On today's show: A proposal has gained steam to allow to-go cocktails and booze from bars in Michigan, as well as has legislative sponsors. Advocate and distiller Robyn Cleveland joins Jer to talk about it, what's next and what you can do if interested. Plus, Sven talks with Lisa Nuszkowski of MoGo about bike share in the region. What's next, how the pandemic has impacted their plans, and how people are still riding the service. Support our work: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit...
May 26, 2020•17 min•Ep. 513
On today's show: Michigan is opening up a little ahead of the holiday weekend. What are the details? Updated unemployment and Coronavirus numbers. The city of Detroit's population has been estimated by the U.S. Census to keep dropping - but the region is flat while the rest of the nation is growing. Meanwhile, we're adding more infrastructure for the same amount of people and act surprised when it costs more per person. Hamtramck's Labor Day Festival is canceled for this year. Author and journal...
May 22, 2020•21 min•Ep. 512
Well, just as Michigan slowly recovers from what everyone hopes is the worst effects of the global pandemic, devastating floods hit mid-Michigan. We bring you up to speed on that and Sven talks about the intense dam-building spree the country went through. We’ve got the latest coronavirus numbers from the state and city of Detroit. A new poll from the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Glengariff group looks at partisanship and the pandemic. Governor Whitmer has massive support among Democrats and...
May 21, 2020•23 min•Ep. 511
We bring you up to date on the latest numbers from the state and city of Detroit. We talk about the challenges businesses up north will face opening for memorial day weekend Voting by mail will be a thing this november Poop as a harbinger of a coronavirus second wave Oakland County will offer $30 million in Federal aid to local governments Dan Gilbert wins a federal contract to oversee contact tracing We’ve got news about some business openings and closings and the annual Theater Bizarre hallowe...
May 20, 2020•17 min•Ep. 510
On today's show: The northern part of Michigan is beginning to reopen on Friday, while Metro Detroit is still seeing a percentage increase in COVID-positive tests. Are the flu and coronavirus comparable? The data points to a definite no. We’ll talk about it. Background: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/05/the-flu-has-killed-2200-michiganders-since-2000-coronavirus-topped-that-in-a-month.html Bottle deposits aren’t happening, and you’ve got a growing stack in your garage. What to do? Ba...
May 19, 2020•24 min•Ep. 509
In previous episodes, we looked at how the Coronavirus could impact Education in ways beyond social distancing. And then Sven did a deep-dive into live music and venues. Today, restaurants and bars. Eater’s Brenna Houck joins me to talk about the latest from a big-picture perspective and what could be ahead for some of our favorite places to grab a bite. Then, I’ll share a few things to know today: On Sunday, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, the City of Detroit preliminari...
May 18, 2020•24 min•Ep. 508
Today's show is a deep-dive into the impact of the Coronavirus on the music industry, musicians, and venues. First, Sven Gustafson sets the table on what's going on. Then two feature conversations: Dan McGowan, the Managing Partner of Crofoot Presents. He owns the Crofoot in downtown Pontiac and does promotions for a number of venues. Then, Steve Nawara, a longtime Detroit musician with credits that include the Detroit Cobras.
May 15, 2020•28 min•Ep. 507
On today's show: 1:02 An update on where we stand on the Coronavirus statewide 6:05 The City of Detroit is greatly expanding testing, finding out some trends and will offer testing to barber shops, salons and dentists when they open 11:05 A protest is planned in the Capitol - again - and this time there would be arrests if people brandish weapons 14:05 The Coronavirus is decimating Michigan's budget, and one of the worst-hit areas could be our schools. Ron French from Bridge Magazine joins us to...
May 14, 2020•28 min•Ep. 506
Welcome to your Wednesday Hump Day edition of your Daily Detroit. Today we’re tackling: Metro Times is out with a shocking story about violent threats made against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on several private Facebook groups. It comes as an armed rally is once again being planned for the state Capitol building in Lansing on Thursday. Some vacant Art Van furniture stores will be reborn as Loves Furniture, with about 1,000 people hired to staff them. The Archdiocese of Detroit has set dates for reopen...
May 13, 2020•25 min•Ep. 505
One of the things the Coronavirus pandemic has meant is that people have had to innovate and adapt to a quickly changing world. With the aim of keeping people employed, one of those founders and companies doing that is Better Life Bags, based in the enclave of Hamtramck. The custom bag company has grown over the years using social media and has put people to work in their local community, all the while adding to Detroit’s fabric of fashion businesses and nonprofits. I also talk with founder Rebe...
