Michigan Democrats elect former State Senator Curtis Hertel, Jr. to lead the party in 2026 elections
February 28th, 20250 DETROIT – At its annual state convention last Saturday in downtown Detroit, the Michigan Democratic Party elected former State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. as its new chair, positioning him to lead the party into the critical 2026 elections. These elections will include races for: Governor Attorney General Secretary of...
Dearborn mayoral race: GOP-backed Almudhegi steps in, another candidate disqualified over felony record
February 28th, 20250 DEARBORN – The race for the 2025 Dearborn mayoral election is taking shape as Yemeni American activist Nagi Almudhegi becomes the first potential challenger to incumbent Mayor Abdullah Hammoud. The election will also determine the city clerk and all seven City Council seats. Although the Dearborn mayoral position is nonpartisan,...
Dearborn Police crack down on vehicles with tinted front windows, give more than 850 citations in three months
February 28th, 20250 DEARBORN – In an effort to enhance public safety, the Dearborn Police Department has been conducting an ongoing traffic enforcement campaign for more than three months, targeting drivers with illegally tinted front windows. Since December 26, police have issued nearly 850 citations to violators. Police Chief Issa Shahin emphasized...
Young Arab American woman killed in road rage shooting incident near Dearborn-Detroit border
February 28th, 20250 DEARBORN – A 19-year-old Arab American woman was tragically shot and killed following a road rage altercation with another vehicle at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, February 21. According to police, the victim, Rawan Mohamed Baseti, a resident of Dearborn Heights, was driving a black 2018 Jeep Cherokee with two female friends when...
Eighth grade student says her teacher told her to “go back to your country” after sitting for the Pledge of Allegiance
February 28th, 20250 An eighth grade student said she was racially discriminated against after not standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Danielle Khalaf, an Arab American student at East Middle School in Plymouth, said she made the decision to sit during the Pledge of Allegiance on Jan. 10 as an act of protest against what is happening in Gaza. Danielle...
Senator Jim Runestad defeats Trump-backed candidate for Michigan GOP chair
February 28th, 20250 DETROIT – Michigan State Senator Jim Runestad of White Lake Township won the Michigan Republican Party chairmanship last Saturday, defeating Meshawn Maddock, the candidate endorsed by President Trump, at the party's state convention held at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. The conservative lawmaker from Oakland County pledged to...
Dearborn Heights City Council President Mo Baydoun announces his candidacy for mayor
February 21st, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS – Surrounded by dozens of his supporters, Dearborn Heights City Council President Mo Baydoun officially announced his candidacy for mayor last week in a city grappling with deep-rooted political feuds between the majority of the City Council and Mayor Bill Bazzi. These conflicts escalated to a no confidence vote by the...
Arab American youth killed due to reckless driving
February 21st, 20250 DEARBORN — A young Arab American from Dearborn lost his life after his car overturned on Southfield Freeway in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Michigan State Police, the 19-year-old driver was ejected from his seat and became trapped in the front window of the overturned car, which came to rest beneath the bridge wall...
Hamtramck mayor and three City Councilmen attended Trump’s inauguration at taxpayers’ expense
February 21st, 20250 HAMTRAMCK – Mayor Amer Ghalib and three other City Councilmen faced growing criticism last week over their attendance at President Trump’s inauguration last month, after it was revealed that their trip cost the city’s taxpayers at least $9,662, as reported by the Detroit News. Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request,...
Former employee accuses Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington of sexual harassment and retaliatory termination
February 21st, 20250 DETROIT – A former employee of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office recently filed a federal lawsuit against the county and Sheriff Raphael Washington, alleging "retaliation and persistent sexual harassment" between 2021 and 2024. She is seeking unspecified financial compensation for damages resulting from her termination last...
Longtime Walmart employee files age discrimination lawsuit against retail giant
February 21st, 20250 DEARBORN — A 70-year-old former Walmart employee has filed a lawsuit against the retail giant, alleging age discrimination after dedicating 16 years of service to the company. The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, claims that Walmart engaged in discriminatory practices in violation of the Eliot Larson Civil Rights Act that...
Ramadan Village event to be held at the Canteen in Dearborn
February 21st, 20250 DEARBORN — The holy month of Ramadan is approaching, and much of the Dearborn community is preparing for this spiritually significant time when Muslims abstain from food and water from dawn to dusk for 30 days, while also engaging in prayer and community. Throughout the month, large Iftar gatherings — the meal when Muslims break...
