Daily Detroit

Latest Episodes:

A Millage to Keep Metro Detroit's Stories Alive Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

A proposed Wayne and Oakland county millage could reshape access and provide ongoing sustainability to two of Metro Detroit's cornerstone historic institutions.

Jer Staes and Norris Howard are joined by Elana Rugh, president and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, and Neil Barclay, president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The proposal would support free admission for county residents, transportation help for students and seniors, teacher curriculum resources, and funding for smaller public historical museums across the two counties.

We talk about why the museums say they need a long-term funding model, what visitors can expect this fall, and why preserving Detroit's past — while collecting the history being made today — matters.

The measure is listed on the back of the ballot as the Southeast Michigan Historical Museums Authority proposal.

You'll find a full transcript on our website.

More info: https://www.yestoourstory.com/

Feedback as always, dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211.

Hamtramck Gets SMART Service Back, Plus a First Look at Georgia O'Keeffe at the DIA Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

On today's show, Norris Howard and I dig into SMART's new Route 500, which restores service to Hamtramck for the first time in more than a decade. It's a new bus connection between downtown Detroit, the DMC, Hamtramck, the North End, and the Bel Air Center.

It matters for a city like Hamtramck where about one in five households does not have a vehicle, and it also gives fans another way to get to Keyworth Stadium and people visiting the city a way to get to Hamtramck without am Uber.

Then, photographer Ryan Southen and I head to the Detroit Institute of Arts for a preview of Georgia O'Keeffe: Architecture, a first-of-its-kind exhibition that looks beyond the flowers and into the buildings, cityscapes, barns, and New Mexico spaces that shaped her work.

We also talk with Ben Colman, the DIA's curator of American art, about why bringing this exhibition to Detroit matters and how O'Keeffe's New York paintings connect with the skyscraper boom that shaped Detroit in the same era.

Finally, we check in on Detroit City FC as Le Rouge heads into the final stretch of the regular season, chasing a top-four finish and a chance to host a playoff match at Keyworth. Saturday's matchup against Pittsburgh is a big one, and DCFC will wear special green Capuchin Soup Kitchen charity kits.

Feedback as always dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211.

Cover photo by Ryan Southen. What do you think on any of these topics? Hit us up, dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211. Thanks for your support on Patreon!

Cosm's Tech Is Cool (But Can Be Costly) & Cass Cafe Returns Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Ahead of the weekend, Devon and I break down my visit to Cosm Detroit, the new high-tech venue in downtown that's gotten a ton of buzz. The tech and immersive dome are very impressive, but dynamic pricing means ticket costs can jump in a hurry depending on what you're seeing. We debate - is dynamic pricing the way to go?

Plus, we also dive into some great local news with Cass Cafe returning to Midtown, sample a Banana Bread Old Fashioned, and unpack MDOT's new pilot program testing a per-mile road charge.

Timestamps: 01:31 - What We're Drinking: Banana Bread Old Fashioned 05:33 - Cosm Detroit: Super Cool, But Might Be Costly 17:49 - Cass Cafe in Detroit returning 19:51 - Charge for roads per mile driven instead of the gas tax?

Cover photo by Ryan Southen.

What do you think on any of these topics? Hit us up, dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211.

Sorry for the late posting this week. We still don't have internet at home on the east side and are digging out of the power outage. Regular schedule next week.

Thanks for your support on Patreon!

Should Detroit Switch Off DTE? Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

After severe storms and a tornado swept through Detroit over the Labor Day weekend, leaving many across the region without electricity for days (including yours truly for a second holiday weekend this year, totaling nearly two weeks without power), Norris Howard and I break down the Detroit City Council's unanimous vote to explore alternatives to DTE Energy.

We discuss the council's decision, look at the broader implications of utility monopolies in Metro Detroit, and share our personal experiences dealing with frequent power grid failures across the area.

Link to report discussed via the Detroit News.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:45 – Gratitude: Shoutouts to everyone who came out to see us at the Detroit Sandwich Party at Eastern Market, plus a special thanks to new Patreon members!
02:00 – Weekend Highlights: Norris recaps his experience at the Detroit Jazz Fest, highlighting a performance by the Low End Quintet at Dee Dee's / The Valade.
03:45 – News: Detroit City Council vs. DTE: Details on Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero's unamiously passed measure directing the legal department to research ways to diversify the city's energy sources and reduce dependence on DTE Energy.
05:30 – Monopolies & Utility Accountability: A discussion on rate hikes, service reliability, grid hardening, and a lack of competition.
09:15 – Public Power Alternatives: Looking at how nearby communities like Ann Arbor and Wyandotte's relationship to public utilities and what that might mean for Metro Detroit.

Listen & Connect

Follow the Show: Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Support the Show: Join us on Patreon to help keep independent local coverage going at patreon.com/dailydetroit.
Feedback & Listener Stories: Send me an email at dailydetroit@gmail.com or leave a voicemail on our line at 313-789-3211.

Inside Ray's Downtown, Bay Harbor Getaway & What's New at Greenfield Village Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

Before we get started, apologies as this episode is about a day behind. My neighborhood was the one in Detroit that was hit by an EF2 tornado, bringing 115 mph winds, downed trees, and damage. Apologies, and we'll talk more about what happened next week.

