Daily Detroit
The show for everyone who chooses Detroit! Every day, we share what to know and where to go in Southeast Michigan. Keep up on what matters, who's interesting, and what's happening around town. What's that new thing being built? What's the best food in town? Who are the most interesting people? What are the best stories? Our all-local independent podcast talks about what pushes Detroit and Southeast Michigan forward. Produced by your neighbors in the city of Detroit, serving the region. Posts every weekday in time for your commute home.
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Inside Detroit’s High School for Future Pilots
03/19/2026
Inside Detroit’s High School for Future Pilots
On today’s Daily Detroit, we’re talking about what it really looks like when a public school system bets big on kids — and on the skies. We're joined at the table by Principal Michelle Davis of Davis Aerospace Technical High School and Kerrie Mitchell Campbell‑Mabins, president and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation. Davis Aerospace is the only aviation‑themed high school on this side of the state, and their students aren’t just reading about planes — they’re earning FAA drone certifications, logging at least 40 flight hours, and in some cases getting a pilot’s license before a driver’s license. The school owns three Cessnas, is moving back into a newly reimagined Detroit City Airport terminal, and pairs that rigor with hot chocolate bars, a “Zen den,” low chronic absenteeism, and a 100% graduation rate. We also get into how the DPSCD Foundation is scaling support across 105 schools and 49,000 students, from transforming Cooley High into an athletic complex to a coming high school redesign that builds real career and college pathways. If you care about Detroit’s future, these are the kids — and the adults — to watch.
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Detroit’s Energy Is Rising (With Some Wild Trivia, Too)
03/18/2026
Detroit’s Energy Is Rising (With Some Wild Trivia, Too)
On today’s Daily Detroit, we’re coming to you from the speakeasy at the Lager House in Corktown, recorded on St. Patrick's Day and fresh off a jam-packed 313 Day. Jer is joined by the Prince of Brightmoor himself, Norris Howard, and engineer of audio and alcohol, Randy Walker, to unpack a very Detroit kind of day: part policy, part party, all love for the city. We start with the reopening of the Belle Isle Casino and what more than $7 million in investment means for the island, neighborhood parks, and why the state partnership has quietly reshaped how Detroit maintains its public spaces. From there, we talk 313 Day specials (yes, Vernors at McDonald’s), Boston Coolers, and surviving the wind without losing power. We talk about the Detroit Impact Conference with the Ross School of Business, where keeping more University of Michigan grads in-state is the goal — and how local businesses are tapping MBA talent to fill real gaps. We close out sharing some fun facts from our 313-themed trivia night at Tocororo in Eastern Market, with legendary team names like “Ken Cockrel Jr. Jr.” and a deep dive into the Aviation Subdivision, corned beef egg rolls, and the very real legacy of Detroit’s Chinatown via food. Plus, we look ahead to a future Detroit City FC stadium in Corktown, why cities are supposed to be busy, and what it means to truly choose Detroit. There's a ton more content in our live stream, where we were joined by Devon O'Reilly: Of course, follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.
