Michiganders have until June 30 to vote online for their favorite designs in the state’s official November 2026 “I voted” sticker contest. More than 2,000 designs were submitted — four times more than the first contest in 2024. Members of the Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force selected 30 semifinalists in each of three categories.

Three winning stickers will be selected in each category: elementary and middle school (grades K-8), high school (grades 9-12), and general entry, which is open to Michigan residents of all ages. The winning designs will be distributed by local election clerks during the November election.

Online voting is open through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. Voters can pick their top three designs in each category. Winners will be announced later this summer.

Click here to vote.

Summer can mean a first job for Michigan teens, which can lead to questions about work permits and employment rules.

The Youth Employment website includes work permit forms for kids younger than 16 and for teens ages 16 and 17. The site also provides helpful information on work-hour limits, minimum wage requirements and restrictions on the types of work minors may perform.

Pets depend on their owners for safety, so it is important to be ready in case you need to leave quickly during an emergency. Storms, power outages and other emergencies can happen at any time, and preparing in advance can help keep both people and animals safe.

Before an emergency occurs, identify pet-friendly shelters, hotels or boarding options in your area. Many emergency shelters can’t accommodate animals. Pet owners should also make sure their pets wear ID tags, are microchipped when possible, and have current vaccination and medical records.

One of the best ways to prepare is by assembling an emergency kit for your pet. Consider including:

Visit the Michigan State Police’s MIREADY website for additional emergency preparedness information.

The Michigan Invasive Species Program is partnering with the North American Invasive Species Management Association to promote the PlayCleanGo campaign, which encourages outdoor recreation enthusiasts to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

Whether you hike, bike, paddle, camp, ride horses, climb, fish or visit a local park, you can help protect Michigan’s natural resources by cleaning your gear and learning how invasive species spread.

The steps are easy:

Following these simple steps can help protect our state’s natural resources.

Ninety-seven percent of Michigan state park funding comes from user fees, including the Recreation Passport and royalty revenue.

Over the last few years, state parks and trails have undergone extensive improvements to historic structures, campgrounds, parking lots, restrooms, water and sanitary systems, and other facilities—including enhancements at popular destinations such as Chilson Pond and the Brighton Recreation Area.

Funding for these upgrades came from the American Rescue Plan Act, which Congress approved in 2021. So far, 142 projects have been completed, and another 55 are underway. All 197 planned improvement projects are on track to be completed in 2026.

June is Great Outdoors Month, a nationwide celebration that encourages people to spend time outside and enjoy natural resources close to home.

With 106 state parks and recreation areas and thousands of miles of shoreline, rivers, streams and lakes, Michigan offers countless opportunities to get outdoors. This monthlong celebration reminds us all how beneficial spending time outdoors can be to our physical and mental health.

For ideas and upcoming activities, visit the DNR events calendar or the Get Involved webpage.

With construction season underway, Michigan drivers can stay informed using MDOT’s Mi Drive map, a free tool that provides real-time updates on road conditions.

Mi Drive allows users to quickly check:

This information helps drivers avoid delays, plan alternate routes and travel safely — especially on major highways across the state. A quick check can save time and help keep Michigan’s roads safer for everyone.

Before heading out, take a moment to check Mi Drive.

Cryptocurrency scams are increasing rapidly, with Americans losing $5.6 billion in 2023. Michigan residents are also being targeted, often through schemes where scammers build trust over time before stealing victims’ savings.

Watch for the following and other common warning signs:

Report suspected scams at IC3.gov and consult trusted financial professionals before investing.

Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

This season, we’re proud to support a statewide public education effort led by the League of Michigan Bicyclists to improve road safety, reduce injuries and promote cleaner, more-connected transportation.

Michigan sees more than 1,500 bicycle-related crashes each year, many of which can be prevented with simple, attentive driving.

How drivers can help:

By staying alert and giving cyclists the space they need, we can build safer streets and healthier communities across Michigan. Learn more at LMB.org.