Arab Americans hold solidarity events for African Americans as protests against police brutality intensify
June 5th, 20200 DEARBORN — Arab Americans participated in several actions in solidarity with African Americans and in demonstrations against police brutality across the country. In Metro Detroit alone, prominent Arab Americans joined other communities in condemning the senseless killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police...Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission draws more than 6,000 applications
June 4th, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) processed more than 6,000 applications for the state’s new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission by June 1, the last day to notarize and submit an application. The application process began in October of last year, when the state outlined the application process. The...Hospital visitations to resume in Michigan, with restrictions
June 3rd, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has loosened restrictions on hospital visitations that were imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Whitmer also took back executive orders that temporarily enhanced hospital capacity and waived restrictions on emergency medical services this...Detroit protest organizer held on felony charges of inciting riot
June 3rd, 20201 DETROIT — Tristan Taylor, an organizer of a group that stood in defiance of Mayor Duggan's city wide 8 p.m. curfew on Tuesday, is being held on felony charges of inciting a riot. Sources close to Taylor learned of the charges after they made inquiries with authorities. No bond has been set as of yet. Taylor and about 100 others...Arab Americans organize more solidarity and justice events for George Floyd
June 2nd, 20200 DEARBORN — Arab Americans will continue to participate in actions in solidarity with African Americans and in demonstrations against police brutality across the country. In Metro Detroit alone, prominent Arab Americans are joining others to condemn the senseless killing of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer last...At testimony, Whitmer asks Congress for aid with budget crisis, testing and protection
June 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON D.C. — At a U.S. House subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Michigan Governor Whitmer joined Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to discuss their states' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Entitled, On the Front Lines: How Governors are Battling the COVID-19 Pandemic, the hearing was...Whitmer rescinds stay home order, reopens more businesses
June 1st, 20200 LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer signed another executive order, this time rescinding her previous "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order and moving the entire state to phase four of her MI Safe Start Plan. This is big news for businesses in Michigan, like restaurants, though close contact businesses like gyms and hair salons will...Local protests brings together communities, renews discussion on racism
June 1st, 20200 DETROIT — A full weekend of largely peaceful protests in Detroit against the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police has sparked debates about racism among various communities in Metro Detroit. Over the weekend, several groups brought this topic to light. At rallies, participants have expressed solidarity with African...Owners of Dearborn dealership sue GM over discriminatory practices
May 29th, 20202 DEARBORN — Tanya and Basam Robin, the Chaldean American owners of the Superior Buick GMC dealership in Dearborn, have a filed a suit against General Motors and GM Financial, accusing the company of unfair and discriminatory practices. The Robins own another dealership under the same name in Battle Creek. The suit, filed in the the...Divided Dearborn Heights City Council appoints interm treasurer, renews debate
May 29th, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS - This week, the Dearborn Heights City Council, by a vote of 4-2, appointed Zouher Abdel-Hak as interim city treasurer. Abdel-Hak, who owns N.J. Diamonds in Dearborn, will serve as treasurer from June 29 until November 5, when a new treasurer will be elected by city residents. Abdel-Hak will be replacing retiring...Court says Michigan barbershop must close, license will stay suspended
May 28th, 20200 LANSING – Karl Manke, the Owosso barber who violated the state’s COVID-19 executive order by remaining open, will be told to cease operations, thanks to a Thursday ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals. Manke’s license will also remain suspended. Manke made national headlines when he decided, on May 4, to reopen his...Treasury: Installment payment option available for business taxpayers that have deferred payments
May 28th, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of Treasury announced this week that business taxpayers who have deferred paying their Sales, Use and Withholding (SUW) taxes due to the COVID-19 pandemic can now participate in an installment payment option to satisfy their outstanding tax balance. The state's Treasury Department is now allowing...Michigan Secretary of State branches to reopen June 1 by appointment only
May 28th, 20200 LANSING — Secretary of State (SOS) branch offices will reopen in Michigan on June 1 by appointment only for essential transactions not available online, the state announced on Thursday. Beginning June 1, all 131 branch offices in Michigan will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for appointment-only for transactions...Michigan COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to decline, testing expanded
May 26th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan announced a new online tool that displays data, in graphical form, for COVID-19 cases, deaths and tests by economic region. The state said the website, https://www.mistartmap.info, shows regional trends, providing a snapshot of how much of the virus is in a community and whether it is increasing or...After an illustrious career, Ibrahim Baydoun inducted into U of M-Dearborn Athletic Hall of Fame
May 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — The University of Michigan-Dearborn was set to induct a Dearborn sporting legend, Ibrahim “Juice” Baydoun, into its Athletic Hall of Fame for the Class of 2020 on June 7. Only the second such class to be given that honor, the ceremony may be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t take away from......
Attorney General Nessel, fellow attorneys general urge Congress to pass act providing benefits to disabled first responders
May 22nd, 20200 LANSING —Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a coalition of 52 attorneys general are urging Congress to pass S.3607, the Safeguarding America's First Responders Act (SAFR Act), which would provide federal benefits to first responders who die or are permanently and totally disabled as a result of COVID-19. “When public safety...Beaumont Dearborn nurse speaks of intimidation, bullying, lack of safety concerns by administration during COVID-19
May 22nd, 20200 DEARBORN — A front-line nurse at Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn has shared her experience working at the prominent hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wayne County. The region in which the hospital operates has been one of the worst hit in the state, with hospitals and their staff overwhelmed by cases of the virus, especially in...Whitmer calls for end to threats to withold funding, personal attacks as Trump visits Michigan auto plant
May 22nd, 20200 YPSILANTI — President Trump visited a Ford plant in Ypsilanti on Thursday amid tensions with Governor Whitmer, opting to forgo wearing a face mask for cameras. Trump toured the Ford plant, which has been making ventilators and personal protective equipment, and held a roundtable discussion with African American leaders on vulnerable...Michigan claims court sides with governor in state of emergency lawsuit
May 21st, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer has won the legal dispute brought up by the state's Republican legislature over her extension of the state of emergency declaration. On Thursday, Lansing announced that the Court of Claims has ruled in favor of Whitmer's decision to extend the declaration without legislative approval. The GOP-led......
Whitmer reopens auto dealerships and retail stores by appointment, authorizes nonessential medical, dental and veterinary procedures
May 21st, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, Governor Whitmer signed a new executive order that reopens retail businesses and auto dealerships, by appointment only, statewide on Tuesday, May 26. The governor’s executive order also lifts the requirement that health care providers delay some nonessential medical, dental and veterinary...MDHHS allows $1,000 fines and other actions for licensed business that violate Whitmer’s executive orders
May 20th, 20200 LANSING — Earlier this week, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon signed an emergency order allowing for civil fines of up to $1,000 for violations of various COVID-19 executive orders for businesses that operate under licenses. The new order reinforces Governor Whitmer’s various......
Abraham Aiyash sees prominent support from El-Sayed, Hammoud and others at virtual campaign kickoff
May 20th, 20200 HAMTRAMCK — On Monday, District Four state representative candidate Abraham Aiyash hosted his campaign kickoff on Facebook Live with more than 400 live viewers and 5,000 total views in 24 hours. The live event featured prominent local Democrats and Detroit and Hamtramck activists and community organizers, all aligning their support...Exclusive: Michigan prisoner describes dangerous conditions, lack of response by MDOC officials over COVID-19
May 19th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Arab American News has received a letter from an inmate in a Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) facility, describing the conditions in his prison and prisons in the state's system at large. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a further challenge for prisoners and has added a layer of risk to their day-to-day existence......