On today's show: The GM Detroit Hamtramck plant has a new electric future. A new poll shows little support for new road funding taxes, a lot of support for expanding protections for LGBT housing and employment, and although many Michiganders want changes made to the health care system, not much support for Medicare for All as the way to do it. The Michigan State Police Crime Lab in Sterling Heights will be closed and merged with the one in Detroit to help with months-long backlogs. Oakland Count...
Jan 27, 2020•19 min•Ep. 423
Today’s show is a long-form conversation with author Conrad Kickert. He’s a retail and planning expert and professor at the University of Cincinnati. His most recent book caught my eye, “Dream City: Creation, Destruction, and Reinvention in Downtown Detroit.” Backed up by research and global experience, he busts some myths about downtown Detroit and its history. He adds perspective from his career from world-class cities and working on making urban design and retail planning that actually works....
Jan 24, 2020•34 min•Ep. 422
The big beer news in town was that Atwater Brewery sold to a subsidiary of Molson Coors, Tenth and Blake. But why? And what's next? To take a look behind the deal, a talk with Atwater owner Mark Rieth. That conversation is at 7 minutes in. We also round up a few things happening around Michigan and Detroit: Tesla can now sell cars easier in Michigan, and service them through a subsidiary. That's big news. But there may be more to the story. Experts say that a dealer protection law that passed al...
Jan 23, 2020•15 min•Ep. 421
The New Year is a great time to take inventory of what we’ve done and where we’re headed, and I like to talk to Dennis Archer Jr.,the CEO of Ignition Media Group and the president of Archer Corporate Services ahead of the Detroit Policy Conference that’s coming up this Wednesday, January 29. We touch on a variety of topics including transit, education, development, the focus going forward on the neighborhoods, and why Archer doesn’t like the word “comeback” when it comes to Detroit. Archer is al...
Jan 22, 2020•14 min•Ep. 420
On today’s show: Last week on this show we told you how a capitol reporter in Lansing alleged that state Senator Peter Lucido of Shelby Township made a sexist remark to her while she tried to interview him. Now, a fellow state senator of Lucido’s says she’s filing a workplace sexual harassment complaint against him. State Senator Mallory McMorrow tells Crain’s the incident took place in November 2018 after she was first elected to her seat representing the 13th District in Oakland County. Recrea...
Jan 21, 2020•17 min•Ep. 419
Today on your Daily Detroit, we’re talking all things autos. After all, it’s usually at this time of year when everyone’s in town for the North American International Auto Show. Although the big Detroit show is in the summer now, have no fear. We thought we’d fill your tank with some updates on cool car tech from the Consumer Electronics Show, talk about the almost-sure reintroduction of the Hummer, the Mustang Mach E, Jeep, saving money when buying a car, and of course, electric and self-drivin...
Jan 17, 2020•33 min•Ep. 418
On today's show, Alexandra Schmidt from Bridge Magazine joins us to talk about a new report they released today, "No Substitute: The Public's Agenda To Reduce Michigan's Reliance On Uncertified, Long-Term Substitute Teachers." We run through the data and the responses with Schmidt, including: 50,000 kids are served by long-term, uncertified substitute teachers Enrollment in teaching prep programs in the state is down 70 percent in eight years Average pay is dropping for Michigan teachers This im...
Jan 16, 2020•16 min•Ep. 417
On today's show, Michigan and Metro Detroit have been talking about the callout by Michigan Advance reporter Allison Donahue of State Senator Peter Lucido, after this exchange, excerpted from her first-person account: “You should hang around! You could have a lot of fun with these boys, or they could have a lot of fun with you.” The teenagers burst into an Old Boys’ Network-type of laughter, and I walked away knowing that I had been the punchline of their “locker room” talk. Except it wasn’t the...
Jan 16, 2020•18 min•Ep. 416
Detroit lays claim to a rich musical legacy going back decades, including Motown Records, a vibrant jazz scene, techno music and more than one generation of booty-shaking garage rock. But it’s been a while since it was home to an actual music magazine. That’s changing with the debut of Maggot Brain, a new full-color quarterly print magazine launched by Third Man Records. That’s the retailer, record press and label founded by Jack White. We speak with the magazine’s editor and longtime music writ...
Jan 14, 2020•18 min•Ep. 415
New research is out that ties economic issues can tie to health issues, specifically when it comes to auto plant closures. On today’s show, we speak to Dr. Atheendar Venkataramani from The University Of Pennsylvania. He joins Jer to talk about the study by him and his colleagues in The Journal Of The American Medical Association , there were a stunning 85 percent more deaths related to opioids in communities where automotive factories closed. Then, two more stories you should know about: An upda...