Arab Americans reject Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians in Gaza: A call for ethnic cleansing
February 14th, 20250 President Trump’s remarks about taking control of Gaza and resettling its population in neighboring Arab countries under the pretext of achieving lasting peace in the Palestinian occupied territories have sparked widespread condemnation and rejection both inside and outside the United States. Many human rights organizations, civil...
Governor Whitmer leads delegation of Michigan leaders on investment mission to the UAE and Bahrain
February 14th, 20250 DUBAI – In her first official visit to the Arab region, Michigan Governor Whitmer embarked on a trade and investment mission to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain on Tuesday. The trip, scheduled to last until February 19, aims to strengthen Michigan’s foreign relations, attract investments and highlight the state’s...
Dearborn approves plan to convert former Hyatt Regency hotel into residential complex and smaller hotel
February 14th, 20250 Developer hopes to complete project within a year DEARBORN – The Dearborn Planning Commission has approved a redevelopment plan for the former Hyatt Regency hotel in the heart of the city, converting it into a residential complex with 258 apartments, along with a 216-room hotel, two restaurants and a lounge. The project organizers......
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson enters Michigan governor’s race as a Democrat
February 14th, 20250 Swanson announces candidacy at Mott Community College in Flint FLINT – Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson has announced his candidacy for governor in the 2026 election, becoming the second Democrat to enter the primary race after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. During his campaign launch at Mott Community College in Flint,...
Governor Whitmer proposes $83.5 billion budget for next fiscal year, prepares for showdown with Republican-led State House
February 7th, 20250 LANSING – Governor Whitmer unveiled a record-breaking $83.5 billion budget proposal for the 2025-2026 fiscal year on Wednesday, aiming to increase spending on education, public safety, parks and IT infrastructure for state agencies. The budget also seeks to bolster the state’s financial reserves, leveraging higher-than-expected......
Arab American honored in Dearborn Heights for heroic act
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS – On Monday, in the presence of Mayor Bill Bazzi and Fire Chief David Brogan, an Arab American man who works at a restaurant in the northern part of the city received the "Citizen Award" at City Hall for his heroic efforts in saving the life of a driver trapped inside a burning vehicle following a traffic accident on...
Abdul El-Sayed considers a 2026 run for U.S. Senate
February 7th, 20250 ANN ARBOR – Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, director of the Wayne County Department of Health and former candidate for governor, has announced that he is seriously considering a run for the U.S. Senate, aiming to succeed incumbent Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who recently declared that he will not seek re-election in the 2026 elections. In...
Dearborn honors Police Chief Issa Shahin in a grand ceremony
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN – The Arab American community in Dearborn honored the city’s police chief, Issa Shahin, at a special dinner held last Friday evening at the La Pita Restaurant Banquet Hall. Businessmen Ali Jawad and Shaker Aoun and The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani organized the event, attended by a large gathering of...
Man charged with ethnic intimidation for threats against Michigan Muslim group
February 7th, 20250 A 78-year-old man in Michigan was charged with ethnic intimidation over alleged threats against a U.S. Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American Islamic Relations, the advocacy group and officials said on Thursday. Paul Naiman was arraigned on three counts of ethnic intimidation, with the Canton Police Department confirming the......
Dearborn honors social media activist and educator Hussein Hachem for serving Arab American communities
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN – In a gesture reflecting the city of Dearborn’s appreciation for the role of media in shaping community awareness and strengthening communication among Arab American communities, the Dearborn City Council honored social media activist and educator Hussein Hachem and the What’s Up Media Network last week. The recognition...
Dearborn bids farewell to former Mayor Jack O’Reilly in official memorial service
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN – The city of Dearborn bid farewell to former Mayor John (Jack) O’Reilly in an official memorial service held last Saturday at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. The event was attended by family members, friends and public officials, who paid tribute to his legacy and commitment to the city and its......
Dearborn to provide free gym memberships for seniors
January 31st, 20250 DEARBORN — On Thursday, the city announced its participation in the SilverSneakers program, allowing anyone over 65 with qualifying health insurance to use the fitness amenities at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center at no cost. Starting Monday, Feb. 3, anyone on a qualifying Medicare Advantage or Supplemental Health Plan...
Fordson High School head football coach Fouad Zaban retires after 18 seasons
January 31st, 20250 DEARBORN — Fordson High School head football coach Fouad "Walker" Zaban has announced his retirement after 18 years of leading the tractors. Finishing his nearly two decade career with a 135-56 record, Zaban took the football program to the MHSAA state playoffs in 17 of his 18 seasons with the tractors. He has built a meaningful......
