Michigan claims court sides with governor in state of emergency lawsuit
May 21st, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer has won the legal dispute brought up by the state's Republican legislature over her extension of the state of emergency declaration. On Thursday, Lansing announced that the Court of Claims has ruled in favor of Whitmer's decision to extend the declaration without legislative approval. The GOP-led...
Whitmer reopens auto dealerships and retail stores by appointment, authorizes nonessential medical, dental and veterinary procedures
May 21st, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, Governor Whitmer signed a new executive order that reopens retail businesses and auto dealerships, by appointment only, statewide on Tuesday, May 26. The governor’s executive order also lifts the requirement that health care providers delay some nonessential medical, dental and veterinary...
MDHHS allows $1,000 fines and other actions for licensed business that violate Whitmer’s executive orders
May 20th, 20200 LANSING — Earlier this week, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon signed an emergency order allowing for civil fines of up to $1,000 for violations of various COVID-19 executive orders for businesses that operate under licenses. The new order reinforces Governor Whitmer’s various...
Abraham Aiyash sees prominent support from El-Sayed, Hammoud and others at virtual campaign kickoff
May 20th, 20200 HAMTRAMCK — On Monday, District Four state representative candidate Abraham Aiyash hosted his campaign kickoff on Facebook Live with more than 400 live viewers and 5,000 total views in 24 hours. The live event featured prominent local Democrats and Detroit and Hamtramck activists and community organizers, all aligning their support...
Exclusive: Michigan prisoner describes dangerous conditions, lack of response by MDOC officials over COVID-19
May 19th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Arab American News has received a letter from an inmate in a Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) facility, describing the conditions in his prison and prisons in the state's system at large. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a further challenge for prisoners and has added a layer of risk to their day-to-day existence...
Dearborn mosque to hold food drive on Wednesday, May 20 for needy families
May 19th, 20200 DEARBORN — For those in need of food during this economically trying time, the Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) will be holding a COVID-19 food drive on Wednesday, May 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., in which food baskets will be distributed to families. This "Pandemic Assistance Program" will be launched at the Muslim American...
Community members encouraged to apply to serve on Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission
May 19th, 20200 DEARBORN — Many in the state may have heard of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Michiganders voted to create the commission in 2018 to give citizens exclusive power over the drawing of district boundaries for the Michigan Senate and House, and the U.S. Congress, every 10 years. This means that 13...
All Michigan voters to get absentee ballot applications at home, Secretary of State Benson says
May 19th, 20200 LANSING — Michigan's 7.7 million registered voters will likely all be mailed absentee ballot applications so they can take part in elections in August and November without needing to vote in person if they so choose, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Tuesday. The move could lead to a potential court battle according to a report...
United States, Canada agree on deal to extend non-essential travel ban
May 19th, 20200 OTTAWA, CANADA — The United States and Canada have agreed to extend their ban on non-essential travel between the two nations by another 30 days as part of a plan to contain the coronavirus, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who made the announcement on Tuesday. Officials from both countries said last week that the...
Detroit expands testing to all residents, no symptoms or prescription required
May 19th, 20200 DETROIT — Starting Wednesday, drive-through testing at Detroit's State Fairgrounds is now available to any and all Detroit residents, even those not showing COVID-19 symptoms. The city's Health Department Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair announced the change on Monday. There is no charge for the COVID-19 test and residents...
Options available for those needing help with utilities during COVID-19, state announces additional funding
May 18th, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) and Governor Whitmer’s office announced today more state-wide funding through a federal low-income energy assistance program. Michigan has now been awarded $35 million in funding on top of the $162 million already secured by the state. The funds go towards...
Whitmer reopens retail, restaurants and offices in Upper Peninsula, Traverse City regions
May 18th, 20200 LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-92, allowing for the reopening of retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely and restaurants and bars with limited seating in two Michigan regions. The two regions are both in the northern part of the state—specifically, MERC regions six and...
Michigan university stockpiles coronavirus tests, plans to resume in-person instruction this fall
May 17th, 20200 GRAND RAPIDS — Calvin University, a Grand Rapids-based school with about 3,600 students, is expected to become the first college or university in Michigan, and probably the first in the nation, to stockpile coronavirus tests with the intention of reopening this fall for in-person instruction. The private Christian college is among...
Wyandotte Mayor Joe Peterson passes away
May 17th, 20201 WYANDOTTE — Wyandotte's city government announced the passing of Wyandotte Mayor Joe Peterson today. "The city of Wyandotte is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our mayor, Joe Peterson," the city government posted on its Facebook page. "Mayor Peterson served the city in numerous capacities for many years and his love for...
Stabenow, Peters announce $315 million in funding to expand COVID-19 testing in Michigan
May 17th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. – $315 million in federal funds will be awarded to the state of Michigan to expand its coronavirus testing operations, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced this week. Peters and Stabenow were able to secure the funding as part of a $25 billion testing package for Michigan they fought to be......
Michigan restaurants push Whitmer for May 29 reopening, lay out roadmap of potential guidelines
May 17th, 20200 LANSING — Large numbers of Michigan restaurants and bars are hoping to reopen for dine-in service on May 29, according to a proposed “roadmap” to reopening released earlier this month by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. Instances of harm from the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavius have continued to...
Home inspections resume in Dearborn, tall grass enforcement to begin May 18
May 16th, 20200 DEARBORN — The city of Dearborn will begin enforcing violations of the tall grass ordinance starting on Monday, May 18, according to a news release from the city's website. “Overgrown grass is not only an eyesore to neighbors, but can provide a refuge for a number of pests,” the release states. “Residents are asked to maintain...
Whitmer announces process to chart path for the safe reopening of schools
May 15th, 20200 LANSING - During a Friday new conference, Governor Whitmer today announced the creation of the Return to Learning Advisory Council via Executive Order 2020-88, formalizing a process for determining how schools may be able to reopen in the fall. The panel – which will be comprised of students, parents, frontline educators,...
A selfless man: Community pays tribute to beloved business owner Abdelfattah Abdrabbo
May 15th, 20200 CANTON — Many were saddened to hear of the passing of beloved business owner Abdelfattah Abdrabbo, who succumbed to COVID-19 on April 27 at the age of 65. Besides running the successful Sunrise Import and Export in Detroit, Abdrabbo was known for his charity work, selflessness and generosity. Abdrabbo was ill for four weeks with......
Michigan Muslims organize televised celebration of Eid al-Fitr
May 15th, 20200 ROYAL OAK — The Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) is organizing a televised celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan on May 24 at 10 a.m., to be aired on the station WMYT, TV 20 Detroit (found on all local cable networks). This event will also be live-streamed on multiple social media platforms. In accordance...
A subdued protest in Lansing, no arrests made or citations given
May 15th, 20200 LANSING — The state’s Capitol saw another day of protests against Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. Protesters, many armed, gathered on the Capitol grounds early on a rainy Thursday. The state legislature was not in session and so the Capitol Building itself was closed for business. The protests were......
Governor Whitmer extends executive order temporarily suspending evictions till June 11
May 14th, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer has temporarily extended protections for tenants and mobile home owners from being evicted from their homes during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The new order, signed Executive Order 2020-85, is effective until June 11. “It’s critical Michiganders can self-quarantine and continue...
Dingell announces more than $1 million is going to the University of Michigan for coronavirus rapid response research
May 13th, 20200 ANN ARBOR — U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) announced today more than $1 million in funding to support rapid response research on the coronavirus. The funding is part of the CARES Act passed by Congress in March. As of May 10, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued 10 CARES Act-funded awards......
