Minimum wage in Michigan increased on Jan. 1: What to know
January 3rd, 20250 As part of a larger plan, Michigan’s minimum wage was set to increase on New Year’s Day. The first step called for a 23-cent increase on Wednesday, Jan. 1. However, the hourly minimum wage in Michigan will see two increases in 2025, though concerns still loom from some business owners and employees who fear higher wages could be a...
Arab American entrepreneur Nora Farhat flourishes with franchises
December 30th, 20240 Being a multi-brand business owner takes a lot of work. Metro Detroit-based Arab American entrepreneur Nora Farhat franchises with finesse. Farhat started her career working at an automotive supplies company while earning her bachelor’s degree in technical and professional communications from the University of Michigan. She has...
Dearborn announces grants to beautify commercial buildings’ façades on Warren Ave., applications open until January 24
December 6th, 20240 DEARBORN – As part of its efforts to enhance and redesign Warren Ave. in northeast Dearborn, the city’s Economic Development Department, in collaboration with the Warren Business District Improvement Authority (WBDIA), announced the launch of a grant program Tuesday, aimed at improving commercial façades along the bustling street...
Overtime Athletics Detroit celebrated its grand opening in the heart of Dearborn
August 30th, 20240 Overtime Athletics Detroit celebrated its grand opening on Sunday, August 25. The franchise owners, Ali Kassab and Dina Elzein, celebrated with friends, family and community members. Local representatives were also in attendance, including Dearborn Heights Councilman Mo Baydoun and individuals from the Dearborn Chamber of...
Michigan Fuels, in conjunction with ExxonMobil, donates $15,000 to Dearborn Public Schools
May 8th, 20240 DEARBORN – Continuing an annual tradition of more than 30 years, Michigan Fuels – in partnership with ExxonMobil – donated $15,000 to Dearborn Public Schools, on Friday, April 26, in a ceremony at Fordson High School. “We are incredibly pleased and grateful to continue supporting our area high school students throughout...
LaPita Restaurant in West Dearborn celebrates 30 years of serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine
April 19th, 20240 DEARBORN – During the last week of the Holy month of Ramadan, LaPita Restaurant in Dearborn held a Ramadan Iftar on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its founding, attended by local officials and community leaders. While Dearborn has plenty of Middle Eastern restaurants that make it a destination for connoisseurs of...
Organization ranks Metro Airport among best in country during holiday
January 27th, 20240 After analyzing data pertaining to airport travel during the busy month of December, a national organization ranked Detroit Metro Airport above nearly all hubs with more than 2,000 flights. During the past holiday season that saw Transportation Service Administration agents have its busiest day in history, Metro Airport ranked No. 2...
Michigan’s jobs numbers show more people looking for, finding work
January 27th, 20240 Michigan’s monthly unemployment number remained steady from November to December of last year at 4.3 percent and the state’s 2023 average is below where it was in 2019 just before the COVID pandemic. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget released the seasonally adjusted December jobless numbers released this...
Dearborn native Hussein Tarraf appointed to the IRS Advisory Council
January 19th, 20240 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dearborn resident Hussein Tarraf has been selected by the IRS as one of 12 new members of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council. Tarraf is the president of Tarraf & Associates, PC, in Dearborn. He has been working in public accounting for more than 20 years, providing tax advisory and assurance...
New development with Chick-fil-A, Topgolf, Portillo’s and a hotel proposed in Canton Township
January 12th, 20240 CANTON — A new commercial development with Chick-fil-A, Topgolf, a hotel and a Portillo's restaurant could be opening in Canton township, according to the Planning Commission. The roads bordering the 55-acre development site are Ford Road, North Lotz Road, Warren Road and is east of I-275. Reports state that the Planning...
Arab American businessman buys Miller’s Bar, plans to carry on “amazing legacy” of Dearborn burger spot
January 11th, 20241 DEARBORN – The new owner of popular Dearborn burger spot Miller's Bar said he plans to change nothing about what customers have come to love. Considered a no-frills restaurant for a quick bite since it opened in 1941, Miller's is cash only. The burgers are served on wax paper and guests are on the honor system when they cash...
Turkish Airlines will connect Midwest to Istanbul through Detroit flights, marking its 13th gateway in the U.S.
