Daily Detroit

One of the things the Coronavirus pandemic has meant is that people have had to innovate and adapt to a quickly changing world.

With the aim of keeping people employed, one of those founders and companies doing that is Better Life Bags, based in the enclave of Hamtramck.

The custom bag company has grown over the years using social media and has put people to work in their local community, all the while adding to Detroit's fabric of fashion businesses and nonprofits.

I also talk with founder Rebecca Smith about doing business at a pace that's manageable when you have a family, which is part of the focus of her upcoming book, "A Better Life: Slowing Down to Get Ahead."

Then I'll update you on a couple things you should know about around town. Including:

• Your power bill is going up
• Former State Senator Morris Hood has died of COVID-19
• And baseball could be coming back July 4th.

What can the past teach us about what we're dealing with today?

Our conversation today is with Tim Kiska from the Detroit History Podcast.

They recently put out a great special episode talking about the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and how it hit Detroit.

History may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme. So it's uncanny how many echoes there are today that are from a century ago.

We dive into that and more with Tim.

Have a listen in the player at the bottom of your screen and check out the Detroit History Podcast here.

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On today's show, there is more Coronavirus news to update you on, plus other stories:

Detroit is getting a better hold on the virus thanks to testing.

But, the disease is spreading west, MLive has a great interactive map to show how counties near Grand Rapids are seeing an uptick in cases. Link: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/05/eight-weeks-after-michigans-first-coronavirus-cases-an-animated-map-tracks-its-spread-through-the-state.html

Mayor Mike Duggan says that Detroit's three casinos will likely not be able to fully re-open until there is a vaccine.

The TCF Center's field hospital will be put on pause once the single patient that is there is discharged. The hospital will not be taken down, just in case of future waves.

The temporary hospital at the Novi Suburban Showplace will remain open.

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said that police will begin to enforce social distancing and mask compliance.

The controversial conservative Royal Oak City Commissioner Kim Gibbs is in the news again, this time for allegedly shoplifting from a local Meijer.

General Motors has managed to have a profit for the first quarter, even though the pandemic has hurt sales.

Most GM plants in the U.S. and Canada will restart production on May 18, 2020. And FCA is also set to reopen that week.

The Old Rouge Steel Mill, which was part of Henry Ford's former sprawling complex that opened in the 1920's will fall silent this July. AK Steel announced in a warn notice to the state that it plans to shutter the steel mill and 343 people will lose their jobs.

Michigan Medicine, which is made up of the U of M Health System, Medical School and Research facilities is laying off or furloughing 1,400 employees in the wake of reduced revenues due to the Coronavirus.

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller is suiting nine major disposable wipe makers because the "flushable" wipes do serious damage to sewer systems.

The City of Detroit has a new Executive Director of Transit, C. Mikel Oglesby will oversee the Detroit Department of Transportation and the Detroit People Mover.

The James Beard Finalists have been announced and a few of the finalists call Michigan Home.

The popular Birmingham restaurant Hazel, Ravines, and Downtown has reopened with lobster rolls to go and a limited menu. You can order your lobster rolls here: https://www.hrd.kitchen/

Hudsonville Ice Cream has released two limited edition flavors for summer, American Fireworks and Blueberry Cobbler.

Finally, the Detroit Kite Festival has created an online store where you can buy kites, apparel, and DIY kite kits. The festival is still tentatively scheduled for July 12, but that can change. Store: https://detroitkitefestival.org/kite-shop

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One of Detroit's most well-known and well-loved local businesses is Avalon International Breads.

So for episode 500 of the podcast is my conversation with owner and co-founder Jackie Victor.

The bread in their ovens, like the business, is slowly beginning to rise again. But what shape will the future take? And how might they get there in these uncertain times?

And when might we see chocolate chip sea salt cookies again?

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On today's show, a bunch of Coronavirus quick updates, plus:

Beaumont Wayne is reopening

The Sterling Heights PD wants Segways

Leila in downtown Detroit gets a nod from GQ as one of the best restaurants in the U.S.

And, Brian Allnutt from Planet Detroit gives us an update on what's happening with Belle Isle and flooding. More: https://planetdetroit.substack.com/p/flooding-on-belle-isle-has-resumed

Like what we're doing? Consider becoming a member. http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

You may have heard that our food system is in dire straits, with shortages of chicken, beef and pork looming because several meat processing plants have temporarily shuttered due to the coronavirus. And that President Trump has gotten involved. On today's show, we break down what that's all about, and we speak with James Rigato, the chef and owner of celebrated restaurant Mabel Gray.

Rigato recently took to Instagram to discuss the issue, and on today's show, he offers his expert perspective, along with some great tips for everybody stuck at home on how to continue to find meat and cook with it. After all, there's a lot more to eat than just hamburgers and chicken breasts.

Also, May the Fourth be with you.

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.

On today's show:

Armed gunmen protest in the statehouse in Lansing. Sven Gustafson talks about it.

Governor Whitmer has extended her order closing a number of places of public accommodation until May 28. This includes places like theaters, bars and casinos - and limits restaurants to carry out and delivery.

Alibaba executive and owner of the Brooklyn Nets, Joe Tsai, is donating a lot of PPE to Detroit.

And Randy Walker joins me to talk about our favorite places for takeout around town that we've tried. If you've got recommendations, get in touch! We'd love to know about what's in your neck of the woods.

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show, some coronavirus-related automotive news for you. Ford posted a hefty, $2 billion loss for the first quarter, blaming it on the coronavirus and related production shutdowns. It also said the second quarter will be far worse, when it expects to post a $5 billion pre-tax loss. Lincoln also made a surprise announcement that it's canceling plans to develop its first electric vehicle with EV startup Rivian because of the "current environment," with production shut down and cash leaking like a sieve at the parent company.

Also today:

• The construction industry is expected to be cleared to go back to work on May 7
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has unveiled a proposed G.I. Bill for those classified as "essential workers" during the coronavirus shutdown
• The state is launching a new $130 million fund to make child care more affordable to essential workers
• Nearly 40 mid-Michigan residents have been infected with coronavirus traced to an outbreak at a massive poultry farm

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.

Today on your Daily Detroit, a three-parter. We interview Fletcher Sharpe for a rundown about Detroit City FC's spring season being canceled and the status of the women's team, which is supposed to launch its inaugural season this spring.

Then, Cristina Sheppard-Decius of the East and West Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities joins us to discuss a new small-business and sole-proprietor grant program being offered in the city. The window to apply for them opened Monday and closes at noon Friday. More information is here.

We also update you on the latest in coronavirus news, including the latest numbers from the state and what's happening on the ground in hard-hit Detroit. Also:

• Oakland County has formed a new task force focused on helping businesses stabilize and recover from the COVID-19 shutdown
• Recipients of the Federal Family Education Loan Program student loans that were insured by the Michigan Guaranty Agency are getting a reprieve on missed payments until Sept. 30
• The Suburban Collection is matching up to $10,000 in donations to FLAG Metro Detroit, which gives the money to local restaurants to make meals for frontline health care workers. You can learn more at flagmetrodetroit.org.

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.