

Snyder issues appeal over Flint funds denial
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has urged federal officials to reconsider their denial for funds to help deal with the crisis caused by lead-contaminated water in the city of Flint, his office said on Thursday. The contamination and the state's long delay in addressing the problem have sparked outrage and drawn...Trump attacked by opponents at Detroit debate
March 4th, 20160 U.S. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump defended changing positions on issues from Syrian refugees to immigration on Thursday at a debate where he faced wave after wave of attacks as the party's establishment sought to unite behind a last-ditch anti-Trump effort.Tempers escalated quickly during a two-hour Fox News...Presidential candidates: The wall of immigration policies
March 4th, 20160 WASHINGTON — Immigration has been a hot topic of discussion among all presidential candidates in the election race this year. Republican candidates are using immigration reform as a tactic to drive fearful voters to the polls; meanwhile, Democratic candidates are using it to highlight immigration as one of the country's main...Some Arab Americans back Clinton for electability, experience
March 4th, 20160 DEARBORN — While the bigotry created by the political rhetoric of the Republican presidential candidates has pushed Arab Americans away from the Republican Party to the Democratic side, many are divided on whether Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton has the best interests of Arab Americans in mind. Some local Arab Americans maintain...Young Arab American entrepreneur brings science and art of coffee to Detroit
Nathan Hamood - Photo by KentusDETROIT — Meticulously funneling water into a beaker, the young man behind the counter explains the science behind what’s brewing on the counter in the center of the room. The venue evokes a blend of a laboratory and a place to hang out, as funnels and beakers are showcased while people watch their...City releases mayor’s taped State of the City address
DEARBORN — The city released a taping of Mayor Jack O'Reilly's State of the City address after the live presentation was cancelled due to a winter storm last week. O'Reilly commenced the address in a new format, as several guests discussed the city's accomplishments in 2015 and shared plans for the future. "Partners, volunteers,...Lead still found in some Flint water
FLINT — Five months after Flint changed its water supply due to problems with lead contamination and discolored drinking water, nearly 9 percent of the city's sites tested for lead in the water continue to exceed federally acceptable limits, the governor's office said on Tuesday. Of 423 sites tested recently, lead concentration in...Community concerned after triple murders in Indiana
March 4th, 20160 DEARBORN — Less than 13 months after the Chapel Hill, N.C. shooting, which claimed the lives of three Muslims, activists are alarmed by the murder of three young Sudanese Americans in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mohamedtaha Omar, 23; Adam Mekki, 20 and Muhannad Tairab, 17, were shot "execution-style" on Feb. 24 in a home police described...‘It’s Ramadan’ campaign aims to expand message on Comcast
March 3rd, 20160 DEARBORN — A Ramadan commercial that aired on Comcast last year was so well received that the non-profit organization behind the campaign is looking to expand the message to a wider audience this year. The Dearborn-based non-profit organization Motion Projects conceived the campaign "It's Ramadan", featuring the commercial that...Majority of Michigan Republicans want Muslims banned
March 3rd, 20160 DETROIT – 61 percent of Republicans in Michigan support Trump’s statement to ban Muslims from entering the U.S., according to a poll conducted by WXYZ/Detroit Free Press. The poll was conducted by EPIC MRA with WXYZ media partners in Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing and Detroit.Only 32% of Republicans in...Susan Dabaja announces run for Dearborn Judge
Dabaja.DEARBORN – City Council President Susan A. Dabaja announced her candidacy for 19th District Court judge this week.Dabaja seeks to replace Judge William C. Hultgren, whose term finishes at the end of the year.Born and raised in Dearborn, Dabaja is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the University of...Three Muslims shot dead ‘execution style’ in Indiana
February 27th, 20160 POLICE: Three Muslim males found in E. Lewis Street home shot dead execution styleFORT WAYNE, Ind.— The three victims whose bodies were found in a Fort Wayne home this week all died of gunshot wounds, the Allen County Coroner’s Office said early Friday. The bodies of Mohamedtaha Omar, 23, Adam K. Mekki, 20, and Muhannad...Presidential candidates stance on Islamophobia
February 26th, 20160 Sanders brings a Muslim student to the stage at a rally in Virginia.With an alarming increase in anti-Islamic sentiments in the U.S. over the last year, Muslim residents are looking at the potential presidential candidates based on which have spoken up for the community. Many Muslim residents would agree it is a trying time for the...City officials still hesitant on ‘Welcoming refugees’ resolution
February 26th, 20160 An SJL member addresses City Council members last December.DEARBORN — Despite persistent efforts led by students from the Social Justice League (SJL) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, city officials are still hesitant to pass a resolution that welcomes Syrian refugees. Members of the student organization originally spoke...Channel 7 hires new reporter
Chowdry.DETROIT — Channel 7 Action news announced the addition of a new reporter this week. Syma Chowdhry is joining as a reporter for "The Now," the daily news and information program airing weekdays at 4 p.m. on WXYZ-TV. "Syma's experience makes her an ideal fit for "The Now," said Dave Manney, news director for WXYZ and WMYD in......
