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The city of Grand Rapids has been trying to address the trust factor and likability within the community of its police force in recent years. There is much to be done. MLive conducted an informal survey of 150 community members and found that trust in the police strongly correlates with that person's race. Most white respondents rated the department high on fairness and trust. Half the black respondents gave the department a failing grade on fairness and equitable treatment. MLive's Mark Tower takes an in-depth look at the issues facing the GR police department and the citizenry it is tasked with serving. A quick fix may not be possible. But at least the important dialogue has begun. MORE

Extremely high PFAS levels found in Rockford Dam foam

Water surrounds the majority of us Michiganders on three sides. We are peninsula dwellers, and the Great Lakes - along with the many inland lakes, rivers and streams in this state - are a part of the very fabric of our lives. Our connection to water cannot be overstated in The Great Lakes State. Hence, we become more and more disturbed with every breaking story by environment reporter Garret Ellison. From Nestle trying to turn a profit from our water to crazy high PFAS levels in the Au Sable River and the Rogue River, our basic need of access to clean water seems to be under attack. Ellison's latest post uncovers alarmingly high PFAS levels in foam beneath the Rockford Dam. The spot on the Rogue River is a favorite fishing hole. Also, there's this bit: The Rogue flows into the Grand River which empties into Lake Michigan. MORE
► Order allows state to fine Flint daily for failed water fixes

Betsy DeVos' school safety commission won't study guns

This next story seems, well, rather odd at first blush. Education Secretary, and Grand Rapids' very own, Betsy DeVos spoke Tuesday before a Senate subcommittee on education spending. She fielded questions about the federal school safety commission she chairs. And she just happened to mention that studying guns in regard to school safety is not part of the commissions charge per se. DeVos mentioned there are 27 issues related to school safety the commission is looking in to, but did not elaborate beyond that. We can only hope that better clarity comes with the commissions' recommendations, which are expected by the end of the year. MORE

Observations from the Lions' first practice of mandatory minicamp

The Detroit Lions conducted their first practice during this week's mandatory minicamp, which runs through Thursday. Lions beat writer Kyle Meinke was there, and made a handful of keen observations he lovingly penned just to share with you. A couple of cherry-picked takeaways for this newsletter: 1) Matt Cassel took second-team reps ahead of Jake Rudock. 2) Ezekiel Ansah - he of the franchise tag and a $17 million contract - continues to do, well, not much of anything. MORE
► Lions not worried about what's holding Ansah back
► Quin shrugs off retirement rumors

Lakeshore development design goes for the bold with canals

Where once stood a paper mill that belched a putrid rotten egg odor that besieged tourists on their way to one of the most fine Lake Michigan beaches in all the land, a vision of a new day is taking shape. Designers unveiled renderings of what the former Sappi Paper Mill site on the southern end of Muskegon Lake could look like. The most daring concept included canals. Dredging costs alone might make this unfeasible. However, a taste of Venice on the lakeshore? Yes, please! We applaud the creativity on display. MORE