Muslim orgs say Muslim vote impactful for Biden victory in Michigan, elsewhere
November 6th, 20200 MICHIGAN — Emgage Action, a Muslim civic advocacy organization, said Wednesday that it celebrated a high Muslim American voter turnout in Michigan, and that turnout was instrumental to former Vice President Joe Biden's victory in the state. According to the Emgage analyes, more than 81,000 Muslim American early and absentee votes...
Status quo in Wayne County and State Reps races, newcomers to universities’ boards
November 6th, 20200 DETROIT — With the votes counted from Tuesday’s election, incumbents and newcomers alike have reason to celebrate. A total of 867,409 voted in Wayne County this election season, 312,028 on Election Day and 555,381 by absentee ballots. Democrats garnered 421,596 votes, while Republicans received 143,979. Democratic presidential...
Hamtramck voters reject proposals to eliminate fire and police departments from charter
November 6th, 20200 HAMTRAMCK — A majority of Hamtramck voters said no to two proposals that would eliminate City Charter language that establishes and guarantees a fire and police department, and their chiefs. Proposals 1 and 2 had been hotly contested, dividing much of the city between those who see the departments as having an undue strain on the...
Dearborn Heights mayor requests forensic audit into the treasurer’s office
November 5th, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Mayor Daniel Paletko has put forward a request for a forensic audit into the treasurer’s office. In the proposed agenda item put forward by Paletko for the next City Council meeting, he states the audit should be conducted for the last few months that acting treasurer Zouher Abdel-Hak has been in the...
Dearborn and Dearborn Heights election results
November 5th, 20200 COMMUNITY — With election results rolling in nationwide, winners have been announced in local elections in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. In Dearborn, Adel Mozip(14,356 votes), Irene Watts (12,781 votes) and Mary Petlichkoff (12,278 votes) were each elected to the full term seats on the Board of Education, with Patrick...
Trump loses legal battle to stop the count in Michigan
November 5th, 20200 LANSING — The campaign of President Trump lost a legal battle in Michigan, as Trump exceedingly claimed, without evidence, mass voter fraud perpetrated by Democrats in key battleground states following Tuesday’s election. On Thursday, a judge in Michigan tossed out a lawsuit brought by the campaign in hopes of halting vote...
Big re-election wins for popular Reps. Tlaib and Dingell
November 5th, 20200 MICHIGAN — Democrats swept the board on election night in diverse, urban precincts in Metro Detroit, like those in Wayne and Oakland County. Important among these were U.S. Congressional races, as nationwide Democrats attempted to maintain their hold, and possibly increase their majority, in the House. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib...
After a tight senate race, Peters defeats Republican John James
November 4th, 20200 MICHIGAN — The Arab American News has received conformation from Senator Gary Peters' (D-Michigan) campaign that he has won his reelection bid, defeating his Republican challenger, Trump-backed John James. "I am sincerely honored that the voters of Michigan have once again put their trust and confidence in me to represent them in...
Dearborn Schools pause learning labs amid increase in COVID numbers
November 4th, 20200 DEARBORN — With COVID-19 cases increasing across the state at an alarming rate, Dearborn Public Schools have decided to suspend remaining in-person learning labs as of Monday, Nov. 9. The decision was made after the district received its weekly report from the Wayne County Health Department, which showed positivity rates climbing...
Trump campaign sues Michigan, wants to halt vote counting
November 4th, 20200 MICHIGAN — The campaign of President Trump has begun its legal assault on the election. The campaign announced on Wednesday that it has filed a lawsuit in Michigan to stop the counting of ballots in the presidential election. “We have filed suit today in the Michigan Court of Claims to halt counting until meaningful access has...
Election Day in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights brings out more first time than experienced voters
November 3rd, 20200 DEARBORN/DEARBORN HEIGHTS — First time and experienced voters are still flocking to the polls to vote in person amid the COVID-19 pandemic. First time voter Jenna Shami of Dearborn Heights said she is excited to vote. "I just turned 18, so this is my first election and my first presidential election," she said. "I know who I'm...
