The top five stories FOX 17 is covering this morning:
1. College and charter school students head back to class
Muskegon Heights Public School Academy will open its doors to students today, but as a year-round school with four weeks off for summer vacation and one-week breaks throughout the school year. Grand Rapids Community College is starting the year off by celebrating 100 years and a new partnership with Grand Valley State University for transfer students. GVSU will start classes today as well, and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, which starts school tomorrow, invites the community to a back to school event today at Cathedral Square. Read more: College and charter school students head back to class
2. Pilot killed in plane crash
Brian Bowker, 67, of New Mexico was killed in a plane crash at Lowell Airport on Sunday. Bowker was in town to purchase an Ultralight Plane and flew the aircraft himself before crashing. Officials say he successfully flew and landed the plane the first time, but after the second take off, he lost control and crashed about 350 feet south of the runway. Bowker was pronounced dead at the scene, and no one else was injured. Read more: Man, 67, killed in Lowell plane crash
3. Bean bag chair recall after 2 deaths reported
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Ace Bayou Corp. have announced a voluntary recall of about 2.2 million bean bag chairs, after two children died. The zippers on the chairs can be opened, and children can crawl inside and get trapped and suffocate or choke on the foam beads. A 13-year-old boy from Texas and a 3-year-old girl from Kentucky both inhaled the chair’s foam beads and suffocated. They were both found inside the chairs. Consumers should check their chairs for zippers that can open, and contact Ace Bayou for a free repair kit. Read more: 2.2 million bean bag chairs recalled after 2 deaths reported
4. The Rapid Silver Line begins running today
The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit system, and will make its debut at Rapid Central Station today. It’s expected to improve transportation options in the greater Grand Rapids area and include stations at major employment centers, medical facilities, and entertainment locations. The first ride will leave the Kroc Center Station at 9 a.m. and arrive at Rapid Central Station for the opening at 9:30 a.m. The system will connect Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming. Read more: The Silver Line to open in Grand Rapids
5. 2014 MTV VMAs: Blue Ivy takes the stage; Miley Cyrus brings homeless man as date
During Beyonce’s 16 minute performance on stage at the awards show, her daughter, Blue Ivy gave her own performance, with hand gestures facial expressions. Dad Jay-Z brought the toddler on stage when he handed Beyonce the MTV VMAs Michael Jackson Vanguard Award. Miley Cyrus won the Video of the Year award for her hit “Wrecking Ball,” and sent a young man, identified as “Jesse,” to accept the trophy. He did so, on “behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youths in the United States who are starving, lost, and scared for their lives right now.” He also directed listeners to Cyrus’ Facebook page, where she speaks in a video for a campaign to bring awareness to and end youth homelessness. Read more: 2014 MTV VMA highlights
