The Arab American News
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Preliminary Henry Ford College presidential shortlist excludes Arab American candidates, raising concerns
February 6th, 20262 Serious questions about transparency and selection procedures have emerged after the advisory selection committee charged with recommending a permanent president for Henry Ford College narrowed its field to 10 candidates from more than 120 applicants, without including a single Arab American, despite more than a dozen Arab American...
Detroit judge, three others charged in $300K guardianship fraud scheme
February 6th, 20260 DETROIT — A sitting Detroit judge and three other individuals are facing federal criminal charges in connection with the alleged embezzlement of nearly $300,000 from people under legal guardianship, through a fraudulent scheme that operated for several years before she became a judge. According to federal court filings, Andrea...
“Paying more, getting less” — America’s flailing health system
February 6th, 20260 By Sunita Sohrabji Millions of Americans are facing soaring health insurance premiums and rising out-of-pocket costs. Advocates warn large numbers of people will be priced out of coverage as a result, straining the broader health care system. More than 20 million people enrolled in Affordable Care Act marketplace plans are seeing...
Adam Hollier drops secretary of state bid, enters State Senate District 3 race
February 6th, 20260 DETROIT — Adam Hollier, a Democrat and U.S. Army paratrooper, announced he is suspending his campaign for Michigan secretary of state and pivoting to a run for State Senate District 3, a seat that spans Hamtramck, Highland Park and Detroit’s east side. Hollier, 40, previously served in the State Senate representing the former...
Veteran Arab American community leader Ismael Ahmed dies at 79, leaving a five-decade legacy of service in Metro Detroit
February 6th, 20260 DETROIT — The Arab American community in Metro Detroit is mourning the loss of veteran community and political leader Ismael (Ish) Ahmed, who passed away at age 79 after a distinguished career spanning nearly five decades devoted to immigrant rights, social justice and ethnic communities across Michigan. Funeral services were held...
Veteran political and community activist Ismael (Ish) Ahmed dies at 79
January 31st, 20260 The Arab American community in metro Detroit is mourning the loss of veteran political and community activist Ismael (Ish) Ahmed, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 79, following a lifetime dedicated to immigrant rights, social justice and ethnic communities in Michigan. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced later,...
Wealthy businessman Perry Johnson Joins Michigan governor’s race, pledges $9 million early spending push
January 30th, 20260 BIRMINGHAM — Wealthy businessman Perry Johnson has joined a growing field of Republican candidates seeking Michigan’s governorship, pledging to spend heavily on a campaign centered on eliminating the state income tax, fixing schools and making state government more efficient. Launching his campaign Monday at a restaurant in downtown...
Former Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib appointed senior advisor at AmeriCorps after his ambassadorship nomination stalled in U.S. Senate
January 30th, 20260 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, former Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib —whose nomination as U.S. ambassador to Kuwait had encountered broad opposition in the United States Senate in October — officially began a new federal role in Washington, D.C.. He is now serving as senior advisor for strategic partnerships at AmeriCorps, following...
Trump’s “Board of Peace” and the reinvention of American power in Gaza and beyond
January 30th, 20260 The history of American power is, in many ways, the history of reinventing rules, or designing new ones, to fit U.S. strategic interests. This may sound harsh, but it is a necessary realization, particularly in light of President Trump’s latest political invention: the so-called Board of Peace. Some have hastily concluded that...
Hamtramck City Council appoints Hussein Farhat as interim police chief
January 30th, 20260 HAMTRAMCK — During its regular meeting on Tuesday, a majority of the Hamtramck City Council voted to appoint veteran law enforcement officer Hussein Farhat as the city’s interim police chief, following extensive discussions between the city administration and Council members, whose opinions were divided over the decision. Prior to...
Setting the standard in healthcare law and compliance: Hassan Abdallah’s leadership approach
January 30th, 20260 As healthcare organizations manage expanding volumes of sensitive patient information and rely more heavily on digital platforms, compliance and privacy leadership has shifted from a supporting role to a strategic one. For Hassan Abdallah, vice president and chief compliance & privacy officer at MRO, that evolution has shaped both...
Former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten suspends campaign for state attorney general
January 30th, 20260 LANSING — Former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced Tuesday that he is suspending his campaign to become Michigan’s next attorney general, citing a lack of momentum following key labor union endorsements. Totten, a Democrat, made the announcement on social media Tuesday afternoon, saying he no...
