Michigan sets another record with COVID-19 cases. A challenge in court that would have stopped certification of Detroit's vote count falls flat on its face because the people challenging didn't even bother to go to the orientation, so didn't know what they're talking about. The Platform has two different developments going in. One in the city's Techtown/Midtown area, and the other in Old Redford. The Detroit Dog Rescue is putting together their new space on the west side, complete with doggy mat...
Nov 13, 2020•20 min•Ep. 634
Nov 12, 2020•28 min•Ep. 633
By popular demand, Steve Friess from Newsweek and Hour Detroit returns for a big episode on where we're at in Metro Detroit, Michigan and somewhat nationally with the election. There isn't evidence of voter fraud in Michigan's election so far. Especially in any sorts of numbers that make a difference. But it's an axe that seems won't stop being ground. Newsweek article of his we reference near the end: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-has-70-days-undermine-joe-biden-even-if-he-eventually-co...
Nov 11, 2020•31 min•Ep. 632
On today's show, Fletcher Sharpe steps up to the plate to talk about: MSU Basketball Coach Tom Izzo's COVID-19 diagnosis MSU Football U-M Football Should you watch other Michigan teams instead? The wayward Detroit Lions The Detroit Tigers new pitching coach who is a familiar face to Michiganders You can follow Fletcher Sharpe on Twitter: @SaintFDW
Nov 10, 2020•15 min•Ep. 631
The Coronavirus pandemic is still here. And it's raging at levels higher than when we were locked down. With nearly 14,000 cases since Friday and almost 130 deaths - not to mention the rising hospitalization and outbreak numbers - we need to be careful. What's the situation, what's next, and what are some answers to listener questions? Dr. Paul Thomas from Plum Health Direct Primary Care joins us to dive in. Don't forget that if you find value in what we do there's a couple things you can do. 1)...
Nov 09, 2020•21 min•Ep. 630
Our feature conversation with Ben Eisen, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has an interesting story focused on Detroit. "A Broken Mortgage Market Strands Detroit’s Black Residents," dives into the logjam that is buying a house with a loan in Detroit, its causes, and what people are doing to try and improve it. Plus, the state crossed 200,000 COVID-19 cases and we have a slew of updates from a mask mandate idea being shot down by the incoming Speaker of the State House; U of M is going remote th...
Nov 06, 2020•15 min•Ep. 629
Nov 05, 2020•19 min•Ep. 628
Today's show is a look into what we know so far around the election with Steve Friess of Newsweek and Hour Detroit. We try to unpack it using what we know so far. Topics include: Polling was way off on the local level The race for president in Michigan was far closer than people expected Gary Peters and John James were in a very close Senate race Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens hold on Trump may lose the presidency but he's not going away Voter priorities are different than what many expected i...
Nov 05, 2020•43 min•Ep. 627
Nov 03, 2020•7 min•Ep. 626
Nov 02, 2020•18 min•Ep. 625
Today’s show is in three acts: Dr. Paul Thomas from Plum Health Direct Primary Care on why we're back in COVID-19 outbreak status in Michigan and what's next. Dr. Thomas on Twitter: @PlumHealthDPC Fletcher Sharpe on A.J. Hinch and the new G-league basketball team in town, the Motor City Cruise. They're going to play at Wayne State's new arena. Fletch on Twitter: @SaintFDW And what to drink this fall? We have 5 Michigan beers to check out with Devon O’Reilly. Beers include: La Parcella (Jolly Pum...
Oct 30, 2020•29 min•Ep. 624
On today’s show: Some pandemic restrictions are put back in place as the virus spreads, deaths rise and COVIDACTNOW lists Michigan as in COVID-19 outbreak status. A judge has ruled in favor of guns in polling places. But that fight isn’t over yet and in a new poll, Michiganders are clear where they stand. A popular restaurant chain has new owners. And our feature today is on the economy. A Coronavirus financial backstop is not coming from the federal government anytime soon, and unemployment is ...
Oct 29, 2020•25 min•Ep. 623
The city of Detroit has been watched closely by those interested and involved in the cannabis industry. Due to the city’s size and voters overwhelming approval of recreational marijuana - almost 70 percent of residents were behind it in 2018 - The Motor City will almost assuredly become the hub of recreational weed in Michigan. But the city has taken awhile to draw up local rules, getting a proposed ordinance together just this week. So what is on the table? And how does it aim to ensure Detroit...
Oct 28, 2020•22 min•Ep. 622
Detroit’s the crucible of the car in America, but the city is trying to make the streets better for the people who live here. That’s at the heart of a new program focused on those who walk, bike, take transit, or simply want their kids to have a safer neighborhood. On top of the nice-to-haves, the reality is that 100,000 Detroit residents who are old enough to have drivers licenses do not; and a quarter of households have no access to a car. Caitlin Malloy-Marcon joins me from the Detroit Depart...
Oct 27, 2020•15 min•Ep. 621
Oct 26, 2020•14 min•Ep. 620
Hudson’s was a name at the center of Detroit life for decades. And their flagship store on Woodward loomed over downtown until it was demolished in 1998. I remember that day because I worked it for a local TV station. Street after street was covered in dust, and it was a quick, final end to the second largest and tallest department store in the country. According to HistoricDetroit.org, it was a behemoth. We talked about the height. But the three electric transformers inside could supply enough ...
