Author's Posts
“Stay Home” order extended to May 28, manufacturing reopens as part of Safe Start Plan
May 7th, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-77 to extend Michigan’s "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order to May 28. The governor’s order will allow manufacturing workers, including those at Michigan’s Big Three auto companies, to resume work on Monday, May 11 as part of her MI Safe Start Plan. “This is...
Whitmer signs executive order speeding up unemployment process
May 6th, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-76, expediting the unemployment benefits process during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The most significant takeaway from this development: The state will now only look at an unemployed individual's most recent job separation, which is the cause of the...
Ilhan Omar signs Israeli lobby AIPAC’s letter pushing for Iran arms embargo
May 6th, 20201 WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a disappointing and surprising move, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has signed her name to a letter backed by the Israeli lobby AIPAC that demands an extension of the U.N.’s arms embargo on Iran. Omar has joined 391 members of the House in signing the letter, which effectively bolsters the Trump...
Wayne County announces $3 million in relief for residents
May 6th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY — Eligible Wayne County residents who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their county can now look for rent, mortgage and utility relief, among other forms of assistance, through a brand new program. With Wayne County residents facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne...
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial begins, initial manufacturing in Kalamazoo
May 5th, 20200 LANSING — The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has teamed up with the German biotech company BioTech in beginning a historic trial to test the BNT162 vaccine program to prevent COVID-19. The trial is part of a global development program and the dosing of the first testing group, or cohort, was completed last week in Germany. The first...
Dearborn Heights woman accused of welfare fraud faces 14 felony counts
May 4th, 20202 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office announced today that a Dearborn Heights woman, Tabarak Qaiser Wutwut, 30, is facing 14 felony counts for allegedly committing welfare fraud. Wutwut is accused of taking public benefits and lying to the state about her economic status, the AG's office and the Michigan...
MDHHS issues emergency order related to handling of bodies
May 4th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order today that shortens the time frame hospitals and funeral directors have to contact individuals with authority over disposition of the body of a deceased individual and the amount of time that individual has to make a...
Dearborn Schools postpones high school graduations
May 4th, 20200 DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools has officially postponed high school graduations scheduled for early June and early college ceremonies set for May. “As we continue to see encouraging signs that social distancing and other preventative measures ordered by the governor are making a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19,...
Whitmer signs executive order to re-open construction and real estate, safely
May 1st, 20200 LANSING - Today, at a press conference with members from health care industry, business, and labor, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-70 as part of her "MI Safe Start" plan. The executive order will allow the May 7 resumption of some types of work that present a very low risk of infection, including construction,...
Challenged by Republicans, Whitmer signs four new executive orders
April 30th, 20201 LANSING — On Thursday, after the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature all but declared victory in their battle to reopen the economy and effectively end Governor Whitmer’s emergency powers, Whitmer took swift and decisive action by signing four new executive orders to continue fighting COVID-19 and the save lives of...
Republican-controlled legislature refuses to extend Whitmer’s emergency order
April 30th, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, as another wave of protesters converged on the state’s capitol, Michigan Republicans refused to extend Governor Whitmer's emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Whitmer’s authority and actions to combat the pandemic. Whitmer’s emergency declaration expired on Thursday. The...
Rotary Club of Dearborn awards more than $60,000 to 24 high school seniors
April 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Rotary Club of Dearborn recently announced a total of more than $60,000 in scholarships awarded to 24 graduating high school seniors in Dearborn. Scholarships are awarded in four, merit-based categories. Each award category is endowed by or honors a past Dearborn Rotarian who recognized the importance of education...
Downtown Dearborn hosts first-ever, virtual “Ladies Night In”, May 6
April 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — Ladies looking for a fun night of shopping and an opportunity to support local businesses are invited to Downtown Dearborn’s first-ever, virtual Ladies Night In on Wednesday, May 6, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. This free community event is open to the public and will showcase a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment...
