Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission semifinalist list updated to 180 applicants
August 2nd, 20200 The Michigan Department of State posted the names of the remaining 180 semifinalists for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, following the removal of 20 applicants struck by the quadrant leaders of the state legislature. The list of the remaining semifinalists and correspondence from the legislative leaders naming the...Plymouth Township woman charged with filing false absent voter application
July 31st, 20200 LANSING — A Plymouth Township woman is facing a felony charge after the township clerk, who was reviewing applications for absentee voter ballots, discovered the woman’s alleged attempt to obtain a ballot in the name of another person. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged Karen Lynne Rotondo,...Hamtramck Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed talks bond proposal ahead of election
July 31st, 20200 HAMTRAMCK — Residents of Hamtramck have a big decision to make about the future of public education for its families. Voters will decide on Aug. 4 whether securing a low-interest $35,265,000, 30-year bond for new construction and maintaining the needs of the Hamtramck Public School District (HPS) is worth the seven mill tax...The Arab American News endorsements for the August 4 primary election
July 31st, 20200 It is time once again for our election endorsements. There are many important seats and issues at stake on August 4. We present below what we feel are the most qualified candidates and one important non-partisan ballot proposal in a city near and dear to us. Readers might notice that our endorsement list matches, with some...Henry Ford Health System is looking for people to take part in COVID-19 vaccine trial
July 31st, 20200 DETROIT – Henry Ford Health System will recruit up to 5,000 participants for a phase-three COVID-19 vaccine trial. The vaccine was developed by the company Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. They want to enroll 30,000 participants across the U.S. in two months. Dr. Marcus Zervos is leading the study for Henry Ford. He...Federal agents headed to Detroit as “Operation Legend” targets violent crime
July 31st, 20200 DETROIT – Federal law enforcement agents and other resources are headed to Detroit to fight a surge in violent crime, according to U.S. government officials. The plan, dubbed Operation Legend, is a Trump administration anti-crime initiative targeting several major cities. Detroit-based U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said...Michigan’s August 4 primary: Things you need to know
July 31st, 20200 Michigan holds its primary next Tuesday, Aug. 4, amid an unprecedented pandemic and significant changes in state law that have brought a flood of requests for absentee ballots. Polling places will be open, however, for those who want to vote in person. What is at stake? At stake this fall: All 14 of Michigan's U.S. House seats, one...State will conduct inspections of Michigan businesses to ensure COVID-19 rules compliance
July 31st, 20200 LANSING – State occupational health safety officials will conduct inspections of Michigan businesses to ensure compliance with state rules governing operations amid the coronavirus pandemic, the state said Monday. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a "State Emphasis Program" Monday that will conduct...Dearborn School Board to discuss three options for a return to school
July 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Dearborn School Board of Education will be conducting a special study session on August 6 at 1 p.m. to discuss the three possible options recommended by the district's Reopen Committee for a return to school. The meeting will be held at the Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette. Indoor gatherings in Michigan...Whitmer limits indoor gatherings once again, Detroit casinos reopen
July 29th, 20200 LANSING — Starting July 31, statewide indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people and bars will be closed for indoor service across Michigan, including the northern part of the state, according to a new order signed by Governor Whitmer on Wednesday. COVID-19’s resurgence is closely associated with super-spreading events...Wayne County Public Health Division investigates Southgate banquet hall event with five COVID-19 cases
July 29th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY — The Wayne County Public Health Division has confirmed a total of five cases of COVID-19 linked to a wedding reception held on Saturday, July 18, at Crystal Gardens Banquet Hall in Southgate. Others may have been at risk of contracting and exposing others to COVID-19 as more than 100 individuals were in attendance for...House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorses Rashida Tlaib for Congress
July 29th, 20200 DETROIT – On Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her endorsement of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-Detroit) re-election bid for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. “Representative Rashida Tlaib is a tireless advocate for the residents of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District," Pelosi said. "Her leadership...Whitmer to provide COVID-19 update as cases continue to rise
July 28th, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer is set to give an update on COVID-19 at 2 p.m., Tuesday afternoon, as cases continue to rise in the state. Whitmer will be joined by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. Monday saw 488 confirmed cases with five deaths, bringing up the total...COVID-19, aging, dementia and social bonds; an Arab American perspective
July 25th, 20200 DEARBORN — COVID-19 has been a difficult ordeal for Sylvana Berry, 24, and her family. Berry is extremely close to and has been directly involved in the care of her grandmother, Samira Baghdadi, who has Alzheimer’s Disease. Baghdadi migrated to the U.S. in 1976 with her husband and six children, escaping from the Lebanese Civil...AAPAC announces August primary election endorsements
July 24th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) is endorsing a number of candidates in state and municipal elections for the August primary elections. Since 1998, AAPAC has organized Arab Americans to encourage political activity and participation. The organization maintains a thorough endorsement process for......
Two individuals robbed Hak’s Jewelry on Warren Ave., police asking for help identifying suspects
July 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — Hak’s Jewelry, the jewelry store owned and operated by a member of the Abdel-Hak family, was robbed by two armed men Wednesday evening. According to the Dearborn Police Department, the two men broke into the jewelry store located at 10221 Warren Avenue just before 5:30 p.m. and proceeding to commit armed...Dearborn mother pleads for return of 3-year-old twins their father abducted to Saudi Arabia
July 22nd, 20200 DEARBORN — Madonna Saad is imploring elected officials to help with the safe return of her 3-year-old twin children Nour and Hussein Al-Abdulaziz after an ongoing abduction case that has lasted almost a year. On Aug. 6, 2019, the twins were taken by their father, Ali, a Dearborn resident, on what was supposed to be a three-week...Gun crimes in Dearborn increased by 130 percent since June 1
July 21st, 20200 DEARBORN — In the six weeks between June 1 and July 17, police say they have seen a 130 percent increase in firearm-related offenses. During a news conference on Tuesday, the Dearborn Police Department acknowledged a spike in gun crimes in the city, as well as a recent fatal shooting. Even so, crimes involving firearms increased...Tlaib, Whitmer denounce Trump’s threat to send federal officers to Detroit over protests
July 20th, 20200 DETROIT — State leaders are denouncing President Trump’s threats to send federal officers to crack down on-going protests against police brutality in cities, including Detroit. The warning came Monday as Trump spoke to reporters inside the White House about protests in major cities across the U.S., where, according to Trump,......
Important tips for buying and selling your home
July 19th, 20200 DEARBORN — While the housing market is currently booming, some sellers may not know how to guarantee the sale of their homes. Realtor Dave Abdallah said that it’s all about curb appeal. “It’s extremely important to take care of your home on the outside,” he said. “The exterior of a home is equally if not more important than...Arab American medical student leads initiative to bring medical supplies to Lebanon
July 18th, 20200 ROCHESTER — Majd Faraj, a second-year medical student at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB), is leading a project to bring much needed medical supplies to Lebanon. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the Lebanese healthcare infrastructure this year. The problem has been compounded by an already......
Some people are exempt from wearing a mask, Whitmer offers clarification
July 17th, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer signed an additional order that clarifies businesses may not assume an unmasked customer cannot medically tolerate a face covering, though they can accept a customer’s verbal explanation that they fall within a specified exception and do not have to. It also requires public safety officers to wear a...Re-elect Prosecutor Kym Worthy, keep the progress going
July 17th, 20200 Clearly the upcoming November 2020 is a critical election: President Trump will be challenged by former Vice President Joe Biden in an election that will be historical and vital to us all. Yet as former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill famously said, “All politics is local.” In Detroit/Wayne County, Michigan, the primary......