GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Students of West Catholic High School will have a new opportunity to earn college credits beginning this fall.

The school is teaming up with Aquinas College to create a dual enrollment pilot program.  Eligible juniors and seniors will have a chance to take Principles of Accounting in the fall and Principles of Management in the spring.  The college courses will have the same rigor and expectations as those taught on Aquinas’ campus, but will be taught at the high school by Aquinas faculty.  West Catholic students will not need to pay additional tuition for the classes, but will be required to purchase their own books.

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—Despite the harsh winter, businesses in West Michigan added 9,500 jobs during the first quarter of 2014.

That’s according to a newly released report by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. Analysts found employment in West Michigan’s six metropolitan areas jumped 1.1 percent.    The biggest increases were reported in manufacturing and private service sectors.   

In the Grand Rapids-Wyoming area, employers added 7,200 jobs in the first quarter, driving down the area’s unemployment rate to 5.8 percent.   Analysts say there was solid growth across all sectors, and they expect the job market to remain strong in the coming months.

(Anne Erickson, Lansing State Journal)-- For many Michiganders, summer and beer go hand-in-hand. Drive through Mitten towns on any given summer weekend, and you’ll likely spot folks sitting on their front porches, sipping on the cool, flavorful drink.

Michigan, of course, has endless top-notch choices when it comes to craft beers and Michigan-made brews. In fact, our state is currently fifth in the U.S. in the number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, according to Pure Michigan.

So, raise a pint and get to know a few great Michigan breweries and distilleries.

• Where: Grand Rapids