How do Arab Americans celebrate ‘World Arabic Language Day’?
December 24th, 20180 DEARBORN — Tuesday, December 18 marks the celebration of Arabic Language Day, the day that celebrates the Arabic language and culture in an appreciative and educational manner. The event was established by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010 to celebrate multilingualism and cultural...
Dearborn Heights man accused of planning hit on an assistant Wayne County prosecutor sentenced in commercial fraud scam
December 24th, 20180 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A businessman who once allegedly planned a "hit" on an assistant Wayne County prosecutor was sentenced to 144 months in a federal prison for his role as the leader of a commercial fraud ring and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution to his victims. Sabastian Restum, 49, also plead guilty to charges of...
Detroit Metro Airport diversity hiring initiative beginning to pay off, CEO Chad Newton says
December 22nd, 20180 ROMULUS — Metro Airport is a hectic place for anyone, but for non-native English speakers and people from faraway countries, it can be an even more daunting place to navigate. That's just part of the reason why it's so reassuring to see someone who looks like them and speaks the same language, according to airport police fofficer...
Dingell asks Snyder to veto more radioactive waste dumping in Wayne County
December 21st, 20180 LANSING — Governor Snyder is being urged to reject the Senate Bill 1196, which will allow increased dumping of radioactive waste materials in Wayne County by up to ten-fold, in a new letter from U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn). The bill, introduced last month, was “rushed through both chambers of the Michigan legislature and...
Michigan legislature backs A-to-F letter grades for public schools
December 21st, 20180 LANSING — On Tuesday, Dec. 18, the Republican-controlled State Senate narrowly passed legislation requiring the state to give public schools A-F letter grades beginning next year. In the final week of the lame duck session, the Senate passed the legislation 21-17, without floor debate at 8:22 p.m., with six Republicans joining...
Former employees file federal discrimination complaints against a Dearborn Tim Hortons
December 21st, 20180 DETROIT — Three African American employees of a Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop in Dearborn announced the filing of federal discrimination complaints Tuesday at the office of attorney Nabih Ayad, alleging they faced racial slurs from management. The plaintiffs are Sharneisha Martin, 26, a new employee trainer for four years; John...
Michigan announces new plan to fight opioid addiction crisis
December 21st, 20180 LANSING — The Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has announced the first update to opioid addiction treatment rules since 1981, reducing the number of such rules from 103 to 50. The state's update and new rules will allow better access to a wider variety of licensed professionals available to assist people suffering...
Life expectancy varies wildly between Michigan communities, according to new statistics
December 21st, 20180 DETROIT — The city or neighborhood in which you live can have a dramatic effect on life expectancy, according to a new statics released by the National Center for Health Statistics. Map of life expectancy in the U.S.A Life expectancy in Michigan ranges from almost 91 years in east Grand Rapids to just 62 in one neighborhood in...
Dearborn sells once-polluted site to buyer eyeing auto parts factory
December 21st, 20180 DEARBORN — After years of sitting vacant and requiring extensive environmental restoration work, a recently remediated property is seeing new ownership as the city finalizes a deal that is expected to give way to a proposed automotive supplier factory, bringing in an estimated 400 jobs to the city. The city, which owns the property...
Dearborn announces business hours and trash pickup schedules for the holidays
December 21st, 20180 DEARBORN — During the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, city of Dearborn buildings will be closed and the trash collection schedule will be affected both holiday weeks. There will be trash and recycling collection on the normal schedule on Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve. Collections will be delayed one day on Tuesday,...
10 holiday safety cooking tips
December 21st, 20180 It wouldn’t be the holiday season without family, friends and food. Family gatherings are often “kitchen gatherings.” We gather there to help in food preparation and to socialize, but it can be a very dangerous place for children. Below are 10 holiday safety cooking tips from Beaumont nurse and trauma prevention coordinator...
