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Michigan launches new college savings mobile app

LANSING – Michigan families can now manage their children’s college education savings right from the palm of their hand. The Michigan Department of Treasury today announced the launch of READYSAVE 529, a new education savings mobile app available to Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) account owners. The app provides a convenient way to access information, track progress and make contributions. “We are excited to be one of the first states to offer this new tool that makes it easier for families to save for their children’s future,” said Diane Brewer, MESP ...

Boating, fishing outreach events to mark Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week June 27 through July 4

More than 64 boat landing events are planned across the state to mark this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, June 27 to July 4. Public awareness about the impacts of harmful, nonnative aquatic plants and animals is critical to protecting Michigan’s ecosystems, tourism and economy. The boat landing events are part of the eighth annual Landing Blitz in which representatives of state departments and local partners such as lake associations and cooperative invasive species management areas give boaters tips to prevent the spread of harmful species and comply with ...

MI AG, LARA, DIFS share cryptocurrency consumer alert

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Director Orlene Hawks, and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox are issuing a consumer alert to help Michiganders protect themselves when using (or investing in) cryptocurrency instead of currency issued by the U.S. Treasury. The alert explains basics about digital currency, virtual currency and cryptocurrency as well as scams that take advantage of people unfamiliar with using digital currencies as a form of payment or ...

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched an interactive data dashboard to highlight current trends in drug overdoses among Michigan residents, and to monitor the use of overdose prevention and substance use disorder treatment services. The new dashboard provides the most current data available on fatal and nonfatal overdoses in Michigan through a variety of data visualizations, including graphs, charts and maps. The dashboard was funded through a Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action grant. Provisional data ...

Gov. Whitmer takes action to help Michiganders get back to work safely

LANSING — Today, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) filed COVID-19 emergency rules to align with Federal OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The updated rules are effective today and set to expire on Dec. 22. The rules rescind the emergency rules issued on May 24 and focus on health care. The updated MIOSHA emergency rules adopt the Federal OSHA ETS and focus on health care settings where known or suspected COVID-19 patients may be present. These workplaces may have a higher exposure risk for employees and need continued protections to ...

Bereavement support is available

In April, a small group of individuals met to talk about bereavement services being offered in our area. We identified that there are currently two ongoing support groups. One through the Omega House (Third Thursday, 5 to 6 p.m.) and one through Portage Hospice and Homecare (First Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.). Portage also offers Grief Speak, an informative 20 to 30-minute opportunity to learn about grief (Second Tuesday, 7 or 9 p.m. EST). Additionally, Bethany Baptist Church offers a 13-week educational GriefShare program several times a year (next session starts in September). All ...