Jan 13, 2020•16 min•Ep. 415
Happy Friday! On today's show: The Detroit News has a new report out that says that many City of Detroit homeowners have been overcharged at least $3,700 a year in property taxes since 2010. Find the story here . Could the Federal Government take over the United Auto Workers? According to U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider, it’s a possibility. Pier One is downsizing, and it looks like its location on Woodward is on the chopping block. Bottom Line Coffeehouse has set up a GoFundMe appeal to help rai...
Jan 10, 2020•12 min•Ep. 414
On today’s show, we’re talking with Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller about that green ooze on I-696 and how it impacts neighbors, as well a questions about if sites in Metro Detroit haven’t been properly cleaned up, and, despite the city and county boundaries you see on a map, how we’re all, quite literally, connected. If you don’t know Miller, before this role, the St. Clair Shores native has had a long history of elected service. The Republican has been Michigan Secretary...
Jan 09, 2020•19 min•Ep. 413
Today’s episode is about a condition that has stayed in the shadows, and a filmmaker looking to bring it into the light. Hidradenitis Suppurtiva Foundation - or HS for short - is one of the most severe conditions in dermatology, according to the HS Foundation. HS is also known in the European areas as Acne Inversa (AI), and is a chronic, non-contagious, painful and quality of life-impacting skin disease that causes boils to form in the folds of the skin, and can cause tunneling wounds. Because o...
Jan 08, 2020•14 min•Ep. 412
On today’s episode, we wrap up 2019 auto sales with Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at Autotrader. The industry finished the year above 17 million cars and trucks for the fifth straight year, the first time it’s ever gone that long above that number. We go over results at each of the Detroit automakers, including surprising troubles for some of Ford’s popular SUVs and how Ram trucks have leapfrogged the Chevy Silverado in popularity. Then, we talk recycling. The city of Detroit just got grants...
Jan 07, 2020•19 min•Ep. 411
Here's what to know and where to go around Southeast Michigan: An update on the green ooze that spilled onto I-696 just east of I-75 in Madison Heights Target is the target of thieves, with four stores getting hit in total in the region Vinsetta Garage is getting their long-awaited parking lot out back, and neighbors are none too happy. ( Go read more here ) could there have been a better solution? Maybe in a different region. Bistro 82 in downtown Royal Oak is closing. That part of town has bee...
Jan 06, 2020•9 min•Ep. 410
Today's episode is from the vault in April. The automobile is synonymous with Detroit. It is, after all, the Motor City. But what if there was a different way forward than a vehicle for every man, woman and even sometimes, child? What if instead of a half hour at the gym then a half hour in your car, you could bike or walk and get to where you’re going? Or, like here in Michigan, get around without paying the highest car insurance in the nation? It seems like crazy talk, I know. But it’s a growi...
Jan 03, 2020•16 min•Ep. 409
On today's episode, we hit the vault to re-tell a story originally aired in May. We’re taking a look at a company that’s making high-end leather goods right here in the city of Detroit, putting Detroiters and veterans to work. We’re talking about Pingree Detroit, based just about a block away from the well-known Shinola. Pingree is a worker-owned company formed as an L3C — a special type of company that puts both the bottom line and the social mission of the company first. And when there are pro...
Jan 02, 2020•21 min•Ep. 408
Happy New Year! On today's show: Yes, it looks like we're getting a Robocop statue in 2020. Here's more: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/imaginationstation/detroit-needs-a-statue-of-robocop/posts/2721312 Dilla's Delights is raising money to move and keep open: https://www.gofundme.com/f/preserving-the-donut-shop And, we visit one of your most listened to episodes, our mini documentary about the change and transformation of Capitol Park in Downtown Detroit. Like what we're doing and feeling ...
Dec 31, 2019•21 min•Ep. 407
On today's show, we re-release a conversation from July with Sarosh Irani. He's a transit advocate and Wayne State student who came up with a plan that got national attention by shifting existing bus stops to serve more people. And then we dive into more transit topics such as what is important to do to improve Detroit transit. But before that, recent events are the reason we decided to share this particular conversation - our most listened to on Spotify. A state rep is talking about how buses a...
Dec 30, 2019•27 min•Ep. 406
Cynthia Canty has a long and storied career, and we were honored to have her as a guest in mid-July. Well, her retirement is now actually a thing, so figured it'd be a great time to re-share this conversation. It's also audio editor Shianne's favorite episode. Cynthia Canty is a veteran broadcaster who hosted the news, policy and culture program Stateside on Michigan Radio , a NPR affiliate that broadcasts in the Detroit area at 91.7 on the FM dial. She’s been on air a variety of places in Detro...
