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...
Dearborn mosque to hold food drive on Wednesday, May 20 for needy families
May 19th, 20200 DEARBORN — For those in need of food during this economically trying time, the Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) will be holding a COVID-19 food drive on Wednesday, May 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., in which food baskets will be distributed to families. This "Pandemic Assistance Program" will be launched at the Muslim American...
Community members encouraged to apply to serve on Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission
May 19th, 20200 DEARBORN — Many in the state may have heard of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Michiganders voted to create the commission in 2018 to give citizens exclusive power over the drawing of district boundaries for the Michigan Senate and House, and the U.S. Congress, every 10 years. This means that 13...
All Michigan voters to get absentee ballot applications at home, Secretary of State Benson says
May 19th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan's 7.7 million registered voters will likely all be mailed absentee ballot applications so they can take part in elections in August and November without needing to vote in person if they so choose, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Tuesday. The move could lead to a potential court battle according to a report......
United States, Canada agree on deal to extend non-essential travel ban
May 19th, 20200 OTTAWA, CANADA — The United States and Canada have agreed to extend their ban on non-essential travel between the two nations by another 30 days as part of a plan to contain the coronavirus, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who made the announcement on Tuesday. Officials from both countries said last week that the...
Detroit expands testing to all residents, no symptoms or prescription required
May 19th, 20200 DETROIT — Starting Wednesday, drive-through testing at Detroit's State Fairgrounds is now available to any and all Detroit residents, even those not showing COVID-19 symptoms. The city's Health Department Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair announced the change on Monday. There is no charge for the COVID-19 test and residents......
Options available for those needing help with utilities during COVID-19, state announces additional funding
May 18th, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) and Governor Whitmer’s office announced today more state-wide funding through a federal low-income energy assistance program. Michigan has now been awarded $35 million in funding on top of the $162 million already secured by the state. The funds go towards...
Whitmer reopens retail, restaurants and offices in Upper Peninsula, Traverse City regions
May 18th, 20200 LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-92, allowing for the reopening of retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely and restaurants and bars with limited seating in two Michigan regions. The two regions are both in the northern part of the state—specifically, MERC regions six and...
Michigan university stockpiles coronavirus tests, plans to resume in-person instruction this fall
May 17th, 20200 GRAND RAPIDS — Calvin University, a Grand Rapids-based school with about 3,600 students, is expected to become the first college or university in Michigan, and probably the first in the nation, to stockpile coronavirus tests with the intention of reopening this fall for in-person instruction. The private Christian college is among...
Wyandotte Mayor Joe Peterson passes away
May 17th, 20201 WYANDOTTE — Wyandotte's city government announced the passing of Wyandotte Mayor Joe Peterson today. "The city of Wyandotte is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our mayor, Joe Peterson," the city government posted on its Facebook page. "Mayor Peterson served the city in numerous capacities for many years and his love for......
Stabenow, Peters announce $315 million in funding to expand COVID-19 testing in Michigan
May 17th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. – $315 million in federal funds will be awarded to the state of Michigan to expand its coronavirus testing operations, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced this week. Peters and Stabenow were able to secure the funding as part of a $25 billion testing package for Michigan they fought to be...
Michigan restaurants push Whitmer for May 29 reopening, lay out roadmap of potential guidelines
May 17th, 20200 LANSING — Large numbers of Michigan restaurants and bars are hoping to reopen for dine-in service on May 29, according to a proposed “roadmap” to reopening released earlier this month by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. Instances of harm from the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavius have continued to......
Home inspections resume in Dearborn, tall grass enforcement to begin May 18
May 16th, 20200 DEARBORN — The city of Dearborn will begin enforcing violations of the tall grass ordinance starting on Monday, May 18, according to a news release from the city's website. “Overgrown grass is not only an eyesore to neighbors, but can provide a refuge for a number of pests,” the release states. “Residents are asked to maintain...
Whitmer announces process to chart path for the safe reopening of schools
May 15th, 20200 LANSING - During a Friday new conference, Governor Whitmer today announced the creation of the Return to Learning Advisory Council via Executive Order 2020-88, formalizing a process for determining how schools may be able to reopen in the fall. The panel – which will be comprised of students, parents, frontline educators,......
