Daily Detroit

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 pl...

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: https://www.dailydetroit.com/canada-...

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 pr...

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 g...

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 -...

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 c...

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 be...

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 o...

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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-det...

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...

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...

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 App...

Coming to you from the studio at TechTown after a long weekend, today's show is all about what's happening in Detroit's food and drink world — the good, the bad, and the "wait, that closed already?" I'm joined by our engineer of both audio and alcohol, Randy Walker, to dig into some big changes at longtime favorites, why some promising spots didn't make it, and where you should actually spend your...

Today's show is a trifecta where we get Norris, Devon, and Jer all in the studio at once talking local stuff.  Here's the rundown: 01:43 - Shout out to Northern Lights 02:35 - There are some maybe possible Detroit People Mover expansion routes shared with the public. Where would you want to see it go? 11:17 - A fake CEO fools some in the media  19:00 - Responding to listener questions: Where is Go...

Show notes to come. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942 Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9?si=df538dae2e144431  

On today's Daily Detroit, our conversations is with Joanna Whaley, a Democrat running in the primary for State House District 2, covering Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Melvindale and Southgate. Whaley is not a typical candidate. She's a former evangelical pastor, a seminary-trained theologian, a clinical spiritual care provider in a hospital, and a trans woman who has spent the last several years doin...

What should we expect at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show? Sam Klemet, the Executive Director of the event, joins me to walk through what's happening at Huntington Place. From cars, to interactive experiences, to performances — there's a lot to look for. The public show days are January 17-25. Tickets available here. Then, I bring you 5 things to know around town so you're caught up and what to know and...

On a weekend edition of your Daily Detroit, we unpack how national news has pushed its way into local conversations, why we're limiting our social media lately and why it's more important than ever to get together in person.  03:37 - Minneapolis, terrible violence, and how national news and federal forces are forcing their way into local 04:13 - Why we're spending way less time on social media 08:...

Local media across America is in its most tumultuous moment in decades, and Detroit is at the center of it. From the end of the joint operating agreement between the Free Press and the News, to shifts in public media funding, to the chaos around how you watch the Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings, there's a lot to sort through. I talk with longtime PR pro and media watcher Matt Friedman of Tanner Fri...

Jer and Norris talk Detroit nightlife nostalgia and a viral TGI Fridays "club" promo, a wild DDOT discipline case, where auto trends are really heading in 2026, and Jer's feature in Hour Detroit on Michigan politics and social media. Topic list: The last TGI Fridays in Michigan in Southfield turning into "the club" with paid booth service on a Wednesday; memories of Fridays, Club Blue, and early‑2...

Today, a conversation about what happens when a clever design school project turns into something much bigger. From a 20‑pound prototype stitched in a grandparents' bedroom to a 21,000‑square‑foot facility on Detroit's east side… and 100,000 coats later... Empowerment Plan has become a made‑in‑Detroit way of literally keeping the world warm. These are coats that turn into sleeping bags, sewn by De...

Detroit has a new mayor making moves, school funding is on the line over attendance rules, Highland Park is pushing back on a possible ICE site, Sheetz keeps expanding, and there's a very cool archaeology event you can actually go to. ​ On this episode of Your Daily Detroit, ive stories to kick off 2026: Detroit makes history as Mary Sheffield becomes the city's first woman mayor, steps into offic...

Today's episode is all about Detroit sandwich culture, community, and the power of sharing good food with good people. I'm joined in studio by Carlos Parisi, the mind behind Sandwich Week, for a wide-ranging conversation on where to find great sandwiches across the region – and how those places help you make real-life connections, not just grab lunch and go. ​ 02:24 - Honoring Greg Mudge We start...

Jer and Devon cue up our annual mild, hot, and spicy predictions for Detroit, Metro Detroit and Michigan things in 2026! From fun, to development, to automotive, to transit, to politics - we cover all of the bases. If you've got your own predictions (or agree or disagree with ours!) let us know.  It's one of our must-listen local podcast episodes of the year.  Support the show on Patreon: https://...

Soccer in Detroit is about more than just a game — it's a tool for community building and civic engagement. In this episode, Maxwell Murray joins Fletcher and Jer to share how the Urban Football League and Detroit City FC are using "the beautiful game" to reclaim urban spaces and help people feel a connection to something bigger than themself. Maxwell walks through the mission behind the league: c...