Daily Detroit

What does it take to get more of the things we want in our neighborhoods? People tell me all the time they want more grocery stores, local businesses, and better services in the city of Detroit. Mac Farr's answer starts with more neighbors. But he's clear that growth also means helping the people who already live here stay. I sat down with the executive director of the Villages Community Development Corporation to talk about this stretch of Detroit's east side, from Mack to the river, between Mount Elliott and St. Jean. We get into why the organization is pro-growth, and how that fits with preserving affordable housing and helping families keep their homes. Mac shares the work behind Keep It in the Family, a program that helps residents straighten out inherited property ownership so they can access home repair assistance and pass their homes on. We also talk about what's happening in East Village and Little Village, why development moves differently just a few blocks away in Islandview, and how longtime neighbors came up with the new North Village name. Plus, we dig into the city processes that make life harder for small developers and business owners. If you need an army of lawyers and consultants just to get through the system, who gets a chance to build? And we close with Mac's suggestion for an afternoon exploring the Villages by bike. Find the Villages CDC's newsletter and development information at https://www.thevillagesofdetroit.com/ If you haven't told a friend about the show, be sure to! Word of the mouth is the best way to push Detroit's conversation forward. Daily Detroit is made possible by our members. Support local media at patreon.com/dailydetroit.

Detroit bus stops deserve more than a stick in the ground. Dinner shouldn't require a second mortgage. And coffee shop chairs shouldn't punish you for sitting in them. We're opening the mailbag for a supersized Saturday edition of Daily Detroit. The "Prince of Brightmoor" Norris Howard joins me to tackle your questions, respond to some criticism, and make the case for shawarma's rightful place alongside Coneys and Detroit-style pizza. On the agenda: A listener takes issue with our interview with Detroit high school student because it didn't show the whole picture. We explain why hearing directly from young people was the point. Better transit takes more than buses. We talk shelters, suburban advocacy, and why your city council needs to hear from you. Keep the trains moving. Your thoughts on People Mover expansion, connecting to Michigan Central, and the ongoing problem of people parking on the QLine tracks. What changed our minds this election? Norris shares what he saw traveling Michigan. Premium rent, not-so-premium living. A former resident of an embattled building shares his experience, and Norris has some thoughts of his own. Cheap and cheerful matters! We hear you on affordable recommendations, even with Michelin coming to town. Comfortable seating makes me want to spend money: We answer a listener question on what makes for a good coffeeshop. Where we'd take visiting friends for their next Detroit meal, and why shawarma belongs in the starting lineup after coneys and Detroit-style pizza. Got a question, a place we should visit, or something you think we missed? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 313-789-3211. Local media needs local support. Help keep Daily Detroit going at patreon.com/dailydetroit

Abdul El-Sayed wins, Democrats take control in Lansing, and our panel unpacks what Michigan's election results mean as part of a blue tsunami that crossed the country in the midterm elections...  and what comes next on your Daily Detroit. Jer Staes, Norris Howard, Chris Moyer, and Devon O'Reilly gather for a post-election roundtable on Michigan's results, the voters behind them, and what Democrats will need to deliver to keep that support. Norris makes his case for why Detroit's support for El-Sayed shouldn't have been a surprise. Chris revisits what he missed in his pre-election outlook. And Devon shares what he heard in Dearborn, where enthusiasm for El-Sayed crossed some familiar political lines. Plus: transit, money in politics, data centers, and why a winning coalition isn't a permanent one. Then we close with something everyone at the table has opinions about: where to get shawarma around Metro Detroit. On this episode: El-Sayed's win and the conversation around Detroit voters Dearborn turnout, representation, and voters who don't fit neatly into party categories Michigan's Democratic trifecta and the pressure to deliver Money in politics, data centers, and congressional races The panel's shawarma and other local food favorites Feedback: [email protected] or 313-789-3211 Support independent local media: patreon.com/DailyDetroit

Norris Howard and I unpack a massive election eve bombshell as U.S. Representative Haley Stevens makes a last-minute turn against fellow Democrat Abdul El-Sayed to endorse Republican Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate. Who knew we'd have a November surprise, and that it'd look just like a wrestling storyline. We break down the immediate fallout across Michigan politics, the massive fundraising backlash, and what this high-stakes political drama means for local voters. Plus, we pay tribute to the legendary Juan Atkins, the Belleville Three pioneer and undisputed originator of Detroit techno, following his sudden passing at age 64. Feedback as always: [email protected] or 313-789-3211.  Support our work on Patreon! 

