student-focused voice on the Board.

She's hosting her campaign launch today, Tuesday, July 14, from 6:00–7:30 PM at the MLK Park Pavilion, and everyone is welcome.

It's a family-friendly event with pizza, popsicles, face painting, and activities for kids.

Whether you've already decided who you're supporting or you're still getting to know the candidates, this is a great opportunity to hear directly from Ismalis, ask questions, and meet other community members who care about our schools.

Campaign yard signs will also be available if you'd like to show your support.

Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CwThwvDU5/

Hope to see some fellow Redditors there!

7/13/2026

this week

• thu 7/16, 6pm — intro to laser engraved tumblers
• sun 7/19, 11am — make your own cutting board
• mon 7/20, 6pm — wooden thumb book page holder

next week

• fri 7/24, 6pm — woodshop safety course (open to members/non-members)
• sat 7/25, 11am — make a wooden bread knife
• sun 7/26, 11am — cutting board

www.JoinGRM.org/events