Today’s show gets into how Metro Detroit is changing and growing, mixing its car-making history with new developments in technology and hospitality.

On the all-local podcast:

Ford's historic engineering lab from the 1920s has been updated. Jer and Norris took a tour of the facility - it now houses the team working on electric car technology, mixing old and new. We talk about it.

The United Auto Workers union might go on strike against Stellantis. This follows last year's strike and shows ongoing issues in the car industry.

The Shinola Hotel in Detroit won a special award called a Michelin Key. It's now seen widely as a top-notch hotel where the famous people like to stay.

Companies in Detroit and Southeast Michigan are working hard to attract talented workers. They're creating cool workplaces to compete with other tech-heavy cities.

If you don't already, don't forget to follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to shows.

And if there's someone in your life who loves Detroit, or just wants to know more about it, tell them about the show! Word of mouth is best way to push the show forward.

WE       welcomed back Sam Robinson, a seasoned journalist now working at the Detroit Free Press. Sam's new role involves managing a misinformation tracker tool, part of a University of Texas at Austin program. The discussion centered on the pressing issue of misinformation and its impact on society, especially as we approach the next election cycle.

Key points included the pervasive nature of misinformation, with absurd stories gaining traction even on debate stages. Sam highlighted the role of social media algorithms in amplifying false narratives, sharing his personal experiences with platforms like Twitter and Threads. The conversation emphasized the responsibility of journalists to maintain accuracy and integrity in the digital age.

The episode also touched on the upcoming election, discussing Kamala Harris's candidacy and its potential impact. Sam provided insights into the political landscape, including the role of celebrity endorsements in mobilizing voters. The discussion concluded by highlighting underreported stories, particularly around campaign finance and corporate handouts.

Overall, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges of combating misinformation, the evolving media landscape, and the complexities of political reporting in today's world.

Here’s what’s on today’s all-local podcast agenda:

800 Teamsters Local 283 members at Detroit's Marathon Oil Refinery have gone on strike, demanding better pay and schedules. Despite Marathon's assurances of continued operations, the strike underscores ongoing labor tensions.

Workers at a GM and LG battery plant in Tennessee have joined the UAW, marking the second battery plant in the U.S. to unionize. This move is part of a broader trend of growing union influence in the electric vehicle sector.

Chick-fil-A is expanding in Metro Detroit, adding new locations and creating around 2,500 jobs. Despite controversy, the chain continues to find business success, highlighting the region's complex relationship with fast food brands.

We dive into the Detroit People's Food Co-op in the North End, a project 14 years in the making aimed at promoting Black food security. Despite its mission, many locals are unaware of its existence, raising questions about community engagement and awareness - and how to bridge that gap.

Don't miss this engaging episode as we navigate the intersections of labor, community, and commerce in Detroit.

Share your thoughts with us at dailydetroit@gmail.com. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast player of choice.

Devon O'Reilly is in on a Friday and we're talking about what's new and notable around town, with a focus on the tasty.

02:02 - The Astro egg sandwich recipe has been released into the wild. A life-changing sandwich, you can get the recipe here. https://stilllifewithlemon.substack.com/p/astro-egg-sandwich

05:01 - Jer and Devon go to Gilly's and have their first impressions on Detroit's newest sports bar

13:18 - New boardwalk connecting to West Riverfront Park underway

14:58 - Edition Hotel coming to Detroit, Devon's RenCen take

Also, if you're interested in meeting up during the draft send us a note! 

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

 On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

 Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today's show is a deep-dive into the impact of the Coronavirus on the music industry, musicians, and venues.

First, Sven Gustafson sets the table on what's going on.

Then two feature conversations:

Dan McGowan, the Managing Partner of Crofoot Presents. He owns the Crofoot in downtown Pontiac and does promotions for a number of venues.

Then, Steve Nawara, a longtime Detroit musician with credits that include the Detroit Cobras.

On today's show:

1:02 An update on where we stand on the Coronavirus statewide

6:05 The City of Detroit is greatly expanding testing, finding out some trends and will offer testing to barber shops, salons and dentists when they open

11:05 A protest is planned in the Capitol - again - and this time there would be arrests if people brandish weapons

14:05 The Coronavirus is decimating Michigan's budget, and one of the worst-hit areas could be our schools. Ron French from Bridge Magazine joins us to talk about the possibility of up to a 25% cut which would mean teacher layoffs, increased class sizes, and even possible district closures. Here's his piece: https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/gop-leader-25-percent-cuts-michigan-schools-coronavirus

24:25 We update you on some reopenings like Supino and Avalon

26:30 A pair of Detroit non-profits are giving away 10,000 facemasks

Thanks for listening to your Daily Detroit! We're people-powered media. Join us as a member at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit 

