Daily Detroit

Lights were out, bills are up, and a lot of folks around here are just done with it. 

On today's Daily Detroit, Norris and I talk through the long Fourth of July weekend that turned into days without power for hundreds of thousands of people across metro Detroit — including me.

As it seems like every year living in a Detroit neighborhood, I deal with 3 to 4 days in a row without electricity.

From there, we zoom out. We talk about DTE's grid, why it seems like storms knock out power every year, and the gro...

There's a ton of useful information in today's Daily Detroit, and you'll walk away with a better understanding of how our state works.

I'm joined by longtime budget expert Steve Watson of Watson & Yates to unpack Michigan's new state budget and what it actually means for our lives.

We get into why "flat" funding can feel like a cut once inflation hits, what's in the budget for schools and public transit, and a handful of key earmarks here in Detroit — from the Auto Show to free bus rides for students and Right to Counsel.

Mallory McMorrow just suspended her campaign for the Democratic U.S. Senate primary here in Michigan, and the nation is watching.

We break down why her run felt off from the start, how a messy CNN interview and a fuzzy message alienated both progressive and establishment voters, and why stepping aside now may actually protect her future options.

Then Norris Howard and I get into what comes next: the party's clear preference for Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed's anti-establishment path, harm-reduction voting, generational splits, and why sit-outs (if they happen) from key voters no matter who...

Today I'm joined by artist and entrepreneur Trice Clark, the creative force behind Kraftologie, to talk about building a new creative space in Detroit's West Village, life after Joann Fabrics, and how better infrastructure can help more local makers actually make a living here.

You can find a full transcript on our website here.

Make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows. 

I've got a three‑parter for you today!

First, Norris and I headed down to Little Caesars Arena for Big3. It's a three‑on‑three traveling basketball league. We talk about why it might be one of the more accessible ways to see good hoops in town this summer as they're coming back in about a month.

Then, we unpack why Michigan's Attorney General went to court to pause Kalshi's sports contracts here, and what that says about the blurry line between "prediction markets" and gambling. T

Finally, we dig into new Rocket data s...

Detroit Future City CEO Anika Goss joins me to dig into a recent report on career-connected learning and the future of work for young Detroiters.

"Career-Connected Learning: Investing in Detroit's Future Talent," is grounded in the perspectives of almost 200 Detroit youth, along with input from parents, practitioners, employers, and policy makers around where things are working and where improvements need to be made in setting out future up for a bright tomorrow. 

We talk about which sectors are most likely to grow and survive automation, how tech and health care show up in kids' real a...

On today's Daily Detroit, we start with why District Detroit still looks like a sea of parking lots instead of the neighborhoods we were promised — and why that matters for the city's "front lawn" everyone in Michigan sees.

We talk about our thoughts on this article in the Freep: https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2026/06/25/district-detroit-construction-slow-pace/90594507007/

Then we dig into the Democratic U.S. Senate primary: Haley Stevens, Mallory McMorrow, and Abdul El-Sayed, their strengths, their blind spots, and what a "change election" could mean for Michigan and Detroiters on the ground. 

Alon...

On today's Daily Detroit, we're doing a listener "office hours" — answering your questions about life in the city, from fireworks and politics to the World Cup and where to get a proper Detroit style pie.

The Rundown:

00:38 Where Norris has been: Tigris
03:56 Why are no parks open along the riverfront when for the Ford Fireworks?
08:03 Norris and Jer's most surprising personal political takes
14:19 Where to watch the World Cup matches around town
16:48 Top three Detroit style pizza picks, each from Jer and Norris

I'm joined by Khalilah Burt Gaston of the Song Foundation to talk about who actually builds a tech economy — and why it's often the "geeks, freaks, and weirdos" who drive the biggest change.

We get into the recent Tech for Tomorrow report, what it would take to add 20,000 tech and innovation jobs for Detroiters and $6.3 billion in wages, and how cities like Indianapolis and Columbus are pulling ahead of Detroit, Metro Detroit, and Michigan. 

We also connect the dots between tax policy, education, nonprofits, and how Detroit can really seize this moment.

As alw...

On today's Daily Detroit, Devon O'Reilly is back at the table after a family vacation in South Haven, so we start with some "Pure Michigan" talk about why that beach town has become a go‑to spot.

Back in Detroit, I share a new Campus Martius retail experiment: a 20‑foot shipping container turned into a niche merch shop with Michigannia‑themed designs, custom Pewabic tile, and all the Camp Martius‑centric gear you could want.

We also get into the lunchtime crowds, food trucks in Cadillac Square, and why it really feels like "IRL is back" in...

On this episode of Daily Detroit, I sit down with returning guest Dr. Paul Thomas, CEO and founder of Plum Health Direct Primary Care, to talk about The Real Cost of Healthcare for Michigan Families (And How We Might Fix It).

