7:34 PM, Jul 22, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Dozens if not hundreds of people in Michigan say they’re still waiting for more than four months of unemployment backpay.We’ve done these UIA stories nonstop, but the agency said people who filed before May 1st would have an answer by the Fourth of July. If they filed before June 1st, then their case would be determined by this past Monday (7/20).Based on our emails that’s not been the case for a lot of people.RETIRED TEACHER “You know, we just want to pay our bills at this point”, said Tricia Kamer of When the pandemic hit, she filed for...…7:34 PM, Jul 22, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Dozens if not hundreds of people in Michigan say they’re still waiting for more than four months of unemployment backpay.We’ve done these UIA stories nonstop, but the agency said people who filed before May 1st would have an answer by the Fourth of July. If they filed before June 1st, then their case would be determined by this past Monday (7/20).Based on our emails that’s not been the case for a lot of people.RETIRED TEACHER “You know, we just want to pay our bills at this point”, said Tricia Kamer of When the pandemic hit, she filed for...WW…

5:22 PM, Jul 23, 2020DETROIT, Mich. — A Detroit woman faces federal charges tonight including wire fraud and money laundering accused of stealing more than $2 million in unemployment benefits.Investigators say she did it all from the comfort of her home.The shocking part is that she worked for the UIA as a contract employee. Documents allege she used that access to steal millions and buy electronics, jewelry and luxury designer handbags.“The defendant is innocent until proven guilty. This complaint only has allegations at this point,” said Matthew Schneider, US Attorney for the...…5:22 PM, Jul 23, 2020DETROIT, Mich. — A Detroit woman faces federal charges tonight including wire fraud and money laundering accused of stealing more than $2 million in unemployment benefits.Investigators say she did it all from the comfort of her home.The shocking part is that she worked for the UIA as a contract employee. Documents allege she used that access to steal millions and buy electronics, jewelry and luxury designer handbags.“The defendant is innocent until proven guilty. This complaint only has allegations at this point,” said Matthew Schneider, US Attorney for the...WW…

A Grand Rapids man receives a bill from UIA despite not having filed with them.8:02 PM, Jan 21, 2021GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids man is worried about the state garnishing his wages after the Unemployment Insurance Agency says it overpaid him.The only problem is he never filed for benefits.It’s really confusing to him because he was working during the entire pandemic, and even when he wasn’t fully on the job, his employer still paid him.“The total they say I owe is $10,300,” said Tim Walters.He’s a sales adviser for Tony Betten Ford in Grand Rapids. Last year he was off the...…A Grand Rapids man receives a bill from UIA despite not having filed with them.8:02 PM, Jan 21, 2021GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids man is worried about the state garnishing his wages after the Unemployment Insurance Agency says it overpaid him.The only problem is he never filed for benefits.It’s really confusing to him because he was working during the entire pandemic, and even when he wasn’t fully on the job, his employer still paid him.“The total they say I owe is $10,300,” said Tim Walters.He’s a sales adviser for Tony Betten Ford in Grand Rapids. Last year he was off the...WW…

5:54 PM, Jan 14, 2021GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michiganders rely on the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) whenever they’re laid off from work.The state has paid out billions of dollars in benefits but now wants some of it back.FOX 17 has received several emails from people who say they’re getting bills from the UIA.READ MORE: But they tell me they were legitimately laid off during the governor’s shutdown and collected benefits.They’re now being asked to pay the money back.COOK'S PUA ISSUESBruce Kirschbaum worked part time as a line cook at Vault Café and Bakery in...…5:54 PM, Jan 14, 2021GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michiganders rely on the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) whenever they’re laid off from work.The state has paid out billions of dollars in benefits but now wants some of it back.FOX 17 has received several emails from people who say they’re getting bills from the UIA.READ MORE: But they tell me they were legitimately laid off during the governor’s shutdown and collected benefits.They’re now being asked to pay the money back.COOK'S PUA ISSUESBruce Kirschbaum worked part time as a line cook at Vault Café and Bakery in...WW…

9:28 PM, Jan 07, 2021GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Wyoming Police arrest man for forgery after victims allege investment scam.Two west Michigan investors say they’re out thousands of dollars after giving a man $40,000 to flip a home in Wyoming.They provided FOX 17 with documents that promise repayment.But after getting the runaround for weeks they contacted our Problem Solvers team.They believe the man is still out there taking people’s money so they’re trying to warn others about what they’re calling a scam.Both of them even went to police about their claims.Officers arrested the guy on...…9:28 PM, Jan 07, 2021GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Wyoming Police arrest man for forgery after victims allege investment scam.Two west Michigan investors say they’re out thousands of dollars after giving a man $40,000 to flip a home in Wyoming.They provided FOX 17 with documents that promise repayment.But after getting the runaround for weeks they contacted our Problem Solvers team.They believe the man is still out there taking people’s money so they’re trying to warn others about what they’re calling a scam.Both of them even went to police about their claims.Officers arrested the guy on...WW…

