Hey, I’m the “new guy” here at 100.5 The River. We’ll get to hang out for part of your workday and the drive home while you’re listening to Today’s Best Mix without the rap. Some people asked “why would you move HERE?” when I started. I answer that question with disbelief and realize that people in GR simply don’t realize what a great city they have. Grand Rapids is just a fantastic city. The people, the downtown, the festivals, the philanthropy of our ‘famous families’ … the list goes on and on. The VIBE of this city is just incredible. Those who say “why would you move HERE?” clearly don’t realize how crappy most other similar sized cities are compared to GR. We moved here from the vibrant and clean city (#sarcasm) of Toledo, OH where I was the Operations Manager for six radio stations. Before that, I was on-air or programming stations in Philadelphia, New York City, Milwaukee, Madison, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and Waterloo (Iowa). My wife and I met in Madison and were married four days after 9/11. We have two “furry kids” named Ollie (yellow lab/bassett/corgi) and Chester (bassett). I’m also the Program Director for Channel 95-7 and 100.5 The River, so if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints (I welcome compliments, too), just email or call me!
Tom Cook
Squirrel Breaks Into GRPD Squad Car [Photo]
The Grand Rapids Police Department found an unexpected occupant in the back of one of its squad cars the other day.
The GRPD posted a photo on its Facebook page Thursday, that showed a squirrel that had made its way into the car in Eastown. Officers suspect that the squirrel entered though the half-opened rear window of the vehicle.
Kevin Vickers – Canadian Parliament’s Sergeant-At-Arms – Receives Standing Ovation [Video]
Kevin Vickers, the Canadian Parliament's Sergeant-At-Arms, received a long standing ovation as he led the procession into the House of Commons Thursday Morning. As lawmakers clapped, the man credited with with taking down a gunman at Canada's Parliament appeared emotional.
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Dogs In Halloween Costumes [Video]
Meet Maymo and Penny. They're two adorable dogs who seem to be extremely patient. Or, maybe they just love dressing up in Halloween costumes?
RECALL ALERT: Serrano Peppers Sold At Meijer Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns
Officials are warning the public that some Serrano peppers distributed by Meijer stores in Michigan are potentially contaminated with salmonella.
Woman Uses Halloween Costume to Tell Husband She’s Pregnant [Video]
After trying for nearly a year to get pregnant, YouTube user Leslie A. took a pregnancy test one day and "voila!" it had finally happened. She knew she needed to come up with a clever way to tell her husband, so she decided to show off her new Halloween costume - a skeleton shirt with a little baby skeleton over the stomach (how cute is that, by the way?)!
RECALL ALERT: Toyota Expands Airbag Recall, Warns Passengers
Toyota announced Monday that it's re-notifying owners of about 218,000 previously recalled vehicles with front air bags supplied by Takata, and that they are adding 28,515 vehicles in high-humidity areas to that recall.
The Takata airbags can malfunction and blow shrapnel into front passengers' chests and faces.
Check Out These Otters Eating Sushi From Chopsticks [Video]
Umm... so I thought that watching Golden Retriever puppies playing with pumpkins was going to be the highlight of my day. Little did I know that I was going to come across a video of otters eating sushi that is being fed to them by a zookeeper using chopsticks.
I know, that sounds like something that dreams are made of, but it's real! And it happens at the National Sea Life Center in the UK.
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Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – These Puppies Love Fall [Video]
These puppies fall for the first time are making me a little less angry that we're getting closer and closer to winter.
Look at them! They aren't mad about going back to school, or meeting quotas, or setting up budgets for the next fiscal year... Nope! They're just like "Hey! Look at this fun, round, orange thing! Let's play with it!" If only our lives were this simple.
RECALL: Toys R Us Toasters
Mom and Dad, heads up! There's another recall to tell you about. This one applies if you've bought items from Toys R Us.
The "Just Like Home Toy Toaster Set" is being recalled by Toys R Us out of concerns that the plastic toast slices will crack, break and create a choke hazard...
Grand Rapids’ People’s Law School
Last night was the first installment of the "People's Law School" in Grand Rapids. It's something that has been done in Lansing for several years that attorneys and firms are now bringing to GR.
I signed up for it because I've always been fascinated by the legal system and the law...
New Taylor Swift Song and Kittens Featured In Diet Coke Commercial [Video]
Taylor Swift is giving fans a snippet of her newest song "1989" in a new Diet Coke commercial.
And if you love cats and kittens, you and TSwift have something in common! She loves kitties so much, that there are several really stinkin' cute kitties featured in this Diet Coke ad...
Recall Alert: Toyota Recalls 1.67 Million Vehicles Worldwide
Toyota Motor Corp. announced Wednesday that it would recall 1.67 million vehicles world-wide to check for defects including faulty brakes and problems with fuel components.