The top five most-read stories so far in 2016

As we look back over the first three months of 2016 so far (has it really gone by that fast?), our coverage has focused on the big issues facing Michigan communities as well as the small projects that keep making progress at the city level.
 
Our most popular stories from across our Michigan publications in the first quarter do have a common thread: An appreciation for the unique qualities of each neighborhood or area that makes our state so diverse and interesting.
 
Here are the top 5 most popular stories from Michigan since the start of 2016.
 
1. The very top-viewed story in our networks is from Grand Rapids' Rapid Growth, which created a thorough list of 10 developments that are changing the face of their city. It's a quick way to get a feel for how Grand Rapids is changing from neighborhood to neighborhood.
 
The story is online here.


2. In metro Detroit, Metromode follows up a recent popular story on the city of Detroit's oldest bars with a counterpart that explores the oldest, most historic bars in the metro area and suburbs, and discovers the hidden history of familiar places.

The list can be found here. 


 
3. Model D, our Detroit publication, took the chance provided by a warm, early spring to get out in Detroit's neighborhoods and put together a photo essay of Detroit's most beautiful blocks. Some of them may be expected, but all are worth becoming better acquainted with.

Flip through the photos here.  



4. Our state is struggling with high lead levels in several cities, the most well-known being Flint at the moment. Southwest Michigan Second Wave uncovered a well-reported story about lead levels in Kalamazoo children, linked to a funding cut for early lead prevention programs a few years back.

It's a sobering read, but well worth the time, here.



5. In the Upper Peninsula, Upper Peninsula Second Wave published a highly-read photo essay including interviews with people from several parts of the logging industry, explaining their roles in a business that touches every part of modern life, but is sometimes vilified.

The story, photos and audio are online here.