West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with  Cooley Law School Professors Mark Dotson and Jim Hicks. Legal experts Dotson and Hicks joined us for a most unusual but relevant conversation they called, “ So You Think Your House is Haunted ?    The professors advised that before listing your home that you feel may be haunted, you should first consult a legal expert. Disclosing a home’s paranormal ac...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Troy Anderson, Marketing Manager with Iron Fish Distillery. Troy joined the program to talk about Iron Fish Distillery's exciting new limited seasonal release,  Riverbed Whiskey . Troy said that Riverbed Whiskey represents the pinnacle expression of Iron Fish’s Mad Angler brand.  Troy shared that the Mad Angler name was drawn from the writings of Northern...

In this extended episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Storm Team 8 Chief Meteorologist, Ellen Bacca . She joined us for a look back at some of the biggest weather stories from 2025 and for an in-depth look at the Storm Team 8 Winter Weather Outlook for 2025-2026.   Some Key 2025 Michigan Weather Events: •     A Historic Northern Michigan Ice Storm   (March 28–30): An "unprecedented" ice storm stru...

In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower speaks with Salina Bishop, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan (RMHCWM), who discusses her strategic vision for the organization, emphasizing its critical role in the region's evolving healthcare sector. In our conversation, Salina discusses three key areas: securing a "seat at the table" in local healthcare,...

In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes Chris Palusky, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries, and Thelma Ensink, Executive Director of Degagé Ministries , to discuss a groundbreaking new collaboration transforming support for unhoused neighbors in Grand Rapids. On November 20, a coalition of 11 nonprofit organizations and churches, together with the City of Grand Rapids, celebrated the ribbon-cutting of...

In this episode, West Michigan Weekend host Phil Tower welcomes Rosie Grant, author, digital archivist, and the passionate & tireless creator behind @GhostlyArchive.  Rosie’s new book is:   To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes. Rosie's book is an inspiring collection of recipes preserved on gravestones, with fascinating interviews from the families, celebrating the beloved food legacie...

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with D an Gowdy, President & CEO, Wedgwood Christian Services   Dan joined us on the program to discuss Wedgwood's all-new Audere Transitional Living Program, a specialized residential treatment program designed for teens ages 15-18 who are transitioning from residential treatment to independent living. The 10-bedroom, 7,933 SF three-story facility sits...

In this episode, we welcome back  Dawn Baker, Associate Festival Manager with The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, and Barbara Anderson, Associate Vice President, Philanthropy, Hospice of Michigan. Dawn & Barbara joined us for an insider's look at the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, which returns to DeVos Place, November 21-22, just in time...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Kristina Gaunt, MD, co-director of the Trinity Health Breast Center – Lakes Village, in Norton Shores. In Michigan, it is estimated that approximately 9,900 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to 2025 data from the State of Michigan. Dr. Gaunt joined us on the program to remind us about the importance of early detection for...

In this episode, we welcome Jamie Evans —Director —and Miss Honey (Played by Rosie Tomlinson), the principals of the new presentation from Lionheart Productions… Matilda. LionHeart Productions, based in Grant, Michigan, is a community theater organization that’s been producing family-friendly productions for Newaygo County for over 20 years.   Matilda the Musical is based on the 1988 novel Matilda...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back to the program one of our favorite guests, Patrick DeHaan, the Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy.com   Patrick joined us in this segment to discuss a major change in how gasoline is taxed in Michigan.  Michigan's new gas tax system will take effect on January 1, 2026. The new system will eliminate the 6% sales tax on fuel and replace it with a hi...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Chef Omar Anani. ..a James Beard nominee and Chopped alum.   We spoke with him during his visit to Traverse City this August for the inaugural Traverse City Food and Wine Event. Anani is a Palestinian-Egyptian American chef and restaurateur who comes across as confident and highly compassionate. He is known for proudly and passionately infusing his heritag...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes New York Times best-selling author, radio host, frequent national commentator, and public speaker, John U. Bacon. Tower spoke with John U. Bacon about his new book, “ THE GALES OF NOVEMBER: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. ” In  The Gales of November , John U. Bacon delivers the definitive account of the disaster. Drawing on more than 100 intervi...

