Daily Detroit

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Back From Break: 5 Things To Catch Up On In Metro Detroit Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

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 office after a landslide win, and immediately signs on to the RX Kids program that delivers cash assistance to pregnant and new moms.

Detroit's main school district is staring down more than $2.2 million in state penalties because daily attendance has fallen below the 75% threshold, putting a spotlight on how the rules land hardest in high‑poverty communities.

In Highland Park, local leaders say they'll fight any move to put an ICE detention and processing center in the city after it appeared on an internal federal shortlist. It's still in rumor‑and‑draft territory, but the conversation raises bigger questions about local control.

You'll also hear about Sheetz opening a new Warren location on the old Pampa Lanes site.

And to close, I give you the details on Wayne State's Public Archaeology Day at Old Main, a free, all‑ages Saturday event with artifacts, shipwreck finds, and more.

01:23 Detroit has a new Mayor, RX Kids, and new City Council officers

03:04 Detroit Schools fined millions for low attendance

04:34 An ICE Detention facility for Highland Park?

06:12 More Sheetz, This Time In Warren

07:38 Public Archeaology Day at Wayne State

Coming attractions: Live stream tomorrow (Tuesday) with Norris Howard; in-depth conversation on 100,000 coats from Detroit keeping peopel warm; and check out Hour Detroit this month (January) in print.

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How To Find Great Sandwiches (and New Friends) in Detroit Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

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 by remembering the late Greg Mudge of Mudgie's, whose new honorary street sign that went up over the weekend recognizes just how much he did to shape Detroit's modern restaurant and bar scene.

Carlos shares personal stories about Greg as a mentor, community builder, and straight shooter who helped countless businesses get off the ground and pushed people to be better.

05:55 - 10 Rapid-fire sandwich takes

Then I put Carlos through 10 rapid-fire sandwich questions, starting with the eternal "Is a hot dog a sandwich?" (he says no, emphatically).

We get into toasted vs. untoasted bread, mayo vs. mustard, pickles, diagonal vs. straight cuts, fries and chips on the sandwich, bologna nostalgia, and why texture, temperature, and proper "shredduce" (shredded lettuce) make or break a great bite.

15:37 - Sandwich Week 2025 preview and schedule

From there, we dig into Sandwich Week 2025, running December 26–31 in its 12th year. Carlos walks through the schedule:

Friday, Dec. 26 – Mudgie's (12–3 p.m.): Kicking things off where so much started, with the Uncle Carlos sandwich back on the menu.
Saturday – Vesper Books & Wine (12-3 p.m.): A first-ever Sandwich Week pop-up with Ayiti Spaghetti
Sunday – Ladder 4 (12-3 p.m.): Wild, creative sandwiches from one of the top spots in the country, plus that off-the-beaten-path wine-bar vibe.
Sunday night – Dakota Inn Ratskeller (ticketed dinner, 6 p.m.): A 15-foot sandwich built on a giant table in the newly revived basement German wine bar! Plus sides, Aunt Nee's chips and salsa, and two drinks with your ticket.
Monday – Rocco's (12-3 p.m.): A must-visit Italian market stop with art between two slices of bread.
Tuesday lunch (12–3 p.m.) – Tall Trees: Ferndale's small-but-mighty cafe, with obsessive attention to thoughtful sandwiches.
Finale – Batch Brewing (6 p.m.): Closing things out under the big tent with a special smoked-meats sandwich lineup and a big community raffle with concert tickets, gift cards, and more from businesses across Metro Detroit.

There are also a number of sidequests with deals at Gonella's, Pietrzyk Pierogi, JP's Makes and Bakes, Last Chance Saloon, Bev's Bagels.

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Predictions! For Detroit (and Michigan) in 2026 Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Street Soccer as Sunday Service: Inside Detroit's Urban Football League with Maxwell Murray Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

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: creating a street soccer culture that serves as a modern-day "Sunday service" by and for Detroiters.

He explains how these matches blend sport, food, and education to build a unique sense of belonging and cultural expression across the area.

He also discusses the importance of breaking down barriers to entry for youth, ensuring that soccer is accessible to every Detroiter regardless of their socioeconomic background.

At a time when Detroit is entering its next chapter, Maxwell argues that these community-led efforts are essential for empowering the up and coming generations.

Feedback as always: dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com.

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Innovate or Be Left Behind: Michigan's Auto Crossroads ft. Glenn Stevens Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Michigan's auto industry is still a global leader, but Glenn Stevens of MICHAUTO argues in this episode that "innovate or be left behind" is no longer a slogan — it's the stakes of the moment for the state's economy.

Glenn walks through the forces reshaping the industry — rapid technology shifts like automation, AI, and EVs, fierce global competition from places like China, and whiplash in trade and domestic policy that makes long-term planning harder.