We get into why having health insurance so often feels like what. Dr. Thomas calls "financial anxiety wrapped in an insurance card," especially when families are facing huge deductibles before they see any real benefit.

We talk about how little of our overall spending goes to primary care in the United States, what that m...

On today's Daily Detroit, we start with big news for Detroit City FC fans and the future of Corktown.

Jer and Norris recap their visit to the new Detroit City FC welcome center on Vernor and break down fresh details on AlumiFi Field, the club's planned new stadium next to Michigan Central.

The opening date has officially slid to the 2028 season, and the guys explain why that's actually a smarter move given the complexity of the build, site cleanup, and surrounding development.

They get into the latest renderings, from 14 traditional suites, 10 container suites...

In Metro Detroit, it's not enough to talk about transit plans. There are tons of ideas out there. It's about action.

I sat down with SMART General Manager and CEO Tiffany J. Gunter to dig into what it really takes to run a 2,000‑square‑mile suburban transit system that people can rely on.

We get into the essential stuff: on‑time performance, keeping buses maintained and in service, and why Tiffany started by "going back to basics" while also upgrading shelters, adding Wi‑Fi, and insisting on more dignity for riders.

We also also tal...

Detroit's drink is turning 160, and there's a big Vernors party in Eastern Market to celebrate. Today, Jer heads into one of the largest Vernors collections anywhere with Keith Wunderlich, founder of the Vernors Club, to talk about how a Civil War–era pharmacy experiment became a Detroit icon.

We get into the history behind "Detroit's Drink," from the original Woodward bottling plant to the family business days and beyond, and why the Vernors story still resonates with Detroit's legacy of manufacturing and great food. Then, we look ahead to Sunday's street celebration on Riopelle in Eastern Market, wh...

Detroit's only PGA Tour stop is ending, a landmark Detroit high school is coming down, and the Detroit River is getting a major cleanup — plus, we ask the question: Would you actually swim in it?

In this episode, we break down the coming opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and why its freeway connections and pedestrian path matter for trade, traffic, and everyday Detroiters. 

We get into Rocket Companies ending its Rocket Mortgage Classic sponsorship after 2026, what that means for Detroit Golf Club, tourism, and the city's national image.

Then we tackle the...

Airbnb is betting on Detroit as a destination — and the numbers back it up. On today's Daily Detroit, I'm at the Grand Hotel talking with Vince Frillici, Airbnb's policy lead for the Great Lakes, about how short-term rentals are reshaping travel in the city and across Michigan.

We dig into the data: about 700 Detroiters hosting on any given day and just under 150,000 guests who stayed in Detroit Airbnbs last year, with nearly half of them staying 11–30 nights.

That points to Detroit quietly becoming a long-stay city for remote workers and people here on temporary assignments.

Did you know Metrop Detroit now has five innovation districts?

MICHauto executive director (and new Southwest Detroit pub co‑owner) Glenn Stevens joined us to talk about why Michigan needs a 'moonshot' for innovation.

Plus, we get into why he's personally excited about helping open the Regal Eagle, a soccer bar in the shadow of Michigan Central and the new stadium. 

They get into what the next governor's roadmap should look like, how autos, AI, and China are reshaping Michigan's economy, and why places like TechTown, Michigan Central, Black Tech Saturdays, and the Ann...

Busy episode today on your Daily Detroit. Here's your rundown of nine stories we talk about today with timestamps:

0:55 - The new New High Société restaurant in Dearborn

05:08 - Revisiting Republica in Berkley

06:18 - Is there a law of diminishing returns on a burger?

08:04 - Wright & Co in downtown Detroit is part of a big trend of restaurants switching to private event venues

12:11 - Atwater is back under local ownership 

15:49 - The popular Midway in Downtown Detroit might return

19:29 - University Boards in Michigan Sta...

Three stories we talk about today on your Daily Detroit, finished as finalist in Hour Detroit's Best of Detroit (thank you!)

Detroit's beloved Dutch Girl Donuts is back in the headlines, and we start today's episode with the sweet news: a free donut sneak peek of their new East Grand Boulevard location this Friday morning. We talk through what the second shop means for the growing Milwaukee Junction / New Center corridor that's picking up steam.

Federal prosecutors allege a former Detroit People Mover procurement director and a contractor steered more than $300,000 to a company for...

Detroit sits under two major migratory flyways, making it one of the best places in North America to see birds on the move. Gretchen Abrams from the Detroit Bird Alliance joins us to preview the first Pheasant Flock Party coming up this weekend, talk spark birds (the birds that first get you into birding), and share how vacant lots turned meadows are helping wildlife across the city.

Detroit Bird Alliance: https://www.detroitbirdalliance.org

Pheasant Flock Party event listing (Eventbrite): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pheasant-flock-party-tickets-1987392430258

As always, feedback is welcome - dailydetroit...

