I've been watching Michigan politics for a long time, and this Abdul El-Sayed vs. Haley Stevens primary feels like the front line of a bigger national reckoning. With Norris Howard and Devon O'Reilly, we unpack the pissed-off electorate, Whitmer's data-center problem, and how PAC money and billionaire money are backfiring with voters.

Many think that Michigan is a purple state, full of moderate ideas; and we talk about how voters are more angry than anything else.

We talk about Trump's underwater numbers, Mike Rogers' vulnerability, and why running against the Democratic establishment might be the only way Democrats win in November.

If you're trying to read the Petoskey stones on where American politics goes next, Michigan is a good place to start.

Follow the show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Norris and Jer sit down with Detroit News restaurant critic Melody Baetens to talk about the city's post‑COVID dining boom, why consistency is key to winning, and what's driving all the new global flavors around town.

Then they dig into the Greater Detroit Music Census, how local venues are struggling to keep live shows on the calendar, and what it would take for Detroit to lean into being a music city for working musicians and locales.

Read Melody's work here: https://www.detroitnews.com/staff/2647007001/melody-baetens/

In this episode, I sit down with Transportation Riders United executive director Megan Owens to unpack Wayne County's transit millage and what it could mean for riders in Detroit and the suburbs.

We get into how countywide service could end "opt‑out" communities, bring buses and microtransit to places like Livonia, Canton and Plymouth, and better connect rural townships to trunk lines.

I also talk with Megan about a new $25 million BUILD grant for Gratiot, Macomb County's renewal interest in SMART, and how to actually find the transit question at the bottom of your ballot.

More on TRU: https://www.detroittransit.org/

Our studio open house on Saturday, August 15: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995592904096?aff=oddtdtcreator

Make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

Today's Daily Detroit is a little different. I've got two shorter conversations that are too good to leave behind, so we're stitching them together into one episode for you.

First up is American Arab Chamber executive director Bilal Hammoud. We talk about just how big Arab American economic power has become in Michigan, with more than 150,000 businesses and an estimated $100 billion in economic contribution over the last decade.

We get into how that connects to a more globally minded, relationship‑driven approach to economic development. Bilal makes the case for de‑siloing Michigan's innovation ecosystem, learning from places like Dubai and New York, and treating immigration as a core growth strategy between now and 2030.

Then we shift gears to the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center with Detroit Zoological Society executive director and CEO Dr. Hayley Murphy. She walks us through the new Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails, a seven‑acre "outdoor living classroom" with everything from goats to stingrays.

Plus, we talk about the zoo's $185 million projected annual economic impact.

We also get into free programming at the Belle Isle Nature Center, special evenings for families in shelters and with medically fragile kids, and a millage renewal later this year that keeps the whole operation going.

As always, I'd love to know what you think of this format, or anything else about the show. Drop me a line at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 313‑789‑3211.

On today's Daily Detroit I kick things off in "prime Negroni season," and on the heels of a new zero proof gin debate with Devon whether zero-proof gin and spirits are actually a thing we need or just marketing chasing vibes without the buzz.

Then we dive into how different wings of the Demcoratic party actuall agree on about 88% of things, and how junk polls and click-chasing headlines warp our sense of what's really at stake, or who feels what way. Plus, turnout in the city and what it would take for under-40 Detroiters to actually flex the power they have instead of letting politics stay a 60-plus sport.

We close on the RenCen and riverfront remake, breaking down the impending double tower demolition, and why losing some concrete might finally mean gaining the riverfront Detroit deserves.

In today's episode, Norris and I hit pause on the doomscroll and talk about simple joys and summer adventures around Detroit.

We talk about everything from Belle Isle walks and Southwest soccer nights to Chinatown block parties, rooftop bars, and getting lost on the scenic route instead of the freeway.

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows!

If you've got feedback, including what you plan on doing this summer, let us know - [email protected] or 313-789-3211

I sit down with communications pro Matt Friedman to talk about what happens when the basic stuff in media breaks — from lettuce recalls and weather alerts to non-partisan, important voting information.

We get into algorithms, broken trust, and why it's harder than ever to get simple, accurate information. And that information is crucial for a stronger local Detroit community.

If you care about how you actually find out what matters, this one's worth a listen.