Welcome to your Wednesday Hump Day edition of your Daily Detroit. Today we’re tackling:

• Metro Times is out with a shocking story about violent threats made against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on several private Facebook groups. It comes as an armed rally is once again being planned for the state Capitol building in Lansing on Thursday.
• Some vacant Art Van furniture stores will be reborn as Loves Furniture, with about 1,000 people hired to staff them.
• The Archdiocese of Detroit has set dates for reopening parishes, along with strict social distancing guidelines.
• The New York Times editorial board dings states like Michigan that have relaxed Freedom of Information Act requirements during the coronavirus crisis.
• Eastern Market is redesigning how its annual Flower Day will work.
• And we hear from Cyndi Ross, restoration manager for the nonprofit Friends of the Rouge, about how the group is encouraging people to help the Rouge River this year by doing things at home.

Later in the show, your Daily Detroit team shares the edible things they’re craving that we can’t currently get. Because we’re almost two months into this shutdown business, and we’re all going crazy.

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.

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.

If you want to support us, consider becoming a member.

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

Like what we're doing? Find us valuable? Independent media requires independent funding. Join us as a member at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

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?

We're on Apple Podcasts and wherever fine podcasts are found: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Daily Detroit is made possible by our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

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 Wednesday, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his eleventh State of the City address. It was a rapid-fire list of wins, and areas where he wants to focus on the next year.

But what is the state of our city, from a different perspective? What if we take a minute, or an hour in this case, and unpack what's happening in Michigan's largest city with a different lens?

 Chase Cantrell - he heads up Building Community Value, lectures at the University of Michigan and is an active developer - brings that lens, and we work through different angles of the topics in the speech.

This is one of the most in-depth analysis you're going to find on the speech, and whether you agree or not we'd love to hear what you have to say.

For feedback, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211.

Here's the topic rundown, and an automated show transcript is to come.

01:34 - Public Safety improvements, things that work and things that maybe should get even more money as a percentage of the overall budget.

05:32 - Trauma and black flight from the city. The causes, how to address it, and what's next.

11:06 - Construction costs have skyrocketed, impacting the rebuild of empty land

12:51 - A lack of family homes in Detroit - why? How to address that?

16:12 - Environment and sustainability conversation. Solar panels vs. addressing flooding.

20:43 - Advocating for participatory budgeting

24:55 - Discussing the Detroit Promise scholarship program, and encouraging more awareness of it

29:22 - Affordable housing. We need more! What do we need to get there? And addressing the wealth of the people of Detroit.

32:32 - The underlying challanges and opportunities of wrestling with buses and transit in Detroit.

43:50 - There's going to be a new focus on abandoned vehicles.

50:17 - More of a commitment to black history, including more monuments that reflect the majority community here as much of our civic art downtown looks like it's still the Jerome Cavanaugh administration

53:56 - $3 Billion in wealth for black homeowners. What does that mean? And the gaps to help people access or build that wealth as banks are hesitant to do smaller lending (under $100,000).

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

 On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

 Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

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.

What’s a bar to do when you launched a couple of years ago, you feel like you’ve got a handle on running the place — but then the world turns upside down?

Innovate and hold on for the ride, if you can.

To talk about how to do that, our guest on Daily Detroit is Kevin Peterson from Castalia Cocktails. That’s a basement bar in a historic building that shares space with a fragrance shop - Sfumato - in Midtown Detroit.

A link to Castalia: http://www.castaliacocktails.com

We're member-supported media: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

The Paycheck Protection Program, providing forgivable, federally backed loans to businesses to keep people employed - opened for applications today with a new round of funding - $310 billion.

That’s on top of $350 billion issued two weeks ago.

And that first round? Well, it had some issues, to say the least.

Some rather large companies got loans, and many small businesses just were shut out. Many of the hardest-hit states got some of the least aid.

So with this in the news (and so many businesses in deep trouble during this pandemic) I wanted to take a look behind the scenes up in Washington, D.C.

What happened? What have we learned? And, as this is one of multiple rounds of economic back-stopping, what’s next?

To do that, this episode of your Daily Detroit is my conversation with Congresswoman Haley Stephens. The Democrat represents Michigan’s 11th district, so think suburban cities like Troy, Auburn Hills, Rochester, Milford, Northville, Livonia, and Canton.

Like the show? Tell a friend!

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While we're all under a stay at home order, it can be a real challenge to deal with work life, home life, kids and all of that. 

So we got some tips to help you handle it from Karen Liska. She works at Detroit Labs and is a coach at HoneySpace in Ferndale who helps people get things done. 

