The Arab American News Staff
Author's Posts
More roundabouts planned across Wayne County
September 4th, 20260 Wayne County has only one roundabout on its county road system, compared with 15 in Macomb County and 45 in Oakland County. But that is about to change in Michigan’s most populous county, as Canton Township and the cities of Romulus and Northville plan to build new roundabouts at several busy intersections, while Westland and Dearborn...
Second financial scandal intensifies pressure on American Arab Chamber of Commerce leadership
August 28th, 20261 DEARBORN — In a stunning development, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce fired Executive Director Bilal Hammoud amid allegations that more than $1 million from a government grant intended for the organization was diverted. As the Michigan Attorney General’s Office investigates the matter in coordination with the FBI, questions...
El-Sayed holds narrow lead over Rogers in pivotal Michigan Senate race
August 28th, 20260 DETROIT — With less than three months remaining before the general election, Michigan is witnessing one of the most closely watched races in the country: The contest for retiring Democratic U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ seat between Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican nominee Mike Rogers. The outcome could prove decisive in...
Benson selects Winnie Brinks as running mate in historic Michigan ticket
August 21st, 20260 GRAND RAPIDS — Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson has selected State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as her running mate, creating the first major party ticket in state history featuring two women seeking Michigan’s highest executive offices. Brinks, 57, represents the Grand Rapids area and brings more than a...
Hamtramck Councilman Mohammed Hassan sentenced to probation in absentee ballot case
August 14th, 20260 HAMTRAMCK — Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hathaway sentenced Hamtramck City Councilman Mohammed Hassan to probation and community service after a jury convicted him last month of making a false statement on an absentee ballot application. The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail. In July, the jury...
Gordie Howe International Bridge opens amid escalating U.S.–Canada trade dispute
July 31st, 20260 DETROIT — The Gordie Howe International Bridge opened to vehicle traffic Monday, July 27, providing a long-awaited new connection between Detroit and Windsor even as an escalating trade dispute cast a shadow over a project designed to symbolize cooperation between the United States and Canada. Canadian officials held a ribbon-cutting...
ACCESS names Lina Hourani-Harajli as its next president and CEO as Maha Freij announces her retirement
July 17th, 20260 DEARBORN — ACCESS President and CEO Maha Freij will retire this fall after more than 35 years of service to the nation's largest Arab American nonprofit organization, marking the end of an era that helped transform ACCESS into a nationally recognized institution. The ACCESS Board of Directors announced that it has unanimously...
Poll: Majority of Michiganders support lowering legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers
July 10th, 20260 A survey conducted by EPIC-MRA says Michiganders support lowering the legal blood alcohol content limit for adult drivers from 0.08 to 0.05. The survey, sponsored by 0.5 Saves Lives, an advocacy group that seeks to reform blood alcohol content standards for drivers, found that 52 percent of people strongly supported the change and 16...
AAPAC announces endorsements in competitive State Senate races
July 3rd, 20260 The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) has announced an extensive slate of endorsements for the Aug. 4 Democratic primary election, backing candidates for the state legislature, local judicial offices and ballot proposals that the organization says reflect its commitment to effective leadership, public service and policies...
189 members of Congress follow Tlaib’s lead to block unauthorized U.S. military involvement in Lebanon
July 3rd, 20260 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) that sought to limit President Trump's authority to involve American forces in military hostilities in Lebanon without explicit congressional approval. The revised War Powers Resolution failed by a...
LARA announces seizure of more than 17,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and explosives
June 27th, 20260 LANSING – The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), through its Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) and the state fire marshal, partnered with local public safety agencies to seize more than 17,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and explosive materials during a coordinated multi-phase investigation. The investigation...
Dearborn Heights bans e-bikes on city property following safety review
June 12th, 20260 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The City Council has unanimously approved a resolution banning the operation of electric bicycles (e-bikes) on all city-owned property, citing growing safety concerns and findings from a recent traffic safety study conducted by Police Chief Michael R. Guzowski. The ban took effect immediately and applies to city...
Mayor Baydoun appoints Phil Hall as Dearborn Heights fire chief
June 12th, 20260 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Mayor Mo Baydoun has appointed longtime firefighter and public safety leader Phil Hall as the new chief of the Dearborn Heights Fire Department, effective June 2, following the retirement of Chief David Brogan on June 1. Hall, a nearly 20-year veteran of the department, becomes the city's top fire official after...