The 2026 Midterm election is just days away, and it's time to put our predictions on the record. I've got Norris Howard, Devon O'Reilly and Chris Moyer around the table to talk through Michigan's midterm elections. Who we think wins, how close it'll be, and what we're watching Tuesday night. We all think Jocelyn Benson wins the governor's race. But Abdul El-Sayed against Mike Rogers? That's where our confidence levels start to differ. Plus, downballot races and more. We also get into what's happening on the ground in parts of metro Detroit and whether the coalitions we're used to are changing. Then we turn to Lansing and the state house. And don't forget the rest of your ballot. We talk statewide proposals, the history museum and zoo millages, and the transit renewal in Macomb County. These are predictions, and we could get plenty wrong. We're getting back together Wednesday to talk about what actually happened, and probably with a lot of coffee. Tell me what you think: [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 313-789-3211. Local media needs local support to survive and thrive. Become a member at patreon.com/dailydetroit.

Today we're leaning into the "where to go" part of Daily Detroit, with a look at Youmacon at Huntington Place this weekend. We talk with Youmacon CEO Eric Gaiser and music department head Marcus Cooper about anime, gaming, cosplay, and a music lineup that brings those worlds together. We get into what's new and why having a place to find your people matters. Plus, we talk about what exactly what you'd need for a proper Prince of Brightmoor cosplay — and yes, the Casio watch is required. More on Youmacon.

Norris Howard is back in the studio, and we've got a lot of ground to cover: Host's plans for Chroma, Baobab Fare's east-side expansion, housing in the North End, a new artisan market on 6 Mile, and Literati's move in Ann Arbor. Plus, Detroit City FC has a home playoff game this Friday.  Then it's into politics with a week before election day. Wae talk through early voting, the latest polls, and what we're seeing on the ground with one week until Election Day. Finally, Norris catches up with Jemele Hill at the Detroit Public Theatre for a few minutes on Spolitics, her Detroit roots, and why getting involved matters beyond the presidential election. You can see her full conversation with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed here: https://youtu.be/CrIYSKYcvB8?si=kzIXFOzntc9088Py Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211. Support our show and local media project: https://patreon.com/DailyDetroit  

Today on the show, Norris, Devon, and I talk about the reported resolution of that recent City Council inquiry involving small businesses in West Village we talked about earlier this week We break down the intense community backlash, the broader tensions, and why city governments need to focus on removing red tape for local entrepreneurs instead of throwing up roadblocks. Then, on a much lighter note, we celebrate Michigan & Trumbull Pizza being named one of the top pizza spots in America by Food & Wine magazine! That kicks off a lively debate about our go-to everyday pizza joints versus our favorite experimental spots, Devon's wild thin-crust take, and where we land on Supino. Finally, we wrap things up with a quick look at a few new restaurant openings on both sides of town. Places Mentioned Today: Two Birds, Barkside, Bar IX, Grandma Bob's, Michigan & Trumbull, Jet's, Pie-Sci, Bellacino's, Buddy's, Amar Pizza (Hamtramck), Mama Rosa's, Loui's (Hazel Park), Supino Pizzeria, Baobab Fare East (East Warren), Capers, G. Grant Steakhouse (Dearborn), Spiedo (Midtown) We're brought to you by our members: patreon.com/dailydetroit - also, your feedback is welcome [email protected] or 313-789-3211.

On today's Daily Detroit, I'm joined by Planet Detroit founder Nina Ignaczak and managing editor Dustin Blitchok to talk about the environmental stories shaping our region and their nonpartisan voter guide. We get into data centers and electricity costs, Metro Detroit's air quality, and drinking water concerns, including PFAS and lead service lines. We also talk about how decisions in Washington and Lansing connect to what we experience at home. Then we dig into Planet Detroit's voter guide: candidate responses, environmental voting records, and campaign contributions from utilities. Nina shares what they heard when they asked readers for questions, including concerns about electricity costs and protecting our water. Plus, if you're not familiar with the publication... how Planet Detroit got started, why local environmental reporting matters, and how they're taking some of that work beyond the screen with community walks. Check out the voter guide: https://voterguide.planetdetroit.org Read Planet Detroit: https://planetdetroit.org Local media needs local support. Become a Daily Detroit member: https://patreon.com/dailydetroit Feedback? Email [email protected] or call 313-789-3211.

What do Detroit's young people actually want from their city?  That's what we're talking about on your Daily Detroit for Wednesday October 21st 2026. We're gonna step away from the usual adult-led debates on youth spaces, teen takeovers, and recreation. Let's listen to the people who live it.  Joining Norris Howard and myself is Jaedun Ward. He's a Cass Tech High School student, entrepreneur, and host of the talk show 'Things, Things, Things.'  Jaedun breaks down why today's youth aren't just looking for places to hang out. They want more, and what I like about this conversation is he gets specific, and shared what he learned from talking to others.  I'll note this conversation was conducted with Jaedun's parents permission, and his dad was in-studio with us while we recorded.  Feedback as always - [email protected] or 313-789-3211. Make sure to support our work on Patreon! Local work needs local support to survive and thrive.