Patrick Center

Corporate and organization leaders face challenges every day. Learning to become a more effective leader was the focus of Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center’s Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy hosting the best-selling author of the book “Deep Change.” 

WGVU spoke with one of the nation’s leadership experts before Thursday evening’s Wheelhouse Talk.

“How do we exhibit the highest levels of leadership?”

Tech sector entrepreneurs gaining more attention from venture capitalists and we discuss GROW's expansion into Grand Haven and Muskegon.

In the aftermath of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the owner of Holland-based digital marketing agency Symposia Labs is offering marketing clients and Facebook user’s advice. WGVU spoke with Tim Haines about Facebook’s handling of the scandal and how Facebook users can protect their personal information. 

Ron VanTimmeren from Studio C stops by for a preview of Steven Spielberg's action, sci-fi adventure film, Ready Player One.

Kent County and Amazon negotiating a distribution site and Spectrum Health is in a naming rights battle over its MedNow service.

Members of the American Public Transportation Association are in Washington this week. That includes the CEO of Grand Rapids’ Interurban Transit Partnership. Peter Varga, CEO of The Rapid is speaking to Congress on behalf of the American Public Transportation Association.

APTA says the Trump Administration is proposing deep cuts to public transportation funding to help fund its proposed $200 billion infrastructure initiative. Varga is making the case investing in public transit supports economic growth and creates jobs.

Federal and local agencies are actively addressing the opioid crisis with a community event open to the public tonight at Grandville High School. WGVU spoke with presenters educating parents and teenagers about opioid prevention and awareness.

“This is the worst manmade epidemic known to mankind as declared by the CDC.”

Doctor Jeanne Kapenga is President of Families Against Narcotics.

“In Kent County the numbers have been increasing and we are well past the state of a crisis situation here.”

The United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan held a news conference Thursday addressing the area’s opioid crisis. 

U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge explains the situation is “a matter of saving lives” pointing out that during 2017 in Kent County there were 137 drug overdose deaths – a 50-percent increase over the number reported in 2016. Across the Midwest opioid overdoses are up 70-percent during that same period.

Earlier this month, Grand Valley State University's Van Andel Global Trade Center hosted its 19th West Michigan Automotive Suppliers Symposium.

Mike Wall, director of automotive analysis for IHS Markit, presented during the annual event. He spoke with WGVU about the future of autonomous vehicles and mobility along with NAFTA renegotiations and the potential impacts of steel and aluminum tariffs. But first, the automotive industry forecast.

Roughly 29 percent of American households aged 55 and older have neither retirement savings or pension plan. For those who do, the savings averages $104,000. With Americans living longer the reality is the savings won't go far.

For perspective and advice we talk with Elizabeth White author of "Fifty-five, Unemployed and Faking Normal."