May 12, 2020•15 min•Ep. 504
What can the past teach us about what we’re dealing with today? Our conversation today is with Tim Kiska from the Detroit History Podcast. They recently put out a great special episode talking about the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and how it hit Detroit. History may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme. So it’s uncanny how many echoes there are today that are from a century ago. We dive into that and more with Tim. Have a listen in the player at the bottom of your screen and check out the Detroit ...
May 11, 2020•24 min•Ep. 503
May 08, 2020•13 min•Ep. 502
On today’s show, there is more Coronavirus news to update you on, plus other stories: Detroit is getting a better hold on the virus thanks to testing. But, the disease is spreading west, MLive has a great interactive map to show how counties near Grand Rapids are seeing an uptick in cases. Link: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/05/eight-weeks-after-michigans-first-coronavirus-cases-an-animated-map-tracks-its-spread-through-the-state.html Mayor Mike Duggan says that Detroit’s three casi...
May 07, 2020•11 min•Ep. 501
One of Detroit’s most well-known and well-loved local businesses is Avalon International Breads. So for episode 500 of the podcast is my conversation with owner and co-founder Jackie Victor. The bread in their ovens, like the business, is slowly beginning to rise again. But what shape will the future take? And how might they get there in these uncertain times? And when might we see chocolate chip sea salt cookies again? We're on Apple Podcasts and wherever fine podcasts are found: https://podcas...
May 06, 2020•17 min•Ep. 500
On today's show, a bunch of Coronavirus quick updates, plus: Beaumont Wayne is reopening The Sterling Heights PD wants Segways Leila in downtown Detroit gets a nod from GQ as one of the best restaurants in the U.S. And, Brian Allnutt from Planet Detroit gives us an update on what's happening with Belle Isle and flooding. More: https://planetdetroit.substack.com/p/flooding-on-belle-isle-has-resumed Like what we're doing? Consider becoming a member. http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit...
May 05, 2020•12 min•Ep. 499
You may have heard that our food system is in dire straits, with shortages of chicken, beef and pork looming because several meat processing plants have temporarily shuttered due to the coronavirus. And that President Trump has gotten involved. On today’s show, we break down what that’s all about, and we speak with James Rigato, the chef and owner of celebrated restaurant Mabel Gray. Rigato recently took to Instagram to discuss the issue, and on today’s show, he offers his expert perspective, al...
May 04, 2020•21 min•Ep. 498
On today's show: Armed gunmen protest in the statehouse in Lansing. Sven Gustafson talks about it. Governor Whitmer has extended her order closing a number of places of public accommodation until May 28. This includes places like theaters, bars and casinos - and limits restaurants to carry out and delivery. Alibaba executive and owner of the Brooklyn Nets, Joe Tsai, is donating a lot of PPE to Detroit. And Randy Walker joins me to talk about our favorite places for takeout around town that we've...
May 01, 2020•17 min•Ep. 497
On today’s show, some coronavirus-related automotive news for you. Ford posted a hefty, $2 billion loss for the first quarter, blaming it on the coronavirus and related production shutdowns. It also said the second quarter will be far worse, when it expects to post a $5 billion pre-tax loss. Lincoln also made a surprise announcement that it’s canceling plans to develop its first electric vehicle with EV startup Rivian because of the “current environment,” with production shut down and cash leaki...
Apr 30, 2020•13 min•Ep. 496
Today on your Daily Detroit, a three-parter. We interview Fletcher Sharpe for a rundown about Detroit City FC’s spring season being canceled and the status of the women’s team, which is supposed to launch its inaugural season this spring. Then, Cristina Sheppard-Decius of the East and West Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities joins us to discuss a new small-business and sole-proprietor grant program being offered in the city. The window to apply for them opened Monday and closes at noon Fri...
Apr 29, 2020•19 min•Ep. 495
What’s a bar to do when you launched a couple of years ago, you feel like you’ve got a handle on running the place — but then the world turns upside down? Innovate and hold on for the ride, if you can. To talk about how to do that, our guest on Daily Detroit is Kevin Peterson from Castalia Cocktails. That’s a basement bar in a historic building that shares space with a fragrance shop - Sfumato - in Midtown Detroit. A link to Castalia: http://www.castaliacocktails.com We're member-supported media...