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Detroit’s New Housing Playbook: Faster Permits to Build (and Fix) More Homes
03/16/2026
Detroit’s New Housing Playbook: Faster Permits to Build (and Fix) More Homes
Detroit’s recently elected mayor, Mary Sheffield, says the city is done making people wait on the city a month or more for basic home repairs and new construction permits. In this episode, I take you inside the new four‑point “housing playbook” to speed up renovations and build more single‑family homes across Detroit. You’ll hear how same‑day permits are supposed to work, why the city is betting on pre‑approved home design templates, and what that could mean for the hundreds of thousands of homes Detroit has lost over the decades. If you're interested in the city as a contractor, developer, official, or most importantly, resident or someone who'd like to live here some day... you'll want to tune in. Feedback as always: Support the work:
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Happy 313 Day! Plus St. Patrick's Day Prep (and more)
03/13/2026
Happy 313 Day! Plus St. Patrick's Day Prep (and more)
Detroit’s favorite hyperlocal holiday meets peak cozy season in this Daily Detroit conversation between Jer and Mr. Friday himself, Devon O’Reilly. Recorded for 313 Day, we dig into how to truly “do something Detroit” – from Belle Isle memories to where to spend your time and money in the city right now. We start with the reopening of the Belle Isle Casino as a public event space, swapping stories about hot dogs, model boats, and why “casino” never meant hitting the slots on the island. Then it’s on to St. Patrick’s Day strategy: the Corktown parade, why “Saint Practice Day” is ridiculous, and Devon’s must-have drink list; plus how to make easy, affordable Irish comfort food like corned beef in the slow cooker, shepherd’s pie, and stout-heavy stew. Foodwise, we get into the cheap and cheerful $10 New York-style halal plate at Halal Desi in Hamtramck as a true “port in the storm,” while Devon goes all-in on a special-occasion splurge at Prime + Proper – and wrestles with whether ultra-pricey steaks are really worth it in a world of diminishing returns. They also talk oysters, Voyager in Ferndale, and mre. The episode wraps on “cozy” vibes, from the closure of Caribou Coffee’s drive-through-only locations to the rise of Lucky Coffee and making better coffee at home, plus plans for 313 Day trivia and maybe even a future Hazen Pingree birthday party? The Rundown: 01:25 - Happy 313 Day and St. Patrick's Day talk 11:38 - Where we've been cheap and cheerful and super swanky 11:51 - Halal Desi NY Gyro 13:20 - Devon went to Prime and Proper 18:26 - Caribou Coffee closing in Allen Park and Ferndale
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Street Names, Sidewalk Repairs, and Why Detroit’s Creative Work Needs You
03/11/2026
Street Names, Sidewalk Repairs, and Why Detroit’s Creative Work Needs You
The rundown: 05:08 - So how do we say those Detroit street names? We react. 08:25 - City of Detroit Budget talk: More sidewalk repairs, more money for transit, and a property tax cut 14:09 - It's important to support our creative work in the city, it can't live on grants alone. Two pieces in Outlier made us think.
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Why Restaurateur Billy Dec Is Betting Big on Detroit
03/10/2026
Why Restaurateur Billy Dec Is Betting Big on Detroit
Detroit is having a moment — and Sunda New Asian wants to be part of it. On today’s Daily Detroit, I talk with restaurateur and CEO Billy Dec about why he chose to open Sunda’s newest location in the District Detroit, right across from Comerica Park. We get into his intentional path from Chicago to Nashville to Tampa and now Detroit, and why this city’s spirit reminds him of Chicago’s rise some years ago. Our conversation touches on the generational ties between Michigan and Chicago, the data and “tea leaves” that pointed toward Detroit’s growth, and the role of private investment and gritty civic pride in making it all real. Billy also shares with me how his Filipino roots, Southeast Asian travels, and a lifetime in hospitality show up in the design of Sunda’s new space — from the island bar with “flower rain” overhead to the sake wall inspired by a hidden Tokyo spot and capiz shells over the sushi bar. It’s a look at Detroit’s current wave of development through the eyes of someone betting on the city, and bringing a deeply personal food story along for the ride. Plus, we talk about the dishes from Longevity Noodles to a Sweet Potato Caterpillar, and drinks like their Lychee Martini and Ube Espresso Martini. Key topics: Why Sunda’s expansion from Chicago to Nashville, Tampa, and now Detroit has been very intentional. The long-running Michigan–Chicago connection in hospitality and how loyal guests moving back home helped pull Sunda to Detroit. What Billy saw in Detroit’s data and “on the ground” energy that convinced him the city is in a historically significant moment. The impact of private investment, local developers, and a unified civic spirit on Detroit’s growth. How the new Sunda space in District Detroit was designed: island bar with a disappearing wall, floral installation blending Sampaguita, cherry blossoms, and Michigan’s apple blossom, and an immersive sake wall. The influence of Billy’s Filipino heritage and Southeast Asian travels on Sunda’s design and menu philosophy. Why he wants Detroiters to “backpack through” Southeast Asia via the menu — and maybe book a real-life trip after. Sunda New Asian: Local media needs local support to thrive. Support our work on Patreon: If you don't already, make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you get your shows!