8:23 PM, Jan 06, 2021LANSING, Mich. — Update on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 9:45 p.m. EST: In regards to banning guns at the Michigan Capitol, one Capitol commissioner has confirmed with Fox 17 that they have enough votes to outlaw open carry guns in Lansing.“Looks like votes are there to ban open carry and it will most likely be unanimous," said the Commissioner.It's the only item currently on the Capitol commission's agenda for their meeting set for tomorrow at 1 p.m.“I can't really comment firmly until the vote is taken, but all indications are that there is support," another board...…8:23 PM, Jan 06, 2021LANSING, Mich. — Update on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 9:45 p.m. EST: In regards to banning guns at the Michigan Capitol, one Capitol commissioner has confirmed with Fox 17 that they have enough votes to outlaw open carry guns in Lansing.“Looks like votes are there to ban open carry and it will most likely be unanimous," said the Commissioner.It's the only item currently on the Capitol commission's agenda for their meeting set for tomorrow at 1 p.m.“I can't really comment firmly until the vote is taken, but all indications are that there is support," another board...WW…

2:11 PM, Dec 29, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Wyoming woman dealing with unemployment says the stress the agency put her through has affected her health.Over the last several months she’s been getting letters from Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency asking her to repay nearly $10,000.When Jill Paasch signed up for benefits, her social security number was off by one digit.“It’s like is anybody listening to me,” Paasch asked over a Zoom call.She worked for MFP Automation Engineering for 11 years. After a layoff due to COVID, it took weeks to get through to unemployment. When she...…2:11 PM, Dec 29, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Wyoming woman dealing with unemployment says the stress the agency put her through has affected her health.Over the last several months she’s been getting letters from Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency asking her to repay nearly $10,000.When Jill Paasch signed up for benefits, her social security number was off by one digit.“It’s like is anybody listening to me,” Paasch asked over a Zoom call.She worked for MFP Automation Engineering for 11 years. After a layoff due to COVID, it took weeks to get through to unemployment. When she...WW…

5:25 PM, Dec 23, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The unemployment rate in Michigan is dropping as more people head back to work. In November, it was just under 7%.But thousands are still filing or certifying for weekly benefits, and staffing agencies and companies are running into roadblocks when trying to fill those positions.The maximum weekly benefit here in Michigan is only $362 dollars.But when you add in hundreds of dollars from the federal government, there may not be much incentive for some to look for new work.“Our field was deemed essential by MDHHS so we didn’t have to shut...…5:25 PM, Dec 23, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The unemployment rate in Michigan is dropping as more people head back to work. In November, it was just under 7%.But thousands are still filing or certifying for weekly benefits, and staffing agencies and companies are running into roadblocks when trying to fill those positions.The maximum weekly benefit here in Michigan is only $362 dollars.But when you add in hundreds of dollars from the federal government, there may not be much incentive for some to look for new work.“Our field was deemed essential by MDHHS so we didn’t have to shut...WW…

8:48 PM, Nov 19, 2020MUSKEGON, Mich. — According to online data, there have been 77 inmates within the Michigan Department of Corrections who have died after contracting the coronavirus.We spoke with a wife who is pleading with the state to keep prisoners, like her husband, safe behind bars.She tells FOX 17 it’s hard because there’s nothing she can really do from the outside. He talked with us as well, saying their concerns are not being addressed.“When he calls in, he’s like, ‘oh I’m so concerned’ he’s so worried that he’s gonna catch COVID,” said Shira Whitaker.Whitaker is...…8:48 PM, Nov 19, 2020MUSKEGON, Mich. — According to online data, there have been 77 inmates within the Michigan Department of Corrections who have died after contracting the coronavirus.We spoke with a wife who is pleading with the state to keep prisoners, like her husband, safe behind bars.She tells FOX 17 it’s hard because there’s nothing she can really do from the outside. He talked with us as well, saying their concerns are not being addressed.“When he calls in, he’s like, ‘oh I’m so concerned’ he’s so worried that he’s gonna catch COVID,” said Shira Whitaker.Whitaker is...WW…

7:25 PM, Nov 18, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Thousands of people are expected to file for unemployment benefits due to Governor Whitmer’s new executive order that took effect Wednesday morning.But thousands of people who filed months ago still have not been paid.CHILDCARE WORKER“My hours, and the children, it just started getting lower and shorter until it just stopped,” said Queashia Kindred, who filed after she stopped working in childcare.She talked to me through a cracked phone because she can’t afford to replace it. Her MIWAM account shows her payments are processed but still...…7:25 PM, Nov 18, 2020GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Thousands of people are expected to file for unemployment benefits due to Governor Whitmer’s new executive order that took effect Wednesday morning.But thousands of people who filed months ago still have not been paid.CHILDCARE WORKER“My hours, and the children, it just started getting lower and shorter until it just stopped,” said Queashia Kindred, who filed after she stopped working in childcare.She talked to me through a cracked phone because she can’t afford to replace it. Her MIWAM account shows her payments are processed but still...WW…