Daily Detroit

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Roman Mars Helps Us Discover The 99% Invisible City Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

If you're a long time listener to this show, you may have caught on that one of the reasons we're here is a love of places. Specifically our places.

The Detroit tri-county area includes, well, three counties, made up of more than 130 cities, townships and villages.

And yes, even part of a ghost town.

You could zoom in again and see countless neighborhoods and block clubs and associations - all the way down to the street you see out your window.

In these places, there are stories wherever you look. You might find the next time you go on a run, or walk your dog, or notice that one thing over your backyard fence that you never thought about before.

And when you travel, if you keep your eyes open, you'll see their stories, too. It's pretty cool.

Now, there's a field guide for these things to help you on your journey. It's called the 99% Invisible City, and it's by Roman Mars.

Who is my guest today.

Grab the book: https://99percentinvisible.org/book/

Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/romanmars

What To Know Around Town Plus Sports w/ Fletcher Sharpe Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Michigan is seeing more Coronavirus cases and the tri-county area is no exception

The US/Canada border closure is extended through November 21

A couple of Michigan businesses got national media attention:

- The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor was featured in an ad for Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Link: https://youtu.be/SW86jyTsYe4

- Farmington Hills based Five Hour Energy was spoofed by Saturday Night Live. Link: https://youtu.be/OP0H0j4pCOg

The Woodbridge neighborhood in Detroit is getting new housing.

The University of Michigan has been named one of the top film schools in the nation by The Wrap. Link: https://www.thewrap.com/top-film-schools-ranked-2020-afi-usc/

Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle is coming back in early November.

And Fletcher Sharpe breaks down the Lions win and talks about the upcoming MSU and U of M games. Follow him: http://www.twitter.com/SaintFDW

Want to support what we're doing? Become a member: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

New Things, Remodeling Things, And Things To Know Oct 16, 2020

Show notes

Sheefy McFly, Sanford Nelson On The New "Glass Mural" Project Coming To Eastern Market Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Eastern Market, to put it bluntly, has gone through a lot of changes recently.

Although many come to it on Saturdays and know it through the public markets, there's much more to one of Detroit's historic districts, like food wholesalers, butchers, packers and distributors.

In the last few years, there were shops and restaurants - that although their places were loved, the owners wanted to retire and few were interested in taking over. Some, there was a lot of controversy and attention when they shut their doors.

While Others opened up. Like Eastern Market Brewing Company, Beyond Juicery, and Beas.

A number of businesses needed to find or build modern facilities nearby. The older buildings they were in just didn't live up to the needs of those companies anymore.

And you might not know that most of the neighborhood's economic activity and jobs are created by those industrial places.

It's part of what's driving this shift in spaces in the market, too.

So what's next with this Glass Mural project? And what are the visions behind it and some properties in the market? Let's find out.

My guests are FIRM real estate developer Sanford Nelson and artist Sheefy McFly to talk about a 40,000 square foot, multi-story development project on Russell at Division Street called, "Glass Mural."

Meet The New Pink Norden Aquavit + 6 Things To Know In Metro Detroit Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

What to know around Metro Detroit:

We give an update on the latest Coronavirus numbers as cases and hospitalizations continue to trend up;

Share where to get tested for free in Macomb County;

Run down a series of bill the state legislature passed around the pandemic;

Update you on news the U.S. Supreme Court is upholding a directive to stop census counting on October 15 which will impact Detroit and urban areas around the country;

WXYZ-TV has the harrowing tale of a man physically hurt by Taylor police while he wasn't resisting arrest - and then charging him for fleeing when he didn't. As well as all the steps the system missed to right it before now. I just wanted to highlight it that it's out there. Go read the whole thing and watch the bodycam footage: https://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/police-chief-calls-for-change-after-officers-say-welcome-to-taylor-during-violent-arrest

The NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite 8 are coming to Detroit

And our feature conversation is with Robyn Cleveland about their new limited-edition Pink Norden Aquavit. We chat about how the company is doing in pandemic times, the inspiration for this special edition and then give it a try.

