Undocumented workers remain vital part of the economy, yet lose out on COVID-19 protections
May 9th, 20200 DETROIT— The reality of the global health crisis has brought with it a grave and unprecedented economic crisis in a few short months. In the U.S., state and federal bureaucracies, unemployment agencies and research institutes scramble to understand the breadth and magnitude of the effects of economic closures on both workers and...
AG Nessel says firearms can be legally forbidden in state’s Capitol building
May 8th, 20200 LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sent a letter to the Michigan State Capitol Commission confirming that the Commission has the legal authority to prohibit the presence of firearms in the state Capitol, if it chooses to do so. The AG says that authority is consistent with the current state of the law regarding...
Ilhan Omar’s signature is more than disappointing, it’s shameful
May 8th, 20202 This week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging him to increase "diplomatic action by the United States to renew the expiring United Nations arms embargo against Iran and United Nations travel restrictions on those Iranian individuals involved...
Biden names former impeachment manager Val Demings among potential VP picks
May 7th, 20200 ORLANDO, FLA — Former Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday that U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) was on his list of potential running mates, adding that he has just begun the process. “She is one of a group of close to a dozen really qualified and talented women who are on the list,” Biden told WFTV in Orlando. The interview...
Detroit’s TCF Center field hospital is “officially closed down”
May 7th, 20200 DETROIT – The 1,000-bed TCF Center field hospital in the city's downtown is no longer caring for COVID-19 patients and is "officially closed down," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Thursday. At most, the care center inside the convention center cared for about 15 to 20 patients at any given time, the mayor said during an afternoon...
“Stay Home” order extended to May 28, manufacturing reopens as part of Safe Start Plan
May 7th, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-77 to extend Michigan’s "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order to May 28. The governor’s order will allow manufacturing workers, including those at Michigan’s Big Three auto companies, to resume work on Monday, May 11 as part of her MI Safe Start Plan. “This is...
Massive new “Rooseveltian” coronavirus response bill could be voted on next week, Pelosi says
May 7th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi laid out broad outlines of the next massive coronavirus-response bill Democrats are expected to seek, with votes possible as soon as next week. The bill's major components will include additional aid to state and local governments, more money for coronavirus...
Whitmer signs executive order speeding up unemployment process
May 6th, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-76, expediting the unemployment benefits process during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The most significant takeaway from this development: The state will now only look at an unemployed individual's most recent job separation, which is the cause of the...
Wayne County announces $3 million in relief for residents
May 6th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY — Eligible Wayne County residents who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their county can now look for rent, mortgage and utility relief, among other forms of assistance, through a brand new program. With Wayne County residents facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne...
‘Murder Hornets’ won’t be seen in Michigan for years
May 6th, 20200 While there have been multiple reports of Asian giant hornets attacking beehives in Washington, it will be years before they spread to the Midwest according to a board certified entomologist. Dubbed “Murder Hornets” by researchers, the species has a venomous sting that can kill a human if they are stung several times. The hornets...
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial begins, initial manufacturing in Kalamazoo
May 5th, 20200 LANSING — The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has teamed up with the German biotech company BioTech in beginning a historic trial to test the BNT162 vaccine program to prevent COVID-19. The trial is part of a global development program and the dosing of the first testing group, or cohort, was completed last week in Germany. The first...
Iraq-born Arab American boxer chasing spot in 2021 Olympics while balancing work, education in Tennessee
May 5th, 20200 KNOXVILLE, TN — When 22-year-old Esam Abid first moved to Tennessee from Turkey by way of his native Iraq, the going was a bit rough. “It was a little difficult at first not speaking the language,” said Abid, an aspiring Olympic boxer who is currently in his third year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, studying civil...
Emmy Award winning Palestinian American poet from Dearborn releases first collection of poetry
May 5th, 20200 “How the Water Holds Me”, the first collection of poetry by Detroit-based and Dearborn-born community organizer and Emmy Award-winning poet Tariq Luthun was released late last month, after which it quickly found its way onto top 10 lists for both Amazon new releases and small press distribution. The book's release came as a part...