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Great Lakes Cuisine & Guns and Butter’s Detroit Comeback w/ Chef Craig Lieckfelt
03/09/2026
Great Lakes Cuisine & Guns and Butter’s Detroit Comeback w/ Chef Craig Lieckfelt
On today’s Daily Detroit, Jer talks with chef Craig Lieckfelt, the culinary mind behind Guns and Butter, about his return to Detroit for a March residency at the Detroit Foundation Hotel and why this city keeps calling him home. They dig into the origins of the Guns and Butter pop-up concept, how it helped pioneer a now-standard model for chefs without big backing, and the economic idea behind the name itself. Craig shares his passion for Great Lakes cuisine, from Upper Peninsula walleye and whitefish caviar to the blue-collar Coney Island culture that shaped his food memories growing up in Michigan. He also talks about how time in New York, Tokyo, France, and the Bay Area deepened his craft while widening his sense of responsibility around food insecurity and community. The conversation gets into why Detroit’s grit, expectations, and global contributions make it a uniquely demanding place to “make it,” and why Craig feels he cooks his best food here. You’ll also get a preview of what diners can expect from the Guns and Butter experience at the Detroit Foundation Hotel, from the stunning apparatus room and open kitchen to a chef residency program that continues to elevate Detroit’s place on the culinary map. , we’d love to hear what you think—drop us a line at or 313-789-3211.
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Checker Bar returns, Kalshi controversy, Should first floor offices be in downtowns?
03/05/2026
Checker Bar returns, Kalshi controversy, Should first floor offices be in downtowns?
Welcome back! Jer and Devon are highlighting places we've been and stories around Metro Detroit... 01:29 - Checker Bar in downtown Detroit is back! 03:14 - Devon is a fan of Mint 29 in Dearborn 04:59 - Remembering long gone Dearborn establishments like Dearborn Music, Wonderland Music, and Hewitt's 08:26 - Devon's obsessed with his Ninja Luxe coffee machine. What local roaster beans should he get? 12:36 - Bonus where we've been: Dessert Oasis in Ferndale 14:24 - Michigan is suing Kalshi to keep their sports product out. Is it gambling like the AG says? We discuss our opinions 20:35 - Should first floor offices be allowed in downtowns? Northville may ban them. Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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You Should Visit Detroit; People Want Rail; An Old Favorite Expands
03/04/2026
You Should Visit Detroit; People Want Rail; An Old Favorite Expands
Today's story rundown: 00:56 - Travel and Leasure names Detroit the most underrated city who everyone should visit at least once 05:41 - Rail survey says: More trains! 09:22 - Eastside news: City will start repairing and installing seawalls in Jefferson Chalmers to help with flooding; and new life for the St. Jean boat launch 13:31 - Dutch Girl Donuts is adding a second location on East Grand Boulevard 15:31 - Detroit City airport upgrades are coming 17:44 - Do we need a new set of ordinances for after hour joints 22:53 - Michigan Central to open a new work and collaboration hub, "The Mezz" Trivia on 313 Day - sign up! Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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From Porch Gardens to Food Power in Detroit
03/02/2026
From Porch Gardens to Food Power in Detroit
On today’s Daily Detroit, we are at TechTown with guest Danielle Daguio, engagement manager with Keep Growing Detroit, to talk about how Detroiters are literally taking food into their own hands. From backyard plots to porch planters and community farms, the Garden Resource Program is helping nearly 3,000 gardens grow across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park with seeds, plants, soil testing, tools, and year round support. Danielle explains what it means to build a food sovereign city and why so many people have turned to growing their own food in the wake of the pandemic, grocery price spikes, and concerns about what is in our food. She shares how Keep Growing Detroit is lowering barriers for new growers by timing seed and plant distributions with the seasons and offering practical classes that make it easier to get started and keep going. We also dig into the cultural side of gardening. Danielle talks about reconnecting with family foodways from New Jersey to the Philippines and how growing certain crops can become a way to remember loved ones and keep traditions alive. You will hear about the Gathering of Growers series based on the Anishinaabe 13 moon cycle, cooking classes that highlight Filipino, Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, and African American crops, and the annual tour that showcases unique gardens across the city. If you want to plug in, volunteer, or sign up for classes, or follow Keep Growing Detroit on Instagram and Facebook. Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Going to Iftar, Eating Detroit 75, and Norris in Washington, D.C.