Oct 23, 2020•18 min•Ep. 619
On today's show: COVID cases are surging here in Metro Detroit. And there's no wall around the city, so there's concern there, too. Yes, the mail has been slower lately according to a new report. Business, hospital system and university leaders are calling for a cease-fire on lawsuits to try and repeal health orders to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Basically - they say working together works to slow the spread, and that current orders should be allowed to stand. The DIA has a new exhibit co...
Oct 22, 2020•14 min•Ep. 618
There’s a new MI COVID app for your phone . It’s to help with contact tracing, something that experts say will help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Is this a good idea? How will this help? Is your privacy at stake? Plus - more and more restaurants are doing tents and domes for dining as the weather comes. How should you treat them? Dr. Paul Thomas and technologist Tom Lawrence join me. Dr. Paul Thomas on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlumHealthDPC Tom Lawrence: https://twitter.com/TomLawre...
Oct 21, 2020•20 min•Ep. 617
If you’re a long time listener to this show, you may have caught on that one of the reasons we’re here is a love of places. Specifically our places. The Detroit tri-county area includes, well, three counties, made up of more than 130 cities, townships and villages. And yes, even part of a ghost town. You could zoom in again and see countless neighborhoods and block clubs and associations - all the way down to the street you see out your window. In these places, there are stories wherever you loo...
Oct 20, 2020•26 min•Ep. 616
Michigan is seeing more Coronavirus cases and the tri-county area is no exception The US/Canada border closure is extended through November 21 A couple of Michigan businesses got national media attention: - The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor was featured in an ad for Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Link: https://youtu.be/SW86jyTsYe4 - Farmington Hills based Five Hour Energy was spoofed by Saturday Night Live. Link: https://youtu.be/OP0H0j4pCOg The Woodbridge neighborhood in Detroit is getting new housin...
Oct 19, 2020•16 min•Ep. 615
Oct 16, 2020•20 min•Ep. 614
Eastern Market, to put it bluntly, has gone through a lot of changes recently. Although many come to it on Saturdays and know it through the public markets, there’s much more to one of Detroit’s historic districts, like food wholesalers, butchers, packers and distributors. In the last few years, there were shops and restaurants - that although their places were loved, the owners wanted to retire and few were interested in taking over. Some, there was a lot of controversy and attention when they ...
Oct 15, 2020•16 min•Ep. 613
What to know around Metro Detroit: We give an update on the latest Coronavirus numbers as cases and hospitalizations continue to trend up; Share where to get tested for free in Macomb County; Run down a series of bill the state legislature passed around the pandemic; Update you on news the U.S. Supreme Court is upholding a directive to stop census counting on October 15 which will impact Detroit and urban areas around the country; WXYZ-TV has the harrowing tale of a man physically hurt by Taylor...
Oct 14, 2020•22 min•Ep. 612
On today’s podcast – a chat with author Angie Schmitt. Her book – “Right of way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America” looks at how our built environment – and choices to buy ever-larger vehicles – have led to more inequity and more pedestrian deaths to the point it’s a public health crisis. Link, use promo code “Schmitt”: https://islandpress.org/books/right-way We’ll dive in and talk about a change the city of Detroit made to make things far better for those who ...
Oct 13, 2020•20 min•Ep. 611
Michigan is now at risk of a Coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Paul Thomas helps us break down why and what’s next for this pivotal week; including why herd immunity - as suggested by some local leaders - would be a very deadly path to go down. Plus; hundreds of thousands of michiganders could see their records expunged, including those for marijuana offenses Fines have been issued around the recent land collapse into the Detroit river A creek in Warren has been cleaned up A new Buddy’s is opening in Tr...
Oct 12, 2020•25 min•Ep. 610
Oct 09, 2020•17 min•Ep. 609
On today's Daily Detroit: A plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been stopped, with charges against six men; as well as seven others for a plot to attack the State capitol. Plus, conservative hoaxers were arraigned for voter intimidation of Detroiters. And a deep-dive conversation with Steve Friess of Newsweek and Hour Detroit. He’s back to talk to intelligently talk about the prospects of races for two local U.S. House seats (held by Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stephens), as well as the ra...
Oct 08, 2020•26 min•Ep. 608
On your Daily Detroit: Technology expert Tom Lawrence joins me to cut through the clutter on a move by AT&T to no longer offer DSL service. It has a pretty big impact here in Michigan as their alternate service - Fiber - isn’t available to most of their homes. And considering everyone’s working from home, schooling from home, it puts a number of communities at a big disadvantage. Ars Technica story: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/10/life-in-atts-slow-lane-millions-left-without-fibe...
Oct 07, 2020•20 min•Ep. 607
Today’s show is a deep-dive with Sonya Mays. She heads up the non-profit development firm, Develop Detroit. And I’m going to focus on one word here - non-profit. Which means they need to have a community mission. Because when it comes to Detroit’s nascent comeback, firms that think about more than the bottom line might be something to look at as a model. This is done in other cities, but is still in the early stages of getting traction here. And we’ll talk about how the new Detroit Housing For T...
Oct 06, 2020•20 min•Ep. 606
Oct 05, 2020•28 min•Ep. 605