Daily Detroit

We're kicking off September with our ultimate preview of what's happening and what we're keeping our eyes on across Metro Detroit this month.

Norris Howard joins me to talk about the most interesting events on the calendar, including the month-long Detroit Month of Design, Labor Day festival traditions like the Detroit Jazz Fest and much more.

We also break down the major local stories and trends shaping our region heading into the fall, from last-minute possible mail-in voting changes you need to keep an eye on that could impact Michigan... to food safety recalls... to our upcoming look at the RenCen's future and how national economic shifts impact our city and region.

Plus, thank you for making us the number one podcast in Detroit.

You can listen to Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you get your favorite shows. Feedback as always - [email protected] or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

While major downtown developments often capture the headlines, neighborhood parks across the city of Detroit's 139 square miles are getting critical investments driven directly by community feedback, with funding support from the philanthropic community.

In this episode, I sit down at our TechTown studio with JJ Vélez, Senior Director of Public Space for the Gilbert Family Foundation.

We dig into how a $1.2 million commitment across neighborhood parks — including Dorais Park, Eliza Howell Park, and Hass Emery Park (currently in the process of being renamed Keith Slappy Park) — is helping bring community-driven visions to life, as well as how they help on the ground with community organizations.

As he says:

"Detroiters just want to be heard... What I've learned in this position is bringing that mentality: underpromise and overdeliver, and just being an opportunity for residents to speak and listen. There's a reason why we have two ears and one mouth. We need to do a lot more listening and a lot less speaking."

Feedback as always by email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: 313-789-3211.

Be sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you listen to shows.

Norris Howard and I tackle a packed Wednesday edition of Daily Detroit.

We break down the mounting tensions in the U.S.-Canada trade dispute and respond to political rhetoric proposing to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America."

Plus, we pay tribute to the late, great Dolly Parton. Then it's a recap of our weekend trip to see Detroit City FC win over Tampa Bay with one of the best keeper saves we've seen in a long time.

In local development news, a vacant historic YMCA building in Mexicantown across from Clark Park gets a $10 million redevelopment lifeline, Midtown sees progress on West Willis, and local favorite Bev's Bagels sets its sights on Birmingham.

As always, feedback - [email protected] or 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on your favorite podcast app!

The Detroit Sandwich Party is back and bigger than ever, doubling its footprint at Eastern Market on September 6th with 50 vendors, kid-friendly games, and even... carbonated pickle juice.

Organizer and sandwich lover Carlos Parisi joins the show to walk us through this year's massive expansion into the Shed 5 parking lot, share pro tips for getting the most out of the event, and we tease some of the top-tier bites on the lineup.

Grab a friend (or a foe, why not), map out your game plan, and get ready for what's become one of the must-see local food events of the summer.

More: https://www.instagram.com/detroitsandwichparty/?hl=en

Full transcript on our website.

Local media needs local support to survive and thrive! Be sure to support our work on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DailyDetroit

The U.S.–Canada trade situation took a wild turn over the weekend. We thought we had an agreement, but now we're suddenly facing a full-scale trade war with our closest neighbor.

Glenn Stevens from MICHAuto joined me to break down what went wrong and what this uncertainty actually means on the ground for Michiganders and Michigan companies.

From auto supply chains, to materials, to local jobs, to healthcare workers and tourism, Michigan has more to lose than most anywhere else in the United States as this may drag on. Michigan residents have already been impacted by thousands of dollars since the disputes started in 2025, whether it's in increased prices or decreased wages and profit-sharing.

We dig into why unraveling this more than century-long economic partnership makes little sense and why getting both sides back to the table. That yes, friends always have disagreements, but blowing everything up isn't the thing to do.

Give it a listen, and let me know how these potential tariffs are impacting your work or family across the border. Email us at dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

We've got a full studio today.

Devon O'Reilly gives us an inside look at what it was actually like inside the Henry Ford Centennial Library during Tuesday night's Dearborn City Council meeting while far-right agitators and local counter-protesters gathered outside.

We talk about how the Dearborn community stood together and stood strong, why hate-driven political stunts ultimately fail to gain traction here, and how local solidarity continues to win out.

Plus, Jer and Norris talk some Michigan politics to analyze Jocelyn Benson's pick of Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks for Lieutenant Governor — and why West Michigan representation and legislative experience matter on the 2026 ticket.