In this episode, host Phil Tower talks with Dave Bulkowski, JD, Executive Director of Disability Advocates of Kent County.  Dave spoke with us about the annual “Invest In Ability” Event &  Dinner on Thursday, November 6, at the Beautiful new Silva, in downtown Grand Rapids. Invest in Ability celebrates the accomplishments of community members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff who are th...

In this episode host Phil Tower welcomes Nick Nerbonne, the Media & Digital Director for Travel Michigan.   Autumn in the mitten state, means Michigan’s 19 million acres of forests begin their transition from the greens of summer to a diverse palette of multiple shades of reds, oranges and yellows of fall,    Nick noted that Michigan is a global destination for tourism year-round and that mult...

In this episode we welcomed Angela Hollinshead, Director of the Kent County Animal Shelter. Angela spoke with us about a big celebration for the Kent County Animal Shelter happening on October 16.   The shelter will be celebrating their 85th Anniversary that afternoon with a Fall Celebration event open to the public. Guests will enjoy seasonal treats like cider and donuts, plus kids’ activities. T...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Ashlee Mishler, Director of the Grand Rapids Promise Zone.   Ashlee joined us to discuss this important local scholarship program and how it is now expanding to make it easier for Grand Rapids students to move from community college to a four-year college degree. Ashlee informed us that in January of 2026, graduates of Grand Rapids Community College with a...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Micah Herrboldt, Waste Reduction Educator at the Kent County Department of Public Works. Micah joined us to remind Kent County residents to refresh their recycling habits with the newly released annual Fall Recycling Guide from the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW).    The 2025 Fall Recycling Guide offers recommendations to help residents proper...

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with  Michigan State Police Detective Mark Fisher, a member of the  Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Detective Fisher joined us on the program to talk about the recent launch of an awareness campaign by his task force and the Michigan State police to inform parents about the growing dangers of online sexual predators, as well as s...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Dawn Baker, Associate Festival Manager with The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival , and Barbara  Anderson, Associate Vice President, Philanthropy, Hospice of Michigan. Dawn joined us for a preview of Midwest’s premier culinary celebration – the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival – returns to DeVos Place, Novem...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes  Cathleen Simlar, Senior Communications Manager, AARP Michigan. This year marks the 90th anniversary of Social Security, which has helped generations of Michiganders retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work. It’s one of the most successful initiatives in American history, and a new AARP survey shows it’s still doing exactly what it was built to do...

In this episode, host Phil Tower chats with  Brian Smith, Food & Beverage Director, Treetops Resort. Brian spoke with us about Color tour getaways in the region, including Treetops' new Fall Color Tour and Progressive Dinner.  Treetops Resort is offering its first Fall Color Tour and Progressive Dinner. Experience Fall with creative cuisine, paired with tastings of Michigan beer and wine, all...

In this episode, iHeartRadio host Phil Tower welcomes Diane Brewer, Executive Director of MET, to the program as MET is commemorating September as National College Savings Month. This year marks the first Michigan College Savings Month since MET lowered its minimum contribution to just $25 to support more Michigan families in starting to save for their child’s future education.  The change opens t...

On this week's episode, host Phil Tower chats with  Patrick Brys, owner of Bry’s Estate Vineyard & Winery. This episode was recorded on location in Traverse City, Michigan—home to one of the region’s most celebrated wineries, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery.   Patrick Brys is the creative force behind the estate’s operations and guest experiences.  Since joining the family business, Patrick...

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with  Sierra Belz, Marketing & Communications Specialist with Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids.  Sierra joined us to talk about Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids sponsoring their 11th annual West Side Walk for Gilda’s Club on Saturday, Sept. 27. The walk is all about celebrating and supporting the thousands of lives touched by Gilda’s free emotional health programs...