Dearborn Heights woman accused of welfare fraud faces 14 felony counts
May 4th, 20202 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office announced today that a Dearborn Heights woman, Tabarak Qaiser Wutwut, 30, is facing 14 felony counts for allegedly committing welfare fraud. Wutwut is accused of taking public benefits and lying to the state about her economic status, the AG's office and the Michigan...
MDHHS issues emergency order related to handling of bodies
May 4th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order today that shortens the time frame hospitals and funeral directors have to contact individuals with authority over disposition of the body of a deceased individual and the amount of time that individual has to make a......
Dearborn Schools postpones high school graduations
May 4th, 20200 DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools has officially postponed high school graduations scheduled for early June and early college ceremonies set for May. “As we continue to see encouraging signs that social distancing and other preventative measures ordered by the governor are making a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19,...
Four U.S. Reps, including Tlaib and Dingell, introduce Arab American Heritage Month resolution
May 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-New Jersey), Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), Donna Shalala (D-Florida) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) introduced a resolution honoring Arab American Heritage Month this past Thursday, recognizing the many contributions Arab Americans have made to the United States. “As a strong and......
Dearborn’s mayor should’ve been transparent about having COVID-19
May 1st, 20201 On Wednesday, Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly announced on Facebook that he and his wife were dealing with the coronavirus and the city’s many residents were happy to hear that they had recovered from the terrible virus, safe and strong. “Although I am a public figure, I am someone, like many of you, who values personal and family...
Whitmer signs executive order to re-open construction and real estate, safely
May 1st, 20200 LANSING - Today, at a press conference with members from health care industry, business, and labor, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-70 as part of her "MI Safe Start" plan. The executive order will allow the May 7 resumption of some types of work that present a very low risk of infection, including construction,...
Man arrested and charged for string of break-ins in Dearborn
April 30th, 20200 Dearborn — Since December of last year, multiple business owners in the city have experienced a rash of break-ins and theft of donation boxes. Jose Cartalla, 33, has been criminally charged with seven of the incidents beginning last December and ending in April. After an extensive investigation, Dearborn Police Department patrol...
Challenged by Republicans, Whitmer signs four new executive orders
April 30th, 20201 LANSING — On Thursday, after the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature all but declared victory in their battle to reopen the economy and effectively end Governor Whitmer’s emergency powers, Whitmer took swift and decisive action by signing four new executive orders to continue fighting COVID-19 and the save lives of......
Hassan Alwaily charged with murder of Balkees Sadek, examiner rules death by “strangulation and drowning”
April 30th, 20200 DETROIT — On Thursday, The Arab American News learned from sources in the Wayne County Examiner’s Office that the long-awaited toxicology report in the death of Dearborn resident Balkees Sadek has come back negative for all drugs. The Wayne County examiner is getting ready to rule Sadek's death was caused by “strangulation and...
Republican-controlled legislature refuses to extend Whitmer’s emergency order
April 30th, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, as another wave of protesters converged on the state’s capitol, Michigan Republicans refused to extend Governor Whitmer's emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Whitmer’s authority and actions to combat the pandemic. Whitmer’s emergency declaration expired on Thursday. The......
Rotary Club of Dearborn awards more than $60,000 to 24 high school seniors
April 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Rotary Club of Dearborn recently announced a total of more than $60,000 in scholarships awarded to 24 graduating high school seniors in Dearborn. Scholarships are awarded in four, merit-based categories. Each award category is endowed by or honors a past Dearborn Rotarian who recognized the importance of education...
Downtown Dearborn hosts first-ever, virtual “Ladies Night In”, May 6
April 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — Ladies looking for a fun night of shopping and an opportunity to support local businesses are invited to Downtown Dearborn’s first-ever, virtual Ladies Night In on Wednesday, May 6, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. This free community event is open to the public and will showcase a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment......