Assistance available for Michiganders who need help paying utility bills
April 30th, 20200 LANSING — State officials are urging Michiganders to be look for help if they’re struggling to pay their utility bills by reaching out to their energy providers and seeking financial assistance if they’ve lost a job or their income has dropped amid the coronavirus pandemic. State leaders encourage anyone facing financial...
Wayne County prosecutor charges Mohamed Saad with first degree murder
April 30th, 20200 DETROIT — Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Mohamed Ali Saad, 32, with first degree murder in connection with the homicide of his mother, Fatemah Ibrahim Saad, 64, both of Dearborn Heights. On April 16, at approximately 7 p.m., the Dearborn Heights Police Department received a 911 call to a home in the 27000 block of......
Claims court says Michigan’s “stay home” order does not violate constitution
April 29th, 20200 LANSING — While the U.S. Department of Justice seeks probes into the constitutionality of lock-down orders in various states, including Michigan, Lansing announced on Wednesday a Michigan Court of Claims ruling that sided with Governor Whitmer, holding that the current “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order did not infringe upon...
Whitmer announces tuition-free college for frontline essential workers
April 29th, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer announced a series of initiatives to help Michigan workers and their families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the "Futures for Frontliners” program to provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers who don’t have a......
Whitmer previews plan for gradual economic reopening, U.S. Attorney Schneider eyes lawsuit
April 27th, 20200 LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer signaled her broad and long-term plan for the gradual reopening of the state’s economy. Strict isolation and shutdown measures have thus far proven markedly successful, as hospitals and county health department report plateauing numbers of COVID-19 related cases in Michigan. Whitmer was...
Whitmer to announce new executive order allowing partial reopening of the economy
April 24th, 20200 LANSING - Governor Whitmer is set to address the state at 11:00 am today. Whitmer will be announcing a new executive order (2020-59), effective through May 15, that will reopen certain parts of the economy and ease up on certain restrictions. Some workers will be allowed to go back to work: This includes landscapers,...
Young Arab American Aya Alcodray brings much needed food relief to families
April 24th, 20200 DEARBORN — 17-year-old Aya Alcodray, a student at Dearborn High School, understood that the COVID-19 outbreak had adversely affected many of her fellow students and their families. Many students rely on lunches their schools provide; and while schools continue to provide food during the weekdays, Aya knew something needed to be done...
While restrictions continue, Muslim houses of worship prepare for Ramadan
April 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — To kick off 2020’s first Ramadan weekend, The Arab American News spoke to local Muslim leaders representing some of the most frequented and well-know houses of worship, to find out how they plan to adapt their Ramadan plans in light of the continuing state-imposed COVID-19 related restrictions. Unsurprisingly, mosques......
Muslims applaud popular children’s television show for recognizing Ramadan
April 23rd, 20201 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, the immensely popular children's television show SpongeBob SquarePants brought a smile and message of love and peace to Muslims across the globe with a social media post depicting the show's main characters wishing audiences "Ramadan Mubarak." Muslims everywhere, including high-profile Muslim figures,...
Community organizations host first ever Ramadan Lights challenge in Dearborn
April 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — Three community organizations are teaming up to bring the first ever Ramadan holiday lights competition, the Ramadan Lights challenge, to Dearborn. The organizer of the renowned Ramadan Suhoor Festival is joining Halal Metropolis and the Michigan Muslim Community Council to bring some holiday cheer despite restrictions on......
UIA says $1.37 billion paid out to 820,000 unemployed Michiganders
April 23rd, 20200 LANSING - The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has released tallies for benefits given out to unemployed workers in Michigan as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. The UIA said it has provided an estimated 820,000 unemployed Michigan workers $1.37 billion in benefits, an unprecedented number. The agency...
MDHHS launches large-scale contact tracing effort, expands testing criteria to include all essential workers
April 21st, 20200 LANSING — As part of efforts to continue expanding COVID-19 testing and contact tracing of potentially exposed Michiganders, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) again expanded its testing criteria to include all essential workers still reporting to work in person, whether they have symptoms or not, and......
