Daily Detroit

Detroit bus stops deserve more than a stick in the ground. Dinner shouldn't require a second mortgage. And coffee shop chairs shouldn't punish you for sitting in them.

We're opening the mailbag for a supersized Saturday edition of Daily Detroit. The "Prince of Brightmoor" Norris Howard joins me to tackle your questions, respond to some criticism, and make the case for shawarma's rightful place alongside Coneys and Detroit-style pizza.

On the agenda:

Abdul El-Sayed wins, Democrats take control in Lansing, and our panel unpacks what Michigan's election results mean as part of a blue tsunami that crossed the country in the midterm elections...  and what comes next on your Daily Detroit.

Jer Staes, Norris Howard, Chris Moyer, and Devon O'Reilly gather for a post-election roundtable on Michigan's results, the voters behind them, and what Democrats will need to deliver to keep that support.

Norris makes his case for why Detroit's support for El-Sayed shouldn't have been a surprise. Chris revisits what he missed in his pre-election outlook. A...

Norris Howard and I unpack a massive election eve bombshell as U.S. Representative Haley Stevens makes a last-minute turn against fellow Democrat Abdul El-Sayed to endorse Republican Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate. Who knew we'd have a November surprise, and that it'd look just like a wrestling storyline.

We break down the immediate fallout across Michigan politics, the massive fundraising backlash, and what this high-stakes political drama means for local voters.

Plus, we pay tribute to the legendary Juan Atkins, the Belleville Three pioneer and undisputed originator of Detroit techno, following his sudden...

The 2026 Midterm election is just days away, and it's time to put our predictions on the record.

I've got Norris Howard, Devon O'Reilly and Chris Moyer around the table to talk through Michigan's midterm elections. Who we think wins, how close it'll be, and what we're watching Tuesday night.

We all think Jocelyn Benson wins the governor's race. But Abdul El-Sayed against Mike Rogers? That's where our confidence levels start to differ. Plus, downballot races and more.

We also get into what's happening on the ground in parts of metro Detroit and whether...

Today we're leaning into the "where to go" part of Daily Detroit, with a look at Youmacon at Huntington Place this weekend.

We talk with Youmacon CEO Eric Gaiser and music department head Marcus Cooper about anime, gaming, cosplay, and a music lineup that brings those worlds together.

We get into what's new and why having a place to find your people matters. Plus, we talk about what exactly what you'd need for a proper Prince of Brightmoor cosplay — and yes, the Casio watch is required.

More on Youmacon.

Norris Howard is back in the studio, and we've got a lot of ground to cover: Host's plans for Chroma, Baobab Fare's east-side expansion, housing in the North End, a new artisan market on 6 Mile, and Literati's move in Ann Arbor.

Plus, Detroit City FC has a home playoff game this Friday. 

Then it's into politics with a week before election day. Wae talk through early voting, the latest polls, and what we're seeing on the ground with one week until Election Day.

Finally, Norris catches up with Jemele Hill at the Detroit P...

Today on the show, Norris, Devon, and I talk about the reported resolution of that recent City Council inquiry involving small businesses in West Village we talked about earlier this week

We break down the intense community backlash, the broader tensions, and why city governments need to focus on removing red tape for local entrepreneurs instead of throwing up roadblocks.

Then, on a much lighter note, we celebrate Michigan & Trumbull Pizza being named one of the top pizza spots in America by Food & Wine magazine!

That kicks off a lively debate about our...

On today's Daily Detroit, I'm joined by Planet Detroit founder Nina Ignaczak and managing editor Dustin Blitchok to talk about the environmental stories shaping our region and their nonpartisan voter guide.

We get into data centers and electricity costs, Metro Detroit's air quality, and drinking water concerns, including PFAS and lead service lines. We also talk about how decisions in Washington and Lansing connect to what we experience at home.

Then we dig into Planet Detroit's voter guide: candidate responses, environmental voting records, and campaign contributions from utilities. Nina shares what they heard when they...

What do Detroit's young people actually want from their city? 

That's what we're talking about on your Daily Detroit for Wednesday October 21st 2026.

We're gonna step away from the usual adult-led debates on youth spaces, teen takeovers, and recreation. Let's listen to the people who live it. 

Joining Norris Howard and myself is Jaedun Ward. He's a Cass Tech High School student, entrepreneur, and host of the talk show 'Things, Things, Things.' 

Jaedun breaks down why today's youth aren't just looking for places to hang out. They want more, and wha...

In episode 1976 of the podcast, we are breaking down the growing backlash in Detroit's West Village after District 5 City Councilmember Renata Miller requested administrative reviews into popular local spots along Kercheval, including Two Birds and Barkside dog run — as well as some that aren't open yet, like Grandma Bob's Detroit-style pizza or Bar IX, focused on women's athletics.

