Welcome to Friday, comrades. On today’s show, we air an overdue remembrance and tribute to John Thompson, a quintessential Detroiter and giant of a human being who was the original owner of legendary watering hole Honest?John’s. (Close observers will note that Thompson passed away last months and we are late to the game. That’s true. This segment got lost in the shuffle, and we’re a small and often overburdened team. But we still felt strongly that we needed to eulogize him.)
Aug 21, 2020•20 min•Ep. 574
On today’s show, Tom Lawrence, Daily Detroit’s resident Downriver Tech Guru and principal of Lawrence Systems , joins Jer to talk about some controversial location-tracking software being used by some local colleges as part of coronavirus safeguards. Tom’s always a good listen. Also, the state on Thursday announced a $600 million settlement for civil litigation stemming from the Flint Water Crisis. Most of the money is targeted for minors who were at the most risk from lead contamination. We dis...
Aug 20, 2020•23 min•Ep. 573
Happy Hump Day. Today, Jer speaks with Dr. Paul Thomas of Plum Health Direct Primary Care all about Michigan State University’s announcement that it’s going 100% virtual instruction this fall and encouraging students to stay home and not move into dorms. It got me thinking about the Twitter thread below, about the difficulties universities face in opting to pull the plug on in-person instruction this fall. Also today, the city of Detroit plans a big memorial day Aug. 31 on Belle Isle to honor th...
Aug 19, 2020•27 min•Ep. 572
School’s about to be back in session, and for many students, the new school year begins from home. That’s frankly stressing the hell out of many parents, who must contend with supervising their children’s online learning while continuing their own efforts to work from home and manage daily household matters. So to get some ideas on how to cope, we hit up Karen Liska Evans , a friend of the pod and coach who’s literally writing a book on working from home with kids . She offers some great tips fo...
Aug 18, 2020•28 min•Ep. 571
Back from the rolling Pennsylvania highlands, I join Jer again in our daily Starsky and Hutch routine to run down what’s happening around town. So what’s happening around town, you ask? Well, Macomb County is now driving the bus on coronavirus infections in metro Detroit, yay? The Legislature has approved bills tying funding to public schools’ coronavirus efforts, parents in Livonia are protesting against virtual instruction for their kids’ school, the MAGA Cruise on Saturday may have spread mor...
Aug 17, 2020•24 min•Ep. 570
Today on your Daily Detroit, we talk about voting. How to make your voice heard in the context of an election during a pandemic, while dealing with a shaky-at-best, defunded postal service. Plus how to put your shoulder to the wheel as a poll worker to help make democracy go with Laura Khalil . She’s someone who has been a poll worker themself so has gone through the process. Here's a link to the map to find your ballot drop-off box in Michigan: https://datastudio.google.com/u/0/reporting/4a9e9f...
Aug 14, 2020•19 min•Ep. 569
On today’s Daily Detroit: We gotta catch up on what’s happening with Coronavirus in the state. There’s a few stories, including a case spike. Plus, planning on an autonomous vehicle corridor from Detroit to Ann Arbor is moving forward. Royal Oak is banning gay conversion therapy. More: https://www.dailytribune.com/news/local/royal-oak-latest-city-to-ban-gay-conversion-therapy/article_6d6b0e5c-dcad-11ea-9a55-f3355ee17458.html And local pizza chains Buddy’s and Domino’s are hiring like crazy in th...
Aug 13, 2020•19 min•Ep. 568
A lawsuit seeks to end sales taxes on tampons and feminine products in Michigan. More: https://19thnews.org/2020/08/michigans-tampon-tax-challenged-lawsuit/ People have lost their jobs over the fallout from the phallic cake incident in Macomb County. Will the Coroner be next? A new report asks big questions about the campaign spending of the Wayne County Sheriff. More: https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/wayne-county-sheriff-benny-napoleon-has-been-lavishing-his-campaign-funds-on-pretty-much-ever...
Aug 12, 2020•15 min•Ep. 567
Our stories: Amazon is taking over a large part of the state fairgrounds for a new facility and we're getting a new transit center out of it A historic armory on the riverfront has plans for a new lease on life In Roseville, a historic church has begun to come down A Chevy is a surprise as the fastest selling new vehicle in the country And Fletcher Sharpe joins us to talk about the BIG 10 plus what’s happening in soccer with local teams Detroit City FC and the Michigan Stars. Remember our new di...
Aug 11, 2020•18 min•Ep. 566
On today’s show, Jefferson Chalmers has a new, community-driven plan to redevelop this historic corner of Detroit’s east side. We dive in. Josh Elling of Jefferson East and Derric Scott of the East Jefferson Development Corporation joins us to talk about the master plan that was recently completed. It’s a big vision that includes everything from housing to groceries to the Vanity Ballroom. Have a look at that vision here: https://arcg.is/19u5a8 Learn more about Jefferson East, Inc.: https://www....
