Daily Detroit

Large projects like the new Fiat Chrysler America plant on Detroit's east side that are part of Detroit's comeback - and a lot of economic development in Michigan - almost always come with incentives given by the city and the state. But does the math work? Does it make sense? The President of the Center for Economic Accountability, John Mozena, says no.  One of the stunning statistics Mozena says...

For your show for August 29, 2019: East Jefferson is getting a new master plan There's a new app to pay for bus rides on DDOT and SMART and soon the QLINE More Tiny Homes are rising in the Dexter-Linwood neighborhood thanks to Cass Community Services. They're doing tours as a fundraiser this weekend:  https://casscommunity.org/tinyhomes/ And Fletcher Sharpe joins us to talk about the week ahead fo...

Welcome to your Daily Detroit for Tuesday, August 27, 2019. Here's what to know today: Up in Marysville, a city council candidate that made national news resigned.  Metro Detroit has the largest apartment construction spike in the country, with half the units being in the city of Detroit. $75,000 in high end Scotch as well as $150,000 in building damage was done in a liquor store caper involving a...

Today's episode is all about cars — specifically, about how the law has paved the way for their dominance in our everyday lives and shaping the way we live in fundamental ways. Our guest is Gregory Shill, a Law Professor at the University of Iowa who grew up here in Metro Detroit. Professor Shill recently wrote a piece in the Atlantic headlined, "Americans shouldn't have to drive, but the law insi...

It's late summer. Things slow down a bit. Think of this episode as a summer book at the beach before fall hits us with crisp breezes and hectic schedules. Today, we're going to talk about having meaning in your everyday life. To chat about that is Lynne Golodner. She's the host of the Make Meaning podcast. A former journalist, Lynne Golodner has dedicated her life to sharing stories about how peop...

Oakland County is under new leadership — and Democratic control — after former Ferndale Mayor David Coulter was sworn in Friday as new county executive. Coulter will serve out the remainder of the term of  longtime boss and Republican, L. Brooks Patterson, who died Aug. 4 . Coulter is a former member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners who had been mayor of Ferndale for almost nine years....

Today's episode hits on three topics. First, journalist Darren Nichols joins us to add context around a racially charged incident in Royal Oak that's made national headlines. A white woman called police on a black man who looked suspicious. And Royal Oak Police questioned him for 30 minutes outside of a popular restaurant, while a bystander broadcast the thing live on Facebook. We dive into previo...

On today's show, we go to the Two Way Inn to talk about celebrating the 198th birthday this weekend of Colonel Philetus Norris. The civil war veteran who fought on the Union side built a place now known as one of the best dive bars in America - the Two Way Inn - and more in a village called Norris. Now, it's the Nortown neighborhood of Detroit, and they're looking to take Philetus's old house and...

The eyes of the nation have been on Metro Detroit, as this is where Chaldean Christian Jimmy Al-Daoud was picked up for deportation to Iraq. The 41 year old Oakland County man came to the United States legally as a baby, and as an adult, dealt with health issues like diabetes and schizophrenia. He also had numerous problems with the law, which got him the attention of the Federal Government. A cou...

Our public school system in Detroit has a lot of needs. Not just for the district itself, but as a lot of families don't have money, a lot of programs that kids in the suburbs just do? Well, they don't in Detroit. Like travel and fees to robotics competitions, for instance. Often in the suburbs, parents pick that up. In Detroit, often, the families don't have the money. Here's some context. The me...

On today's show for August 9th, 2019: Up in Royal Oak, there may be a new plan for the site of long-time Italian restaurant that recently closed. A local brewing magazine, MIBREW, is ceasing publication after a controversial photo spread. Electric buses are coming to DDOT and SMART. Detroit bike share service MoGo is getting E-Bikes. A Pokemon-themed bar is coming to town. Shianne talks about her...

On today's show: Wahlburgers opens in Royal Oak, Jeff Goldblum descends upon Detroit on a bicycle, Jack White is re-releasing some great stuff, there's a cat film festival coming and Arts Beats and Eats releases their lineup. Also: Sister Mary Jane Herb stopped by the studio to talk about the future of the Marygrove campus after the closure of the college later this year. The plans are big and fun...

