Daily Detroit

Latest Episodes:

Dan Austin on Detroit's Past, the Austin Fund, and Fighting for the Future Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Today I sit down with HistoricDetroit.org founder Dan Austin for a candid conversation about Detroit's lost landmarks, from the Statler and Madison-Lennox hotels to the Lafayette Building and beyond.

We talk about how preservation battles have shifted over the last 20 years, why the Austin Past and Future Fund aims to both safeguard Detroit's stories and support Detroit students, and what it means to plant seeds for a future you may never see.

Dan also opens up about his terminal colon cancer diagnosis, the urgent need for earlier screenings, and how listeners can help by supporting the fund and taking care of their own health.

Support the fund: https://austinpastfuturefund.org/

Inside Detroit's High School for Future Pilots Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

Detroit's Energy Is Rising (With Some Wild Trivia, Too) Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

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: https://www.youtube.com/live/cx8AJcVfLTU

Of course, follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

Detroit's New Housing Playbook: Faster Permits to Build (and Fix) More Homes Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

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: dailydetroit@gmail.com

Support the work: https://www.patreon.com/DailyDetroit

Happy 313 Day! Plus St. Patrick's Day Prep (and more) Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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

Street Names, Sidewalk Repairs, and Why Detroit's Creative Work Needs You Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

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.

"In search of a stage: Detroit artists want more independent venues in the city"

"How Black artists and curators are fighting to sustain Detroit's neighborhood artistic spaces"

Why Restaurateur Billy Dec Is Betting Big on Detroit Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

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: https://www.sundanewasian.com/detroit

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Great Lakes Cuisine & Guns and Butter's Detroit Comeback w/ Chef Craig Lieckfelt Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

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.

If you check out Guns and Butter at the Detroit Foundation Hotel this month, we'd love to hear what you think—drop us a line at dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211.

Checker Bar returns, Kalshi controversy, Should first floor offices be in downtowns? Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

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You Should Visit Detroit; People Want Rail; An Old Favorite Expands Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

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! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984004859944?aff=oddtdtcreator

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-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/