And, if you abandon your longtime political party over one thing, forgetting everything else — did you ever believe in it? Or were you really a one-issue voter the whole time?

As always, be sure to share the show with a friend. Feedback dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail at 313-789-3211.

On today's show, Norris and I are diving deep into the high-stakes redevelopment plans for the Renaissance Center and the nearby east riverfront, looking to transform 35 acres that has been sitting mostly quiet for many years.

After going to their preview center and attending the first of a number of weekly CBO meetings, we ask and react honestly the big question on everyone's mind: what do you actually do with a massive waterfront complex that's currently only 5% occupied? What vibes did we get from the community? And what's next?

You can also learn more about the project here, and give your feedback to them: https://detroit-riverfront.bedrockdetroit.com/

Also as Metro Detroit's one of America's greatest news towns: We also quickly talk through the disturbing Christian nationalist march targeting Dearborn's Muslim community. We'll dig into it more on the show in a future episode.

Plus, I break down a press event I attended at the Wright Museum outlining a proposed regional millage to keep Wayne and Oakland County's core historical institutions funded for the next decade.

It's a packed episode of your Daily Detroit covering the economic, political, and cultural shifts shaping Metro Detroit right now.

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

Just $3.13 keeps this coverage going from the 313: https://patreon.com/DailyDetroit

Today we're digging into the results of our recent Daily Detroit audience survey to see where our community actually stands on key political issues and values.

Using Pew's excellent and long-standing political typology framework of nine groups, I look at the data and break down how our listeners and readers compare to the rest of the country, and what issues where we find a ton of common ground, no matter what party you may have voted for.

Per Pew:

"Pew Research Center's political typology sorts the American public into nine political groups based on responses to questions about social and political values. The goal of this long-standing project is to go beyond people's partisan leanings or vote choices to provide a deeper understanding of the American political landscape. This is the ninth version since 1987."

While our audience spans a wide range of perspectives, the data shows a clear shared commitment to respect, local engagement, and smart, solutions-focused debate.

Listen to see where you land in the numbers and how our community fits into the broader national picture.

Thanks to our supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit

If this is your first time, be sure to follow us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

In today's episode, Devon O'Reilly and I dive into some exciting developments across Metro Detroit, starting with my firsthand look at Unc's Detroit-style pizza in downtown Detroit.

We also talk about our recent visit to Fair Lane Estate for a media preview, where the team is making huge progress restoring Henry Ford's powerhouse, garage, and new welcome center ahead of its full opening.

Plus, we discuss reports that Henry Ford Health is considering redevelopment options for Cadillac Place — the historic former GM World Headquarters in New Center, currently occupied by the State of Michigan.

Finally, with the Detroit Lions kicking off their preseason, Devon shares his thoughts on the upcoming season and what to expect from the Honolulu Blue this year.

Don't forget to join us this Saturday morning for our Summer Studio Open House at TechTown for free coffee, donuts, and great conversation! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995592904096?aff=oddtdtcreator

On today's show, Norris Howard and I are talking about the massive debate over data centers sweeping Southeast Michigan.

From moratoriums to legal battles to recall efforts, local communities are raising real questions about energy, water, and land use.

We also talk through the University of Michigan selecting an Ypsilanti Township site for a $1.25 billion supercomputer project with Los Alamos National Lab, the response from longtime Rep. Debbie Dingell, and why the city of Detroit's power grid makes hyperscale data centers a tough sell without huge infrastructure investment.

Plus, we address the large amont of listener feedback we received after our recent primary election coverage. We hear you, and we discuss how we're bringing on more guest voices ahead of November to make sure the full range of local viewpoints is represented — as the state of Michigan as a whole voted one way, but Metro Detroit clearly voted another.

Finally, we toast a Detroit journalism legend: WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn, who is retiring after many years of guiding local public radio. Norris shares what Jerome's mentorship meant for his own career.

REMINDER: Our Summer Studio Open House is this Saturday, August 15, from 10a to 1p at TechTown! Come by for free coffee, free donuts, and great conversation with the Daily Detroit crew. Please RSVP on Eventbrite if you can so we have a headcount. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/studio-summer-open-house-and-detroit-community-coffee-tickets-1995592904096?aff=oddtdtcreator

Feedback or thoughts? Drop us a line at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 313-789-3211.