He explains why the real battle is for talent: from skilled trades to high-end software and digital jobs, Michigan needs better K–12 outcomes, clearer career pathways, more counselors, affordable housing, and reliable transit if it wants people to build their lives and careers here.

Here's the full report if you want to check it out for yourself: https://michauto.org/michauto-report-michigan-must-innovate-or-be-left-behind-amid-rapidly-changing-automobility-industry/

Feedback as always: dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com

Thanks to City Bird for their support. Get grat local gifts this holiday season: https://www.citybirddetroit.com/

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Michigan Just Broke $645 Million in Promises Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

State House Speaker Matt Hall's move to cancel $645 million in already-approved state funding is the political equivalent of a rug pull, and it has real consequences for projects and people across Michigan.

This episode digs into what happened, why it matters, and what comes next for cities, nonprofits, and everyday Michiganders.

This wasn't theoretical money on a spreadsheet. It hit projects that were already underway with contracts signed and local dollars already spent on the promise of state reimbursement.

The cuts touch everything from Motown Museum improvements and the BAMF Cancer Center in Detroit to an emergency shelter in Sault Ste. Marie, RX Kids cash support for new parents, police infrastructure in Dearborn, Detroit Zoo funding, and Detroit's right-to-counsel program.

To break down the facts, impacts, what could be next and what you could do about it is Steve Watson. He is a Partner and COO at Watson and Yates, a consulting firm here in Detroit that serves public sector and non-profit clients.

He knows his stuff. Formerly, Steve was budget director for the city of Detroit.

His post, "Speaker Hall's How the Grinch Stole Christmas" took what I had seen in other outlets to another level with his in-depth understanding and I knew I just had to talk to him. https://watsonyates.substack.com/p/speaker-halls-how-the-grinch-stole

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Leland Loses Power, Sherrone Moore Sacked, Kronk Gym Returns Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

Three timely stories to talk about today:

01:20 – Sherrone Moore Fired

The University of Michigan and head football coach Sherrone Moore abruptly part ways after an internal investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, plus a separate assault probe in Washtenaw County.
Jer and Fletcher dig into how this goes far beyond wins and losses: the impact on recruits, assistants, and a program still reeling from recent scandals.
They also explore how boosters, fans, and parents might see Moore differently after this, and what it means for Michigan's near-term future on and off the field.

09:57 – Leland House Power Cut

Detroit's historic Leland House goes dark after a fire marshal–ordered evacuation, with DTE and ownership pointing fingers over damaged equipment and unpaid bills.
The conversation widens to what happens when iconic Detroit buildings fall into limbo—and how quickly "troubled" can turn into "too far gone."

15:19 – Kronk Gym Returning to Detroit

Some good news: Kronk Gym is back inside Detroit city limits at a new home on Wilkins, not far from where legends once trained.
The revived gym blends big-name boxing alumni with youth programming, fitness classes and a renewed community mission.
Fletcher shares personal memories of the old Kronk and why hearing "hailing from Detroit, Michigan, out of Kronk Gym" still hits different for the city.

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Basement Bar, Vegan Bites, Defense HQ on the Riverfront, + 9 Stories Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Detroit's stories in today's show are on the riverfront, in Corktown, in our startup labs, and even inside a nearly century-old neighborhood theater. From a $71 million defense-tech hub on the water and a plant-based diner bringing new life to Michigan Avenue, to a controversial new cannabis tax, brain-drain at U-M startups, and the Senate Theater's call for help, this episode breaks down some of the forces reshaping Detroit in 2025.

The rundown:

01:07 - Where we've been: Saksey's

03:55 - Where we've been: City Bird and Nest

06:47 - State Grants Money For New Riverfront Defense HQ

09:17 - Street Beet opening in Corktown this Thursday

12:33 - Mocha and Company coffee shop opening downtown

15:01 - Marshall M Fredricks Museum opening a studio on the eastside

17:52 - Michigan judge allowing wholesale tax on canabis to start January 1st

20:29 - Report says that the state has a hardtime keeping U of M startups

27:05 - Senate Theater raising money for building repairs

29:00 - Mailbag: Pile of junk update

30:10 - Norris RoboCop statue thoughts

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Your Packard Plant Feedback + More Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

We got a ton of feedback on the Packard Plant project announcement last week, so we sort through it with our thoughts.

Plus, Norris keeps it a buck on people who want Detroit to win and what it'll take to keep families in the city.

Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit

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Our Spotify Wrapped: What Shows Do You Listen To? Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Today's episode is a fun one in two parts:

1) What are YOUR favorite podcasts, books, and music? We got our Spotify Wrapped and since Devon's a parent and his music selection has been completely skewed by his family, we thought we'd walk through ours and also ask if YOU want to share your favorite stuff! What did the data analytics miss?

2) We have an update on the proposed demolition date of the RenCen, 2027. But should we do something fun with it in between?

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