Wayne County prosecutor charges Mohamed Saad with first degree murder
April 30th, 20200 DETROIT — Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Mohamed Ali Saad, 32, with first degree murder in connection with the homicide of his mother, Fatemah Ibrahim Saad, 64, both of Dearborn Heights. On April 16, at approximately 7 p.m., the Dearborn Heights Police Department received a 911 call to a home in the 27000 block of...
Claims court says Michigan’s “stay home” order does not violate constitution
April 29th, 20200 LANSING — While the U.S. Department of Justice seeks probes into the constitutionality of lock-down orders in various states, including Michigan, Lansing announced on Wednesday a Michigan Court of Claims ruling that sided with Governor Whitmer, holding that the current “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order did not infringe upon...
Whitmer announces tuition-free college for frontline essential workers
April 29th, 20200 LANSING — On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer announced a series of initiatives to help Michigan workers and their families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the "Futures for Frontliners” program to provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers who don’t have a...
We need to do our part in fighting the coronavirus
April 29th, 20200 As the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spreads around the world, it is important that we all realize the impact that this virus has had on essential workers and low-wage laborers who support the global consumer economy. There are people who are still getting up and going to work every day, so that we can all enjoy the...
Oakland County Treasurer Meisner: No one will lose property to tax foreclosure due to coronavirus
April 28th, 20200 PONTIAC — Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner issued a pledge on Monday that no one in the county will lose their property to tax foreclosure because of circumstances related to the coronavirus, including taxpayers who contract the virus and are required to self-quarantine or anyone facing circumstances relating to the virus and its...
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Phase 2 is now open, here is how to apply.
April 28th, 20200 PPP is an SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. NOTICE: PPP resumed April 27. The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept...
Whitmer previews plan for gradual economic reopening, U.S. Attorney Schneider eyes lawsuit
April 27th, 20200 LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer signaled her broad and long-term plan for the gradual reopening of the state’s economy. Strict isolation and shutdown measures have thus far proven markedly successful, as hospitals and county health department report plateauing numbers of COVID-19 related cases in Michigan. Whitmer was...
He’s got virus tests, but the state won’t take them
April 27th, 20200 Gov. Whitmer said reopening Michigan's economy is slowed by a shortage of COVID-19 tests to screen employees reentering workplaces, and she blames the Trump administration for not responding to states' needs. Dearborn businessman Ali Siblani said he can make all the test swabs Michigan requires and he blames the state bureaucracy for...
Wayne County Exec. Evans orders hiring and spending freeze to help eliminate revenue shortfall from pandemic response
April 27th, 20200 DETROIT — Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans signed executive order 2020-001 instituting hiring and spending freezes across the county's government in response to a projected revenue shortfall of at least $152 million created by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown. “The ongoing global pandemic and 'Stay Home' orders...
Whitmer to announce new executive order allowing partial reopening of the economy
April 24th, 20200 LANSING - Governor Whitmer is set to address the state at 11:00 am today. Whitmer will be announcing a new executive order (2020-59), effective through May 15, that will reopen certain parts of the economy and ease up on certain restrictions. Some workers will be allowed to go back to work: This includes landscapers,...
Young Arab American Aya Alcodray brings much needed food relief to families
April 24th, 20200 DEARBORN — 17-year-old Aya Alcodray, a student at Dearborn High School, understood that the COVID-19 outbreak had adversely affected many of her fellow students and their families. Many students rely on lunches their schools provide; and while schools continue to provide food during the weekdays, Aya knew something needed to be done...
While restrictions continue, Muslim houses of worship prepare for Ramadan
April 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — To kick off 2020’s first Ramadan weekend, The Arab American News spoke to local Muslim leaders representing some of the most frequented and well-know houses of worship, to find out how they plan to adapt their Ramadan plans in light of the continuing state-imposed COVID-19 related restrictions. Unsurprisingly, mosques...
Michigan Department of State to temporarily lay off 60 percent of staff
April 23rd, 20200 LANSING — The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) will temporarily lay off more than 900 members of its staff starting on Sunday, April 26. The layoffs will last two weeks, and could be extended. “This is an extremely challenging time for our state, our state government and our department,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn...
Stimulus checks have been sent out to deceased people, while others still aren’t receiving them
April 23rd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some Americans have been surprised to discover that their dead loved ones have been sent stimulus checks in recent days, while others in need have been unable to receive or cash their checks. “Okay this is insane, but just the tip of the iceberg,” tweeted Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), who shared an image of...
Muslims applaud popular children’s television show for recognizing Ramadan
April 23rd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, the immensely popular children's television show SpongeBob SquarePants brought a smile and message of love and peace to Muslims across the globe with a social media post depicting the show's main characters wishing audiences "Ramadan Mubarak." Muslims everywhere, including high-profile Muslim figures,......
Community organizations host first ever Ramadan Lights challenge in Dearborn
April 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — Three community organizations are teaming up to bring the first ever Ramadan holiday lights competition, the Ramadan Lights challenge, to Dearborn. The organizer of the renowned Ramadan Suhoor Festival is joining Halal Metropolis and the Michigan Muslim Community Council to bring some holiday cheer despite restrictions on...
UIA says $1.37 billion paid out to 820,000 unemployed Michiganders
April 23rd, 20200 LANSING - The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has released tallies for benefits given out to unemployed workers in Michigan as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. The UIA said it has provided an estimated 820,000 unemployed Michigan workers $1.37 billion in benefits, an unprecedented number. The agency...
Whitmer says possible short-term extension of stay-at-home order is needed, highlights improved numbers within the state
April 22nd, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer's stay-at-home order will likely be extended beyond May 1, at least for a short term, she said during a press conference earlier this afternoon. Whitmer had previously said on Monday that the ensuing 10 days would help decide whether or not an extension would be warranted, but said today that those who are...
ACCESS continues to serve community amidst COVID-19 pandemic
April 22nd, 20200 In response to the rapid spread of COVID-19, ACCESS—the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the nation—has restructured its service delivery to continue to provide necessary services to the community, while ensuring their safety and well-being. For the first time in the organization’s nearly 50-year history, much of its......
MDHHS launches large-scale contact tracing effort, expands testing criteria to include all essential workers
April 21st, 20200 LANSING — As part of efforts to continue expanding COVID-19 testing and contact tracing of potentially exposed Michiganders, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) again expanded its testing criteria to include all essential workers still reporting to work in person, whether they have symptoms or not, and...
Drive-through rapid COVID-19 testing now available in Dearborn
April 21st, 20202 DEARBORN — Governor Whitmer announced on Monday further expansion of state-wide testing sites and capabilities. Part of this expansion is a partnership between the state and CVS Health, which will provide rapid, drive-through COVID-19 testing in Dearborn. According to Whitmer's office, testing will be conducted in the parking lot......
Netanyahu, Gantz agree on national emergency government in Israel, paving the way for potential annexation of West Bank
April 20th, 20200 JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz have agreed on the formation of a national emergency government, according to a joint statement from the two leaders' political parties. The announcement, made by Netanyahu's Likud party and Gantz's Blue and White party, includes a...
Governor Whitmer announces 10 percent pay cut during COVID-19 pandemic, says next 10 days will determine length of stay-at-home order
April 20th, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer announced on Monday that she will take a 10 percent pay cut during the COVID-19 pandemic and added that the next 10 days will determine what happens after the expiration of the upcoming April 30 deadline for her stay-at-home executive order. Whitmer made the announcement during a 3 p.m. press conference......