You can follow her on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/KarenEvansTM

And LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenevans/

Our show is people-powered. Join us as a member at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show:

Coronavirus Crisis confirmed numbers update

There are new state unemployment numbers

The Detroit Public Schools are getting more than 50,000 tablets for distance learning.

Detroit summer programming will be closed, but parks will remain open.

Republicans in the state legislature are working to strip the Governor’s emergency powers, wanting to open the economy faster.

An industry group says that restaurants have lost $1.2B in sales and a quarter-million jobs.

A report says that Detroit’s city council president is in hot water over campaign contributions. (Read on the Intercept: https://theintercept.com/2020/04/21/brenda-jones-detroit-city-council-tlaib/)

GM is calling back some white-collar workers. The UAW doesn't want it to happen so fast.

Henry Ford Health System is adding to the pile of healthcare-related layoffs.

And a magazine popular with the Farmer’s market crowd has changed hands.

Thanks to our members for supporting us: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Some think Coronavirus and COVID-19 is a "Detroit" or "Southeast Michigan" problem.

But with a lack of access to health care, an older population, and risk factors like tobacco use and poverty, rural and outstate Michigan could get devastated by COVID-19. 

To talk about it is Citizens Research Council of Michigan Research Associate Tim Michling. He had an eye-opening piece that might put things in a bit more perspective. You can read it here: https://crcmich.org/all-of-michigan-still-at-risk-from-covid-19

Also, we touch some top stories around the Coronavirus crisis.

• The state continues to see new cases, but is starting to see more people get released from hospitals than come in.
• What is the plan to reopen the economy? Governor Gretchen Whitmer says it'll be the reverse of what they're doing in Georgia, and more details will come by the end of the week.
• The state of Michigan is going to be doing 10-day layoffs in various departments. We share what we know so far. 
• Wayne County has at least a $152 million shortfall this year, joining a growing list of cities and counties that will be severely impacted. 
• Beaumont has made a makeshift morgue at their Wayne hospital, and the county is investigating.
• Drive through testing is expanding into Dearborn.
• Well-known brewer Founders is laying off taproom and retail staff.

Find what we're doing valuable? Support us as a member on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Bridge Music is Loopster Kevin MacLeod

There are so many stories coming out of Detroit around the Coranvirus pandemic. And those stories at HuffPost are being written by local voices.

To discuss what they found and what's happening on the ground, HuffPost Senior National Correspondent Jonathan Cohn talks about the work the reporting team did.

Here's background reading material to dive in even more:

• What It’s Like To Have Cancer In The Middle Of A Pandemic 

• The Last 16 Days Of Robert Beaupre’s Life 

• Hospice Workers Adapt To Provide End-Of-Life Care Amid Coronavirus Pandemic 

We also check in on some stories around town after the conversations. Beaumont is doing mass layoffs. GM's Maven car service is shutting down. The UAW endorsed Joe Biden for president. And local parks are limiting visitors.

Thanks to our members who make this show possible: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Bed music in this episode is "Beauty Flow" by Kevin MacLeod. Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5025-beauty-flow

On today's show, some top-line updates from the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit, plus, we break down a big poll released by the Detroit Regional Chamber about the statewide economic impact of the Coronavirus crisis. 

Among other highlights, it shows 29% of Michiganders aren't working, and that those adults 39 and younger are getting hit very hard economically and are having more trouble filing for unemployment. 

There are also large gaps in unemployment in the state, with areas like Traverse City getting hit the worst. 

For background reading you can go here.

Norris Howard is back in the co-host chair after a trip to New York City, and we get into some of things to talk about around Detroit.

02:02 - Norris's take on GM's move to Hudson's Detroit and what is going to happen with the Ren Cen.

06:43 - RIverfront by the Ren Cen could be utilized so much better if they got rid of all those surface parking lots.

13:32 - Education is neededon the history and context for certain things that have happened in the city, as well as our landmarks. There's so much more than just the RenCen, but between this and the sign it seems the connections are thin with so many people moving out.

15:00 - What Jer hopes he will hear from the State of the City event.

18:36 - Detroit Public Television has a new name - Detroit PBS - and will be moving their studio from Wixom to a new studio in Milwaulkee Junction. This will join what's becoming a new "Media Row" in Detroit near Grand Boulevard/Woodward etc.

23:03 - Norris's idea of the idea ofo moving the Lion's practice facility to Canton.

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

 On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

 Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

A bonus weekend episode that's around the virtual bonfire.

We talk about our favorite cocktails we're drinking and share stories of how our listeners say they're coping with the Coronavirus crisis. 

Lace up your New Balances and go on a run with Sven Gustafson as he talks about the ways the Coronavirus may change us as a society - and the ways it already has.

Then Jer will run down some top-line things you should know around town.

