McCain, Palin both answer questions

From 24 Hour News 8 staff:

7:49pm - The Town Hall wrapped up. "Folks, there's so many people with questions, that just means we'll have to come back," McCain said.

7:41pm - Palin asked if she's convinced McCain about drilling in ANWR. "I'm still working on it," she said. McCain, to laughter, said, "This town hall is adjourned."

7:27pm - McCain said the problems at the Walter Reed Army Hospital would "never happen again" and he would take care of veterans.

7:12pm - Palin, answering a question about her strategy for economic empowerment, said she's a product of Title IX, the equal opportunity law for female athletes.

7:05pm - McCain already answering questions from attendees. Dealt with Al-Qaeda first off.

7:00pm - Photojournalist Evan Linnert reports McCain and Palin visited the gravesite of former President Ford shortly before arriving at GRCC for the Town Hall. Todd Palin was with them, and they all spent about five minutes there. They laid flowers at the site.

6:55pm - McCain promised to revitalize Michigan and the auto industry using new technologies.

6:42pm - Sarah Palin made a few opening remarks, and was well received. She then turned it over to "the maverick of the Senate, John McCain."

6:38pm - The Town Hall began 22 minutes early. John McCain and Sarah Palin took the stage to cheers of the thousands inside the GRCC Fieldhouse.

6:33pm - Word is the Town Hall may start early, perhaps within minutes.

6:30pm - Pete Hoekstra is back addressing the crowd, in front of a sign that reads, "Victory in Michigan." The Fieldhouse is completely filled.

5:56pm - A student from Hope College is addressing the crowd. He said, "McCain doesn't see Republicans or Democrats, he sees Americans."

5:49pm - US Rep. Pete Hoekstra takes the stage to address the crowd.

5:42pm - Seats on the floor are nearly filled already.

5:40pm - Another report that it is sweltering inside the GRCC Fieldhouse. People are encouraged to dress lightly.

5:24pm - The line is completely formed. Many people said they're in line to see Sarah Palin. One young man said he's not necessarily for McCain, he's just not for Obama

5:06pm - Hundreds of people are already seated inside the GRCC Fieldhouse.

4:50pm - As planned, Bostwick Avenue is shut down near Grand Rapids Community College

4:30pm - Crew set up inside GRCC. Chairs set up and people are milling about. Web stream live.

2:12pm - There is no air conditioning inside the GRCC Fieldhouse, so attendees are encouraged to dress in layers. It could get steamy.

2:03pm - Photojournalist Mike Ingram returned to WOOD TV8 from the airport, inbetween assignments for the day.

1:32pm - Dee Morrison reports the crowd at the town hall will include about 500 people from GRCC, including about 350 students. One professor, Mike Light, secured tickets for the students in his "Immigration and Ethnic History" class. One member of the GRCC student congress said most students are going not as supporters, but rather to see history in the making.

1:21pm - A lot of activity at the Grand Rapids Community College.

12:59pm - Gov. Palin's motorcade left the airport for the downtown area.

12:41pm - Gov. Sarah Palin landed at the Kent County International Airport. McCain's motorcade had already left the airport.

12:25pm - Sen. John McCain landed at the Kent County International Airport.

11:45am - Sen. John McCain, the GOP nominee for president, is scheduled to land just after noon at the Kent County International Airport.

Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will arrive a bit later for their joint town hall appearance at Grand Rapids Community College.

Grand Rapids Community College advises the public to be prepared for traffic tie-ups on and around their downtown campus after 4 p.m. today.

24 Hour News 8 has crews on the scene and will have updates throughout the day on-air and online.