Rochester Hills – November 01, 2026 -- Retirees with traditional IRAs and many employer plans must take annual required minimum distributions (RMDs), and missing one can trigger an IRS penalty, according to Janie Kelly, a retirement planning expert in Rochester Hills, Michigan, writing in HelloNation.

Traverse City – October 30, 2026 -- Families touring senior living communities may want to ask how dining, activity spaces, outdoor areas and wellness programs work day to day, not just how they look, according to a new HelloNation article.

The piece draws on insights from Rusty and Kelly Ackerman of French Manor Assisted Living in Traverse City, Michigan. It argues that families often focus on apartments and care services, while amenities are closely tied to how residents actually spend their time.

GRAND RAPIDS – October 28, 2026 -- Twelve oversized troll sculptures built from reclaimed materials will take over Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park from May 14 through Oct. 31, 2027, in an outdoor exhibition called TROLLS: A Field Study.

Grand Haven – October 19, 2026 -- Asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material in Michigan, typically last 20 to 30 years under good conditions, according to a new HelloNation article featuring Grand Haven roofing expert Joe Ray.

Shingle type sets the baseline for roof lifespan

Three-tab shingles tend to land at the lower end of the 20-to-30-year range. Thicker, more durable architectural shingles often perform closer to 25 to 30 years.

Traverse City – October 16, 2026 -- Homeowners facing a failing furnace or air conditioner can weigh repair against replacement using a few practical checks, according to a HelloNation article featuring HVAC expert Leslie Roe of Precision Plumbing and Heating Systems in Traverse City, Michigan.

Naples – October 16, 2026 -- Social Security and SSI payments for 76 million Americans will rise 3.6 percent in 2027, lifting the average retirement benefit by about $75 a month. Finance and insurance professional Bobby Garon says many retirees will see a smaller bump in their bank accounts than that headline suggests.

The 2027 COLA is the largest since 2023

The Social Security Administration announced the cost of living adjustment (COLA) on October 14. It is up from 2.8 percent in 2026 and is the largest since 2023's 8.7 percent increase.

Grand Rapids – – October 16, 2026 -- Students who earn an associate degree at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) will be guaranteed admission to Western Michigan University (WMU) and an annual scholarship of $1,000 to $4,500 if they are eligible, under a new partnership called the Bronco Bound Guarantee.

Leaders from both schools will formalize the agreement at a signing ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at GRCC's Applied Technology Center, Secchia Piazza, on the main campus in Grand Rapids.

Detroit – October 16, 2026 -- Detroit-area homeowners can avoid costly water heater repairs and lost hot water by preparing before the first fall freeze, according to heating and cooling company C & C Heating & Air Conditioning.

Water heaters run year-round, but colder weather adds risk. Units and connecting pipes in garages, basements or other unheated spaces are most exposed. During prolonged cold spells, exposed plumbing can freeze, which may damage pipes and interrupt hot water service.

Macomb – – October 14, 2026 -- Bundling your auto and home coverage with one provider is among the quickest ways to cut insurance costs, according to Macomb, Michigan, insurance expert Aaron Seitz in a HelloNation article.

Seitz argues that premiums are not set in stone. Small, consistent decisions, he says, can significantly change what policyholders pay over the long term.

Grand Rapids – October 14, 2026 -- Eligible Medicare customers can now pay for covered over-the-counter (OTC) products at Meijer using evermore OTC spend cards, the Midwest retailer announced.