Podcast
Daily Detroit
Hosted by Daily Detroit · EN
What to know and where to go in Metro Detroit! We have conversations that push Detroit forward and share local stories about restaurants, business, development, local government, policy, technology, things to do, transit and more. All in about 22 minutes a day.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Duggan Drops Out: What's Next for Michigan Politics in 2026?
6d ago00:23:42Tap to summarizeFormer Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has abruptly ended his independent run for governor, blowing up Michigan's 2026 race less than six months before voters head to the polls. In this emergency episode of Daily Detroit, Jer, Devon and Norris break down why Duggan says "the numbers just aren't there," how national headwinds shifted after Trump's second-term agenda, and why independents are stampeding away from the GOP this cycle. We get into what Duggan's exit means for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's path to the governor's office, the clown car situation on the Republican side, and how this all reshapes the map heading into the Mackinac Policy Conference. We also kick around some speculation on Duggan's next move — including strong rumors about the presidency of the University of Michigan — and why his "fixer" skill set might be headed from city hall to collegiate head. As always, be sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to shows.
Transcribe →Teen Takeovers, How Detroit's Food Scene Really Works, and Pistons Pain
1w ago00:31:33Tap to summarizeThe Pistons' playoff run ends in heartbreak. A teen takeover shooting in downtown Detroit forces hard conversations about blame and perspective — as well as holding multiple thngs to be true at the same time. Plus, the Business of Food Summit reveals how Metro Detroit's food scene really works. And we ask the question - what counts as metro Detroit? When it comes to dining out, in reality, it's a really big map. Feedback on the podcast as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211. And follow the show on Apple Podcasts to wherever you get shows!
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Detroit's Great Green (and Blue) Spaces with Ian Outside
1w ago00:23:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jer and Norris sit down with Ian John Solomon, better known as Ian Outside, an outdoor reporter, artist, and one of the Midwest's most powerful voices for environmental storytelling. Ian has become a champion for Black outdoor recreation in Detroit and MIchigan through his work, involved in everything from policy to organization to journalism — on top of a great social media presence. We get into the 300+ parks in the city, the fact that Detroit is a maritime city, and so, so, so much more. Ian John Solomon is an interdisciplinary artist-journalist and organizer. He holds a B.A. in broadcast journalism from the Walter Cronkite School with a minor in political science. After a stint as a congressional reporter in D.C., Ian returned to Detroit to combine his journalism background with his passion for the outdoors. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Amplify Outside - Founder of this Detroit-based organization dedicated to amplifying Black outdoor recreation, increasing representation, access, and infrastructure for Black Michiganders seeking outdoor experiences. The organization recently launched as a podcast on the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in April 2026. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Detroit Parks Coalition - Communications & Engagement Manager, where he works to highlight the city's 300+ parks and green spaces. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> PBS Great Lakes Now - Emmy Award-winning host of the "Ian Outside" segment. He has received two Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award, plus a First Place award from the Society of Professional Journalists. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Planet Detroit - He has a series of reports you can find on their website. If you love this conversation, be sure to follow Daily Detroit wherever you get shows - on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, YouTube, or anywhere else. Also, we're supported by our members on Patreon.
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Detroit Grows Again
2w ago00:25:30Tap to summarizeDetroit has posted population gains for the third consecutive year, adding more than 5,000 residents and leading the entire state in growth. Two city residents and a former resident discuss the Census Bureau data showing Detroit now has nearly 650,000 people. The conversation explores what's driving the comeback — from intentional investments in housing and small businesses to the city's unique culture and identity that makes people want to stay. They also discuss retention strategies, the importance of building diverse housing stock, and predictions for Detroit's future growth, including the possibility of climate migration bringing even more new residents to the Great Lakes region. As always, feedback - dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211. Make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Transcribe →Black Bear in the 'Burbs, Broken Pipes, and a Big Restaurant Move
2w ago00:19:03Tap to summarizeA black bear near Flat Rock, a massive water main break in northern Oakland County, and one of Detroit's most talked‑about restaurants changing course all add up to a busy epsiode. We start with Norris History Month updates and a few fun picks, from Deluxx Fluxx and SPKRBOX to a Mother's Day dinner at Bar Pigalle in Brush Park. Then we dig into reports of a possible black bear sighting in southern Wayne County, what the DNR says to do if you see it, and why "you cannot knock out a bear" no matter what social media tries to tell you. There's a days‑long water outage and boil advisories after a 42‑inch main ruptured in Oakland County, what it says about aging infrastructure across Metro Detroit — and why sprawl is making the bill for repairs so steep for a region that hasn't actually grown in population since the 1970s. And finally, news that Marrow is consolidating into its Eastern Market location and leaving West Village and Birmingham, what that means for the restaurant scene, and the business reason why some "regional play" concepts end up gravitating to greater downtown. If you're dealing with the outage, seeing the development shifts up close, or just have thoughts on where this region grows next, let's hear from you! Leave a voicemail at 313‑789‑3211 or send a note, dailydetroit@gmail.com.