Matt Friedman's latest post: https://tannerfriedman.com/blog/ive-done-food-recall-crisis-communications-the-parasite-situation-is-a-mess/

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Today, I sit down with Highland Park mayoral candidate and Avalon Village founder Shamayim "Mama Shu" Harris.

We dig into how she's turned one of the city's most notorious blocks into a grassroots hub with streetlights, a homework house, basketball courts, and shipping-container retail.

We also talk about what that experience taught her about transforming blight into beauty, rebuilding housing and neighborhood businesses, and why she believes Highland Park can stand strong as its own city.

More information: https://www.mamashuformayor.com/

As always, if you've got feedback - 313-789-3211 or email us, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com.

For a full transcript, visit the Daily Detroit website.

As always, thanks to our members on Patreon for supporting work like this.

Today we're coming to you from a very smoky studio in Detroit as Canadian wildfire haze pushes Detroit's air quality off the charts.

Should we Blame Canada? (With all apologies to South Park)

From there, Norris delivers last rites for the "Yzerplan" and we talk through why the Red Wings have now slid to the fifth of five sports team in a city where the Lions, Pistons, Tigers – and now Detroit City FC – are commanding the spotlight.

Speaking of DCFC, I was at the groundbreaking for their new stadium at Michigan and 20th. We unpack what a nearly $200 million means for Corktown, Mexicantown, small businesses, and the club.

We close with an update on the Democratic Senate primary between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed – digging into new polling, the massive outside money advantage, Obama's importance in the politics of black voters and Detroiters, and the real enthusiasm and messaging gaps shaping this race on the ground.

Full Rundown:

00:39 - Insane Canadian Wildfire Smoke in Detroit

04:22 - The Steve Yzerplan is Dead

08:37 - Detroit City FC Stadium Groundbreaking

16:40 - Stevens vs. El-Sayed Democratic Senate Primary Update

As always, I'd love to hear what you think: [email protected] or 313-789-3211.

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods.

We start with a very cool story about Jack White, "Seven Nation Army," and how seven little notes turned into one of the biggest chants in global sports.

Then we get into something a lot closer to home: A cyclospora outbreak that has Taco Bell locations pulling lettuce and cilantro off the menu, and what that says about cuts to CDC surveillance and how we think about food safety in Michigan.

From there, Norris and I dig into Lansing's proposed "quiet cars" bill aimed at loud exhausts up and down Woodward, why noise is part of living near big thoroughfares, and how enforcement can too easily slide into pretextual stops for Black drivers and folks just trying to get to work with a busted muffler. More: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/2026/07/13/michigan-bills-law-loud-cars-modified-exhaust-woodward/90472088007/

We close with some good news: Concert of Colors kicks off in Midtown, honoring the late Ishmael Ahmed and bringing multi-generational, global sounds to the DIA and surrounding venues — one of those "if you live here, you really should go at least once" Detroit events. https://www.concertofcolors.com/

I encourage listeners to take the Daily Detroit political topology survey at dailydetroit.com/9 and send your topic ideas to [email protected].

Full Rundown:

01:33 - Seven Nation Army video and Daily Detroit political topography survey

06:22 - There's a growing Cyclosporiasis outbreak throughout Michigan, including taking lettuce of the menu of a number of restaurants include Taco Bell at some Metro Detroit location

11:43 A bill pushing for quieter cars working it's way through the Michigan legislature

17:10 Concert of Colors is back this week

After the pandemic, downtown Detroit underwent a massive shift. Many left their offices to come back just a couple of times a week, and people looking for dining and entertainment on weekends flooded in. And the data shows they like what they see.

On today's show, I'm sitting down with Sofia Song, Global Cities Lead at the Gensler Research Institute, and Antoine Bryant, Managing Director of Gensler's Detroit office, to unpack their massive 2026 City Pulse study.

The big takeaway? Detroit ranks number one nationally for downtown "stickiness." That means residents aren't just coming down because they have to for work. They're choosing to hang out, eat, and linger at double the national average for discretionary visits.

There's a huge shift from an office-centric commuter hub to an 18-hour destination. And Detroit residents, according to the survey, are into it, too.

If you want to understand how intentional planning, better lighting, and activated spaces are changing our streets into a space with national-level urban design, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Then, we send you out the door with some stories to know around town.

Don't forget our most recent audience survey: https://www.dailydetroit.com/9/

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

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