Grand Rapids Opinion

With rising costs and reduced funding, will colleges innovate?

2009-11-21T23:24:51Z

Or will other entities step up to do what higher education refuses to?

Peter Luke: Michigan jobs burn while Lansing fiddles

2009-11-22T05:00:01Z

Michigan is a "state of contention" when it has to be a "state of cohesion" if political leaders are to achieve consensus on the investments required for job creation.

Can college students learn as much from an online class?

2009-11-21T15:20:21Z

President of an online college expects his school's method of teaching to grow dramatically during the next five years.

Editorial: Note to Lansing: Finish homework

2009-11-21T14:00:00Z

This year, every state and school system in America was challenged with an assignment by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan: Devise new ways to improve schools, and the best plans will get a generous slice of a $4 billion federal...

Understanding the appeal of 'American Idol' Adam Lambert

2009-11-21T13:19:21Z

Maybe someday Adam will take it down a notch -- or 20. But not now.

Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell on misunderstanding of city tax change: 'We blew it'

2009-11-21T11:17:19Z

Effort to reduce the budget deficit will come up three days late, $200,000 short.

Let us turn from fear, threats to friendship, empathy toward people of other faiths

2009-11-21T09:03:56Z

It's time to be thankful for religious respect.

Former lawmaker Ken Sikkema says teachers, other public employees need to pay for insurance

2009-11-20T18:19:02Z

School districts also must collaborate on sharing costs before tax restructuring can begin on the state level, former state legislator Ken Sikkema told Kent County school officials Thursday.

The phony 'war on Christmas' has begun

2009-11-20T15:00:38Z

The American Family Association has started with an attack on The Gap. Watch out.

Editorial: The road more traveled

2009-11-20T14:00:00Z

A historic designation for a West Michigan roadway has the potential to map a more lucrative route for businesses and provide a bridge to future growth for some communities. Convention bureaus, local governments and everyone affected should join together to...

New report shows Michigan tax system unfair, but reactions continue along partisan lines

2009-11-20T02:36:28Z

State has regressive tax system, according to nonpartisan group.

Fox News uses misleading footage in coverage of Palin book tour?

2009-11-19T16:21:02Z

Footage aired wasn't from Grand Rapids.

Editorial: Get growing in West Michigan

2009-11-19T14:00:00Z

Kent County for years has been debating how much energy and money to put into nurturing, supporting and preserving farms. A valuable new report on the importance of agriculture to the West Michigan economy makes the best case to date...

Podcast: Will Sarah Palin run for president in 2012?

2009-11-18T23:01:05Z

Podcast crew also discusses race for Michigan governor.

Is Sarah Palin's Newsweek cover degrading?

2009-11-18T16:33:19Z

Newsweek uses Runner's World image on current issue's cover.

Editorial: Absolute immunity for prosecutors?

2009-11-18T14:00:00Z

Two prosecuting attorneys are making a sweeping claim before the U.S. Supreme Court: “There is no freestanding Constitutional ‘Right Not To Be Framed.’” Their argument leaves too much latitude for misconduct in high places without consequences. The high court should...

How to go 'Rogue' at Sarah Palin's Grand Rapids book signing

2009-11-17T17:35:34Z

Check out these reviews of the former vice presidential candidate's new memoir.

Editorial: Don’t undermine voters on stem cells

2009-11-17T14:00:00Z

Michigan should be reinventing itself, but that’s impossible when state leaders keep fighting old battles. Pending legislation that would undermine stem cell research is a prime example. Last year, Michigan voters backed Proposal 2 and its aims of saving lives...

Is ArtPrize 'corrupting'? Philadelphia columnist argues against art competitions

2009-11-16T18:08:06Z

Columnist Edward Sozanski thinks "monster payouts" are a bad idea.

Editorial: Bank on it

2009-11-15T14:00:00Z

Abandoned and foreclosed properties can become a harmful blight, especially for urban areas like Grand Rapids. Returning those useless husks to constructive purpose is essential to keeping cities vital, even in the midst of a whirlwind economy. One promising tool...

Editorial: A ticking time bomb

2009-11-15T14:00:00Z

The more we learn about alleged Fort Hood killer Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the more troubling the picture becomes: In 2007, the Army psychiatrist, then a resident at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, used time at what should have been...