Republicans in the Michigan Senate are calling for the immediate passage of House Bill 4765. The bill, recently approved by the House, would prevent noncitizens from voting in elections.

In January, Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini raised concerns that as many as 239 noncitizens had been summoned for jury duty. At least 14 of them had been registered to vote and may have cast ballots in multiple elections.

HB 4765 would require residents to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and to show identification when casting a ballot. After passing the House, the bill was sent to the Senate and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

April brought unprecedented rainfall and severe storms to communities across Michigan. Rapid snowmelt combined with steady rain led to flooding, damaged roads and failing dams.

As some waters recede and cleanup continues, please follow guidance from state and local officials and keep these tips in mind:

The Michigan State Police MIREADY program offers resources and educational materials to help residents prepare for and recover from emergencies and disasters.

The Michigan state park reservation website has added a new flexible dates feature to make trip planning even easier.

When booking camping or overnight lodging, the dates menu now includes more search options, including number of nights, travel month and preferred state park. You can also use the Department of Natural Resources recreation search tool to find amenities or specific activities for your trip.

State campsites, lodging and harbor slips can be reserved up to six months in advance.

A small but destructive plant known as lesser celandine, or fig buttercup, is spreading across forests and riverbanks in lower Michigan.

Lesser celandine has shiny, dark green, heart-shaped leaves and small, bright yellow flowers. It thrives in moist, lowland environments but can also spread into lawns. It emerges in dense patches from March through April, crowding out native plants.

If you believe you’ve spotted lesser celandine, report it through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network or contact Julie Crick, Michigan State University Extension natural resource educator, at 989-275-7179.

Save the date! Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, April 25.

All Michigan State Police posts will be open and serve as collection sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring expired, unused or unwanted medications from your home and dispose of them at your local post. Please note that patches, syringes, liquids or inhalers are not accepted. If you can’t make it on Drug Take Back Day, all MSP posts accept unwanted pills weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except holidays).

To find a collection site near you, visit Michigan.gov/MSP/Posts.

After a long winter and recent storms, many residents are beginning spring yard cleanup. Always check with local authorities for burn permit requirements and fire conditions before burning.

The DNR burn permit webpage has been updated for easier use on mobile devices. The page now uses a dropdown menu. Click the “Can I burn today?” button, then scroll to your county. After selecting your county, you will see a list of townships and any restrictions or guidance in effect for that day.

Please keep these safety tips in mind when burning yard waste:

One of the most exciting yet challenging times in your life is undoubtedly your high school graduation.

To help guide you through this important transition, my office offers a publication for graduating seniors or juniors who will graduate next spring called “Movin’ On.”

This booklet covers essential topics such as how to register to vote, understanding higher education costs and loan programs, renting or purchasing a home, career planning, and ways to get involved in your community.

For a copy of the “Movin’ On” booklet, you can click here, visit the “Publications” tab on my website or contact my office at 517-373-2420 or SenLTheis@Senate.Michigan.gov for a hard copy.

In 2024, 315,167 people in the U.S. were injured in crashes involving distracted driving.

Michigan’s hands-free driving law bans the use of hand-held mobile devices beyond a single touch. If you use a GPS device or make a phone call while driving, it must be in hands-free or voice-activated mode. Even if a device is mounted on the dashboard or connected to the vehicle’s built-in system, drivers may not operate it by hand beyond a single touch.

Violators face a $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service for a first offense.

Stay safe, and don’t drive distracted.