What Dearborn and Dearborn Heights voters need to know before the Aug. 4 primary
June 12th, 20260 Voters across Michigan, including those in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, will head to the polls on Aug. 4 for the state's primary election, choosing party nominees for a number of high-profile executive and legislative offices while also deciding several local tax proposals and countywide ballot measures. The primary will determine...
Major I-94 interchange closure begins as Restore 94 project enters new phase
June 12th, 20260 The massive Restore 94 reconstruction project entered a new phase this week as crews closed all entrance and exit ramps connecting Interstate 94 and the Southfield Freeway, a major traffic interchange serving western Wayne County. The closures, which began Monday, are expected to remain in place for nearly a year, affecting motorists......
Judge rejects lawsuit seeking to remove Wayne County transit millage from August ballot
June 5th, 20260 DETROIT — A lawsuit seeking to block a proposed property tax millage for public transportation in Wayne County suffered a major setback last week after a Wayne County Circuit Court judge refused to remove the measure from the ballot for the Aug. 4 election. The ruling by Judge Kathleen McCarthy dealt a blow to the efforts of a citizen...
Wayne County treasurer urges property owners to file claims for surplus foreclosure auction proceeds
May 29th, 20260 DETROIT — Wayne County officials are urging residents whose properties were foreclosed for unpaid taxes in 2026 to take immediate action if they wish to claim any surplus funds generated from future auction sales of those properties. According to information released by the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office, individuals who owned or......
Whitmer rules out 2028 presidential run, plans to take time after leaving office
May 29th, 20260 MACKINAC ISLAND — Gov. Whitmer has ruled out a run for president in 2028, seeking to put to rest years of speculation that she could become a leading contender for the Democratic nomination once her second term as governor concludes. Speaking during an interview with Fox 2 Detroit on the sidelines of the annual Mackinac Policy...
Trump softens tone toward Iran as negotiations gain momentum
May 22nd, 20260 Since returning from China, President Trump has gradually adopted a noticeably softer tone toward Iran, tempering his rhetoric day after day while still keeping military threats as an option on the table. Only days earlier, Trump claimed he had been “one hour away” from authorizing renewed military strikes against the Islamic...
The ACRL appoints Houda Berri-Harajli as executive director amid growing civil rights challenges
May 22nd, 20260 DETROIT — The Arab American Civil Rights League has officially appointed Houda Berri-Harajli as its new executive director, marking a major leadership transition for one of the nation’s most prominent Arab American civil rights organizations. The appointment comes at a critical moment for Arab American and Muslim communities across...
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ends independent bid for governor
May 22nd, 20260 DETROIT — In a surprise move that significantly reshapes Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial race, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Thursday that he is ending his independent campaign for governor. The decision, which came amid mounting questions about the viability of his candidacy, was welcomed by many Democrats who feared......
State Department targets parents with delinquent child support, revoking their passports
May 15th, 20260 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of State announced during the month of May that it will begin revoking the passports of American citizens whose unpaid child support obligations exceed $2,500, in a move aimed at strengthening child support enforcement and ensuring parents meet their financial responsibilities toward their...
Fay Beydoun pleads not guilty to 16 felony charges in $20 million state grant case
May 8th, 20260 FARMINGTON HILLS — Arab American businesswoman Fay Beydoun appeared Wednesday before the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, where she was formally charged with 16 felony counts by the office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, including conducting a criminal enterprise, embezzlement and submitting fraudulent financial......
Michigan diesel prices top $6 a gallon amid Hormuz crisis
May 8th, 20260 DEARBORN — Amid ongoing production disruptions and rising energy costs tied to the Iran crisis and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the average price of diesel fuel in Michigan surpassed $6 per gallon last Sunday, reaching the highest level ever recorded in data tracked by the AAA. Although diesel prices later dipped...
End of an era: Spirit Airlines ceases all flights, files for liquidation
May 8th, 20260 FORT LAUDERDALE — Spirit Airlines announced Sunday that it has ceased operations entirely after failing to secure a proposed $500 million federal rescue package, bringing an end to one of the most recognizable low-cost airlines in the United States. Its parent company, Spirit Aviation Holdings, confirmed that it has begun implementing......