Dec 27, 2019•37 min•Ep. 405
Plymouth-based Rivian has a neat new trick to make it turn like a tank Allee Willis has died Not one, but two donut incidents in Detroit - and Detroit Police has a suspect Royal Oak delays the sale of recreational marijuana in their city Mt. Clemens wants to add an art space And Woodpile BBQ is finally going to open in Madison Heights
Dec 26, 2019•7 min•Ep. 404
We sit by the fire with the dog and talk all things Detroit - the year in review, the year ahead, some of our favorite stories and of course, well wishes and thanks for quite the year.
Dec 25, 2019•45 min•Ep. 403
If you’re looking for a bar that mixes Detroit iconography with midcentury modern (along with a dash of west coast garnish) you’ve found it in Hammer & Nail. Located in the old Carpenter’s Union building on Woodward across from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Hammer & Nail’s drink menu runs the gamut from the crafty to the accessible, venerable, inexpensive beer. So the other day we (Randy Walker, Sven Gustafson and Devon O'Reilly) talked to the General Manager, Rick Paulger, about what ...
Dec 23, 2019•20 min•Ep. 402
On your Daily Detroit for Friday, December 20, 2019: 46 people have been arrested in Warren as part of a major sting operation. The U.S. Steel plant on Zug Island is laying off more than 1,500 people. The Second Avenue bridge over I-94 in Midtown Detroit is crumbling, and closing earlier than expected. Sports betting and online gambling will be legal in Michigan. You might be able to get in the action in time for March Madness. And there’s a Michigan company, Refraction AI, piloting autonomous d...
Dec 20, 2019•14 min•Ep. 401
Episode 400! W00t! On today's show we do a big roundup of the things happening around town. Some highlights: There's a new Trump Administration program that aims to fight violent crime in the city, called Operation Relentless Pursuit. However, in a city like Detroit, it can bring up memories of STRESS, a terrible time in the city's early 70s. Here's the announcement in Attorney General William Barr's own words. Here's background on STRESS from the Crimetown podcast. Ooops, they demo'd again. Her...
Dec 19, 2019•15 min•Ep. 400
You know, we spend a lot of time in the city. but more and more - mostly by popular demand - we’re venturing into the suburbs. It’s a running gag among my friends that once I cross 8 Mile or west of Wyoming or Telegraph, that I start to turn to dust and blow away into thin air. But this simply isn’t the case. Today, the show ventures to the west downtown of Dearborn. The Longboard by Jolly Pumpkin is on Michigan Avenue is a new entrant to the Metro Detroit cuisine game, and they have an interest...
Dec 18, 2019•12 min•Ep. 400
Today we’re discussing the news that Ford will invest $1.45 billion into plants in Wayne and Dearborn to build the new 2020 Bronco and the Ranger small pickup truck. Both are resuscitations of beloved automotive brands that went away for the past couple of decades. Then, Jer tells us about his visit to the new Rocket Fiber broadcast studio at the Detroit Pistons’ new training facility in the New Center Techtown. And staying with sportsball, we check in with our sports correspondent, Fletcher Sha...
Dec 17, 2019•24 min•Ep. 399
On today’s episode of Daily Detroit, we’re taking a look at the new and interesting things happening in Detroit’s dining and drinks scene. There’s been so much going on it’s hard to keep up, so join Devon, Sven and Randy to talk about what’s hot and what’s not around town. That way, you know what to check out and where to spend your hard-earned dollars. Some of the places we talk about include: Bucharest, Bobcat Bonnies, Balkan House, The Highlands and Hearth 71, Leila, Longboard, a variety of c...
Dec 16, 2019•28 min•Ep. 398
There's a new taproom and brewery in Detroit's Islandview Neighborhood - Brewery FaisAn. The space - with tables made of reclaimed wood from the Packard Plant, a big roll-up door, and a wide selection of house-made beers - looks to be a place to have a lot of fun in the coming years. So on today's show, Sven heads down to 1087 Beaufait Street in Detroit to talk to co-founder Rachel Szlaga about what they're doing and, of course, to try a few beers. Cheers! Here's a link to their website: https:/...
Dec 13, 2019•20 min•Ep. 397
On today's show: The Conners Creek Power Plant (what's left of it) is coming down Friday. Detroit City FC joins a pro league! Bobcat Bonnie's is opening a new outpost for their local empire, at Partridge Creek mall Then we get into your weekend plans! We have a pop-up podcasting happy hour on Friday (tomorrow!) from 4-7p at Hammer and Nail. Here's the Facebook event. https://www.facebook.com/events/450555065871093/ Also - The Detroit Party Marching Band is celebrating 10 years at Detroit Sanctua...
Dec 12, 2019•14 min•Ep. 396