Main show: As it's Labor Day weekend, we thought we'd bring the fun. Devon O'Reilly joins me as we review Ray's Hometown Bar, the retro-inspired, wood-paneled new spot taking over the former Mr. Dips space in Parker's Alley.

Plus, Devon takes us on a tour of his child-free getaway up north, sharing why he prefers the Little Traverse Bay area — including Petoskey and Bay Harbor — over Traverse City, along with a standout meal at Spring & Porter.

Then, we debate the definitive boundaries of where "up north" actually begins in Michigan.

Finally, Jer did a bit of a staycation with a rare day off at Greenfield Village, getting into what makes its newest additions like the Stand 44 eatery, the Jackson House, and the reconstructed 1860s Detroit Central Market... must-visit add ons to an old favorite.

Support the work on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DailyDetroit

Feedback as always - 313-789-3211 or email us, dailydetroit@gmail.com

Reinvesting in Detroit: Gratiot, 7 Mile, & Denby-Whittier Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Today, we're learning about the massive capital investments heading to Detroit's East Side — specifically around Gratiot, 7 Mile, and Denby-Whittier.

To do it, Norris Howard and I sit down at our TechTown studio with Kala Gibson, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer for Fifth Third Bank.

Kala shares his personal story growing up in Detroit, how a neighborhood bank closing shaped his career, and why Fifth Third is committing hundreds of millions of dollars to housing, workforce development, and small business grants across the city.

Plus, we talk about straight-talk banking, supporting local entrepreneurs, and a little local debate over Detroit pizza and classic Coney spots.

In this episode:

The origin story behind Fifth Third's Neighborhood Program and the expansion from G7 (Gratiot and 7 Mile) into Denby-Whittier.
How $5,300 grants and low-interest loans are helping local neighborhood businesses grow without taking on massive debt.
Why physical bank branches and community capital are critical to rebuilding neighborhood corridors.
Kala's favorite homecoming food stops in Detroit (and a hot take on Coney Island spots).

For the full, unedited transcript of this conversation and past show archives, head over to our Daily Detroit website.

As always, feedback - dailydetroit@gmail.com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. And be sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

Your September Guide To Detroit: Jazz Fest, Month of Design & Stories We're Watching Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

We're kicking off September with our ultimate preview of what's happening and what we're keeping our eyes on across Metro Detroit this month.

Norris Howard joins me to talk about the most interesting events on the calendar, including the month-long Detroit Month of Design, Labor Day festival traditions like the Detroit Jazz Fest and much more.

We also break down the major local stories and trends shaping our region heading into the fall, from last-minute possible mail-in voting changes you need to keep an eye on that could impact Michigan... to food safety recalls... to our upcoming look at the RenCen's future and how national economic shifts impact our city and region.

Plus, thank you for making us the number one podcast in Detroit.

You can listen to Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you get your favorite shows. Feedback as always - dailydetroit@gmail.com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

Investing in Detroit's Parks: Inside the Neighborhood-Focused Push of the Gilbert Family Foundation Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

While major downtown developments often capture the headlines, neighborhood parks across the city of Detroit's 139 square miles are getting critical investments driven directly by community feedback, with funding support from the philanthropic community.

In this episode, I sit down at our TechTown studio with JJ Vélez, Senior Director of Public Space for the Gilbert Family Foundation.

We dig into how a $1.2 million commitment across neighborhood parks — including Dorais Park, Eliza Howell Park, and Hass Emery Park (currently in the process of being renamed Keith Slappy Park) — is helping bring community-driven visions to life, as well as how they help on the ground with community organizations.

As he says:

"Detroiters just want to be heard... What I've learned in this position is bringing that mentality: underpromise and overdeliver, and just being an opportunity for residents to speak and listen. There's a reason why we have two ears and one mouth. We need to do a lot more listening and a lot less speaking."

Feedback as always by email: dailydetroit@gmail.com or leave a voicemail: 313-789-3211.

Be sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you listen to shows.

Lake Ontario Was Here First, New Life for Mexicantown's YMCA & Bagels in Birmingham Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Norris Howard and I tackle a packed Wednesday edition of Daily Detroit.

We break down the mounting tensions in the U.S.-Canada trade dispute and respond to political rhetoric proposing to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America."

Plus, we pay tribute to the late, great Dolly Parton. Then it's a recap of our weekend trip to see Detroit City FC win over Tampa Bay with one of the best keeper saves we've seen in a long time.

In local development news, a vacant historic YMCA building in Mexicantown across from Clark Park gets a $10 million redevelopment lifeline, Midtown sees progress on West Willis, and local favorite Bev's Bagels sets its sights on Birmingham.

As always, feedback - dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on your favorite podcast app!

Detroit Sandwich Party Returns Bigger Than Ever for 2026 (with Carlos Parisi) Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

The Detroit Sandwich Party is back and bigger than ever, doubling its footprint at Eastern Market on September 6th with 50 vendors, kid-friendly games, and even... carbonated pickle juice.

Organizer and sandwich lover Carlos Parisi joins the show to walk us through this year's massive expansion into the Shed 5 parking lot, share pro tips for getting the most out of the event, and we tease some of the top-tier bites on the lineup.

Grab a friend (or a foe, why not), map out your game plan, and get ready for what's become one of the must-see local food events of the summer.

More: https://www.instagram.com/detroitsandwichparty/?hl=en

Full transcript on our website.

Local media needs local support to survive and thrive! Be sure to support our work on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DailyDetroit

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