Wayne State student documents history of Islam in Detroit
December 21st, 20180 DETROIT — A Wayne State University student's documentary about the history of Islam in Detroit has received almost 500 views in less than a week of its appearance on YouTube. The documentary, which runs just under six minutes, outlines the longstanding origins of Islam in the U.S. and the Detroit and Dearborn areas. Malak...
Dearborn opts out of marijuana-based businesses
December 20th, 20180 DEARBORN — Dearborn City Council members voted 6-1 in favor of a temporary ban on marijuana-focused businesses within city limits on Tuesday, a measure that contains an 18-month sunset period set to expire in July 2020. The vote was held at the City Council meeting at the Dearborn Administrative Center, with Councilwoman Erin Byrnes...
AAA: Michigan could see huge increase in travelers this holiday season
December 16th, 20180 DEARBORN - An estimated 3.6 million Michigan residents are expected to travel this season according to a press release from AAA, which would be the highest total in more than a decade. The projected total would constitute a four percent increase from last year, the press release said, with travelers expected to utilize a wide variety...
Hammoud introduces resolution to observe International Human Rights week
December 16th, 20180 LANSING — State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) has introduced House Resolution 464, which declares Dec. 10-14 as International Human Rights Week in Michigan. The resolution urges Congress to provide funding for educational assistance to refugee children. “Increased federal funding for educational programs is a vital and......
Michigan first state to lower acceptable blood lead levels for workers
December 16th, 20180 GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan workers have been granted extra protection from one of the most dangerous heavy metals, lead, according to new rules from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The new rules will lower acceptable blood lead levels, replacing decades-old standards and going into effect on...
Is Muslim teen hero Ms. Marvel the new face of Marvel Comics?
December 16th, 20180 DEARBORN — In a time of growing Islamophobia, a teen Muslim superhero named Ms. Marvel has made headlines and her action figure has made it onto many retail shelves. The Ms. Marvel comic series offers readers a heroine who, when not saving the world, struggles with issues of faith, family and where she fits in. Kamala Khan, is a...
Dearborn community members talk about stigmas and domestic violence awareness
December 16th, 20180 DEARBORN — On Saturday, Dec. 8, The Arab American Health Initiative (AAHI) held a public seminar on raising awareness about domestic violence at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. Attendees included community and organization members, panelists in public and mental health professions and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell...
Friends, community and political leaders commemorate the legacy of Don Unis
December 15th, 20180 DEARBORN — Friends and family of pioneering Arab American leader Don Unis gathered at the House of Condolences on Dec. 5 for a memorial service arranged by AAPAC. Unis, 79, died on Nov. 24. The center was originally created by a coalition of five Lebanese American businessmen and brothers to honor their late father, Hajj Jamil......
FOX 2 meteorologist Jessica Starr passes away
December 14th, 20180 Fox 2 Detroit announced Thursday morning that meteorologist Jessica Starr took her own life Wednesday night. "All of us here at FOX 2 are in deep shock and cannot believe that such a wonderful, bright and intelligent individual will no longer be with us,” the station announced on air. Her family and friends will be in our thoughts...
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell: Congress has a moral responsibility to end the war in Yemen
December 14th, 20180 WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D- Dearborn) has released an official statement highly critical of continued U.S. military action in Yemen, based in large part on feedback from constituents in her hometown of Dearborn. “Families in my hometown are telling me about horrific conditions," Dingell said in a statement released......
Maples Elementary receives national honor for student success
December 14th, 20180 DEARBORN - Maples Elementary Schools has received a national award recognizing the success of its students despite difficult circumstances. The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators named Maples a 2018 Distinguished School. Only 100 schools, two from each state, receive the award each year for exceptional student...
CAIR-MI files complaint against Greyhound for Muslim man kicked off bus
December 14th, 20180 FARMINGTON HILLS — CAIR-MI filed a discrimination complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights against Greyhound on behalf of a Muslim man who was kicked off of a bus for speaking on his phone in Arabic. Earlier this year, Abrahaim Mohamed, an American Muslim, traveled from Michigan to Ohio by Greyhound bus. A press......
