Daily Detroit

Hey Detroit! We are back in our TechTown studio for your Daily Detroit, and on this Thursday, May 15th, 2025, the city is absolutely buzzing with news – from delicious new spots, to political shifts, to the city growing population for a second year in a row.

On today's show:

Corktown Coffee & Bagel in Core City

First up, Devon brought in a treat from the brand new Haraz Coffee in Corktown, which just had its soft opening. Located at 1501 Church Street (right off Michigan & Trumbull in a new parking deck), this Yemeni coffee shop is already impressing.

Not to be outdone on the new-eats front, I shared my excitement about Bev's Bagels, the latest venture from James Beard-nominated Max Sussman. Tucked into a space on Grand River (south of Warren), Bev's offers an old-school diner counter feel but with amazing bagels.

Detroit's Growing Population & Development News

The big headline? Detroit's population has grown for the second consecutive year, according to new U.S. Census estimates. This is the first time since 1957 the city has seen two straight years of growth, adding 7,000 residents and becoming the 26th largest city proper in America. Mayor Duggan credits reduced crime, more jobs, and new housing.

While positive news, there's much more work to do. We discuss the big pluses and what's ahead.

Speaking of development, the groundbreaking for Lee Plaza on West Grand Boulevard (in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood) is a monumental step. This 100-year-old, long-vacant iconic eyesore is being transformed into 117 units of affordable senior housing, with rents capped at 30% of income. It's a complex project with 7-8 layers of financing, but it's a "jewel" being added outside of downtown.

Political Tremors: 2026 Governor's Race Polls

New polling for the 2026 Governor's race is turning heads. A Target Insyght poll shows Mayor Mike Duggan, running as an independent, with 48% overall support among Detroit voters (up 9 points since February). He's even leading 51-28 among Black voters in the city.

Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has slipped to 32%, and Republican Congressman John James is at just 3% with Detroit voters.

Although it's early, we get into it because it shows the former Mayor has more juice than some expected. Though it's kind of in line with what we predicted.

What Do You Think? What are your favorite new spots in the city? Are you feeling the growth? And what's your take on these early political polls? Let us know!

Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 313-789-3211.

Thanks for tuning in, and remember — you are somebody.

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day.

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Today's show is in three parts:

First, we spent the morning at the Automate conference in Downtown Detroit. Bringing thousands to the city, the conference touches on the best in industrial and machine automation — the present and future of manufacturing in America. Guest expert Adam Cook joins us to translate what we saw and the importance.

Plus, Norris and Jer talk about three Detroit area buildings that sure, we'd love to see them rehabbed but maybe they'd need a spirit rehab too. Or some smudge. Induge your woo.

And finally, Norris does a bit of previewing of Movement this Memorial Day weekend and what he's looking to check out.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day. Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

The next Mayor of Detroit, whoever they are, will have some really big challenges from their budget to figuring out how to continue to draw investment, to trying to rebuild the city's middle class.

Anika Goss, the CEO of Detroit Future City, shares details on their new report "Opportunities for the Next Mayoral Administration to Grow Detroit's Middle Class." You can read it here.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day.

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

In honor of the Tigers being one of the best teams in baseball, Jer and Fletcher get into it on the Tigers.

Why they're doing well, what to look for to feel even more confident, and a word about people who need to put their Yankees hats away around town and be proud to wear the old English D.

05:43 - Unless you grew up with a Derek Jeter baseball rattle or are able to recite the statistics to Joltin' Joe, put your Aritzea-bought Yankees hats away when in Detroit.

10:39 - 3 Ways the Detroit Tigers found the recipe for winning

14:34 - What is Flecther looking for to really lock in that the Tigers are, in fact, that special team? Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day.

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

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Today, we're diving into a world of capes and incredible local talent. The Detroit Historical Society has just opened a brand new, year-long exhibit called "Heroes vs. Villains: The Art of the Comic Book," and it's packed with surprising connections to our city.

Did you know Detroiters had a hand in everything from The Simpsons and Futurama to the Batmobile and legendary DC and Marvel storylines?

We sat down with the curators – Billy Wal-Winkel, Brendan Roney, and Kevin Hawthorn – right in the middle of the exhibit to get the inside scoop. I really enjoyed this conversation.

To the Detroit Historical Museum!

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day. Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

Detroit is like the weather. Wait fifteen minutes, and something new will happen. Well, in Detroit's case, stuff will happen.

Part of what's awesome about following this town. Norris Howard joins Jer to talk about:

02:39 - Friend of the show Mickey Lyons nominated for a James Beard award for her writing at Punch

04:56 - What makes a good coffeeshop? (new James Oliver location in Woodbridge)

10:29 - New life for Cooley complex and Airport high school moves

18:10 - Your Ono feedback

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day. Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

Today, Norris Howard joins us to talk about the hot stories of the day and your big feedback about rental housing in Detroit and Metro Detroit.

01:02 - Six Mile or McNichols?

03:12 - Canadians are pissed off. Norris went to Toronto and felt it first hand. We think this has direct implications for Detroit from tourism to infrastructure projects like a possible train line between Chicago, Detroit and Toronto.

11:44 - Why Santa Ono Left. We discuss an enlightening piece in the Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/05/05/finley-insult-costs-university-of-michigan-its-president/83450091007/

20:25 - Is there a market for two bedroom housing in the city of Detroit? Do we need zoning reform to make it so more people can move here? What other changes does the next mayor need to make?

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day. Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

Today: University of Michigan president Santa Ono is unexpectedly leaving for the University of Florida. We talk about it.

Plus, Javier Báez' play rebounds this season as the Tigers soar to the top of the American League.

And we talk about how the Detroit Pistons could have won that series against the Knicks, and what to build on for next season.

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day. Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

On today's Daily Detroit (with Norris Howard):

00:40 - What car should Norris buy next?

03:07 - Detroit's new apartments are among the smallest apartments in America, even smaller than Manhattan

05:45 - Selfridge gets new jets and a new lease on life, while Whitmer gets criticism for working with Trump

10:48 - Rep. Shri Thanedar tries to impeach President Trump, while a primary challenge mounts up

15:10 - A new Greek restaurant coming to Woodbridge Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day.

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

Today's episode Producer Shianne and Devon O'Reilly join Jer to talk about things around town.

• We're going back to the Mackinac Policy Conference this year. We talk about why we do it and how we've found it benefits listeners and readers
• Devon's got a new job! We talk about why he's making a change after a decade
• We get into things to do this weekend as Cinco De Mayo and Derby Day are almost here
• Plus, Jer talks about why you NEED seersucker in your wardrobe if you run hot

Daily Detroit shares what to know and where to go in Detroit every day.

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/