Here's Sven's original essay that was adapted for audio: https://8woodblog.com/for-better-or-worse-the-coronavirus-will-change-us/

Here's our Patreon if you want to support the project: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Whether it’s conspiracy theories like those around 5g, or the willful refusal to believe objective facts when it comes to the pandemic, today we talk about confirmation bias and how folks try to assemble meaning to things. This happens often when there is none. After all, sometimes, we just don’t know stuff. But for some, that’s not O.K. to admit.

And when these online conspiracies are turned to action, it can put other people and property in danger. think folks ignoring social distancing guidelines, which has led to outbreaks of COVID-19. or in England, where cellphone towers are being set on fire.

Our guest today is technologist, YouTuber, and entrepreneur Tom Lawrence. His popular channel, based in Southgate, Michigan helps people demystify their tech issues.

Here's Tom's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheTecknowledge

And here's Tom's company: https://www.lawrencesystems.com/

Like our show? Tell a friend. Love our show and can spare a few bucks? Support us to keep the show free for everyone else. https://www.patreon.com/DailyDetroit

Today we’ve got an all-headlines edition of your Daily Detroit. We run down the latest numbers on confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths from the state, and we discuss the “Operation Gridlock” protest organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition today in Lansing.

The group urged participants to protest what they see as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s overly restrictive stay-at-home order from their vehicles, but hundreds spilled out onto the Capitol grounds anyway, many not wearing masks and ignoring recommendations to maintain 6 feet of distance from other people. 

Also on today’s show:

• Both California and New York, the hardest-hit state, are donating ventilators to Michigan.
• Wayne County is launching a drive-through COVID-19 testing program in Southgate. You can make an appointment, whether or not you have symptoms, here.
• Ford is partnering with Wayne State University, its affiliated physician organization and Dearborn-based ACCESS to launch a mobile coronavirus testing program.
• The budgetary hole the pandemic is opening for the city of Detroit continues to grow larger.
• The state of Michigan is offering a liquor buy-back program for bars and restaurants, but you’d better hurry if you want to take part: The deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. Apply here.
• And some badly needed good news: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Detroit River Conservancy are teaming on a $2.9 million project to remediate contaminated riverfront shoreline at the former site of the Uniroyal plant on East Jefferson just west of East Grand Boulevard. It’s one of the last barriers to extend the Detroit RiverWalk all the way from downtown to the bridge to Belle Isle.

If you want to support the show, join us at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Perhaps you’ve heard that, because people are driving so much less and accident claims have plummeted during the coronavirus lockdown, your benevolent automobile insurance carrier is planning to give you a big wet kiss in the form of a refund. Well, our guest today not only gives us the lowdown on why this might be happening, but he suggests that in reality, it’ll more likely be a credit rather than a check for cash.

Steven Gursten is the managing partner at Michigan Auto Law. He tells us that the amounts insurers are promising to refund pales in comparison with the decrease in actual driving and, likely, accident claims. Meaning they’re seeing a windfall at this time when claims are way down and they’re enjoying a reprieve from court cases stemming from accident claims.

Also today: Oakland County will begin offering drive-through COVID-19 tests at the county complex at 1200 N. Telegraph Road. You don’t need a prescription, but you do need to schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-848-5533.

And, it's the 60th Anniversary of the incorporation of Motown Records. Sven and Jer share a couple of their favorites. 

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

Today's show is in three parts.

1) Coronavirus updates. The latest numbers, with some hopeful signs the curve may be starting to flatten. A quarter of Michigan's workforce has filed for unemployment, and $350 million distributed. There are bodies piling up at DMC Sinai-Grace, according to photos and eyewitness accounts.

2) Should we allow restaurants to sell to-go spirits during the pandemic? Robyn Cleveland thinks so and his online petition is gaining steam. Link to that here. 

3) Ford and 3M have teamed up to make respirators as well as there are other collaborators involving one of the world's biggest automakers based right here. Sven Gustafson has the details.

Like the show? Support us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today’s podcast, we have an in-depth conversation with Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II around Michigan and the Coronavirus.

We talk about a wide variety of topics with the Lt. Governor:

• Lt. Governor Gilchrist is leading a new task force to examine the causes and find ways to lower the higher rate of African Americans dying due to COVID-19.
• How the state is mobilizing on things like unemployment benefits.
• Where Michigan is at in flattening the curve.
• What are the thoughts around the budget for things like roads after the initial crisis.
• A possible policy to help bars and restaurants.

And much more.