Governor Whitmer mourns the death of her father, credits career path to his encouragement
January 30th, 20260 Governor Whitmer's father, Richard Whitmer, died on Monday night, according to a statement from her office. "My beloved father passed away last night," Whitmer said. "He held a lot of impressive positions in his long life. He led major non-profits, sat on statewide boards and served in the cabinet of one of my predecessors, Governor...
Dearborn man sentenced to 25–40 years for years-long child sexual abuse in Macomb County
January 27th, 20260 A Dearborn man convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child in Macomb County over several years has been sentenced to decades in prison. Elie Otayek, 43, was sentenced Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, to 25 to 40 years behind bars following his November 2025 conviction on three felony counts of criminal sexual conduct, two counts in the...
Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun sworn in, vows new era of services, safety and lasting flood solutions
January 23rd, 20260 DEARBORN HEIGHTS— During an official inauguration ceremony held Saturday, January 17 at the Crestwood High School auditorium, and attended by a large crowd of officials and community leaders, newly elected Mayor Mo Baydoun pledged to launch a new chapter centered on improving public services, strengthening community safety and......
Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin elected vice chair of Michigan Law Enforcement Standards Commission
January 23rd, 20260 DEARBORN — Continuing his distinguished career in law enforcement, Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin has been elected vice chair of the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) for 2026, becoming the first Muslim American to hold the senior leadership post in the agency’s 60-year history. Shahin, 50, joined the...
Syrian American pleads guilty to Social Security fraud after collecting benefits for mother living in Syria
January 23rd, 20260 DETROIT — A Syrian American man formerly of Dearborn has admitted to stealing nearly $190,000 in federal funds by continuing to collect Social Security benefits on behalf of his mother, despite the fact that she has been living in Syria for years, according to federal prosecutors. The defendant, Samer Succar, appeared earlier this......
Michigan legislature approves statewide ban on student smartphone use during class time
January 23rd, 20260 LANSING — Seeking to reduce student distractions and improve academic performance, the Michigan legislature has approved a statewide ban on the use of smartphones during instructional hours in all schools across the state, with limited exceptions and enforcement authority left to local school districts. The State House passed the bill...
The Arab American News marks issue 2084, celebrating 41 years as the voice of Arab Americans in North America
January 23rd, 20260 Forty-one years ago, issue “zero” of The Arab American News was published on January 23, 1985, marking the start of a long journey in what is often called “the profession of troubles.” The burdens and challenges of this demanding field were softened only by the steady rise of the Arab American community — growing and thriving...
Israeli strikes kill two, wound 19 in Southern Lebanon, as ceasefire violations mount
January 23rd, 20260 On Wednesday, at least two people were killed and 19 others wounded, including journalists, in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, marking a new violation of a ceasefire agreement in effect since November 2024. Lebanon’s state news agency NNA said an Israeli drone strike hit a car on the Zahrani-Msayleh road in the Zahrani district...
Five takeaways from the Reuters interview with President Trump
January 16th, 20260 In a Reuters Oval Office interview, President Trump dismissed concerns about Greenland, the economy and a probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, offered limited clarity on Iran, acknowledged obstacles in the Gaza and Ukraine peace efforts, defended ICE operations and warned Republicans could lose seats in the midterms. Here are some......
Wayne County urges residents to get flu shot as infections spike sharply across Metro Detroit
January 16th, 20260 DETROIT — As influenza cases and other seasonal respiratory infections surge sharply, the Wayne County Department of Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible, warning that flu season is expected to reach its peak over the next two months. In a statement issued on Tuesday, health authorities said...
U.S. tells U.N. Security Council all options on table, Iran warns it will respond to any aggression
January 16th, 20260 The United States stands by the “brave people of Iran” and President Trump "has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday. Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in support of protesters in Iran, where......
Resilient Neighborhoods: Preparing Southwest Detroit youth for power and purpose
January 9th, 20260 By Layla McMurtrie In the Springwells neighborhood of Southwest Detroit, a new generation of leaders is gaining skills, confidence and community through the Leaders in Training (LIT) program at Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI). LIT supports youth ages 14 to 24 by creating a pathway — starting with early exposure in childhood...
Michigan braces for a pivotal election year and record-breaking spending
January 9th, 20260 LANSING — With the start of the new year, the state is preparing for a politically charged year, headlined by elections next fall widely expected to be the most expensive in Michigan’s history. That expectation is driven not only by fierce competition for open statewide offices, but also by the elections’ decisive role in shaping......
