In one week, 140 tornadoes tore across the central U.S., killing five and destroying whole communities. More tornadoes are predicted in the weeks to come. Could it happen here in Flint? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. Earlier this year, a tornado touched down in Grand Blanc, MI, less than 10 miles from here. It reached wind speeds of 115 miles per hour and traveled almost 6 miles in 10 minutes. Typically, Genesee County gets an estimated 1.3 tornadoes per year. But we’ve already had one, and it’s not even tornado season yet. In recent years, tornadoes have occurred more often outside of “t ..read more

Flint, MI — The Flint Police Department and Office of Public Health will hand out free gun locks to residents at the City of Flint Service Center on Clio Rd. The event will occur on Friday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The Genesee County Health Department is providing 150 gun locks to combat gun violence and prevent accidental firearm injuries and deaths. This effort is happening during a new secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, that has been in effect since February 2024 and requires unattended weapons to be unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or ..read more

Flint, MI — Nearly 120 Flint Community Schools graduates walked the stage at the Whiting on June 4, 2024, as they ended their high school careers to start a new journey. Check out the photos below. Nearly 120 Flint Community Schools graduates walked the stage at the Whiting on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, as they ended their high school careers to start a new journey. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat) Nearly 120 Flint Community Schools graduates walked the stage at the Whiting on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, as they ended their high school careers to start a new journey. (Joshua Johnson | Flint Beat ..read more

FLINT, MI – Water bill assistance is available for eligible Flint and Genesee County residents through a program administered by the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD). Eligible Flint and Genesee County residents can receive up to $3,000 towards late water and sewer bills. To be eligible, residents must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and provide required documentation, including: A valid state ID for all adults in the household Social security numbers for every member of the household Records of household income for the past 30 days, which can inc ..read more

Flint, MI — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint is holding free events for two days to encourage families to sign their children up for summer activities. The first sign-up event will be at their Bristol Road Extension, located at 1205 W. Bristol Rd on Thursday, June 6 from noon to 4 p.m. Parents will meet staff members and learn more about the Boys & Girls Club summer programming. Photo courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint Their Averill location, 3701 N. Averill Ave, will host a summer Sign-Up Day on Friday, June 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for those who cannot at ..read more

Despite a decrease in the number of veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs spends three times more today than it did 20 years ago, according to expenditure reports from the organization. In addition to the VA substantially expanding its benefits, veterans are trending older as the overall number of veterans declines. VA data suggests that while the number of veterans will drop about 34% between 2023 and 2048, the number of veterans older than 85 will grow by 31% between 2021 and 2024. In addition, more veterans are claiming compensation benefits and using VA medical care than ever befor ..read more

The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is seeking public input on the Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct a community feasibility assessment on cancer concerns in Flint, Michigan. Your feedback during this period is critical to ensure that our final proposal accurately reflects the needs and priorities of the Flint community.  This is an important opportunity for the Flint community, including Flint residents, healthcare providers, researchers, public health experts, community advocates, and leaders to share your perspectives and insights. By working together we can build a stron ..read more

Flint, MI — The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) will host a groundbreaking ceremony to renovate and expand the Early Childhood Programs and Services (ECPS) building. The ceremony will occur on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 10 a.m. at 5089 Pilgrim Rd. in Flint, MI. ECPS supports all local school districts in Genesee County by providing special education programs and services to children ages 3 to 8.   This expansion project will include twelve new classrooms, therapy rooms, an additional parking area, and bus and parent drop-off loops with overhead canopies protecting the stu ..read more

Flint, MI — Starting in June, the City of Flint Department of Business and Community Services will host community meetings in each city ward to begin the Imagine Flint Comprehensive Plan Update, also known as the city’s master plan.  The goal is the adoption of an updated Comprehensive Plan by December 2025. The City of Flint’s comprehensive plan was adopted 10 years ago, before the Flint Water Crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the end of emergency management. Updates to the plan are needed to reflect the Flint community’s priorities for neighborhoods, housing, infrastructure, transport ..read more

Flint, MI— Mott Community College (MCC) has received a $72,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for its Teen CEO program.  This summer initiative, which runs from June 24 to Aug. 8, is designed for 45 youth aged 14 to 18 and focuses on entrepreneurial skills and business-related topics.  The Teen CEO program provides youth with entrepreneurial and leadership experience to impact their future and give them a basic understanding of operating a successful business.  “This program will help young people learn how businesses work and prepare them to bring their entrepr ..read more