Election Day in Hamtramck: Steady turnout, fire fighters hope to keep department intact
November 3rd, 20200 HAMTRAMCK — Precincts in Hamtramck showed a steady turn out by late afternoon, though the Election Day turn out seemed to be lower than expected for a major election. Hamtramck City Clerk August Gitschlag told The Arab American News that only 5,183 absentee ballots had been returned as of 3:30 p.m. Just under 700 AV were still...
Michigan officials promise safe, clean and accessible polling places on Tuesday
November 2nd, 20200 MICHIGAN — As clerks, election workers and municipal governments brace for Election Day, Michigan officials are now ensuring that polling places will be safe, clean and accessible. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said on Monday that election workers were taking precautions and are well equipped with masks, gloves,...
Crestwood Schools superintendent given an evaluation of being highly effective, three-year contract extension
October 31st, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The Crestwood School Board voted to approve an evaluation and contract extension for its superintendent. Dr. Youssef Mosallam, who has an extensive background in education in the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights communities, was appointed to the position of superintendent in October 2019. The evaluation itself...
Dearborn Heights man acts as “Kid Santa” to help those in need
October 30th, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A 19-year-old EMT from Dearborn Heights is donating his time and money to ensure no child in the community goes without a Christmas. Kenneth Isaacson knows all too well what it’s like to spend the holidays alone. Born in Perm, Russia, Isaacson spent his first 14 months of life in a state-run orphanage before......
Enough signatures gathered for recall election of Hamtramck Councilman Ian Perrotta
October 30th, 20201 HAMTRAMCK — A petition for the recall of Hamtramck City Councilman Ian Perrotta now has more than 1,300 signatures, according to a press release put out by Councilman Mohammed Hassan this week. Hassan, who is leading the effort to recall Perrotta for abusive behavior against city employees, had 60 days to gather about 1,300...
MDHHS reduces max gathering for indoor weddings, parties to 50 people
October 29th, 20200 LANSING — Due to rising COVID-19 cases in the state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Resources (MDHHS) has revised and extended its epidemic order. Now, the agency has reduced the maximum size of indoor gatherings such as weddings, parties and banquets, which occur in nonresidential settings without fixed seating, from...
Detroit, Dearborn are top two most expensive cities for car insurance in the U.S., report shows
October 29th, 20200 DEARBORN — A new report on the state of the car insurance industry in 2020 finds that the cost of car insurance in Dearborn is one of the highest in the nation, just behind neighboring Detroit. Drivers in Dearborn spend an average of $3,511 on their auto policies, coming in second in the nation behind Detroit, where drivers pay...
Attorney general charges local leader of White Supremacist group, “The Base”
October 29th, 20200 LANSING — Multiple felony charges have been filed against the self-proclaimed leader and an associate of the national White Supremacist group, “The Base.” Following an investigation by Michigan State Police and the FBI, the two were found to be linked to a December 2019 incident in Dexter. During this incident, a family was......
Exclusive: Q&A with Kamala Harris ahead of election
October 28th, 20200 DEARBORN — Democratic vice presidential nominee and California Senator Kamala Harris visited Metro Detroit last Sunday, making a notable, unannounced stop in Dearborn to grab dinner at the Khalaf Grill. The visit by Joe Biden's running mate was just one of several visits by both prominent Democratic and Republican candidates in the...
Dearborn Public Schools approve reopening plan
October 27th, 20200 DEARBORN — After another school board meeting lasting longer than six hours, the Dearborn Board of education approved a reopening plan for the school district. Late Monday night the board authorized administrators to start a blended learning program for elementary students once COVID conditions in the community improve, which may......
Viability of Arab American candidates, like Brian Mosallam, shows importance of the Arab vote
October 27th, 20200 MICHIGAN — Michigan could be the most important swing state in the country. And the Arab American vote could make the difference. Though Metro Detroit has its large concentration, Arab Americans have been an integral part of the historic and cultural fabric of the entire country. More so, Arab Americans enjoy a variety of...
Grants available for Michigan teachers, support staff, for additional time and costs during COVID closures
October 27th, 20200 LANSING — On Tuesday, Governor Whitmer and State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced that eligible Michigan teachers and support staff who worked additional time and incurred additional costs during the 2019-2020 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic can receive a grant through two new grant programs. Eligible teachers can......
