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Grand Rapids is on the verge of embarking on a formidable challenge: returning the Grand River rapids that gave the city its name. A series of five dams were constructed decades ago to tame the river as it flowed through downtown. The ambitious $45 million project will restore the natural 18-foot drop by removing these dams. Boulders would be added to the river bed to recreate the churn Michigan's largest river once produced. The group behind the project hopes to get going as soon as next year, with a tentative completion date of 2024 or 2025. MORE
► River-restoration project includes adding access points
► Video: Whitewater plans for Grand River move forward
► Grand Rapids not only city to have lost namesake rapids

Michigan's Best team takes on search for best Mexican restaurant

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, our Michigan's Best duo of John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman have announced their next search: Best Mexican restaurant. You may recall in 2014, our intrepid culinary explorers embarked on a quest for Michigan's best taco. Now the full breadth of Mexican cuisine gets its opportunity to shine. First, though, we are looking for your nominations. We'll take your suggestions until noon May 8. (Find the nomination form in this post.) MORE
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Van Gundy's role, future with Pistons in limbo

Stan Van Gundy came to Detroit four years ago with promise and purpose. The veteran coach was handed the keys to the Detroit Pistons franchise, given the dual role of head coach and president of basketball operations. Unfortunately, the franchise has experienced little success with Van Gundy in either role. Pistons owner Tom Gores has expressed a desire to make changes this offseason. However, Van Gundy, with one year left on his original five-year contract, reportedly is balking at the changes being proposed. Pistons beat writer Ansar Khan breaks down this developing situation. MORE

7 reasons why April in Michigan was such a bear

MLive chief meteorologist Mark Torregrossa explains exactly why April was so rough on us this year. Basically, it wasn't just unseasonably cold and snowy, it was record-breaking. Here's a crazy stat: Kalkaska, just east of Traverse City, got 47 inches of snow in April alone. Speaking of bears. (See the headline above as we queue the segue music.) Black bear sightings in Midland and Grand Rapids this week have got us trolls - the good kind living in the Lower Peninsula, not the online kind - on edge. Beware out there, folks. Here be bears. MORE

Everything new at Cedar Point for 2018 season

Every good Michigander knows that the best thing about that state down south is Cedar Point. That glorious mecca of coasters on the shore of Lake Erie opens Saturday for the 2018 season. MLive Cedar Point beat reporter Ed Pevos gets us primed with a list of all of the new offerings this year at the park. Most notable, of course, is the debut of Steel Vengeance, a wood/steel hybrid behemoth that sets a bunch of world records. (If you haven't watched the video of Pevos' first ride on this baby, do yourself a favor and do so now. It is fantastic.) MORE