Crestwood Schools to increase parental, community involvement
Crestwood advisory team members.DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The Crestwood School District is increasing parental involvement with teachers about students' educational needs and activities, in conjunction with Tuesday's 40th anniversary of Title I. As discussed at the Crestwood Advisory Team (CAT) meeting, the federal Title I program provides...Duggan optimistic about future in state of the city address
DETROIT — Speaking both of progress and remaining challenges, Mayor Mike Duggan struck an optimistic tone Tuesday night in his third State of the City Address, sharing his own 'five-point' plan to grow the city's economic comeback. During the speech, which was interrupted three times by hecklers, Duggan touted the positive attention......
Hijabi Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad seeks to inspire
February 26th, 20160 Ibtihaj Muhammad "I told her to bring home the gold," President Obama told the crowd during his first visit to a mosque in Baltimore last month. He was talking about hijabi fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who will represent the United States in Rio De Janeiro this summer, becoming the first American Muslim to compete in the...Greektown Casino will soon be called “Jack”
DETROIT — Greektown Casino will be changing its name to "Jack" by late 2016. Following Dan Gilbert's acquirement of the casino, the $40 million rebranding project aims to unite the business mogul's three other casinos under one theme. The official name, Jack Detroit Casino Hotel Greektown, suggested by one of Gilbert's...Bloomberg Businessweek highlights contributions of refugees in Detroit
Renan Sadak, who was featured in the article. Photo: Ali Lapetina for Bloomberg BusinessweekDETROIT — A Bloomberg.com article highlighted the economic contributions of Arab refugees to the local economy.The story published on Feb. 18 was titled, "Detroit’s Comeback Has an Arabic Accent." It conveyed the personal stories of Iraqi...CBS names Najah Bazzy among inspirational women impacting Detroit
Najah BazzyDETROIT — CBS named Arab American humanitarian Najah Bazzy as one of five "inspirational women" impacting Metro Detroit in a special dubbed "Eye On The Future: The Power Of Women." GM Chairwoman and CEO Mary Barra heads up the line up of the CBS show, which will air on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. on CBS......
N.Y. Magazine taps Rashida Tlaib, 9 others, to be “next Obama”
Rashida TlaibDETROIT — New York Magazine named former State Rep. Rashida Tlaib as one of 10 Democrats who could be a "next Obama" in the Democratic Party.In an article published Thursday, the magazine argued that the Democratic leadership is getting old and named up-and-coming activists who represent the future of the party.Marin...Local candidate for State Rep. receives hate mail
DEARBORN – Abdullah Hammoud, a Democratic candidate in the 15th District State Representative race, said he received an unlabeled envelope over Valentine’s Day weekend containing his campaign mailer, ripped and defaced with the words “No More Arabs” and “Go Back To Lebanon.”His campaign mailer was sent to thousands of......
Court of appeals’ ruling could overturn Odeh’s conviction
February 25th, 20160 Odeh (R) standing with her supporters outside the federal courthouse, March, 2015CINCINNATI — A federal court of appeals ruled in favor of Palestinian activist Rasmea Odeh, who had been found guilty of immigration fraud for failing to disclose that she was jailed in Israel on her U.S. naturalization application.The Sixth Circuit Court...Michigan woman has confirmed case of Zika Virus
LANSING. – Michigan health officials have identified the first confirmed case of Zika virus in a Michigan resident. The patient, a female resident of Ingham County, contracted the virus when traveling in a country where Zika virus is being transmitted. The patient, who was not pregnant, experienced......