Daily Detroit

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Is 2024 the turning point for transit in Metro Detroit? Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Metro Detroit has wrestled with a lack of comprehensive transit — far behind peer regions, and even lesser ones — for decades.

Michigan's competitive challenges are getting to the point where even those who are among the least open to change have to started to face it.

Where top talent, young talent, are choosing other states because Michigan just doesn't provide the basics many other areas that are growing, do.

One of those basics is transit.

But now there's a transit caucus in the state legislature. There's more voices in power saying we need to address this gap. There are plans to roll out a pilot for a BRT route. There's a pilot direct connection from the airport to downtown Detroit, and expanded fixed route service in the suburbs. Oh, and a connection to Ann Arbor, too.

Can 2024 be the turning point for transit in southeast Michigan and Michigan?

I attended the "State of Transit" event by Transportation Riders United, and afterward caught up with Megan Owens who heads the organization.

There are a lot of bright spots, but some structural challenges remain.

I also learned changes in law need to be happen if we want things like light rail to ever exist here.

Because despite changes in the political map and a wider spirit of collaboration, it turns out the ghosts of Metro Detroit's divided past haven't left us and in some cases it's making it harder to get things done. Those ghosts live on through policy.

More on Transportation Riders United: https://www.detroittransit.org/

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Talking Yemeni Coffee (ft. Ibrahim Alhasbani, Qahwah House) Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Yemeni coffee is spreading across America as more and more people discover just how good it is. Qahwah House started in Dearborn, but has gone as far as Illinois and Brooklyn as it's been expanding across the nation.

It has a special flavor and a special story, and we get into it today.

Longtime listeners of the show know we love coffee, so Devon O'Reilly invited Ibrahim Alhasbani, the co-founder of Qahwah House to come by the studio.

A true Metro Detroit success story.

Website: https://www.qahwahhouse.com/

Joining in on this Friday is Norris Howard and Jer.

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The Introvert Economy // Michigan Central hotel // Olga's Westland closes Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

Four Daily Detroit contributors around one table? The dream is realized at the new studio in TechTown. Norris Howard, Shianne Nocerini, Devon O'Reilly and Jer talk three of today's stories that impact Metro Detroit.

00:51 - There's a hotel proposed for the top of the Michigan Central project in Corktown on the old train station. Is that the best use? Will it be a great way to show off the city?

06:32 - We wax nostalgic about Olga's, who abruptly closed their Westland location after more than 40 years. Norris had just visited, because it's one of the few places that has vegan and gluten free options.

12:55 - What's up with all these early dinner reservation? The "introvert economy" that has swept across America, says Bloomberg. We just are going out less. The most in demand dinner reservation has moved from 8pm to 5:30p, and it has all kinds of knock on effects. There's more, too... here's a link to the piece. We discuss.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-01-22/the-introverts-have-taken-over-the-us-economy

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What is populism, really? (ft. Steve Babson) Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

What is populism, anyway? There's a lot of talk about populists and the concept of populism in today's political discourse but little talk about what the roots are and what it actually means.

Author and labor educator Steve Babson joined me in the studio to discuss his book, "Forgotten Populists: When farmers turned left to save democracy."

This conversation hits a number of points:

03:29 - Populism as an alternative to capitalism

05:40 - One of the most notable populists was legendary Detroit mayor Hazen Pingree, who was both an entrepreneur and a one-time factory worker. His policies revolutionized the city and set it on a path for its golden age.

09:03 - We discuss how different American elections were, as there was no secret ballot.

11:03 - Changing rules

13:19 - The legacy of populism

14:19 - The Works Progress Administration, the New Deal, and examples locally like Keyworth Stadium that were built using populist policies

16:43 - A historical comparison of populism

18:11 - How is the modern UAW different than the past, and the populist threads in that?

19:47 - Why author Steve Babson wrote this book

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Monday Mourning Quarterback Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

A heartbreaking loss to end an amazing season for the Detroit Lions.