Remember we do this every day with special bonus episodes during the Coronavirus crisis. Tell a friend to listen: http://www.dailydetroit.com/podcast/

If you love the show, and you can swing it, think about becoming a member. Independent media requires independent funding, and it keeps it free for everyone else. http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Well, so much for a possible reprieve in the coronavirus spread in Michigan. The state on Friday reported 205 deaths in the last 24 hours, an increase of 43%. There were 1,279 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, good news for the Uber drivers, freelancers and other independent contractors of the world: You’ll be able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance starting Monday at michigan.gov/UIA. That brings an extra $600 a week on top of the maximum $362 in state unemployment benefits.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mike Duggan says the city is working with the Wayne State School of Medicine to increase drive-through testing at the State Fairgrounds site to more than 1,000 per day. The city is also offering hazard pay to first responders, public employees and others whose jobs put them at risk of infection.

Also on today’s show:

• We talk about the “war zone” conditions being reported out of Sinai-Grace hospital in Detroit, according to The Detroit News
• Speaking of the Detroit Medical Center, which operates Sinai-Grace, they won’t tell us how many confirmed coronavirus inpatients they’re treating, or how many staffers have been infected. Nor will Ascension Health, which operates St. John Hospital on Detroit’s east side, or McLaren Health Care, which operates hospitals in Pontiac and Mount Clemens. That’s despite a state order to do so. And Beaumont and Henry Ford are reporting their numbers daily.
• The TCF Center is now a field hospital and was set to accept its first patients Friday. This weekend, workers will start converting the Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi to the same.
• A major Detroit waste hauler is indefinitely suspending the pickup of all yard waste because people stuck at home are throwing away so much solid waste.
• And Hamtramck Stadium, former home to Negro League teams, won a half-million-dollar grant for renovations.

Stay safe out there, friends, and take care of one another.

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.

After bouncing around this town for a couple of decades, I can tell you that if you cover Detroit and ignore the faith community, well, you’re not covering Detroit.

Regardless of the denomination or belief system, they are ties that bind much of our city and region.

So today’s show is a conversation with pastor Jonathan Merritt of Straight Gate International Church.

Located on Grand River just west of Livernois, the non-denominational gospel ministry has been switching gears to deal with the coronavirus.

And the good news? Their mostly African-American congregation has been hit with far less tragedy due to the coronavirus than the rest of the surrounding community.

So what are they doing? And how are they keeping connected to their members as one of the largest churches in the area?

Also, Merritt is involved in the Narrow Way Cafe on Livernois. They are, for a second year in a row, dealing with outside forces that have thrown a wrench in their plans.

Link to Straight Gate: http://straightgate.net/

Daily Detroit is made possible through the support of our members. Join them at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today’s show, we bring you a slew of short updates on the coronavirus situation in and around Detroit. The state on Wednesday reported 1,376 new confirmed cases and 114 deaths, bringing the overall total to 20,346 confirmed cases and 959 deaths. That might not seem like much to celebrate, but it’s the smallest jump in new daily cases since March 31. In Detroit, the epicenter of the outbreak in Michigan, Mayor Mike Duggan says testing at the former State Fairgrounds site is way ahead of projections.

Meanwhile, we cover lots of other coronavirus developments around the region:

• The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi is being converted into a 1,000-patient field hospital, the second in the region
• The coronavirus is expected to blow a huge hole in the city of Detroit’s budget, partly because the casinos are closed
• Thousands of employees of Detroit-area health systems are likely infected with COVID-19
• Electric vehicle startup Rivian will delay the start of production to 2021, from later this year, as coronavirus stalls its progress retooling its factory in Illinois
• GM won a U.S. government contract worth $489.4 million to cover its cost to build critically needed medical ventilator for coronavirus victims
• And Little Caesars and Kroger have both made announcements related to the pandemic.

All this and more, telemagically transported to your earholes if you click the player above.

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.

We have a jam-packed episode for you today! Our feature conversation is with Rich Miller, Jr.

 He's a NFL Draft prospect that went to Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit. It's a fascinating conversation on his story.

And Fletcher Sharpe has even more for you.

Here's the rundown:

01:05 - The Pistons are looking for a new Head of Basketball Operations, but Troy Weaver is staying

03:00 - NFL Draft prospect Rich Miller Jr. joins us to talk about his time at MLK high School. Here are time stamps in the conversation portion: 

04:37 - What made him choose to go to Buffalo for college after high school?

06:34 - How has being from Detroit help mold him as a person and a football player?

10:45 - What is the perfect senerio for the Draft?

12:19 - How big of a deal is it for him that the draft is in Detroit?

13:16 - First stop once he gets home?

13:52 - Advice for younger people coming up

From Hamtramck:

16:43 - Detroit City FC wins 1-0 in an Open Cup match against the Michigan Stars. Is it now a rivalry? Fletcher has thoughts.

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

 On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

 Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

If you’re listening to this podcast, you’re listening to local media.

And the Coronavirus pandemic has brought to the front something that you may not realize.