02/28/2026
Going to Iftar, Eating Detroit 75, and Norris in Washington, D.C.
Jer Staes is joined by co-hosts Devon O’Reilly and Norris Howard for a wide ranging talk about food, faith, politics, and Detroit’s future. What we talk about Devon went to Dearborn for Mayor Abdullah Hammoud’s Unity Iftar dinner during Ramadan and talks about what Iftar is, who was in the room, and how it felt to see an Imam and a priest share very similar prayers. The crew gets into why learning about other cultures in Metro Detroit can break down fear and hate, and why showing up when you are invited matters. Jer visited the new Detroit 75 Kitchen brick and mortar spot, talks about the giant portions, the menu, the space, and why it feels like the start of a bigger concept. Norris checks in after a whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C. for the State of the Union, riding the underground tram at the Capitol, and trying to talk with members of Congress while votes keep getting moved around. The table digs into the “weird” mood in D.C., the feeling that we are at the end of an era, and how broken national leadership and media bubbles spill down into local politics. We respond to listener feedback on Michigan’s slide in education and economic numbers, why covering bad data is not “being negative,” and a listener question about Chinatown gets into a bigger conversation about population loss and where capital follows growth — and that the city has lost a lot of the middle class since 2000, a fact that continues even with recent popultion upticks. That loss has real impacts on what businesses can survive in that aftermath. We close on the tight Michigan governor’s race, why early polls show a true toss up, why no major candidate is dropping out, and what Governor Whitmer’s low key State of the State might say about her next move. Support and follow Sign up for the Daily Detroit newsletter: Become a member to support local coverage: Feedback: dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211 Follow us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get shows for future episodes:
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The Future of Midtown Detroit (and Chinatown) w/ Melanie Markowicz
02/26/2026
The Future of Midtown Detroit (and Chinatown) w/ Melanie Markowicz
Today, we’re talking about the future of Midtown. Getting details on that new Chinatown project (and a whole lot more) with the executive director of Midtown Detroit, Inc. You’ll learn a lot about this series of Detroit neighborhoods in this conversation and what’s ahead for an area of Detroit so many people have so many connections to. More show notes to come. Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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All The Fun Events Leading Up To Ferndale Pride
02/24/2026
All The Fun Events Leading Up To Ferndale Pride
isn’t just a single day in May. It’s a months-long celebration of joym community, and giving back that has its roots in a meeting at Soho 16 years ago. In this episode, I talk with Ferndale Pride executive director and longtime listener Julia Music about how the festival started, why it has always been free to attend, and how it has already given more than $500,000 to charity while centering downtown Ferndale businesses. Julia walks us through what to expect on May 30 in downtown Ferndale: three stages, Reading with Royalty, 220 vendors, nine food trucks, and a footprint stretching along 9 Mile from Woodward to Livernois. But before the big day, there’s a full calendar of events designed to both build community and raise the funds needed to keep Pride accessible. You’ll hear about the Small Packages cigar-box art auction at Detroit GT Studios, Soho Leather Weekend, Junk Jewels’ allergy-friendly treats at Urbanrest, and the “Out of the Closet and Onto the Dance Floor” party that invites you to finally wear that wild outfit hiding in the back of your closet. We also dig into Hot Daddies, the Cougar Hunt (a true “coalition of cougars”), Pistons Pride Night, a psychic self-care evening at Boston Tea Room, and the always-popular Pokémon trivia night at B. Nektar. More: Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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New Poll: Michigan Voters Don't Know How Far Behind We Are
02/22/2026
New Poll: Michigan Voters Don't Know How Far Behind We Are
New polling of Michigan voters shows a massive gap between how people feel about the state and where we actually rank. We dig into why voters think Michigan is middle‑of‑the‑pack while we’re near the bottom on reading, income, and unemployment, the huge awareness gap on data centers (4 in 10 Michiganders haven't even heard of them), and what it all means for the 2026 governor’s race where a new poll puts former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in the lead (in contrast to earlier ones, putting him at just 20%). The poll we reference is by the Glengariff Group, commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber, and can be found here: Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/
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Restaurants are Breaking Up with Delivery Apps. Are You? (Plus: Is Detroit's Tiki Bar Era Over?)
