Fun summer programs at Hamtramck Public Schools combat learning loss
June 9th, 20210 The global pandemic caused significant disruptions in education across the country over the past two years. As a result, Hamtramck Public Schools is offering a robust summer education program to reduce learning loss in advance of the new school year in September. This modern summer program incorporates fun and innovative ways to support...
Secretary of State Benson announces changes to increase and advance service
June 9th, 20210 LANSING — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that her offices are adding appointments to serve 350,000 more Michiganders and making some changes. The changes include adding greeters at office doors to assist in scheduling visits and priority service for residents needing a disability placard. “We were able to do this...
Dearborn reminds residents of fireworks ordinance
June 9th, 20210 DEARBORN — With Independence Day coming, the city of Dearborn is reminding residents of the city’s fireworks ordinance, which matches state law. During and leading up to Independence Day, residents are permitted to use fireworks between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3 and July 4. Anyone found...
Superintendent Maleyko receives positive evaluation
June 9th, 20210 DEARBORN — The Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education has given Superintendent Glenn Maleyko a ranking of “highly effective”, extending his contract. A rating of effective or highly effective automatically extends Maleyko’s contract by one year to maintain a continuous three-year agreement. Trustee Adel Mozip chaired...
U.S. Secretary of Education visits Henry Ford College
June 8th, 20210 DEARBORN — U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited Henry Ford College’s (HFC) COVID-19 vaccine clinic to promote the vaccine and the American Families Plan. The clinic was arranged in partnership with Rite-Aid as a part of the COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge. One student who was getting his vaccine told Cardona...
Michigan no longer has the highest car insurance costs, but still second in the U.S.
June 8th, 20210 MICHIGAN — A new car insurance industry report shows that Michigan is no longer the most expensive state in the country to insure a car. But that doesn't necessarily mean good news for drivers in the Motor City's home. The 2021 Insure.com report shows Louisiana has take over the top spot for premiums in the country, though...
Wayne State University president blocks student senate statement on Palestine
June 7th, 20210 DETROIT — A statement on Palestine issued by the Wayne State University Student Senate has seen objection and censorship from the large urban university’s administration, most notably by President Roy Wilson. The Senate, which is comprised of dozens of students, had gone through lengthy and intense deliberation on making a...
U.S. Secretary of Education to visit Henry Ford College
June 6th, 20210 DEARBORN - U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, will be at Henry Ford College on Tuesday, June 8 to promote COVID-19 vaccines and discuss the American Families Plan. The COVID-19 College Challenge is a part of the Biden Administration’s month of action in June to encourage vaccinations. While on campus, Cardona will tour...
Mo Baydoun looking to retain his seat on the Dearborn Heights City Council
June 6th, 20210 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Mo Baydoun, who was appointed to the Dearborn Heights City Council earlier this year, is running to retain his seat. Baydoun was appointed to finish out former Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton’s term once she was elected treasurer in November. In 2017, Baydoun ran for a full-term seat on the City Council and...
Detroit commemorates 54 Years since Al-Naksa
June 5th, 20210 DEARBORN - Organizers and community members will gather this Saturday, June 5th, at Ford Woods Park in Dearborn, to commemorate the 54th anniversary of Al-Naksa (or "the setback") marking 54 years since the second major land loss and mass expulsion of Palestinian people from their homeland. The event will include a march and a...
Pro-IDF restaurant owner Jeremy Sasson says critics of his pro-Israel post are “anti-Semitic”
June 5th, 20213 DETROIT — During the beginning days of Israel’s 11-day assault on Gaza, the owner of two popular restaurants took to Instagram to say he stood with Israel. Jeremy Sasson is the CEO of Heirloom Hospitality Group, LLC, which operates Prime + Proper in Detroit and Townhouse in Birmingham and Detroit, establishments regularly...
Westland mayoral candidate removed from the ballot
June 5th, 20212 WESTLAND — After a hearing on Wednesday, an election commission deemed that mayoral candidate William Asper was to be removed from the ballot. Asper told The Arab American News that he believes he was removed from the ballot illegally. “I am running for mayor to stop the corruption,” he said. “They stated that residency...
Redistricting Commission holds public hearing in Dearborn
June 4th, 20210 DEARBORN — The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) met in Dearborn Thursday to address redistricting in the state. More than 150 residents from all over downriver attended the event to provide their input on the redistricting. In 2018, Michigan voters approved the creation of the MICRC under Proposal...