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Your 2026 Ferndale Pride Guide ft. Julia Music
2w ago00:17:53Tap to summarizeFerndale Pride executive director Julia Music joins us to preview this year's mile-long joyous celebration on West Nine Mile – from a new creamsicle Pride beer to drag, street waffles, stages, and a sensory-friendly zone. Find out where all the fun and connections are for this free festival on 5/30/26. And be sure to say hey at our Pride arch and get a special edition sticker! More: https://ferndalepride.com/
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She Never Left Detroit
2w ago00:41:00Tap to summarizeLifelong Detroiter Jerrylyn Cope Howard joins us to share what it's really been like to grow up, raise a family, and stay rooted in the city for decades. From Hudson's and Kresge's ice cream waffle sandwiches to the 1967 uprising, STRESS and the Big Four, legendary nightclubs, Gantos at Northland Mall, and today's rooftop bars, she traces how Detroit has changed — and why she still loves it. We get stories about Brightmoor, parenting a kid with a big vocabulary (our own Norris Howard), and what it means to move beyond Motown nostalgia and look to the future... while still holding on to the good memories. This is the beginning of an occasional series on Detroiters, focusing on those not always lifted up in the media. Feedback as always — dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.
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Pittsburgh Travelogue, Godfrey Rooftop, and Detroit's New Convention Hotel
3w ago00:21:12Tap to summarizeJer and Devon are back at the table, kicking things off with Devon's recent trip to Pittsburgh and what Detroit can learn from its dense, walkable core, lively riverfront, and reuse of historic buildings. Then they swing back home as Jer heads up to the rooftop at The Godfrey to check in on the views, vibes, and espresso martini trees lighting up the night crowd. Devon pushes back on the idea that Dearborn is losing people, arguing the city is quietly adding residents, building housing, and skewing younger than most of Michigan — and he previews the upcoming Dearborn Night of Innovation and Bet on Dearborn business expo. Finally, the pair break down plans for a new 600-room convention hotel connected to Huntington Place, why downtown still needs more rooms, and how the project fits into the post-office, hotel-vs-residential debate in Detroit's core. As always - feedback dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211.
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Abdul El‑Sayed on Medicare for All, Detroit, and Michigan's Economy
3w ago00:19:37Tap to summarizeToday on Daily Detroit, we're back into our series of candidate discussions as Dr. Abdul El‑Sayed, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Michigan joins me. We get into why he's getting back into the political arena, his case for Medicare for All (and his case to people who worry they'll lose their current benefits), and what he thinks a U.S. Senator can really do on healthcare with a Republican in the White House. We also talk about Michigan's sputtering economic numbers, how to keep and grow good‑paying jobs here at home, and his ideas for reining in Wall Street short‑termism, banning stock buybacks, and using targeted tariffs to bring high‑growth manufacturing back to the state. Then we focus on Detroit: Federal support for Detroit's big lifts around affordable housing, transportation, and water infrastructure — from a national housing bill and renter protections to real investment in light rail and fixing our pipes. And because this is Daily Detroit, we wrap with some fun: Abdul's go‑to coffee shops, pizza spots, bagels, and his favorite places in town. As always, we're not making endorsements in this race, but we are making space for locally focused conversations that matter. My idea with these conversations for our hyper-local audience is hit on some of the topics national outlets may not. I've already talked to one candidate in this race; and the third is scheduled. If you've got thoughts, keep it respectful and hit the inbox at dailydetroit@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 313‑789‑3211. And if you value episodes like this — consider supporting our work at patreon.com/dailydetroit. We basically can't run ads on political content nowadays. So your support matters more than ever.
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New, New, New: Pro Women's Hockey, A 1926 Beauty, and a Hi-Fi Listening Bar
3w ago00:25:06Tap to summarizeDetroit is having a week full of newness — and we've got all of it. PWHL Detroit is officially happening: the city's new Professional Women's Hockey League franchise will play at Little Caesar's Arena starting in the 2026–2027 season, in black, silver, and a hint of Red Wings red. The PWHL Awards and entry draft are coming to Detroit on June 16th and 17th, and roster building kicks off May 28th. Norris Howard weighs in on the collapse of Spirit Airlines — plus, the case for trains over short-haul flights. Downtown development: The historic 1908 Ford Building on Griswold — a Daniel Burnham Chicago-style gem — is headed to auction at just 14% occupancy, raising questions about what it takes to bring Detroit's financial district back to life. [Crain's Detroit] Jer and Norris dream big: 100,000 people in 7.2 square miles, a Trader Joe's in the State Savings Bank, and density done right. Bedrock's Belle — a 1926 Beaux Arts building on Broadway — is now accepting pre-lease tours on its 42 newly finished units. And coming soon to Southwest Detroit at 2545 Bagley: Tigris, a hi-fi listening bar with a custom Bing Audio sound system, vinyl DJ sets, Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails, and a daytime café to boot. Finally, Jer is moderating a panel at the free Business of Food Summit on May 18th at the Marrow in the Market — all about what it takes to make Michigan a true culinary destination, and what Michelin recognition could mean for the state.
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