Aug 10, 2020•20 min•Ep. 565
We’re in the middle of a pandemic. But in many ways, it just exposed the weaknesses within the system we already have. My feature conversation is with Abdul El-Sayed. His views on politics, health, and our nation are a fresh take on what the potential of the country could be. Agree, or disagree with him - I think you’re going to want to hear what Abdul has to say. There’s a reason this former head of the Detroit Health Department, gubernatorial candidate and now author has been getting national ...
Aug 06, 2020•18 min•Ep. 564
On today’s show, we run down some of the big headlines from the Primary Election on Tuesday, including freshman U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Democratic primary challenge, the Oakland County Executive race and some notable results from the prosecutor races in Oakland and Macomb Counties. Plus, we cover a few state House primaries that listeners asked us to keep tabs on. Also, friend of the pod Dr. Paul Thomas of Plum Health Direct Primary Care joins us to talk the latest in coronavirus in Michigan a...
Aug 05, 2020•28 min•Ep. 563
Today on your Primary Election Day edition of your Daily Detroit, don’t forget to get out and exercise your freedom to vote, because Democracy hinges on it and also on robust participation. See, the scoundrels don’t want you to vote. It helps them slip their unpopular proposals into law. Also, we have a show for you today. We talk about: Michigan’s RT level, which measures the spread of the coronavirus, is now below 1, which suggests the spread is slowing in the Mitten, yay. The Macomb County Me...
Aug 04, 2020•21 min•Ep. 562
Bill Shea of the Athletic joins us to talk about his piece in the Athletic covering the crowdfunding campaign Detroit City FC is doing, why they're doing it and how legendary Detroit musician Iggy Pop is getting behind the cause. Bill Shea on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bill_Shea19 The piece on The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/1963172/2020/07/30/iggy-pop-is-leading-a-small-detroit-pro-soccer-clubs-ownership-sale-campaign/ A reminder that Daily Detroit is funded by our members. Join us at h...
Aug 03, 2020•11 min•Ep. 561
Skymint , a Michigan-based cannabis retailer, has opened its newest location in Hazel Park, brightening a forlorn stretch of John R with a gleaming, state-of-the-art weed store that frankly wouldn’t look out of place at Somerset Collection or any other upscale mall. We speak with Summer Ransom-Cleveland, the company’s president of retail, all about contemporary marijuana retail marketing, and with Joe Neller, chief government affairs officer and co-founder of Green Peak Innovations , Skymint’s v...
Jul 31, 2020•13 min•Ep. 560
The Ford Bronco is back - and it turns out there are some really interesting stories behind it. Former NPR reporter and audio storyteller Sonari Glinton joins us to talk about “Bring Back Bronco.” That's our feature conversation Then, I catch up with Sven Gustafson at Wanda Park in Ferndale to catch up on a couple stories you should know, including a suburban mayor who is embroiled in controversy and taking a step back when it comes to reopening. Two way to support us: 1) Free! Vote for us for b...
Jul 30, 2020•18 min•Ep. 559
Today’s show is in two parts. We’ll talk about the unemployment cliff and the PPP bridge to nowhere with Laura Khalil. Then, a Detroit City FC update on the men's and women's teams with Fletcher Sharpe. Reminder: Support us for best news and politics podcast, there are only a couple days left and it would really help out our little band: https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup/
Jul 29, 2020•19 min•Ep. 558
We’ve reported several times about the state’s plan to rebuild Interstate 375 as a grade-level boulevard complete with bike lanes, sidewalks, streetscaping and new buildable real estate. Now, Crain’s reports the plan has been inexplicably iced to at least 2027, unless Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan can convince officials not to delay it. On today’s show, we also discuss Ferndale’s nifty new drive-through voting initiative, plus Sterling Heights’ bid to become the U.S. Space Command, overseeing the ne...
Jul 28, 2020•16 min•Ep. 557
Hamtramck is the most population-dense - and possibly the most ethnically diverse - city in Michigan. But in its history has never passed a bond to support their schools. Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed joins me to talk about why she thinks the time is now, and what could be the oldest functioning elementary school in the state. Plus - You might think that during a pandemic people might stop buying homes. Nationally, that’s not the case; and for two local companies that ar...
Jul 27, 2020•15 min•Ep. 556
Welp. Operation LeGend, the Trump administration’s name for sending federal troops to cities to impose law and order that aren’t asking for any help, will come to Detroit after all. Sometime in the next three weeks, the latest news has it, heavily armed, camouflaged federal troops will descend on the Motor City. Recall that yesterday, Mayor Mike Duggan and Police Chief James Craig said basically, “Yeah, no thanks, we got this.” Should be fun. On today’s show, we follow a 2-minute speed round typ...