02/20/2026
Restaurants are Breaking Up with Delivery Apps. Are You? (Plus: Is Detroit's Tiki Bar Era Over?)
Today, we are at the table in Techtown for a fast‑moving conversation on how Metro Detroit goes out now. We start with the closure of Mutiny Bar and ask if Detroit’s modern tiki bar era has quietly ended, even as tiki continues in places like San Diego and Palm Springs. Norris shares a visit to Bastille Bar, praising it as a no‑frills “it’s just a bar” hangout, while the crew argues that happy hour has effectively shifted to 3–6 p.m. thanks to changing work patterns and school pickups. Devon then delivers an ode to the hotel bar via Four Vagabonds at the Dearborn Inn, celebrating it as a hub for travelers’ stories and local recommendations. We close with a debate over whether it’s time to ditch third‑party delivery apps like DoorDash. We saw a number of restaurants pull the plug on delivery services, so we're asking if you are, too. Here's the rundown: 02:13 - Mutiny Bar is done: Is Detroit's age of Tiki bars over? 06:49 - Where we've been: Bastille Bar 09:11 - Has Happy Hour moved to 3pm? 10:01 - An ode to the Hotel Bar (Four Vagabonds) 12:13 - Where we've been: Mexico City Mexican Restaurant 15:00 - Vote for us for Metro Detroit's best podcast on Hour 17:37 - Is it time to break up with delivery apps like DoorDash? Some Detroit area restaurants are pulling the plug on delivery Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Jesse Jackson, Capping I‑75, Cleaning Up Detroit, and Community
02/18/2026
Jesse Jackson, Capping I‑75, Cleaning Up Detroit, and Community
Today’s Daily Detroit is about being real with each other and with this city we love. Norris and I start with the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, what he meant to Detroit, and how his generation of civil rights leaders helped shape our city and our lives. From there, we look ahead to the next public meeting on the possible I‑75 cap near downtown, why it matters for how Detroit connects across freeways, and who stands to be impacted if it moves forward. We also dig into a listener email on Business Improvement Zones and what cleaner, better‑maintained streets could mean for the East Riverfront and beyond. We end on a more personal note, talking about losing a couple of listeners this week and why this community means so much to us Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Support our work on Patreon: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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How Detroit and Michigan’s Finances Look in 2026
02/17/2026
How Detroit and Michigan’s Finances Look in 2026
It’s budget season in Detroit and in Lansing, and the choices leaders make now will shape city services and state programs for the next few years. On today’s Daily Detroit, we talk with Steve Watson of the consulting firm Watson & Yates about where the money comes from and where it might go. First, we look at Detroit’s budget in Mayor Mary Sheffield’s first year as mayor. Detroit’s money picture is different from the suburbs, and Steve breaks it into four big “buckets”: income tax from people and businesses in the city, fast-growing casino and online betting taxes, state revenue sharing, and property taxes, which rank only fourth even though rates are high. They explain how careful revenue forecasts, the lasting impact of remote work, and a growing labor force all change what Detroit can afford to do. Then the conversation shifts to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s final proposed state budget. There are new cost pressures from federal rule changes, and about proposed state tax hikes on tobacco, internet gaming, sports betting, and digital ads. They connect this to what it means for Detroiters who use Medicaid and SNAP, and for Detroit’s casino-based tax revenues. To wrap up, they share simple steps you can take to get involved, including who to call, key dates to watch, and why paying attention to budgets now can help your neighborhood later. Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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3 Restaurants to check out; Data centers on the way; Does Detroit need a Wal-Mart?