Fletcher Sharpe breaks down what worked and what didn't, and we start to pick up the pieces of where to go from here with the Lions after the loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

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State of the State highlights, James Beard semifinalists and Bye, Jim Harbaugh Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

From the serious to the seriously fun, we've got you covered on your Daily Detroit. Devon O'Reilly is in to talk about:

01:11 - Michigan State of the State breakdown

02:54 - Governor Gretchen Whitmer said "Build baby build," with the goal of increasing the housing stock across the state to lower prices and increase quality

05:24 - Devon, as a dad, gets into incentives for growing Michigan families; tax credits, and universal PreK

10:07 - We talk about possible new state rebates for buying new cars, electric cars, and union-made cars. Is it a good idea?

12:57 - The Republican rebuttal looked like a bad lawyer ad

15:15 - Restaurant news: James Beard Semi-Finalist annouced and we talk about Metro Detroit competitors

21:45 - Jim Harbaugh is leaving Michigan for the NFL. Who should replace him? Are Michigan fans even upset?

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On Stephen A. Smith and Detroit Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith made some off-the-cuff comments about Detroit that got a lot of Detroiters real mad about how he perceived the city and the Lions impact on it.

02:09 - Norris Howard is in, and we talk about - should we have paid it so much attention? Should Detroit walk tall, knowing we have things to work on or respond to what he said negatively about areas outside of downtown? This segment is by listener request.

17:37 - We talk about a new rec center in Detroit's Chandler Park

20:33 - And the legendary rock venue Harpo's is up for sale

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211

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On Northern Soul (and how to shake your tail feather) Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

If there's anything Detroiters know how to do, it's how to tap our feet and nod to the beat. And so often in history, those beats are made right here.

Local history expert, music tastemaster, and Motor City Soul Club co-founder Dan Austin joins me on the podcast to talk about Northern Soul, a genre that encompasses Motown - but there's so much more to discover. How do you find it? What's notable about it? He's also talking about the return of the Motor City Soul Stomp this Saturday evening at the Marble Bar.

The local podcast rundown:

00:52 - What makes Northern Soul music special to Dan?

03:31 - Motown might be the big name everyone knows, but there's so much more to the story

06:27 - Giving these Detroit music artists their due, remembrance and recognition

08:07 - Here are some ways to get started checking out Northern Soul for yourself

14:39 - The Motor City Soul Stomp returns after the pandemic hiatus this Saturday Night at the Marble Bar in Detroit. $5 cover, you're going to want to head on down. Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/777818770856268

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Can the Lions beat the 49ers? Yes. Will they? We talk about it. Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Fletcher Sharpe is in and we're here to talk the Detroit Lions.

01:08 - Is/was the curse of Bobby Layne real?

03:18 - Recapping the Lions/Buccaneers games, highlights, lowlights, things to watch out for

18:35 - Looking ahead to San Francisco and maybe and NFC Championship?

25:41 - Singing Zach Ertz at the last minute to boost the lineup

27:50 - Final game predictions

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211

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On the future of Metro Detroit's suburban transit (ft. Tiffany Gunter, SMART) Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Although a lot of attention is paid to buses and transit in the city of Detroit, the reality is the vast majority of people in Metro Detroit do not live within the city limits. Although some do, many of their trips to get around don't involve the city at all.

They're served by SMART - The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation - and any conversation about transit and linking southeast Michigan together involves their work.

In this conversation with Tiffany Gunter, Deputy GM at SMART, we talk about the plans ahead. From more bus drivers, how things are going since the last successful millage, the on-demand FLEX driver service, fixed guideways and more.

Podcast rundown:

01:08 - Where does SMART go in the region? And bringing more marketing for public transit.

02:39 - Update on how things are going for SMART after the last millage, including the first new bus lines in awhile.

04:34 - There's a national crisis on hiring more bus drivers and how that effects on time performance. And what they are doing to fix the problem.

06:59 - Some of the vision for the future of SMART

10:05 - Updating on how the Flex ride hailing and door-to-door service is going now that it has started.

12:21 On working with other agency partners like RTA, the State of Michigan, and DDOT

14:29 What is a fixed guideway? Future SMART app for riders, and when can you expect that to come online?

17:50 Generational shifts around public transit, and how SMART is adapting.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211

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