They flew to Thailand with the aim of helping needy children. Two West Michigan residents are now in need themselves, stranded by protests that shut down the nation's main airports. (AP Photo) • Read the story

AP PhotoFormer Detroit mayoral aide Christine Beatty wipes away a tear and pauses while reading statements admitting to two felony charges agreed upon in plea deal in the city's text-messaging sex scandal on Monday. DETROIT -- A text-messaging sex scandal...

AP PhotoPresident-elect Barack Obama stands with Secretary of State-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at a news conference in Chicago on Monday. CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama announced Monday that Robert Gates would remain as defense secretary, making President Bush's Pentagon...

A prayer group that meets in a three-stall garage on the city's West Side has run afoul of the city's Planning Department after it sought a permit to install a bathroom in the garage. (Press File Photo) • Read the story | More on the 'Boiler Room'

An officer recruitment blitz by the Grand Rapids Police Department continues Saturday with an open house at police headquarters. Prospective officers may talk to recruiters and tour headquarters from 2 to 7 p.m. Applicants must be licensed or eligible for...

GRAND RAPIDS -- The National Weather Service has canceled the winter storm warning. The heaviest snow has moved away from the region. Any additional accumulation is forecasted to remain under 2 inches through tonight....

GRAND RAPIDS -- U.S. 131 at 36th Street has reopened after a brief closure to repair a downed power line. Consumers Energy said no further lane closures are necessary....

Press Photo/Dave RaczkowskiThe Moore family, from left, Zach, 8, Carolyn and Jim, Eli, 5, and Ben, 10, plan to spend a year in Africa.HUDSONVILLE-- Jim and Carolyn Moore plan to embark on the journey of a lifetime, moving to southern...

Press file photoThis East Grand Rapids home was slated to be in the 2006 Parade of Homes, until neighbors objected. EAST GRAND RAPIDS --Proposed guidelines for allowing temporary property uses within city limits could open the door to a Parade...

Jake, an 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever from Grand Rapids, was the 11th dog in the world to get a new type of artificial elbow that reduces infection and wear and tear -- and eventually could be used in humans. (Press Photo/T.J. Hamilton) • Read the story | Watch video