Mackinac Island is known worldwide for its horse-drawn carriages and incredible fudge. The small island, located between Michigan’s Lower and Upper peninsulas, is home to the historic Fort Mackinac, breathtaking views, spectacular rock formations and miles of nature trails.

On March 3, 1875, the U.S. Congress designated Mackinac Island as the nation’s second national park. Increased tourism led to the construction of hotels, including the Grand Hotel, which opened in 1887.

The federal government operated the fort and the island until 1895, when it was transferred to the state of Michigan and became Michigan’s first state park. Today, more than 80% of the island is state park property, and much of the land remains in its natural condition for visitors.

It’s never too early to plan your next trip to Mackinac Island.

Nearly 500 designs were submitted in the 2024 “I voted” sticker design contest. The contest is returning for the 2026 election cycle, and entries are now being accepted.

Entries can be submitted online in one of three categories: elementary/middle (K-8), high school (9-12) or a general entry for residents of all ages. Artwork must be original, nonpartisan and include the phrase “I voted.” Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on May 1.

The public will vote for finalists in June. Winners will be announced later this summer, and stickers with the winning designs will be available for election clerks to order for the November election.

I visited the Kinross Correctional Facility last week, touring three separate prisons — Newberry, Chippewa and Kinross — with several of my colleagues in the Legislature. There was one resounding message at each facility: The entire prison system is on the verge of a meltdown if we are not able to address the staffing crisis immediately.

We spoke with corrections officers who are beyond demoralized. They face mandatory overtime, often six days a week for 16 hours at a time. Human beings cannot function like that, especially in a tough work environment like a prison.

I have been pushing for solutions to this problem for years, but this time, things seemed even worse than my previous visits. Families are under tremendous pressure, and officers are so discouraged that they don’t know how much longer they can take it. It is unconscionable that our state would treat its own employees in such a manner.

In 2024, we passed several bills that could help staffing issues by allowing our corrections officers access to the State Police pension program. We have heard over and over how the ability to retain officers hinges on restoring pensions, which turn a job into a career. Unfortunately, those bills have yet to be presented to the governor for her signature.

We are also paying these officers less than those in neighboring states, which further exacerbates the shortage in available workers.

One officer told me he is “disgusted,” and he cannot wait to get out. Two officers told me their marriages — each well over 20 years — had fallen apart because they were only home a few hours each week. Everyone I met had a similar story: missed birthdays and sporting events for their kids; missed holidays with their families; missed anniversaries with their spouses. And not just once — it’s all the time.

We must do better than that for our people. This situation is demoralizing and simply unsafe, with officers who are on the brink of exhaustion working in dangerous conditions.

This has been and will continue to be a priority for me. We must not continue to fail those who are sacrificing so much in such an important part of our society. It is immoral that we seem to treat many prisoners better than we treat our corrections officers.

I would like to thank the Michigan Future Farmers of America (FFA) for recognizing me as one of their Agricultural Education Supporters.

FFA is an incredible organization, and it was such a thrill to meet so many talented young people during the award ceremony.

I am so thankful for the experiences FFA offers young Michiganders and for the organization’s focus on the values America needs most, like honor, integrity and citizenship.

As I mentioned to those in attendance during the ceremony, please stick with your plans to become involved in agriculture. The pressure to retreat from agricultural pursuits is strong.

I recently spoke to a farmer who said the temptation to sell his land to a developer is overwhelming, especially since so few young people seem to want to take over in the future. But we would be a nation in peril without a strong agricultural backbone, and I applaud these fine young students for their resolve in carrying on America’s great farming tradition!

Thank you for this prestigious honor, and let’s continue working together to help keep agriculture strong in Michigan!

In response to ongoing concerns about overpopulation, the Natural Resources Commission established a coyote management season running from March 2 to Oct. 14.

The hunting and trapping season runs from Oct. 15 to March 1, with a management season for the remainder of the year, except on state park and recreation lands where hunting is prohibited from April 1 to Sept. 14. During the management season, the lethal take of coyotes is allowed from March 2 to Oct. 14 to address interspecies conflict and overabundance on private and public lands.

The NRC restored the ability to take coyotes year-round but limited the scope of the hunt during the management season.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about coyote management.

Michigan’s 37th Senate District includes Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Leelanau counties and portions of Mackinac and Chippewa counties.