02/13/2026
3 Restaurants to check out; Data centers on the way; Does Detroit need a Wal-Mart?
On today's show with Devon, Norris and Jer talking all things Detroit: 01:04 - Where we've been: Empire in Midtown Detroit 03:21 - Where we've been: Mother Handsome in Oak Park 04:47 - Where we've been: Avenue Bistro in Wayne 09:36 - Data Centers coming to Wayne County (Van Buren Township) and Michigan with bipartisan support (but lots of people aren't happy) 17:39 - Does the City of Detroit need a Wal-Mart? Happy Valentine's Day! We'll be back on Tuesday as Monday is a Federal holiday. Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Goodbye Kuzzo’s; Hello Hotel? Plus, Rivertown’s Next Move
02/11/2026
Goodbye Kuzzo’s; Hello Hotel? Plus, Rivertown’s Next Move
On today’s Daily Detroit, Jer and Norris talk about three big changes in the city: a loved restaurant closing, a historic building maybe turning into a hotel, and a new business district along the river. First, Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles is closing after more than a decade on the Avenue of Fashion. Norris shares memories of hosting events there and why Kuzzo’s helped make Livernois feel like a place where the whole city could come together. Jer and Norris talk about how costs have gone up for restaurants since COVID and how other favorites like New Center Eatery and Parks' have also closed, even while some nearby spots are still doing well. Next, they move downtown to the Park Avenue Building by Grand Circus Park. Developer Rino Soave now wants to turn it into a hotel with more than 100 rooms, a restaurant, and other amenities instead of apartments. We get into why more projects are choosing hotels, what the coming renovation at the Renaissance Center Marriott could mean, and why Norris still wants more full‑time residents downtown, not just weekend visitors and staycations. Finally, the show heads to the riverfront to talk about Rivertown’s new Business Improvement Zone. The new BIZ will cover nearly 300 commercial properties and could raise about $850,000 a year — almost 10 million over 10 years — for extra trash pickup, cleaning, and other services, working with the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Norris explains why these public‑private partnerships can help neighborhoods grow, and how tools like BIZ-es might free up the city to fix up more parks and blocks across Detroit. Plus, Norris called it with his prediction that you'd see more of these in the city. Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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We Didn’t Pay for This Bridge. Trump Still Wants Half.
02/10/2026
We Didn’t Pay for This Bridge. Trump Still Wants Half.