Whitmer to help bridge digital divide
June 4th, 20210 LANSING — Governor Whitmer signed a directive to establish the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office to try to bridge the digital divide across the state. The governor said about 865,000 households in the state are not connected to the Internet. “One in four Michigan families do not have a connection that meets their needs and...
Oakland County judge denies motion to dismiss felony charges against Southfield city clerk
June 4th, 20211 SOUTHFIELD — An Oakland County judge has denied the Southfield city clerk’s motion to drop two felony charges against her connected to the Nov. 2018 election. Last year, City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins was ordered to stand trial on one count of violating election law by falsifying returns or records, one count of forgery of a public......
Michigan House passes measure to ban vaccine passports
June 3rd, 20210 LANSING — The Republican-led Michigan House is trying to ban government-sanctioned vaccine passports, despite no current plan to enforce them. The COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act would ban any government entity from issuing a COVID-19 vaccine passport requiring proof of vaccination to access a public place or service, or imposing...
James Parrelly wants to show his love for Dearborn by running for mayor
June 3rd, 20210 DEARBORN — Financial planner James Parrelly is one of seven people vying for the residents’ votes for mayor in the August 3 primary election and, ultimately, the Nov. 2 general election. Parrelly had run in the 2017 election, but lost in the primary. He said he believes he is the thought leader in the campaign. “I was......
Emgage endorses Abdullah Hammoud for Dearborn mayor; Hassan Ahmad and Mo Baydoun for Dearborn Heights City Council
June 2nd, 20210 DEARBORN/HEIGHTS — Emgage has announced its endorsement for Abdullah Hammoud for Dearborn mayor and Hassan Ahmad and Mo Baydoun for Dearborn Heights City Council. Emgage's website says it is a family of civic and political institutions dedicated to strengthening the engagement of Muslim Americans in the civic and political process,...
Redistricting Commission to hold meeting and public hearing in Dearborn on June 3
June 2nd, 20210 The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will conduct a meeting at 5 p.m. and a public hearing at 6 p.m. on June 3 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Masks are required at all times while indoors. Individuals are encouraged (but not required) to RSVP in advance to...
Immigrants’ contributions recognized in Michigan, nationwide
June 2nd, 20210 LANSING — Contributions made by the state’s immigrant community were given a nod with a proclamation by Governor Whitmer, declaring June 2021 Immigrant Heritage Month. The state has joined a nationwide effort to collectively celebrate the history, culture and powerful influence immigrants have in shaping their communities and...
Hamtramck, River Rouge, other cities, receive grants to upgrade water systems
June 2nd, 20210 LANSING — Governor Whitmer announced this week grants awarded to different Michigan communities to help upgrade drinking water infrastructure towards safe, affordable tap water across the state. The grants come under the umbrella of the MI Clean Water plan. Under that plan Hamtramck receives $188,315 under the Drinking Water......
Secretary of State seeking $25 million to hire more staff
June 2nd, 20210 LANSING — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Democratic lawmakers want $25 million to hire more staff and pay overtime to employees. The money would go towards expanding appointments and hours at branch offices that are facing large backlogs of transactions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the spending is approved by the...
A tribute to Francis Allen, an Arab American veteran and a decorated Detroit Police deputy chief
May 31st, 20210 Francis Cyril Allen, born a Detroiter in 1929 to Sadie (Maklouf) of Trablos and Minum Allen of Zahle; a CYO football champion and (in his mind at least) sandlot hall of fame third baseman; a Korean War Veteran; for 59 years, the faithful husband to the only woman he ever loved (the girl next-door and his eighth grade crush); the father......
Redistricting: What is it and why it matters
May 29th, 20210 By Hayg Oshagan What is it? Every 10 years, every state redraws all of its district election maps. For Michigan, that’s 110 House district maps, 38 Senate district maps and 13 U.S. Congressional district maps. Once these are drawn, you elect your Michigan House, Michigan Senate and U.S. Congressional representatives based on...
Dearborn high school students can participate in a free summer program at the Michael Berry Career Center
May 28th, 20210 DEARBORN — High school students enrolled in Dearborn Public Schools have an opportunity to get a head start on their career goals with a free summer program. The Michael Berry Career Center (MBCC) will be offering courses during its free summer program that will help students explore career-oriented classes, earn high school credit......