Coming on the heels of a scuttled affordable housing project near the Butzel Rec Center, the inquiry has sparked intense debate over neighborhood density, small business support, and who gets to shape the future of Detroit's commercial corridors.

...

Dan Gilbert just made a massive $1 billion announcement about the future of the Renaissance Center,  giving $1 billion to convert and run the massive RenCen redevelopment through a 501(c)(4) non-profit.

That means no tax write-off for the owner of Rocket and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but a huge shift in how this cornerstone project will be developed and funded over the next 30 years — and maybe, perceptions of it.

In this special edition of Daily Detroit, we break down what this non-profit model actually might mean for the city.

We talk about:

Public Money vs...

Devon O'Reilly joins me over a listener's gift of Eastern Kille bourbon to talk about all things Metro Detroit.

A big topic we hit, especially in the shadow of all the RenCen news: Why Detroit's soon to be nearly vacant Penobscot Building deserves more attention, and why that could be a huge opportunity.

I also checked out National Coney Island's refreshed Royal Oak location, and we talk about Westland Mall for sale at a reduced price, plus Devon's childhood belief that its Santa was the real deal.

Plus, Devon explains why this election...

Norris Howard and I are back at the studio breaking down where key Michigan races and statewide ballot proposals stand as we head into the home stretch of the 2026 election season. We took into account your feedback to cover some more topics.

What We Cover in This Episode:

The U.S. Senate Race: We dive into the latest polling averages from Decision Desk HQ showing Abdul El-Sayed building a lead over Mike Rogers, the fallout from debate no-shows, and what major late-stage endorsements (including Barack Obama and Kamala Harris) mean for voters in Michigan.

Food and fun today on your Daily Detroit!

Norris tried the new brick and mortar Waka in Eastern Market; Jer stopped by Cafe Noir's second location that's new in downtown Detroit by the Huntington Place convention center. Plus, Little Ghost is opening a second spot in the Pointes, plus we get into some other favs of ours.

Plus, Detroit City won their final home game while a man down, bringing a playoff match to Detroit. Norris talks about the Black Arrow winner (MVP) and why he likely got the nod.

The rundown: 

With less than a month to go before Election Day, the Daily Detroit panel dives into Michigan's key debate matchups and the changing political dynamics across the state.

Jer, Norris, and Devon break down the first head-to-head general election debates for Michigan Governor and U.S. Senate hosted in Grand Rapids.

The crew discusses the contrast in styles, the lack of concrete policy proposals on big-picture challenges on one side, and whether progressive messaging is reshaping the state's traditional political coalitions. 

Plus, a look at shifting voting demographics in Metro Detroit and why l...

Jer is alive after judging a Malört cocktail contest at the Old Miami. Norris joins in, and on the heels of Grandma Bob's opening a West Village location... says that Detroit is the Pizza Capitol of America.

The Rundown:

00:58 - Malort Madness: The Best Malort Cocktail In Michigan, as tasted at the Old Miami

06:19  - MoveDetroit makes grants to support growing the city's population, and claims early successes

10:11 - Detroit is the capital of Pizza in the United States, and Grandma Bob's is opening in the West Village neighborhood

...

The Rundown:

01:04 - Favorite Halloween costumes

03:54 - The Lions were bad, the Wings feel dead, but there is a second-place Detroit sports team to get on the bandwagon for 

09:00 - It's Michigan Debate Week: Governor, Senate candidates square off Tuesday, Thursday

20:31 -  New Affordable Housing project near Eastern Market

23:44 - A little Old Miami love.. and yes, I'm gonna drink Malort

Feedback as always: [email protected] or 313-789-3211. Thanks for your support on Patreon!

On today's episode, fall is in the air! From where to go to the news you need to know, we have you covered.

The Rundown:

Fall Outings in Metro Detroit - Devon makes the case for why you should take your family to the Heritage Park Petting Farm in Taylor, and Jer talks about his sneek peek of Elmwood Alight, a sensory light-mapping and art installation inside Detroit's historic Elmwood Cemetery.  

Senate Passes the 'Protect College Sports Act' - We discuss what's in the bill, what's maybe good, what's maybe bad. But bottom l...

Detroit development, better bus stops, and a major manufacturing push lead today's show.

Detroit's budget picture continues to improve. But what does that mean for residents, city services, and the big redevelopment projects now under discussion?

I sat down with expert Steve Watson of Watson & Yates to talk through the current situation and the financial logic behind why Detroit needs growth.

We look into the proposed Renaissance Center redevelopment we talked about on the show last week, including the $548 million in requested public incentives tied to a proposed $2.2 billion investment by GM and Bedrock.

We break down where that money would come from, how the Renaissance...