Most Americans — according to a 2019 Gallup poll — not only think that their local news outlets are an important part of American democracy, but they also think they’re financially healthy.

And that’s completely wrong.

Cuts are happening across the industry. Not just at newspaper outlets, but radio... and even TV is feeling the hit.

This was happening even before this pandemic, and now, it’s increasing significantly.

The dark irony of this is that coverage around the coronavirus is being consumed and is needed more than ever by the public.

To me, whether it’s city hall, the county seat, or the state capitol — it’s not a stretch to say that democracy itself is in danger without a vibrant press.

Here in metro Detroit, the problem is multifaceted. Not only do we have the pressures of the changing market and the pandemic, the largest advertiser in our community just went under. That’s Art Van Furniture.

So what’s next? And what’s an example of outlets coming together for the common good?

Our guest today is Matt Friedman. He’s a media analyst and co-founder of Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications.

On today’s show for Monday, April 6, 2020:

Detroit Tiger legend Al Kaline has passed away, at the age of 85. The cause of death was not confirmed at the time of recording.

Michigan’s confirmed Coronavirus cases continue to rise. Statewide there are now 17,221 cases and 727 deaths.

In other Coronavirus news, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a news conference today that almost as many people are filing in one day for unemployment as those who did during the worst week of the Great
Recession.

The fine for violating the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order has been doubled to $1,000. The change happened late last week.

Henry Ford Health Systems will be performing an 8 week clinical trial of the drug Hydroxychloroquine to see if it is effective on the Coronavirus. 3,000 first responders and healthcare workers will be the volunteers.

The 1,000 bed field hospital at the TCF Center should be ready to start accepting patients this Thursday. There will be two floors- one of 600 beds for seriously ill patients and one with 400 beds for those recovering.

DMC’s Sinai-Grace hospital continues to have staffing and equipment shortfalls, only heighten by the stress of dealing with more than 100 Covid-19 patients per day.

Representatives from around the state will be traveling to Lansing to vote in person to extend Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Disaster Declaration. The Governor has asked for a 70 day extension to the declaration.

Here are a few prominent local people have passed away due to Covid-19:

First, Otis Knapp Lee who was also known as Mr. Fofo, Detroit’s Corned Beef King has passed away at the age of 72.

Secondly, Brenda Perryman has also passed away. She was an educator, coach, director, playwright, and producer.

The Detroit Grand Prix has been cancelled for 2020. It will return June 4 through 6, 2020.

Finally, here is something fun. Tomorrow night, Tuesday, April 7 there will be a super moon. So, be sure to go on out on your lawn or balcony and check it out.

Show mentioned: Science Vs.

Finding us for the first time? We're on all podcast platforms: http://www.dailydetroit.com/podcast

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Today we have a special narrative edition of the show for you. We take you out of your coronavirus confines to Minsk, the capital of Belarus in far eastern Europe.

It’s where I recently traveled to talk about Daily Detroit and podcasting at the Press Club Belarus, an organization promoting an independent, free press in the former Soviet republic.

Belarus has also been in the international news lately as the only country in Europe that is continuing to play professional soccer and letting fans crowd into stadiums. That’s because of its authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, who has dismissed the coronavirus as being more dangerous to the small country’s economy than to the health of its people.

Our show today touches on Belarusian history and politics — I was there during Parliamentary election day — and we discuss the country’s burgeoning IT sector and local culture. We hear from:

• Pavel Sverdlov, editor-in-chief of EuroRadio.fm
• Serge Sakharan, editor-in-chief of City Dog
• Anatoli Babenia, a member of a hacker space in Minsk
• And Yauheni Preiherman, founder and director of the Minsk Dialog Council on International Relations

Minsk is a beautiful city, but over the course of a week there it became clear that Belarus is also a very complicated, conflicted place. Both geographically and figuratively, it’s stuck between the liberal democracy and economic freedoms of western Europe on one side and the authoritarian spectre of Russia, its neighbor to the east. It’s been independent since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, but it remains caught in a kind of paralysis, heavily dependent on Russia for its livelihood.

We worked really hard on today’s show and hope you enjoy it.

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: The latest news locally around the Coronavirus, including when we might see an apex to cases, schools closed for the year, dismal unemployment numbers and people doing some good.

Plus, if you’ve been online and followed national news, you know about the phrase, “That Woman From Michigan.” It was said by President Donald Trump about Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

Well, it’s become an extremely popular shirt. And it originated right out of metro Detroit. Artist, Amanda Burden of Top Knot and Twine joins us later to talk about how it came together.

On today’s show: Sven and Jer talk about falling sales for the auto industry (including Ford, FCA and GM) and how Ford is making respirators out of repurposed car parts.