Today, an essay and a line-by-line reality check about recent statements about the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a link crucial for Michigan and Metro Detroit's economy. I take my 10+ years of experience watching this project, doing interviews, and keeping notes to break down what's fact from fiction from a list of grievances on Truth Social. Original post: Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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The Gordie Howe International Bridge Is Almost Ready
02/09/2026
The Gordie Howe International Bridge Is Almost Ready
On today’s Daily Detroit from the floor of the Detroit Policy Conference, we’re digging into what it really took to get the Gordie Howe International Bridge this close to the finish line — and what it’s going to mean for everyday life on both sides of the river later this year. I'm joined at the table by Michael Griffie, Detroit market leader for AECOM, one of the key firms behind the massive project. We get into the nuts and bolts of a more than $4.5 billion, decade-in-the-making effort that doesn’t just include the record-setting cable‑stayed span, but also the new U.S. and Canadian ports of entry and a rebuilt I‑75 interchange designed to keep trucks moving and out of neighborhoods. Griffie explains how engineers from two countries had to literally “meet in the middle,” navigating different regulatory systems, a frozen global supply chain, and a pandemic — and still kept the delay to about a year. We talk about what makes a cable‑stayed bridge different, why the 1.2‑mile span and 770‑foot pylons matter, and how much trade will roll across once it opens. There also will be a multimodal path that will let you bike or walk across the border — passport in hand — and the subtle design tribute to “Mr. Hockey” himself, with pylons that echo Gordie Howe’s iconic stance on the ice. Plus, we touch on how Canada ended up fronting the money, why toll booths will all be on one side, and more. Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Cheap Lunch; Double the Snow; Requiem For Bahama Breeze; Stellantis Under Stress
02/06/2026
Cheap Lunch; Double the Snow; Requiem For Bahama Breeze; Stellantis Under Stress
Are your ready for the weekend? Mr. Friday Devon O'Reilly is in and we've got some recommendations on where we've been — two cheap but good lunch spots. Plus, Devon shares a requiem for Bahama Breeze that after April 5 will leave this earth. Then, we get into the mess that is Stellantis and what might happen to some brands that have a lot of Detroit history. Here's the rundown: 01:11 - Detroit's gotten double the snow this year, and facing a national salt shortage 04:03 - Where we've been: $10 Meal 07:51 - Why Thousand Island Dressing is called Thousand Island Dressing 08:21 - Where we've been: Kitab Cafe 10:47 - A Requiem for Bahama Breeze and End of the line BD's Mongolian Grille 14:12 - What are the best Bahama Breeze dishes? 15:28 - Devon thinks BD's was overrated 17:03 - Stellantis is under stress but what about Jeep, Chrysler and all these names Detroiters know? Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Should We Get A Tank? (Plus 3 Stories Around Town)
02/04/2026
Should We Get A Tank? (Plus 3 Stories Around Town)
On your Daily Detroit, we learned that owning a tank is apparently legal in Michigan. Should we get one? Plus, Detroit's the City of the Year, Michigan Central has a new thing, and we open the floor to your ideas for attracting more career-aged and younger people to choose Michigan. 03:45 - Should we get a tank? 07:00 - Detroit is the City of the Year 09:56 - New Thing at Michigan Central 12:08 - How do we get more career-aged people to choose or stay in Michigan? Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Rebuilding Michigan's Economy from the Neighborhood Up w/ Justin Onwenu
02/03/2026
Rebuilding Michigan's Economy from the Neighborhood Up w/ Justin Onwenu
Justin Onwenu is a Detroit-born organizer, environmental justice advocate, and attorney who is now running for State Senate in Michigan’s newly redrawn District 1, which stretches from neighborhoods on Detroit’s west side through downtown and into a number of downriver Metro communities. He’s worked in environmental justice, in labor and minimum wage campaigns, and in economic development at the city level, giving him a rare view that connects workers, small businesses, and neighborhood health. In our conversation, we get into why he chose to jump into this insane time in politics, how he thinks Michigan can actually tackle affordability on things like housing, health care, and utilities, and what it looks like to balance development, labor, and the environment instead of pitting them against each other. We also talk about rebuilding Michigan’s economy from the neighborhood up, from transit and schools to small business support… and much more. Episodes like these are made possible by our members. Join us at and help keep the conversation going. Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Detroit’s Last Stop to Freedom, First Step to What’s Next: Second Baptist Church in Greektown