There's a beer battle brewing in Michigan. Our guest on the show is Dayne Barscht, Managing Director of Eastern Market Brewing to talk about it. They're leading a petition drive to change state law to make it easier for small breweries in Michigan to self-distribute their beer, without having to go through a distributor. Also, Riopelle Street in Eastern Market is getting redone as a part-time pede...

Today on the show, it's Jer's birthday! dBusiness Editor and Publisher R.J. King joins us at the Podcast Detroit studio to talk about Hantz Woodlands. Created with a lot of controversy during Detroit's bankruptcy, the operation has, well, grown. RJ talks about his cover piece for the July/August issue of dBusiness on newsstands now. Also: Dan Gilbert is sounding alive and recovering from a stroke....

L. Brooks Patterson, who died Saturday at age 80 at his home in Independence Township, was one of the Detroit area's most consequential and controversial figures in local politics. To some, he represents the ascendancy of an economic powerhouse, in Oakland County, and the very pinnacle of good governance and fiscal stewardship. But he's also a key player in the region's ugly racial divides, throug...

Detroit's Capitol Park has a long, storied history. And it's seen a lot of transformation the last five years. It also has a special place in my heart as it's a place I traveled often as a kid. My first Hot Wheels set was bought in a store where Prime and Proper is now. My McDonalds? As a kid, it'd be the one that was at State and Shelby streets when my dad went and painted offices.  On today's sh...

Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon and the rest of the CNN teevee crew have packed up their new Shinola gifts and "Detroit Vs. Everybody" T-shirts now that the Democratic presidential candidate debates are over. Aside from the economic bumps for the Book Cadillac, Detroit Water Ice and no doubt many swanky downtown eateries, did Detroit learn anything from any of the 20 candidates hoping to...

This week on Daily Detroit, we're dusting off our politics hats. The Democratic presidential debates are in town at the Fox Theater, after all, and Round 1 took place last night, with the second debate planned for Wednesday evening. Tuesday night's debate featured front-runners and progressive-wing standard-bearers Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, plus South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg....

On today's Daily Detroit podcast: Brian "Q" Quinn from the TruTV show Impractical Jokers will join us on the line. He's one of four that make up the comedy troupe The Tenderloins. They're coming to DTE Energy Music Theatre on August 9th. [ Tickets here ] A schedule change puts the Rocket Mortgage Classic and Grand Prix on the same weekend. A new incentive district is coming to the Livernois-McNich...

On today's show we touch on: Is there a restaurant bubble? Here's the original piece we discuss that's worth a read. Praise for Peso Excitement over Bowlero, a retro bowling alley coming to Oakland County Grand Circus Park with Bourbon Mudgies has one of the best sandwiches in America. Who else around here deserves a nod? 

Happy Friday. On today's show, Jer speaks with Detroit muralist Sheefy McFly — he's the one who was  arrested while doing a city-commissioned mural  on a Detroit viaduct. He's got a new mural that will be unveiled this weekend at the Mo Pop music festival on Detroit's riverfront. We also run down a few news stories from the past week: New affordable housing units are being planned in North Corktow...

Today we take a trip to the near eastside suburb of Grosse Pointe park. There's a new pizza joint out that way called "The Bricks." Me, Randy Walker and Shianne Nocerini checked out a preview of this elevated neighborhood spot and had plenty of thoughts. Do they get three thumbs up to give it a shot when they open in August? 

Recovery Park works to re-build on vacant land, create jobs and help to revitalize a historic Detroit neighborhood. Unfortunately, they recently went through three thefts at their location on the east side of Detroit. But the community is rallying, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to check in on an organization doing important work – from farming to helping returning citizens get jobs...

On the show today…. On August 6, 2019 there's going to be a neat event on the Detroit riverfront. It's called the "Silent Hike." It's an audiovisual experience with music, narration and nature. Our guest on the show today to talk about it is creator Murray Hildary. Also on the show: Spirit Plaza in downtown Detroit is going to become a permanent thing, thanks to a 5-4 Detroit City Council vote tha...

Today's show is a two-fer. First, we speak with Randy Essex of the Detroit Free Press. He tells us all about the paper's investigation into how Ford Motor Company tried to hide defective transmissions in older models of the Focus and Fiesta small cars. The problems have led to many injuries and lawsuits. Then we catch up with soccer correspondent Fletcher Sharpe after Detroit City FC crashed out o...