Hamtramck becomes the fifth city in the U.S. to pass resolution denouncing discriminatory citizenship laws in India
July 16th, 20200 HAMTRAMCK — The Hamtramck City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday denouncing the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which took effect in India last December, making it the fifth U.S. city to make such a stand against India’s widely criticized new law. The group Coalition of Americans for Pluralism in India...
Grants of up to $20,000 now available in Wayne County; women and minority-owned businesses encouraged to apply
July 15th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY — Small businesses in Wayne and every other county in Michigan can now apply for grants of up to $20,000 through the state’s Small Business Restart Program. The program seeks to aid business that been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, with an application process that begins July 15 at 9 a.m. and closes on...
As Michigan sees COVID-19 positivity rates are creep up, Whitmer maintains authority
July 14th, 20200 LANSING — In an another indication this month that Lansing grows concerned over the rates and spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, Governor Whitmer announced on Wednesday she will be extending both the state of emergency and the state of disaster. “Over the past three weeks … our progress in suppressing the pandemic has...
COVID-19 therapy collaborative offers free behavioral health help to youth and families
July 14th, 20200 DETROIT – In May, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) launched the Detroit COVID-19 Therapy Collaborative, which provides free behavioral health supports and counseling to those who need help, with support from the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, Skillman Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and...
Americans divided over COVID-19 issues as U.S. sets one-day record with more than 60,500 cases
July 11th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 60,500 new COVID-19 infections were reported across the U.S. on Thursday, according to a Reuters tally, setting a one-day record as weary Americans were told to take new precautions and the pandemic becomes increasingly politicized. The total represents a slight rise from Wednesday, when there were...
Detroit receives $750K grant to aid undocumented residents impacted by COVID-19
July 11th, 20200 DETROIT – Members of the Immigration Task Force (ITF) have received a $750,000 grant from the national philanthropic group Open Society Foundations (OSF) to establish the Detroit COVID-19 UndocuFund, which will help Detroiters without legal immigration status (undocumented residents) who have been impacted by COVID-19. The fund was...
Housing market in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights is booming and here is why
July 11th, 20201 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With COVID-19 cases spiking and the pandemic still being very much alive, a lot of people have been concerned about the housing market. Among the concerns, the biggest that seem to be evident among sellers and buyers is whether the market will crash. Dave Abdallah, a realtor of 31 years, said that couldn't be...
It is time for the power of the collective
July 11th, 20200 It is time to get uncomfortable. It is time for us to move outside our comfort zones from what has always felt “cultural” and “traditional” and into a place of growth and understanding. It is time for us to un-learn colonial and racist language and ideologies within the community and re-learn from a place of education, history...
As cases rise over the week, Whitmer warns of stricter mask laws, dialing-back reopening
July 10th, 20200 LANSING — At a Thursday live address, Governor Whitmer warned that some residents may not understand the severity of the situation as the state saw mask-less holiday weekend crowds and a sure uptick in cases over the week. “Over the past week, we have seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Michigan and over the holiday weekend, we...
Wayne County and other Michigan communities get small business COVID-19 recovery grants
July 7th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY — Wayne County and many other communities across Michigan will receive grants for small businesses that are trying to reopen and recover from impacts of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. $50 million in grants to be awarded to Wayne County small businesses Wayne County will allocate up to $50 million in CARES Act...
Nessel says DeVos tried to unfairly reroute pandemic funds to private schools, takes legal action
July 7th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and other state attorneys general are taking legal action against a rule issued by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that they say unfairly diverts federal pandemic relief funds to private schools. Nessel and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra are leading a coalition...
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear bid by Iraqis to avoid deportation
July 4th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a bid by a large group of Iraqis convicted of crimes in the United States to prevent imminent deportation to their home country, where they say they could face persecution and torture. The justices let stand a lower court’s 2018 ruling that the federal...
American Moslem Society sues Woodmere Cemetery for breaching contract, gouging Muslims amid pandemic, holds press conference
July 2nd, 20200 DEARBORN— A press conference is planned at the American Moslem Society (AMS) mosque at 9945 Vernor Hwy, Dearborn, Michigan at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 3, regarding a recent lawsuit filed by the mosque that claims Woodmere Cemetery breached its contract with AMS over grave sites. The Arab American News will carry the press...
State says indoor bar service closure is due to COVID-19 “super-spreader” events linked to bars
July 1st, 20200 LANSING — In an act to curb upticks in new cases across Michigan, and perhaps reprimand careless bar goers, Governor Whitmer announced on Wednesday that she will be closing down indoor bar services through most of lower Michigan. Bars will be able to serve customers outdoors and will be able to offer cocktails-to-go. The Upper...
Whitmer signs bill extending expiration of driver’s licenses, state ID cards, vehicle registrations to Sept. 30
July 1st, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bills 876-878, which makes into law her previous executive orders, further extending the renewal dates for driver’s licenses, CDLs, state ID cards and vehicle registrations. Those with driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations expiring after March 1 have until Sept. 30 to......
New website allows Michiganders to easily find closest COVID-19 testing site, phone registration available
June 30th, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has unveiled a new online tool that lets users conveniently find a COVID-19 testing site near them and register for testing online. The test finder tool at michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest has filters which allow users to find sites that are free, test people with...
Whitmer releases plan for Pre-K to 12 school reopening
June 30th, 20200 LANSING — On Tuesday, June 30, the state of Michigan and Governor Whitmer released the executive order “MI Safe Schools Roadmap”, putting an extensive safety plan in place before schools reopen in the fall for in-person instruction. The protocol is a roadmap for all pre-K to 12 schools within the state and includes...
Gleaners brings free meal distribution to Dearborn’s Ford Community and Performing Arts Center
June 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — Gleaners Community Food Bank will provide free meals for children and adults with special needs at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, as part of its Summer Food Service Program, beginning in early July. The Ford Community and Performing Arts Center meal distributions will take place from 9 to 11...
Garden City Hospital performs up to 250 “Save-A-Life” COVID-19 antibody tests per day in first week
June 26th, 20200 GARDEN CITY — On Tuesday, officials from Wayne County and Garden City Hospital gathered at a launch event for the Save-A-Life program. The program offers free drive-through COVID-19 antibody testing and facilitates plasma donations. The one-of-a-kind program is intended to strengthen and increase the county’s response to COVID-19,......
200 semifinalists selected for the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission
June 25th, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, 200 semifinalists for Michigan’s first Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission were randomly selected in a live broadcasted event by the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). The random selection was performed by Rehmann LLC, an independent accounting firm hired through a public bidding process to...
Reminder of fireworks law ahead of the Fourth of July holiday
June 25th, 20200 DEARBORN— With Independence Day coming up soon, residents are reminded of the city’s fireworks ordinance, which mimics state law. During and leading up to Independence Day in 2020, residents are permitted to use fireworks on the following days and times: • Between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3......
New payment options for city of Dearborn customers through DivDat Kiosk Network and mobile app
June 25th, 20200 DEARBORN – The city of Dearborn announced the addition of the DivDat Kiosk Network to its payment options, which means Dearborn residents and customers will be able to pay their water and tax bills more conveniently through DivDat`s kiosk, mobile app and web pay services. The implementation of the DivDat Kiosk Network has many...
Michigan unemployment agency looks to clear backlog of claims
June 23rd, 20200 LANSING — Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced on Tuesday its intention to clear its backlog and make a determination on all eligible unpaid claims filed before May 1. This means that for 11,824 worker who are still waiting on an eligibility decision, the agency will pay out benefits, determine that the......