Apr 28, 2020•18 min•Ep. 494
The Paycheck Protection Program, providing forgivable, federally backed loans to businesses to keep people employed - opened for applications today with a new round of funding - $310 billion. That’s on top of $350 billion issued two weeks ago. And that first round? Well, it had some issues, to say the least. Some rather large companies got loans, and many small businesses just were shut out. Many of the hardest-hit states got some of the least aid. So with this in the news (and so many businesse...
Apr 27, 2020•17 min•Ep. 493
While we're all under a stay at home order, it can be a real challenge to deal with work life, home life, kids and all of that. So we got some tips to help you handle it from Karen Liska. She works at Detroit Labs and is a coach at HoneySpace in Ferndale who helps people get things done. You can follow her on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/KarenEvansTM And LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenevans/ Our show is people-powered. Join us as a member at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit...
Apr 24, 2020•20 min•Ep. 492
On today's show: Coronavirus Crisis confirmed numbers update There are new state unemployment numbers The Detroit Public Schools are getting more than 50,000 tablets for distance learning. Detroit summer programming will be closed, but parks will remain open. Republicans in the state legislature are working to strip the Governor’s emergency powers, wanting to open the economy faster. An industry group says that restaurants have lost $1.2B in sales and a quarter-million jobs. A report says that D...
Apr 23, 2020•11 min•Ep. 491
Some think Coronavirus and COVID-19 is a "Detroit" or "Southeast Michigan" problem. But with a lack of access to health care, an older population, and risk factors like tobacco use and poverty, rural and outstate Michigan could get devastated by COVID-19. To talk about it is Citizens Research Council of Michigan Research Associate Tim Michling. He had an eye-opening piece that might put things in a bit more perspective. You can read it here: https://crcmich.org/all-of-michigan-still-at-risk-from...
Apr 22, 2020•20 min•Ep. 490
There are so many stories coming out of Detroit around the Coranvirus pandemic. And those stories at HuffPost are being written by local voices. To discuss what they found and what's happening on the ground, HuffPost Senior National Correspondent Jonathan Cohn talks about the work the reporting team did. Here's background reading material to dive in even more: What It’s Like To Have Cancer In The Middle Of A Pandemic The Last 16 Days Of Robert Beaupre’s Life Hospice Workers Adapt To Provide End-...
Apr 21, 2020•26 min•Ep. 489
On today's show, some top-line updates from the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit, plus, we break down a big poll released by the Detroit Regional Chamber about the statewide economic impact of the Coronavirus crisis. Among other highlights, it shows 29% of Michiganders aren't working, and that those adults 39 and younger are getting hit very hard economically and are having more trouble filing for unemployment. There are also large gaps in unemployment in the state, with areas like Trav...
Apr 20, 2020•16 min•Ep. 488
A bonus weekend episode that's around the virtual bonfire. We talk about our favorite cocktails we're drinking and share stories of how our listeners say they're coping with the Coronavirus crisis.
Apr 19, 2020•33 min•Ep. 487
Lace up your New Balances and go on a run with Sven Gustafson as he talks about the ways the Coronavirus may change us as a society - and the ways it already has. Then Jer will run down some top-line things you should know around town. Here's Sven's original essay that was adapted for audio: https://8woodblog.com/for-better-or-worse-the-coronavirus-will-change-us/ Here's our Patreon if you want to support the project: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit...
Apr 17, 2020•11 min•Ep. 486
Whether it’s conspiracy theories like those around 5g, or the willful refusal to believe objective facts when it comes to the pandemic, today we talk about confirmation bias and how folks try to assemble meaning to things. This happens often when there is none. After all, sometimes, we just don’t know stuff. But for some, that’s not O.K. to admit. And when these online conspiracies are turned to action, it can put other people and property in danger. think folks ignoring social distancing guidel...
Apr 16, 2020•21 min•Ep. 485
Today we’ve got an all-headlines edition of your Daily Detroit. We run down the latest numbers on confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths from the state, and we discuss the “Operation Gridlock” protest organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition today in Lansing. The group urged participants to protest what they see as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s overly restrictive stay-at-home order from their vehicles, but hundreds spilled out onto the Capitol grounds anyway, many not wearing masks and ignorin...
Apr 15, 2020•14 min•Ep. 484