Big show to wrap up ther week. Today we are on location at Jabal Coffee House on Mason Street in West Dearborn to kick off Dearborn Coffee Week!

Norris, and Devon join me around the table to taste-test Yemeni lattes, Sanani coffee, and tasty cakes while talking about what to know and where to go in Metro Detroit.

Topics:

Dearborn Coffee Capital: How coffee shops have officially taken over as Metro Detroit's third space, the rapid rise of Yemeni coffee culture, and why local shops are expanding nationally.

A $30 Million High-Rise...

What do you do with 5.3 million square feet of concrete and glass when the world it was built for no longer exists?

Built in the 1970s as a corporate fortress to keep the city out, thr Renaissance Center in Detroit stands today as a monument to a mid-century urban planning thesis that has completely collapsed.

Office occupancy sits under 10%, construction costs are up 55% over the last decade, and downtown real estate demands an entirely new model.

My guests are Jennifer Stallings Dewey, the Senior Counsel, Community Engagement at General Motors; and Jake Chidester, V...

We brought the mobile studio out to the Detroit Sandwich Party to talk with you about all things between two slices of bread.

In this episode, we tackle the big questions.

Hey friends, we're back in the studio talking through a big batch of local news today.

First up, Comerica Park has been renamed "Fifth Third Park." Norris and I break down why this rebrand feels so flat, what it says about corporate naming rights, and why Detroiters are probably just going to keep calling it what they want anyway. Plus, there's already a Fifth Third Park in Spartanburg.

Then, we jump into the fight over Michigan's bottle bill. Grocery retailers want out of taking back bottles and cans at stores, pointing to sanitation, pests, and...

We're breaking down what's happening around Metro Detroit. From local lunch spots to rooftop reservation changes to a Midtown coffee shop closure, skyrocketing gas prices, and a debate on the future of our local sports franchises.

Here's today's rundown:

01:33 — Where we've been: Uncs for Lunch. Devon checks out Uncs for lunch and breaks down the space, menu, and midday vibe.

05:19 — Pine Hall now requires reservations. What you need to know before trying to grab a drink or a table downtown this weekend.

11:03 — Red Hook Midtown is closing. The Woodward Avenue shop shutte...

The Michelin Guide is bringing its Great Lakes ceremony to Detroit next April, and people have a lot of questions. What does a Michelin presence actually mean for our local food scene? How do diners, chefs, and journalists navigate the hype?

To break it down, Detroit News restaurant critic Melody Baetens stopped by the TechTown studio. We talk about what those stars actually represent, what inspectors look for, and why the national spotlight is shifting toward the Great Lakes.

Plus, Melody recently put together a list of 25 new and returning restaurants expected to open across...

Norris and I sit down with Edmund Gray, CEO of Kissmet Music Group, for a conversation that I found completely fascinating in the context of today's fast-changing world. 

Edmund is the creator behind Zhaion, an AI-hybrid R&B project grounded right here in Detroit, complete with a promotion online, free-to-play 8-bit game based on driving The Lodge.

Rather than hiding the tech behind a curtain, Edmund is being entirely upfront about using generative tools to bring his music and world-building to life.

We get into the ethics of the music business, the reality o...

A proposed Wayne and Oakland county millage could reshape access and provide ongoing sustainability to two of Metro Detroit's cornerstone historic institutions. 

Jer Staes and Norris Howard are joined by Elana Rugh, president and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, and Neil Barclay, president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The proposal would support free admission for county residents, transportation help for students and seniors, teacher curriculum resources, and funding for smaller public historical museums across the two counties.

We talk about why the museums say they n...

On today's show, Norris Howard and I dig into SMART's new Route 500, which restores service to Hamtramck for the first time in more than a decade. It's a new bus connection between downtown Detroit, the DMC, Hamtramck, the North End, and the Bel Air Center. 

It matters for a city like Hamtramck where about one in five households does not have a vehicle, and it also gives fans another way to get to Keyworth Stadium and people visiting the city a way to get to Hamtramck without am Uber.

Then, photographer Ryan Southen and I h...

Ahead of the weekend, Devon and I break down my visit to Cosm Detroit, the new high-tech venue in downtown that's gotten a ton of buzz. The tech and immersive dome are very impressive, but dynamic pricing means ticket costs can jump in a hurry depending on what you're seeing. We debate - is dynamic pricing the way to go? 

Plus, we also dive into some great local news with Cass Cafe returning to Midtown, sample a Banana Bread Old Fashioned, and unpack MDOT's new pilot program testing a per-mile road charge.

Timestamps:
01:31 - W...

After severe storms and a tornado swept through Detroit over the Labor Day weekend, leaving many across the region without electricity for days (including yours truly for a second holiday weekend this year, totaling nearly two weeks without power), Norris Howard and I break down the Detroit City Council's unanimous vote to explore alternatives to DTE Energy.

