Recently, the fiscal year 2023 education budget was signed into law, which includes increases in funding for K-12 schools and boosts the per-student investment to a historic level.

Senate Bill 845 features a nearly $2.6 billion increase in K-12 school funding and boosts the minimum foundation allowance to $9,150 per student. It also provides $295 million to address student mental health, $305 million in scholarship funding to help address teacher shortages, and $168 million in school safety grants.

SB 845 also includes a 5% increase for university and community college operations, $300 million to pay down debt in the higher education retirement system, and $250 million in a fund for a new student scholarship program, details for which will be negotiated this summer.

Michigan is home to over 36,000 miles of streams, more than 11,000 lakes and ponds and more than 150 different fish species. The DNR offers an interactive “Family Friendly Fishing Waters” map to help families locate family-friendly fishing locations across the state.

The family-friendly locations are easy to access and have a high likelihood of catching fish. Locations can be filtered by the type of fish you want to catch, what kind of fishing you are looking for (boat, pier, shore), what amenities you would like (swimming, restrooms, etc.) and entrance fee.

The Michigan Unemployment Agency is warning of a new text message phishing scam targeting Michigan residents who may have filed for unemployment insurance during the pandemic.

If you have filed for unemployment benefits and receive a text message claiming to be from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, ignore it — it’s a scam. UIA does not use text messaging to correspond with claimants or to process payments.

The agency’s anti-fraud investigators have learned of a recent phishing scheme to try to steal money and personal information from Michigan workers. The text message comes from an out-of-state phone number and provides a link to claim back payments. Do not click on the link. Report it as junk or spam and delete the text.

UIA communicates with claimants through their Michigan Web Account Manager account, letters mailed to the current address on file or by phone.

The suspicious text message is from a phone number with a 210 Area Code, which is in Texas. The message reads in part: “MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: Your back payment deposit of $2,800 is now pending on your profile.” It then instructs the recipient to click on a strange link to receive payment. The link is to a fake, replica UIA website.

This is an example of a government imposter scam. More information on these types of scams can be found on the Attorney General's Consumer Alerts page.

Below you will find some additional tips from the UIA that can be helpful with protecting your personal information:

If you suspect fraud or identity theft, report it by clicking on the Report Fraud and Identity Theft link at Michigan.gov/UIA and fill out a referral form. Be sure to fill out all the information and make sure it is current. You can also view this video from the UIA that explains how to report identity theft.

Ride Michigan’s 4,000 miles of off-road trails or the state’s five scramble areas during the second Free ORV Weekend of 2022.

Michigan residents and visitors can ride DNR-designated routes and trails from Aug. 20-21 without an ORV license or permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply, and the Recreation Passport is required where applicable.

While it may seem like summer has just arrived, fall turkey hunting is right around the corner. Fall turkey hunting license applications for the 2022 season are now available through Aug. 1.

Applications are available for $5, online through eLicense or anywhere DNR licenses are sold. Applicants will be automatically notified of drawing results on Aug. 15 via email.