1. John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum launched their "Yes! Zoo and Museum" campaign to encourage voters to approve a new millage.
The 10-year millage will be on the November 8 ballot in Kent County.
It would be an average increase for Kent County homeowners to about $37 per year.
The zoo and museum say it would raise enough money to care for 1,600 animals and 250,000 artifacts as well has help pay for renovations and more education programs.
2. If you've always wanted to be a police officer, now's your chance.
The city of Grand Rapids is looking for people with a passion for public service, even without policing experience.
In fact, the city is going to pay for a group of recruits to go through the police academy at Grand Valley State University next spring. They'll also get a starting officer's salary.
Then, they'll train with the police department before becoming officers.
The deadline is October 6.
3. The New Holland Brewing is cutting the ribbon on its new brewpub, The Knickerbocker.
It's in Grand Rapids, on Bridge Street, and after today's event it'll officially open to the public on Thursday.
It'll have a full drink menu including craft beer, cocktails, wine, and cider. There will also be a seasonal menu.
Today's ribbon cutting is at 1 p.m.
4. Your vocabulary has just officially expanded. All you have to do is crack open the latest version of the Oxford English Dictionary.
The latest update includes new words including some slang words like YOLO, the acronym for "you only live once." There's also a bevy of words related to Roald Dahl, who was born 100 years ago this week, including oompa loompa, scrumdiddlyumptious, and witching hour.
Other new additions to the dictionary include:
- Bracketology, the art practiced during march madness.
- Cheeseball, as in the food item and a foolish or unoriginal person
- Yogalates, for yoga combined with Pilates
In total, there are more than 1,000 updated entries and 1,200 new words or meanings.
5. Michigan State finished a rebrand in 2010 and decided to emphasize its classic spartan head as the university's main logo.
Now, after it's appeared on fields, helmets,and more, that logo is being recognized as the best in college sports.
In a ranking by "Athlon Sports," the spartan head was ranked the best logo in college sports because they say it's "striking but understated, strong but subtle."
The logo isn't the only Michigan State Symbol to receive a high ranking. "Sparty" was ranked the best mascot in the big ten earlier this year.
For Michigan fans out there, their logo was ranked at the tail end at number 25.