Also: The most recent official Coronavirus case numbers. Michigan cases continue to rise.

A recent survey shows a $491 million dollar hit to the restaurant industry, with 72,000 jobs and more layoffs to come.

Amazon workers walk out of a facility in Romulus.

National Coney Island is temporarily closing its locations, so no Hanis for you.

Meanwhile, AMC Star Southfield is closed for good. Is it just the first local movie theater to not make it through the pandemic?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is working with local and statewide TV stations for a town hall Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Find us valuable? Tell a friend! Thanks to Ferndale Radio for sharing us out today. Also, if you can, our Patreon members keep the show free for everyone. Thanks to our newest member, Jeffrey.

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

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It’s Tuesday, in the decent chance you need a reminder of what day it is today, and we’ve got another full episode worth of coronavirus updates.

I also speak with Anson Smuts, a senior economist at O’Keefe, a Bloomfield Hills business consultancy, about the historical implications of the massive unemployment filings in the wake of the outbreak.

Also on today’s show:

The state of Michigan reported that the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 climbed above 1,000 for the first time, at 1,117.

Ford has announced it will manufacture 50,000 ventilators within 100 days from its Rawsonville components plant near Ypsilanti.

Local companies Carhartt and Lear, an auto supplier, are also kicking into gear making badly needed medical equipment.

Motor City Comic Con has been postponed, with no make-up date yet released.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith has resigned after Attorney General Dan Nessel charged him and three associates in an alleged racketeering scheme.

The suburban SMART bus system has announced more service cutbacks amid dwindling ridership during the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, MoGo bike-share bikes are temporarily free to ride.

Eastern Market Brewing Company-slash-Ferndale Project has acquired Ashe Supply Company, the coffee shop and roaster. It’s part of a string of new businesses the brewery has launched to try and stay afloat during the crisis.

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

On today’s show for Monday, March 30, 2020:

As of this recording the state numbers for confirmed Coronavirus cases in the state is 6,498 with 184 deaths. The city of Detroit is a major center, with Oakland county's deaths doubling overnight. Field hospitals are being considered for three locations in Oakland County. 

On Sunday MIchigan State Representative Isaac Robinson, who served Detroit, died. Coronavirus is the suspected cause of death. He was 43.

Updates from Governor Gretchen Whitmer:

The Coronavirus is spreading quickly through the prison systems in Michigan, so some non-violent prisoners may be released.

The state government is enacting a hiring freeze and is shutting down all non-discretionary spending until further notice.

It is expected that conditions in Michigan will get much worse before they get better. We are weeks away from a peak in the number of cases of Coronavirus in Michigan.

The economy is continuing to slow down. Monroe based La-Z-Boy Furniture is furloughing 6,800 employees. In national news, Macy’s is going to furlough nearly 130,000 people. And Wednesday workers at Detroit’s three casinos will get their last paychecks until after the pandemic clears. Their benefits with copay will run through the end of June.

GM says production is on track to start this week at a factory in Warren to make level-1 surgical masks.

The TCF Center is going to be turned into a two-level, 900 bed hospital as the city and region braces for even more Coronavirus hospitalizations. This means the auto show will be canceled in 2020. 

Sven Gustafson speaks to Greg Migliore, the Editor in Chief of Auto Blog about the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) being canceled, the impact, and the future of auto shows in general. 

And, finally, we all need something to uplift us. Jer speaks to the women behind Lullabies from Detroit about how it came about. Follow their page here.

Thanks to Detroit On The Cheap for recommending us among some other great local podcasts. Check that out here.

On today's show: Matt Roling from Wayne State's Office of Business Innovation joins us to talk about tips to help make sure your business stays afloat or pivots to adapt to the Coronavirus today and the new reality afterward.

Plus, we do some top-level updates on what's happening out there locally, as this was the largest spike in new cases in Michigan since the pandemic started and half of the cases statewide are within Wayne County.

The coronavirus pandemic is intensifying in Michigan on multiple fronts. The state reported a jump of 801 new cases, Detroit Police Chief James Craig has now tested positive for COVID-19, and Ford and GM spent much of Friday on the firing lines of President Trump’s Twitter feed. Even Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wasn’t spared POTUS’ wrath.

To recap, GM and Ford in the past week have both announced partnerships with medical device manufacturers to help increase production of critically needed ventilators. Experts have said the devices, which help patients who struggle to breathe on their own, are in critically short supply to treat patients with severe coronavirus symptoms.