02/02/2026
Detroit’s Last Stop to Freedom, First Step to What’s Next: Second Baptist Church in Greektown
Today, we’re taking you inside the Second Baptist Church of Detroit — the oldest historically Black church in Michigan, a former last stop on the Underground Railroad, and now a hub for human trafficking awareness and free STEAM education for Detroit kids. I’m joined by Pastor Lawrence Rodgers to talk about nearly 190 years of history, how Greektown is transforming, and what it means to build a beloved community in Detroit right now. At the start of Black History Month and in a moment when it’s tempting to gloss over or sanitize our past (or even preferred, by many) it feels especially important to me to lift up institutions that didn’t just witness history, but made it — and are still doing the work right now. Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Lunch Spots; Wayne County Transit; Downtown Tax? (Live from the Detroit Policy Conference)
01/29/2026
Lunch Spots; Wayne County Transit; Downtown Tax? (Live from the Detroit Policy Conference)
Devon, Norris, and Jer tackle three topics live at the Detroit Policy Conference. First, we get into lunch spots we like and are disappointed by recently. Then, there's a proposal to provide transit to all of the cities in Wayne County, as currently a number of communities have no connecting service. We talk about hwo this is the base layer to the cake of transit. Then, there's some ideas around overhauling the city of Detroit's tax structure, including a possible excise tax in greater downtown to provide more money for the neighborhoods. Today's show was recorded live at the Detroit Policy Conference put on by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Michigan Grows; Amazon Fresh Fizzles; MOCAD Reopening Soon
01/28/2026
Michigan Grows; Amazon Fresh Fizzles; MOCAD Reopening Soon
The rundown: 02:07 - Michigan's population is growing, we discuss 05:13 - Amazon Fresh fizzles out in Metro Detroit, leaving a number of empty potential storefronts 09:11 - MOCAD is reopening in April after renovation Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Detroit News To Be Bought By Freep Owner; and Let's Talk About Minneapolis
01/26/2026
Detroit News To Be Bought By Freep Owner; and Let's Talk About Minneapolis
Today's conversation is in two parts. First, we dig into USA Today (formerly Gannett) buying the Detroit News - just a month after a joint operating agreement ended between the two papers and bringing the Detroit Free Press and news under the same ownership umbrella. They say they'll continue as separate publications, but based on the track record of those involved, we have our personal skepticism. We also get into the precarious state of local news in America. Then, a personal conversation on the events over the weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We get into the aftermath, the Orwellian nature of it all, how Norris isn't surprised it happened, and the near death of actual conservatism as a political force in America. Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Remembering 2016 Detroit
01/22/2026
Remembering 2016 Detroit
What was Detroit like 10 years ago? On today’s Daily Detroit, inspired by the trend on social media, we’re taking a warm walk through a very specific era: Detroit in 2016 and how it stacks up to 2026. Jer, Norris, and Devon remember a city that still felt like a secret to everyone else. When it felt like the creative class was driving the narrative, loft parties were happening in half-abandoned buildings, and you could still find a decent apartment for under $1000. We talk about how that energy shifted as big development showed up faster than expected, squeezing some creatives to the margins. You’ll hear stories of the stomp‑clap‑hey era, bottomless mimosas and DJ brunches, nights at City Club and the after‑hours scene, plus memories of Great Lakes Coffee, Union Street, Cliff Bell’s jazz brunch, and neighborhood classics like Tom’s Tavern. Jer shares the excitement of watching the first QLINE streetcars be delivered, and everyone offers a key 2016 memory that marked a new chapter in their lives. Then, a look at what changed, what didn’t, and an invitation to share your own 2016 Detroit stories — and what year you want us to time‑capsule next. Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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Your People Mover Dreams! Plus, China & Canada Car Industry Concerns (and more)
01/21/2026
Your People Mover Dreams! Plus, China & Canada Car Industry Concerns (and more)
On today's show: 00:28 - Dittrich Furs ran out, but found more furs: Is fur a cultural garb of Detroit? 03:20 -China is about to break into the Canadian car market, that hurts Detroit 11:02 - Michigan canabis market shrinking 14:34 - MAILBAG: Expand People Mover to Grand Boulevard? Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: Or sign up for our newsletter:
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