March 30th, 20200LANSING — On Monday, President Trump authorized the use of National Guard members under Title 32, United States Code, section 502(f), granting Governor Whitmer’s request for a formal Mission Assignment (MA) to allocate and order up to 3,000 members of the Michigan Army and Air National Guard for up to 90 days to perform humanitarian...
March 30th, 20200LANSING — Michigan has increased its unemployment benefits for all unemployed workers by a set amount of $600 a week for up to four months. The change applies to workers already in the unemployment systems and eligible employees about to apply for benefits. Governor Whitmer announced the new programs for workers on Monday, after...
March 28th, 20200
LANSING - President Trump has approved Governor Whitmer’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in Michigan. The declaration means that Michigan is now eligible for participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programming to provide relief for Michiganders impacted by the COVID-19 virus and measures to slow...
March 28th, 20201LANSING – Governor Whitmer has signed Executive Order 2020-26 which pushes all April 2020 state and city income tax filing deadlines in Michigan to July, as a part of continued efforts to help Michiganders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective immediately, state of Michigan and city of Detroit income tax returns and payments due...
March 26th, 20200LANSING — On Wednesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel provided guidelines on how to report and file complaints about individuals and businesses that aren’t complying with Governor Whitmer’s executive orders. The AG office’s Consumer Protection intake line is now flooded with phone calls related to violations of the...
March 26th, 20200LANSING — Governor Whitmer gave a further COVID-19 related update this week from her offices in the state’s capital, this time focusing on the urgent need for equipment for healthcare staff currently fighting the pandemic.
Grim statistics of the virus’ exponential spread set the tone of her serious address on late Thursday...
March 25th, 20200LANSING — The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today acknowledged the high call volumes and increased traffic on its claims website, as an unprecedented number of people take part in the state's expanded unemployment compensation program in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In a press statement, the agency said that...
March 23rd, 20200DEARBORN — Since the announcement of Monday's executive order by Governor Whitmer, dubbed "Stay Home, Stay Safe", Michigan residents have questioned how much the new rules restrict their travel on the road during the COVID-19 outbreak in their state.
Lets take a look at travel and driving components of the order to clarify what the...
March 23rd, 20200LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer addressed the state to elaborate on her government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Though she emphasized the serious nature of the pandemic, her latest “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order seems to be an extension of the state’s response from last week. This is in no way a complete,...
March 23rd, 20200LANSING — On Monday, Governor Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order (EO 2020-21), directing all Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life.
The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part...
March 21st, 20200DETROIT - On Friday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency provided details on travel restrictions being placed on all land ports of entry and ferries between the U.S. and Canada in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, rules which went into effect at midnight the same day. Besides the Detroit port of entry, the new...
March 18th, 20200LANSING — At a news conference in Lansing on Wednesday, state officials announced 30 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, bringing the total up to 110. Governor Whitmer was joined by the state's chief medical executive, Dr. Joneigh Khladun, who spoke of the number of new cases across the state.
"As of last night, Michigan...
March 16th, 20200
LANSING - On Monday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-11, to prohibit all events over 50 people or assemblages in shared indoor spaces over 50 people beginning Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00am.
The order overrides limits set in an earlier order which put a stop on gatherings over 250 people.
Executive Order...
March 16th, 20200
LANSING - On Monday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-10 to temporarily expand eligibility for unemployment benefits. This executive order is effective immediately and until Tuesday, April 14 at 11:59pm.
Under the governor’s order, unemployment benefits would be extended to:
Workers who have an...
March 16th, 20200
LANSING - Today, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-9, which temporarily closes theaters, bars, and casinos, and limits restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders.
Under Executive Order 2020-9, effective Monday, March 16 at 3:00pm, the following places of public accommodation will be closed; restaurants, cafes,...
March 12th, 20200LANSING — State health officials confirmed there are now 10 additional cases of coronavirus in Michigan, bringing the state total to 12 as of Thursday night.
On Thursday, Governor Whitmer announced that in order to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan, she is ordering the closure of all K-12 school buildings,...
March 11th, 20200LANSING — Following the announcement of the state’s first presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are providing recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of the virus.
“I urge all Michiganders to take these recommendations seriously and...
January 24th, 20200
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Last week, Governor Whitmer announced further appointments to several state boards and commissions. Important among them was the appointment of Siham Awada Jaafar to the Judicial Tenure Commission.
Jaafar, of Dearborn Heights, is the president and CEO of 3D Consulting and Communications. She is also the...
December 21st, 20190LANSING — Governor Whitmer announced several new commission appointments on Wednesday, including one for former Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) Vice President Zenna Faraj Elhasan. She will be serving as a commissioner on The Michigan Civil Rights Commission beginning in January.
Elhasan and her family are...
December 21st, 20190This week, another prominent member of the Michigan government, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat and public figure who has shown support for the Arab American community, with the community reciprocating that support, took a publicized trip to Israel. After the outrage sparked by last month’s Israeli trip by Governor...
July 13th, 20190DEARBORN – Governor Whitmer was in Dearborn this week for an expanded presentation of her 2020 budget proposal.
To little surprise, infrastructure spending was a focus of her talk at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. She later sat down with The Arab American News for an exclusive interview about the budget and the...
May 17th, 20190LANSING – Governor Whitmer has appointed Zeinab Chami and other Michigan educators to sit on her Educator Advisory Council. The announcement was made on May 9.
The council was created by Whitmer to review and make recommendations regarding legislation that will directly impact the state’s public education system.
It will also...
May 9th, 20190LANSING — Governor Whitmer has signed Senate Bill 2 and House Bills 4001 and 4002, which passed with nearly-unanimous support.
The bills will limit civil asset forfeiture for individuals who have not been convicted of a crime to increase property protections for citizens.
“I’m proud that Michigan is joining several other...
