Daily Detroit

Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon and the rest of the CNN teevee crew have packed up their new Shinola gifts and "Detroit Vs. Everybody" T-shirts now that the Democratic presidential candidate debates are over.

Aside from the economic bumps for the Book Cadillac, Detroit Water Ice and no doubt many swanky downtown eateries, did Detroit learn anything from any of the 20 candidates hoping to end Donald Trump's presidency after one term? Do we know anything more about how the Democratic field will shake out?

We talk about that and what issues are likely to resonate among Michigan voters with Matt Grossmann, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University.

What does he think about the Democratic Party's epic struggle between progressives and moderates? Plus, Jer and I offer our own thoughts on a crowded debate stage.

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.

This week on Daily Detroit, we're dusting off our politics hats. The Democratic presidential debates are in town at the Fox Theater, after all, and Round 1 took place last night, with the second debate planned for Wednesday evening.

Tuesday night's debate featured front-runners and progressive-wing standard-bearers Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, plus South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg. And they showed well.

But Jer and I argue that former Grosse Pointe resident and self-help author Marianne Williamson arguably advanced her cause the most of any candidate on stage.

Williamson, who recently penned a column for CNN discussing the school inequality she witnessed as a Pointer, used her limited air time to talk about issues like the Flint water crisis and even the hot-button issue of reparations, which she supports. Could last night's debate be Williamson's golden escalator moment?

Also, I speak with former Democratic state Rep. Marie Donigan of Royal Oak for her take on the debate.

Who strengthened their argument to win the party's nomination? Who tanked? What messages should Dems hammer to win Michigan? And is a progressive, left-wing message or a more moderate position the way to go to win back the state from Donald Trump and the GOP in 2020?

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 Daily Detroit podcast:

Brian "Q" Quinn from the TruTV show Impractical Jokers will join us on the line. He's one of four that make up the comedy troupe The Tenderloins.

They're coming to DTE Energy Music Theatre on August 9th. [Tickets here]

A schedule change puts the Rocket Mortgage Classic and Grand Prix on the same weekend.

A new incentive district is coming to the Livernois-McNichols area in Detroit to spur commercial development.

Royal Oak is looking for a city manager [Royal Oak Tribune]

And some local breweries win medals at the 2019 U.S. Open Beer Championship [Complete list of winners]

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And thanks to Seth for joining us as a member! You can be cool like Seth at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show we touch on:

• Is there a restaurant bubble? Here's the original piece we discuss that's worth a read.
• Praise for Peso
• Excitement over Bowlero, a retro bowling alley coming to Oakland County
• Grand Circus Park with Bourbon
• Mudgies has one of the best sandwiches in America. Who else around here deserves a nod?

Happy Friday. On today's show, Jer speaks with Detroit muralist Sheefy McFly — he's the one who was arrested while doing a city-commissioned mural on a Detroit viaduct. He's got a new mural that will be unveiled this weekend at the Mo Pop music festival on Detroit's riverfront.

We also run down a few news stories from the past week:

• New affordable housing units are being planned in North Corktown aimed at "middle-income" residents. [Crain's]
• A shooting at a west-side gas station over stolen potato chips has sparked protests urging residents to support black-owned businesses. [Warrendale Blog]
• Raccoons are terrorizing a neighborhood near Rouge Park! [WXYZ]
• And Wine Spectator spotlights dozens of Detroit-area restaurants for their wine lists as part of its 2019 Restaurant Awards.

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 we take a trip to the near eastside suburb of Grosse Pointe park. There's a new pizza joint out that way called "The Bricks." Me, Randy Walker and Shianne Nocerini checked out a preview of this elevated neighborhood spot and had plenty of thoughts. Do they get three thumbs up to give it a shot when they open in August?

Recovery Park works to re-build on vacant land, create jobs and help to revitalize a historic Detroit neighborhood.

Unfortunately, they recently went through three thefts at their location on the east side of Detroit. But the community is rallying, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to check in on an organization doing important work – from farming to helping returning citizens get jobs – in Detroit.

My guest is Anna Kohn, the Chief Impact Officer of Recovery Park. We talk about their GoFundMe, a link to that is here.

Also:

The Oakland County Executive says it's time for raises for 825 non-union employees to keep talent working for the county.

Detroit City FC's pro league has a new name for their cup and a new schedule. [Detroit City FC]

And Vernor's is honoring more Michigan lighthouses on their cans. Find them all here.

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On the show today….

On August 6, 2019 there's going to be a neat event on the Detroit riverfront. It's called the "Silent Hike."

It's an audiovisual experience with music, narration and nature. Our guest on the show today to talk about it is creator Murray Hildary.

Also on the show:

Spirit Plaza in downtown Detroit is going to become a permanent thing, thanks to a 5-4 Detroit City Council vote that reverses a previous decision. After the news, Jer gets into why he thinks the plaza and walkable spaces downtown are good ideas.

The legendary Gold Dollar burned Tuesday night, where the White Stripes got their start. It's being investigated as arson.

Kid Rock is selling his Detroit riverfront home.

And free ice cream tomorrow (Wednesday) for Detroit's birthday! Be sure to catch the Hudsonville crew in Campus Martius from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Don't miss another episode! Be sure to catch the show on your favorite mobile podcast app.

Today's show is a two-fer. First, we speak with Randy Essex of the Detroit Free Press. He tells us all about the paper's investigation into how Ford Motor Company tried to hide defective transmissions in older models of the Focus and Fiesta small cars. The problems have led to many injuries and lawsuits.

Then we catch up with soccer correspondent Fletcher Sharpe after Detroit City FC crashed out of the NPSL playoffs Sunday against Cleveland.

Cynthia Canty is a veteran broadcaster who hosts the news, policy and culture program Stateside on Michigan Radio, a NPR affiliate that broadcasts in the Detroit area at 91.7 on the FM dial.

She's been on air a variety of places in Detroit. She spent years as part of Jim Harper's legendary morning show, following him across the FM dial. Canty also was on television at WKBD-TV.

She recently announced plans to retire at the end of the year after four decades in broadcast news in Southeast Michigan.

On today's show, me and Sven talk with Canty all about her career, how radio has changed over the years — and her thoughts on why so many people have so little trust in the news media.

Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.