The New York Times reported late Thursday that the Trump adminstration had balked at paying GM and its partner, ventilator maker Ventec Life Systems, and would instead take more time to shop other proposals. So he lambasted both GM and Ford on Friday, urging them to START MAKING VENTILATORS NOW!!!!! and at one point saying, “Always a mess with Mary B,” a reference to GM’s chairwoman and CEO, Mary Barra. Then, he apparently decided to finally use the Defense Production Act to spur GM into action, and … well you’ll just have to listen to the show, because I can’t even, and this will probably be outdated by the time I’m done typing this sentence.

Also: Metro Detroit and Michigan’s population continues to drop according to new 2019 estimated Census numbers, and the people who are staying in the state are shifting west. In Metro Detroit, we have fewer residents living in our region than in 1970.

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:

Guest Angela Rogensues from Playworks Michigan joins us to talk about play-at-home tips while you're cooped up. https://www.playworks.org/michigan/

Also:

A ton of local Coronavirus-related updates, including the passing of a law enforcement officers and the possible permanent shuttering of a popular downtown Detroit nightspot.

Plus, the city of Detroit is building a large, temporary dam on Detroit's east side as it's expected the river will be even higher this year. More on that in the show.

Love what we're doing? Become a member! Join us at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

In a move that's got the whole Detroit region talking, General Motors is leaving the RenCen in 2025 to take up the upper floors of the office space at Hudson's Detroit. 

But that leaves one of Detroit's most iconic buildings without a clear path. Bedrock and GM are going to work over the next year to think about what it looks like going forward, but we take a first take at it, and talk about some of the amenities we'd like to see - and what the city might need. 

As always, feedback - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com. Or 313-789-3211. 

The rundown:

01:46 - General Motors will be moving out of the Ren Cen and into Dan Gilbert's Hudson's Detroit in 2025

02:50 - Details we know are sparce, but could a shiny new building make people want to come to the office again? 

04:09 - Redeveloping the Ren Cen into residential, if possible, could be the best move to improve Downtown Detroit's population, the lowest by percentage (and in some cases, raw numbers) among like regions in the country.

08:29 - RenCen speculation, what is going to happen to this iconic building? What would we like to see? Also offering something that suburbs can't - density and types of city-focused living. Greater Downtown Detroit has room for 50,000+ more people for it even compare to other major downtowns as far as residential, and also boost the city's population numbers; but there'd need to be real density and the RenCen could help with that. 

11:47 - Gilbert had this idea to pitch this move to GM years ago when he first talked to Mayor Duggan about his plans to build Hudson's Detroit. It's been in the works a long time, and a reminder these leaders are always talking.

If you want to read more on Urbanize, check out this post: https://detroit.urbanize.city/post/gm-announces-move-rencen-new-hudsons-detroit

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. 

On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today’s show:

We update the top-line Coronavirus case numbers across the state.

Drive-thru testing is going to start Friday at the State Fairground in Detroit. We have the details on this bold program to test between 40 and 50 people an hour.

A second DPD member has died of COVID-19. There’s going to be a new testing regimen put in place.

Detroit community leader Marlowe Stoudamire has died of COVID-19 at the age of 43. He had no underlying health issues. He left a major impact, and we remember some of it, including a clip from when he was on the show.

Ernie Birchmeier from the Michigan Farm Bureau joins us to talk about Michigan’s farmers and food supply chain in-depth. It’s an interesting and detailed conversation about our true situation.

In lighter fare, because we all need some, Castalia Cocktails has new to-go drink cubes that you just add your favorite booze and voila! Fancy cocktail. There are three available right now and Sven talks about his favorite pairings. More: https://www.castaliacocktails.com/cocktail-kits

Dr. Joel Fishbain, an infectious disease specialist with Beaumont, Grosse Pointe, joins the show today and tells us about what’s happening on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus. Fishbain tells Daily Detroit that he was initially among those who thought this was simply a version of the common flu. But now he’s seeing alarming numbers of people in their 40s and 50s who have to go on ventilators — as well as a phenomenon he called “robust diarrhea.”

Beaumont has reported 333 confirmed cases in inpatients with COVID-19 across the hospital system as of Tuesday, while the number nearly doubled since Monday to 170 at Henry Ford Health System’s five Detroit-area hospitals. Statewide, the tally is now 1,791 confirmed cases, up 35% in a day, and 24 deaths. Both Jer and I now count ourselves among those who know someone who died of coronavirus. This is real, friends. Take it seriously.

In non-apocalyptic news, Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed criminal corruption charges against Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith and three others, alleging they helped embezzle an estimated $600,000 of county funds and shielded it from county oversight. It’s an extraordinary development in Michigan’s third most-populous county, which has had many issues of late with public corruption among elected officials.

To ensure that not everything on today’s show is depressing, we have some fun reading listener feedback about my recent poor audio from my basement office. We’re trying to set a positive example and practice social distancing podcasting, see. And we’ve got it fixed!

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.