November 16th, 20230 As of November 15, Turkish Airlines, a global carrier, will connect the Midwest region to Türkiye’s tourism hub and will operate three flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Istanbul Airport, using the carrier’s new Boeing 787-9 aircraft. After December 25, the flag...
Visionary Dr. Prem Reddy recognized with Healthcare Lifetime Achievement Award
September 12th, 20230 FARMINGTON HILLS – Dr Prem Reddy, chairman, president and CEO of Prime Healthcare, received the prestigious Healthcare Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce – USA during a ceremony in Farmington Hills, attended by Michigan Gov. Whitmer and other dignitaries. Headquartered in Michigan, the...
The Shatila family expands the legacy, celebrates grand opening at new Dearborn Heights location
September 8th, 20230 Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi joined city officials, family, friends and employees of the new Shatila Bakery on Sept. 2 to celebrate the grand opening/ribbon cutting of the bakery’s newest location. The bakery is located at 26771 Ford Road (Between Beech Daly & Inkster Roads) and specializes in popular Middle Eastern pasties......
AG Nessel secures 55 percent reduction in Consumers Energy’s gas rate increase
September 2nd, 20230 LANSING – The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved a settlement in Consumers Energy Company’s natural gas rate case in which the company sought a rate increase. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel intervened in the case and helped secure a 55 percent reduction in the final requested rate increase from $175...
Ford, General Motors and Stellantis to reveal six vehicles at September Detroit Auto Show
August 4th, 20230 DETROIT – The Detroit Auto Show announced Ford, General Motors and Stellantis have confirmed they will each hold important vehicle reveals, totaling six reveals between the Detroit Three, during the show’s Media and Technology Days (Sept. 13 -14). The Detroit Auto Show runs from Sept. 13 - 24 at Huntington Place in......
Hassan Beydoun appointed as Detroit’s group executive of economic development
July 21st, 20230 DETROIT – Hassan Beydoun has been appointed group executive of economic development by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, with a remit to establish Detroit as a hub for innovators and start-up entrepreneurs. Beydoun, who previously served as senior advisor and counsel to the mayor, will lead the Jobs and Economy Team's efforts to grow...
AG Nessel announces DTE settlement agreement, securing millions in ratepayer savings, among other things
July 14th, 20230 LANSING – DTE Energy filed a settlement agreement in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) case currently pending before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), which includes many of the improvements Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has called for to improve service reliability, affordability and accountability for...
Dearborn-based Arab American-owned businesses expand their services into Canton
July 3rd, 20230 CANTON — Dearborn-based Arab American-owned business are continuing to spread into surrounding Metro Detroit cities. The Papaya Supermarket and Qahwah House coffee shop have made their way into Canton in recent months. Canton Township's supervisor, Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, told The Arab American News that these new businesses add an...
Dialect discrimination: 1-in-3 Michiganders fear an “accent wage penalty”, study reveals
May 26th, 20230 In a 2015 interview, Stephen Colbert was quoted as saying: “At a very young age, I decided I was not gonna have a Southern accent”, adding that as he thought it would hold him back professionally. He noted that it is difficult to determine a newscaster's regional origin based on their accent. Research from the University of......
Comcast RISE provides grant packages to 500 more small businesses in five cities
May 26th, 20230 PHILADELPHIA – Comcast announced that a new round of businesses in five cities will receive grants through Comcast RISE, providing 500 more small businesses with comprehensive grant packages that include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule and a...
Five indicted by the Feds in $11M health care fraud scheme
May 16th, 20230 DETROIT – An Oakland County doctor and a certified social worker are among five people facing federal charges in connection with an $11 million health care fraud scheme through a Farmington Hills psychotherapy agency, officials said. Two of the five charged, Mohamed Kazkaz, 54, of Farmington Hills and Ziad Khalel, 52, of Rochester......
Benson: Mechanic certification tests now improved and more accessible
May 6th, 20230 LANSING – On May 4, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced improvements to the mechanic certification process. Updated certification exams now cover current automotive technology and can be taken at students’ schools instead of Secretary of State Offices. “Making mechanic tests available at schools where students already...
Bill Saad elected to lead Michigan petroleum and convenience stores associations
April 21st, 20230 TRENTON – Bill Saad, founder and CEO of Michigan Fuels, has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Petroleum Association/Michigan Association of Convenience Stores (MPA/MACS). Saad was elected by the MPA/MACS Board of Directors at their recent board meeting held during the MPA/MACS Annual Michigan Show, a......