We discuss the council's decision, look at the broader implications of utility monopolies in Metro Detroit, and share our personal experiences dealing with frequent power grid failures across the area.

Link to report discussed via the Detroit News.<...

Before we get started, apologies as this episode is about a day behind. My neighborhood was the one in Detroit that was hit by an EF2 tornado, bringing 115 mph winds, downed trees, and damage. Apologies, and we'll talk more about what happened next week.

Main show: As it's Labor Day weekend, we thought we'd bring the fun. Devon O'Reilly joins me as we review Ray's Hometown Bar, the retro-inspired, wood-paneled new spot taking over the former Mr. Dips space in Parker's Alley. 

Plus, Devon takes us on a tour of his child-free getaway up north, s...

Today, we're learning about the massive capital investments heading to Detroit's East Side — specifically around Gratiot, 7 Mile, and Denby-Whittier. 

To do it, Norris Howard and I sit down at our TechTown studio with Kala Gibson, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer for Fifth Third Bank. 

Kala shares his personal story growing up in Detroit, how a neighborhood bank closing shaped his career, and why Fifth Third is committing hundreds of millions of dollars to housing, workforce development, and small business grants across the city.

Plus, we talk about straight-talk banking, supporting local entrepreneurs, and a litt...

We're kicking off September with our ultimate preview of what's happening and what we're keeping our eyes on across Metro Detroit this month.

Norris Howard joins me to talk about the most interesting events on the calendar, including the month-long Detroit Month of Design, Labor Day festival traditions like the Detroit Jazz Fest and much more.

We also break down the major local stories and trends shaping our region heading into the fall, from last-minute possible mail-in voting changes you need to keep an eye on that could impact Michigan... to food safety recalls... to...

While major downtown developments often capture the headlines, neighborhood parks across the city of Detroit's 139 square miles are getting critical investments driven directly by community feedback, with funding support from the philanthropic community.

In this episode, I sit down at our TechTown studio with JJ Vélez, Senior Director of Public Space for the Gilbert Family Foundation.

We dig into how a $1.2 million commitment across neighborhood parks — including Dorais Park, Eliza Howell Park, and Hass Emery Park (currently in the process of being renamed Keith Slappy Park) — is helping bring community-driven visions to life, as well...

Norris Howard and I tackle a packed Wednesday edition of Daily Detroit.

We break down the mounting tensions in the U.S.-Canada trade dispute and respond to political rhetoric proposing to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America."

Plus, we pay tribute to the late, great Dolly Parton. Then it's a recap of our weekend trip to see Detroit City FC win over Tampa Bay with one of the best keeper saves we've seen in a long time.

In local development news, a vacant historic YMCA building in Mexicantown across from Clark Park...

The Detroit Sandwich Party is back and bigger than ever, doubling its footprint at Eastern Market on September 6th with 50 vendors, kid-friendly games, and even... carbonated pickle juice.

Organizer and sandwich lover Carlos Parisi joins the show to walk us through this year's massive expansion into the Shed 5 parking lot, share pro tips for getting the most out of the event, and we tease some of the top-tier bites on the lineup.

Grab a friend (or a foe, why not), map out your game plan, and get ready for what's become one of the must-see...

The U.S.–Canada trade situation took a wild turn over the weekend. We thought we had an agreement, but now we're suddenly facing a full-scale trade war with our closest neighbor. 

Glenn Stevens from MICHAuto joined me to break down what went wrong and what this uncertainty actually means on the ground for Michiganders and Michigan companies. 

From auto supply chains, to materials, to local jobs, to healthcare workers and tourism, Michigan has more to lose than most anywhere else in the United States as this may drag on. Michigan residents have already been impa...

We've got a full studio today.

Devon O'Reilly gives us an inside look at what it was actually like inside the Henry Ford Centennial Library during Tuesday night's Dearborn City Council meeting while far-right agitators and local counter-protesters gathered outside. 

We talk about how the Dearborn community stood together and stood strong, why hate-driven political stunts ultimately fail to gain traction here, and how local solidarity continues to win out.

Plus, Jer and Norris talk some Michigan politics to analyze Jocelyn Benson's pick of Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks for Lieutenant Governor — and why...

On today's show, Norris and I are diving deep into the high-stakes redevelopment plans for the Renaissance Center and the nearby east riverfront, looking to transform 35 acres that has been sitting mostly quiet for many years. 

After going to their preview center and attending the first of a number of weekly CBO meetings, we ask and react honestly the big question on everyone's mind: what do you actually do with a massive waterfront complex that's currently only 5% occupied? What vibes did we get from the community? And what's next?

You can also learn more about t...