Part of the proceeds benefit the Pink Fund. There are limited bottles and places to get it. Go here: https://nordenaquavit.com/

Have something to say? Our voicemail line is 313-789-3211

Want to support our work financially? http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

The Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths and What Can Be Done About It? Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

On today's podcast – a chat with author Angie Schmitt.

Her book – "Right of way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America" looks at how our built environment – and choices to buy ever-larger vehicles – have led to more inequity and more pedestrian deaths to the point it's a public health crisis.

Link, use promo code "Schmitt": https://islandpress.org/books/right-way

We'll dive in and talk about a change the city of Detroit made to make things far better for those who walk and bike.

But first on your Daily Detroit for Tuesday, October 13th, 2020, Three things to know.

Coronavirus cases seem to have a new, higher baseline; as well as more fatalities Tuesday.
The city of Detroit has a new set of bioretention medians in the Aviation Subdivision. It's a neat, green way to handle extra rainwater that was backing up into resident basements.
And the city of Sterling Heights is seeing more absentee ballots and registrations, so they're extending their election center hours.

Support our work: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Four Of Detroit's Indigenous Names; Coronavirus Outbreak Possible; Headlines Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Michigan is now at risk of a Coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Paul Thomas helps us break down why and what's next for this pivotal week; including why herd immunity - as suggested by some local leaders - would be a very deadly path to go down.

Plus; hundreds of thousands of michiganders could see their records expunged, including those for marijuana offenses
Fines have been issued around the recent land collapse into the Detroit river
A creek in Warren has been cleaned up
A new Buddy's is opening in Troy

And it's Indigenous Peoples' Day. So I take you on a little journey talking about Detroit's names before it was Detroit and some of what's left of that amazing history.

Love the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942?mt=2

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You Can Be Fired And Lose Your Apartment Because You're Gay In Michigan. But There's Hope. Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Stopped; Steve Friess Previews Local U.S. House, Senate Races Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

On today's Daily Detroit:

A plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been stopped, with charges against six men; as well as seven others for a plot to attack the State capitol.

Plus, conservative hoaxers were arraigned for voter intimidation of Detroiters.

And a deep-dive conversation with Steve Friess of Newsweek and Hour Detroit. He's back to talk to intelligently talk about the prospects of races for two local U.S. House seats (held by Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stephens), as well as the race between Gary Peters and John James.

Find Steve here on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteveFriess

Support what we're doing on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Thanks to Lauren for joining us as a member!

AT&T Stops Offering DSL And How It Impacts Michigan; Plus 7 Things To Know Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

On your Daily Detroit: Technology expert Tom Lawrence joins me to cut through the clutter on a move by AT&T to no longer offer DSL service. It has a pretty big impact here in Michigan as their alternate service - Fiber - isn't available to most of their homes. And considering everyone's working from home, schooling from home, it puts a number of communities at a big disadvantage.

Ars Technica story: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/10/life-in-atts-slow-lane-millions-left-without-fiber-as-company-kills-dsl/

Link to study: https://cwa-union.org/sites/default/files/20201005attdigitalredlining.pdf

But to get started, I'll update you on a few stories around town.

We update on COVID numbers.

MLive's story on government bodies not sure if they need to meet in person: https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/10/virtual-meetings-of-local-government-bodies-in-jeopardy-after-supreme-court-ruling.html

Free COVID-19 testing is this weekend in Dearborn Heights.

Teachers in the Detroit Public Schools Community District ratified a new contract with pay raises.

A Muslim woman is suing the Michigan Department of Corrections and the city of Detroit over having to remove her headscarf when being booked.

Two violent incidents in Greektown are concerning:

via WXYZ: https://www.wxyz.com/news/two-people-shot-during-gunfight-in-downtown-detroit-overnight

via Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2020/10/07/suspect-arrested-but-police-seek-victim-greektown-pistol-whipping/5910130002/

And out the door fun - are Junior Mints the ultimate Halloween candy in Michigan? And wither the Candy Corn?