Daily Detroit is on the porch at the Mackinac Policy Conference, and Jer and Devon have a wide‑ranging conversation about Michigan's political future and Detroit's urgency problem.

From Governor Gretchen Whitmer's emphatic "no" on a presidential run to the very real possibility she ends up as the top choice for vice president, they unpack what her popularity says about the broader electoral landscape and 2024's lessons for Democrats in a swing state.

(That said, after we recorded, she hedged her bets later in the day).

On the island, the 2026 governor's race was pr...

Today we talk about how Michigan slipped from a top‑tier state into the bottom 10 on key measures like education, income and population — and why acknowledging the crisis is the first step to fixing it. 

Today's conversation is with Detroit Regional Chamber president and CEO Sandy Baruah gets into this year's urgent theme at the Mackinac Policy Conference: "The house is on fire."

Sandy explains why he thinks more common ground between business and policymakers, and between Democrats and Republicans, is the only way to reverse those long‑term trends.

We get into how con...

Transit in Metro Detroit is at an inflection point.

We talk with Transportation Riders United executive director Megan Owens about the new Wayne County‑wide transit millage, what an extra eight bucks a month could unlock, and how our region invests less in buses than almost any big metro in America.

The vote is crucial for the future of transit as it would finally opt-in all communites in Wayne County to transit, similar to how most places nationall work. If it fails, we could lose what service we do have. 

They dig into Lan...

On today's Daily Detroit, we start the week with a conversation with State Senator — and Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful — Mallory McMorrow.

It's the third in our series of Democratic Senate candidate interviews, and we're focused squarely on what federal power could actually mean for Detroit, Metro Detroit, and Michigan.

McMorrow talks about why she first Googled "how to run for office" after the 2016 election, and why she frames governing as a design challenge to build policy that improves people's lives.

She talked about an approach to ieconomic development that feels less like "Lucy...

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has abruptly ended his independent run for governor, blowing up Michigan's 2026 race less than six months before voters head to the polls.

In this emergency episode of Daily Detroit, Jer, Devon and Norris break down why Duggan says "the numbers just aren't there," how national headwinds shifted after Trump's second-term agenda, and why independents are stampeding away from the GOP this cycle.

We get into what Duggan's exit means for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's path to the governor's office, the clown car situation on the Republican side, and how...

The Pistons' playoff run ends in heartbreak. A teen takeover shooting in downtown Detroit forces hard conversations about blame and perspective — as well as holding multiple thngs to be true at the same time. Plus, the Business of Food Summit reveals how Metro Detroit's food scene really works.

And we ask the question - what counts as metro Detroit? When it comes to dining out, in reality, it's a really big map.

Feedback on the podcast as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

An...

In this episode, Jer and Norris sit down with Ian John Solomon, better known as Ian Outside, an outdoor reporter, artist, and one of the Midwest's most powerful voices for environmental storytelling.

Ian has become a champion for Black outdoor recreation in Detroit and MIchigan through his work, involved in everything from policy to organization to journalism — on top of a great social media presence. 

We get into the 300+ parks in the city, the fact that Detroit is a maritime city, and so, so, so much more. 

Ian John Solomon is an interdisciplinary arti...

Detroit has posted population gains for the third consecutive year, adding more than 5,000 residents and leading the entire state in growth.

Two city residents and a former resident discuss the Census Bureau data showing Detroit now has nearly 650,000 people. 

The conversation explores what's driving the comeback — from intentional investments in housing and small businesses to the city's unique culture and identity that makes people want to stay.

They also discuss retention strategies, the importance of building diverse housing stock, and predictions for Detroit's future growth, including the possibility of climate migration bringing even mor...

A black bear near Flat Rock, a massive water main break in northern Oakland County, and one of Detroit's most talked‑about restaurants changing course all add up to a busy epsiode.

We start with Norris History Month updates and a few fun picks, from Deluxx Fluxx and SPKRBOX to a Mother's Day dinner at Bar Pigalle in Brush Park.

Then we dig into reports of a possible black bear sighting in southern Wayne County, what the DNR says to do if you see it, and why "you cannot knock out a bear" no matter wh...

Ferndale Pride executive director Julia Music joins us to preview this year's mile-long joyous celebration on West Nine Mile – from a new creamsicle Pride beer to drag, street waffles, stages, and a sensory-friendly zone. 

Find out where all the fun and connections are for this free festival on 5/30/26.

And be sure to say hey at our Pride arch and get a special edition sticker!

More: https://ferndalepride.com/

Lifelong Detroiter Jerrylyn Cope Howard joins us to share what it's really been like to grow up, raise a family, and stay rooted in the city for decades.

From Hudson's and Kresge's ice cream waffle sandwiches to the 1967 uprising, STRESS and the Big Four, legendary nightclubs, Gantos at Northland Mall, and today's rooftop bars, she traces how Detroit has changed — and why she still loves it.

