Trump and Biden clash sharply over pandemic in less chaotic final debate
October 23rd, 20200 NASHVILLE – President Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden offered sharply contrasting views on the still-raging coronavirus pandemic at Thursday’s final presidential debate, seeking to persuade the few remaining undecided voters 12 days before the Nov. 3 election. Trump, a Republican, adopted a more restrained tone than he did...
Senator Sanders endorses Brian Mosallam for MSU trustee
October 22nd, 20200 LANSING — Michigan State University (MSU) Trustee Brian Mosallam has been endorsed by progressive Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for his 2020 re-election bid. Mosallam has been on the Board of Trustees since January 2013. He announced his reelection campaign in June, saying that he had decided to run after “careful...
Trump rejoices as Senate panel approves Barrett while Democrats boycott
October 22nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, the Republican-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to a lifetime Supreme Court seat despite a Democratic boycott, clearing the way for a final Senate confirmation vote planned for Monday. By a 12-0 vote, the panel approved Barrett with...
Secretary of state urges voters to hand deliver absentee ballots
October 21st, 20200 LANSING — With just two weeks until the election, Michigan’s secretary of state is urging voters to hand deliver their absentee ballots. Jocelyn Benson told the media during a press conference that voters are being urged to not risk post office delays. “Only the absentee ballots received by 8 p.m. on November 3 can be...
Jill Biden mobilizes voters at Shatila Bakery in Dearborn
October 20th, 20200 DEARBORN — Jill Biden, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, will be attending a voter mobilization event at Shatila Bakery on Warren Avenue in Dearborn on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. The event is invite-only and not open to the general public due to COVID-19 concerns. Dearborn is one of few stops Jill Biden will...
Wall Street climbs on optimism over stimulus deal talks
October 19th, 20201 NEW YORK — Wall Street’s main indexes inched higher at the open on Monday on hopes of a coronavirus vaccine by the year-end, while investors were also encouraged by signs an agreement in Washington on a fiscal package could be reached soon. Last week the White House proposed a $1.8 trillion stimulus package, but House Speaker Nancy...
D7 School Board candidates discuss their plans if elected
October 17th, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With elections right around the corner, candidates for Dearborn Heights’ District 7 Board of Education discussed their goals if they were to be elected. Incumbent Board Member Mandy Diroff, who could not be reached for comment, is seeking another four-year term and is competing against newcomers Latanya Gater,...
Khizr Khan, father of a slain U.S. soldier, backs Democratic party again ahead of November election
October 16th, 20200 DEARBORN — Khizr Khan, the Muslim American parent of a slain U.S. army captain who rose to prominence in 2016 while campaigning for Hillary Clinton and calling out then-candidate Donald Trump for his anti-immigrant stance, is back in the pre-election fold. Khan, who is Pakistani, is again criticizing President Trump, this time for...
In split-screen town halls, Trump and Biden squabble over coronavirus response
October 16th, 20200 MIAMI/PHILADELPHIA — On Thursday, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden criticized what he called President Trump’s “panicked” response to the coronavirus pandemic, while Trump defended his handling of a crisis that has killed more than 216,000 Americans. The rivals spoke in simultaneous town halls broadcast on separate...
Your vote is your voice, don’t be silent
October 15th, 20200 By Edgar L. Vann A paraphrased quote attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. says, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” The current zeitgeist has cast a pall of perplexing uncertainty for many over the status of the soul of this nation. It is a seismic moment of truth for us all. The malaise...
Nearly 1 million ballots cast in Michigan; voters can check status online
October 14th, 20200 LANSING — Three weeks out from the Nov. 3 election, nearly 1 million citizens have already returned absentee ballots, and more than 2.8 million have requested them, according to the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). A breakdown by jurisdiction of this week’s absentee ballot data is available here. “Michigan citizens can be...
Candidates running for Dearborn School Board address their ideas if elected
October 11th, 20200 DEARBORN — 10 out of 12 candidates vying for one two-year-term and three six-year-terms seats for Dearborn School Board discussed their plans if elected. Candidates Nofila Haider and Batoul Biaz declined to respond. The Arab American News asked each candidate the following questions: What issues are of priority to you? What...
Biden receives major endorsement from Mid East experts, former ambassadors
October 8th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has gained a prominent endorsement from several diplomatic and policy experts on the Middle East. A substantial list of former ambassadors to Middle East and North African (MENA) nations, foreign policy advisors and Middle East affairs experts have signed on to a letter,...
AG brings felony charges against two men for intimidating voters through robocalls
October 8th, 20200 DETROIT — On Thursday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the arrest and arraignment of two men who attempted to intimidate voters through robocalls. The two men, Jack Burkman, 54, of Arlington, Virginia and Jacob Wohl, 22, of Los Angeles, are charged with felony intimidating voters, conspiracy to commit an election law...
Trump, positive for COVID-19, says won’t participate in virtual debate
October 8th, 20200 WASHINGTON (REUTERS) — President Trump said on Thursday he would not participate in a virtual debate, throwing into doubt the second presidential debate between Trump and his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, scheduled for Oct. 15. His words came moments after the commission that oversees the debates said the event would be conducted......
More than 4 million Americans have already voted, suggesting record turnout
October 6th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. (REUTERS) — Americans are rushing to cast ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election at an unprecedented pace, early voting numbers show, indicating a possible record turnout for the showdown between President Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. With four weeks to go before Election Day, more than 4 million...
Biden campaign launches Chaldean Advisory Council
October 6th, 20200 DETROIT — On Tuesday, Biden for President Michigan (the state's Joe Biden presidential campaign chapter) launched a Chaldean Advisory Council to activate, engage and turn out the Chaldean/Assyrian community in Michigan. With less than 30 days until Election Day, the Chaldean Advisory Council will mobilize voters in the community...
Clerks can now start processing absentee ballots early in certain Michigan cities
October 6th, 20200 LANSING — A new bill allow clerks in certain cities or townships to begin processing absent voter (AV) ballots prior to election day. Governor Whitmer signed Michigan Senate Bill 757 alongside Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Tuesday. The bill also requires clerks to now notify voters of any reason their vote won’t be counted...
The clear choice for Muslim voters in November
October 4th, 20201 When it comes to choosing between Joe Biden or Donald Trump, and their approaches to the American Muslim community, it’s not even close. The Biden campaign has demonstrated a strong commitment to American Muslim communities, causes, and concerns. The vice president and Dr. Jill Biden have spoken to our audiences and institutions,......
New poll shows increased Muslim political engagement; similarities with Americans along racial lines
October 4th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) published its fifth annual poll, analyzing attitudes and policy preferences on issues concerning American Muslims across faith and non-faith groups. The American Muslim Poll 2020: Amid Pandemic and Protest covers important issues such as Muslim...
Council members running for treasurer position respond to campaign material and social media posts from their opponents
October 3rd, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Two City Council members who are going head-to-head to become the city's next treasurer have turned to Facebook as a means of campaigning. Councilman Bob Constan and Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton are both on the ballot this November to replace former Treasurer John Riley. Riley retired in May and the City......
Crestwood Board of Education candidates discuss their plans if elected
October 3rd, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Five candidates — two incumbents and three newcomers — are competing for two available six-year-term seats on the Crestwood Board of Education. Sue Kaminsky has been a member of the school board for five and a half years and has lived in the Crestwood District since 1991. “My kids went to school...
U.S. intelligence reports warn of extremist threat around election
September 29th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. (REUTERS) — U.S. security officials are warning that violent domestic extremists pose a threat to the presidential election next month, amid what one official called a “witch’s brew” of rising political tensions, civil unrest and foreign disinformation campaigns. FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security......