Jul 24, 2020•17 min•Ep. 555
Earlier this week, we told you about how President Trump casually mentioned the idea of sending in federal troops to cities including Detroit (“all run by liberal Democrats,” he sniffed), like he has done to quell protests in Portland, Ore. Yeah, well Mayor Mike Duggan and Police Chief James Craig have basically said thanks no thanks, we got it. “The Detroit Police Department has had the support of the Detroit community in making sure our City did not have a single store looted or a single fire ...
Jul 23, 2020•26 min•Ep. 554
Laura Khalil. She’s an experienced business coach and speaker who’s worked with brands big and small. Plus, she’s the host of the Brave By Design podcast. You can that find here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brave-by-design/id1494575902 She has some no-nonsense advice to help get through this ongoing Coronavirus crisis. After all, it’s going to be here awhile. We also talk about the implications of going completely cashless from a practical and equitable perspective. Some places are doi...
Jul 22, 2020•18 min•Ep. 553
On today's show: A daily Coronavirus status update and the Governor says we're at a "turning point." President Donald Trump says that Federal officers may be coming to Detroit and other "liberal Democrat" cities. This could be really bad. Detroit City Councilman Gabe Leland has been charged with felony misconduct in office, and resists resigning. GM is rolling out an electric pickup. Will people buy it? And recycling drop-off reopens in Oakland County. Like what we do? Become a member at http://...
Jul 21, 2020•16 min•Ep. 552
Today’s episode dives into Dan Gilbert’s Quicken Loans - or Rocket Companies, as they’re going to be called moving forward - filing for an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. Our guest expert is Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He helps unpack what’s happening now and what’s next. It’s not often that happens in Metro Detroit, so we wanted to dive in with an expert to understand the ramification for both the company and Detroit....
Jul 20, 2020•26 min•Ep. 551
Today's show is a break from the serious content as of late to enjoy some Michigan-made hard seltzers. After all, while we're socially distancing, we might want something to drink in our backyards. You don't have to imbibe White Claw for low-carb, fizzy alcoholic drinks. Why not support local companies? Of course, everyone knows White Claw. But how do our local options from across the mitten state stack up? Who do you wanna look for first on the shelves? We're about to find out in Fizz Fight 202...
Jul 17, 2020•33 min•Ep. 550
On today’s show: Coronavirus is back with a vengeance, and the governor says we’re at a turning point with the pandemic in Michigan. Even Tom Izzo is in the Mask Up Michigan game. Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group of France announced a new name for the combined company, "Stellantis." Detroit City FC Women’s soccer kicks off Friday. Fletcher Sharpe joins us for more. And a story of making a difference on the streets of Hamtramck with Frugal on the Fly’s Erica Owens.
Jul 16, 2020•21 min•Ep. 549
Ford finally unveiled the Bronco Family of three, new off-road SUVs on Monday, resuscitating the Bronco nameplate after more than 20 years in the wilderness via a series of videos . Here’s how Greg Migliore, editor-in-chief of Autoblog , described it to us: “It was genuinely an exciting moment for Ford, for enthusiasts and for the auto industry. I think almost everybody I know who is into cars, trucks, vehicles of any sort was excited about the Bronco last night. You don’t always see that.” We s...
Jul 15, 2020•22 min•Ep. 548
Big news in Detroit business as Manuel “Matty” Moroun, the self-made Arab-American billionaire trucking magnate and Ambassador Bridge owner, has died at the age of 93. Moroun leaves behind a complicated legacy in Detroit, rising from the son of Lebanese immigrants to a man known for throwing around lavish campaign contributions to politicians, defying government orders and for his non-stewardship of properties like the Michigan Central Station through decades of blight and decay. We discuss his ...
Jul 14, 2020•24 min•Ep. 547
We usually like to send you off on your merry weekend with lighthearted fare, but unfortunately, the coronavirus has roared back, and it literally touches everything about modern life. But the good news is, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not use her Thursday news conference to order a return to stay-at-home quarantine for Michigan. Yet. But she really, really wants you to wear a damn mask (our words not hers). So much so, there’s a new executive order. On today’s show, we discuss: The latest numbers ...
Jul 10, 2020•28 min•Ep. 546
We’ve talked about auto insurance reform in Michigan a few times on this show. I can remember back to a beautiful day on the porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac a little over a year ago, when I was with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and our legislative leaders who were hailing a deal that was supposed to save Michiganders money - which is a top concern among residents as we in Detroit and statewide pay the most for vehicle insurance in the nation. At the time, there was a lot of excitement by media...
Jul 09, 2020•26 min•Ep. 545
