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Morning Buzz- 5 Things to Know for June 30

Posted at 10:34 AM, Jun 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-30 10:33:57-04

1. A construction project in Grand Rapids is starting to take shape.

All the action is happening on Bridge Street, where Rockford Construction is teaming up with Meijer to bring a full service grocery store to the west side.

The city's planning department posted the updates online which show the development is going to take up a square block bordered by Bridge, Seward, First Street, and Lexington Avenue. It's going to include other retail spaces, apartments, office space, and parking.

There's even a transit station.

Rockford says the project still needs some partners, and likely some incentives to get it off the ground.

It also needs full approval from the city.

2. Officials are breaking ground on two park improvement projects Thursday.

It's happening at Campau and Dickinson Parks in Grand Rapids.

They're two of six parks that will be getting a facelift this summer to make them even more family-friendly.

At Campau Park, some of the improvements include a new water splash pad, a new playground, and new sidewalks.

Dickinson will be getting new landscaping, a new playground, and lighting.

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss is expected to be there for Thursday’s ground breaking ceremonies.

3. Tuition is once again going up at Western Michigan University.

The board of trustees approved a nearly 4.2 percent increase.

The hike is about a full percent more than last year.

So full-time in-state freshman and sophomores will pay close to $11,500 for the academic year.

The increase places WMU eighth among Michigan’s 15 public universities in tuition cost.

4. The federal government is considering screening the social media accounts of foreign travelers to help identify possible terrorists.

The proposal, from the department of homeland security, was entered into the federal register last week. It’s in a 60 day public comment period before it's formally considered.

Under the proposal non-citizens traveling to and from the U.S. on a visa waiver could be asked about their social media profiles, but not their passwords.

The U.S. customs and border patrol would ask travelers to volunteer their usernames on their social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter.

5. Today is reserved for enjoying a summertime favorite.

It`s National Bomb Pop Day!

Invented in 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri, Bomb Pops are known to people as the red, white and blue popsicle.

Having one of these frozen treats is a great way to kick off the upcoming 4th of July celebrations in your community!

They've even added more flavors. They now have sour ones and banana fudge ones too.