We get stories about Brightmoor, parenting a kid with a big vocabulary (our own Norris Howard), and what it means to move beyond Motown nostalgia and look to the fu...

Jer and Devon are back at the table, kicking things off with Devon's recent trip to Pittsburgh and what Detroit can learn from its dense, walkable core, lively riverfront, and reuse of historic buildings.

Then they swing back home as Jer heads up to the rooftop at The Godfrey to check in on the views, vibes, and espresso martini trees lighting up the night crowd.

Devon pushes back on the idea that Dearborn is losing people, arguing the city is quietly adding residents, building housing, and skewing younger than most of Michigan — and he previews th...

Today on Daily Detroit, we're back into our series of candidate discussions as Dr. Abdul El‑Sayed, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Michigan joins me.

We get into why he's getting back into the political arena, his case for Medicare for All (and his case to people who worry they'll lose their current benefits), and what he thinks a U.S. Senator can really do on healthcare with a Republican in the White House.

We also talk about Michigan's sputtering economic numbers, how to keep and grow good‑paying jobs here at home, and...

Detroit is having a week full of newness — and we've got all of it. PWHL Detroit is officially happening: the city's new Professional Women's Hockey League franchise will play at Little Caesar's Arena starting in the 2026–2027 season, in black, silver, and a hint of Red Wings red.

The PWHL Awards and entry draft are coming to Detroit on June 16th and 17th, and roster building kicks off May 28th.

Norris Howard weighs in on the collapse of Spirit Airlines — plus, the case for trains over short-haul flights.

Downtown development: The historic 1908 Ford Building on Gri...

Filmmaker Hannah Fahoome of Now Listen Here Young Lady LLC joins Jer Staes and Norris Howard to talk about Arab Film Fest After Dark — an interactive afterparty she's been building around the Arab Film Festival for over three years.

The Arab Film Festival runs Tuesday, May 5th through Sunday, May 10th at the Arab American National Museum in East Dearborn. It's been going for over 20 years and features films from across the Arab world and Arab America.

On Saturday, May 9th, Hannah is also hosting a screenwriting workshop at 10 a.m. in the museum library — open...

Gas is suddenly a lot more expensive in Michigan — and Spirit Airlines just shut down for good.

Jer talks with GasBuddy head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan about Great Lakes refinery outages, record diesel and jet fuel prices, how a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz is pushing costs higher, and why that fuel shock helped finish off Metro Detroit–founded Spirit Airlines.

After, Jer digs into some details about Spirit's demise and we're looking for your Spirit experiences. 

Feedback as always — dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a...

We break down fresh polling data from the Detroit Regional Chamber and Glengariff on Michigan's August 2026 primaries.

With 36% of Democratic voters still undecided in the Senate race, this election is anyone's game.

Plus, we get into the Republican and Democratic primary landscapes, examining Donald Trump's 85.9% favorability among GOP voters, Jocelyn Benson's commanding 58-point lead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, and the tight three-way Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and Mallory McMorrow with a huge universe of undecided voters.

The conversation also explores Gretchen Whitmer's potential role in the 2028 presidential race, as...

Ferndale is bucking the trend. While most of Detroit's inner-ring suburbs are losing people, Ferndale has grown 1.3% since 2020 — outpacing every municipality that touches Detroit's city limits. 

We dig into new population data highlighted by the Detroit Free Press and ask what makes Ferndale different: walkable neighborhoods, a real downtown at Woodward and Nine Mile, a strong LGBTQ community, and a place where people say they feel safe because neighbors have their back. 

Here's a link to the piece we discussed: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/04/28/ferndale-is-growing-while-detroits-other-inner-ring-suburbs-shrink/89644896007/

We contrast Ferndale's urba...

In this two-parter, we start with Detroit's birds and end with Detroiters eating dessert. Science and snacks, basically.

First up, we talk with University of Michigan alum and Defenders of Wildlife science and policy analyst Natalie Madden about a new meta-analysis on how urban noise affects birds. They get into what a "study of studies" actually is, why everyday city sounds can mess with bird communication, nesting, growth and reproduction, and what planners and policymakers can do to turn down the volume so common species like robins and sparrows can actually thrive in metro Detroit.

Th...

Detroit's Friday crew is back!

We kick things off a hidden "speakeasy of coffee" called Sml Wrld Cafe on Gratiot in Detroit, and why now is the time to get your yard and urban garden in order.

Plus, the historic Detroit Boat Club is on getting on track for a major revival into a public-facing hub with restaurants, events, and rowing education.

Jer also checked out the new Cadillac Arts Center near Waterworks Park, with In Thicket Books, Take Me Home, and Bowerbird Home anchoring a growing Little Village arts district on the...