Daily Detroit

Detroit is having a week full of newness — and we've got all of it. PWHL Detroit is officially happening: the city's new Professional Women's Hockey League franchise will play at Little Caesar's Arena starting in the 2026–2027 season, in black, silver, and a hint of Red Wings red. The PWHL Awards and entry draft are coming to Detroit on June 16th and 17th, and roster building kicks off May 28th. Norris Howard weighs in on the collapse of Spirit Airlines — plus, the case for trains over short-haul flights. Downtown development: The historic 1908 Ford Building on Griswold — a Daniel Burnham Chicago-style gem — is headed to auction at just 14% occupancy, raising questions about what it takes to bring Detroit's financial district back to life. [Crain's Detroit] Jer and Norris dream big: 100,000 people in 7.2 square miles, a Trader Joe's in the State Savings Bank, and density done right. Bedrock's Belle — a 1926 Beaux Arts building on Broadway — is now accepting pre-lease tours on its 42 newly finished units. And coming soon to Southwest Detroit at 2545 Bagley: Tigris, a hi-fi listening bar with a custom Bing Audio sound system, vinyl DJ sets, Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails, and a daytime café to boot. Finally, Jer is moderating a panel at the free Business of Food Summit on May 18th at the Marrow in the Market — all about what it takes to make Michigan a true culinary destination, and what Michelin recognition could mean for the state.

Filmmaker Hannah Fahoome of Now Listen Here Young Lady LLC joins Jer Staes and Norris Howard to talk about Arab Film Fest After Dark — an interactive afterparty she's been building around the Arab Film Festival for over three years. The Arab Film Festival runs Tuesday, May 5th through Sunday, May 10th at the Arab American National Museum in East Dearborn. It's been going for over 20 years and features films from across the Arab world and Arab America. On Saturday, May 9th, Hannah is also hosting a screenwriting workshop at 10 a.m. in the museum library — open to anyone who has a story and wants to learn how to put it on screen. That evening, Arab Film Fest After Dark brings together DJs, interactive lighting demos, and screenwriting games. Buy a ticket to any single festival screening and the afterparty is free. Find Hannah on Instagram Arab Film Festival tickets and passes: aanmfilmfest.eventive.org

Gas is suddenly a lot more expensive in Michigan — and Spirit Airlines just shut down for good. Jer talks with GasBuddy head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan about Great Lakes refinery outages, record diesel and jet fuel prices, how a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz is pushing costs higher, and why that fuel shock helped finish off Metro Detroit–founded Spirit Airlines. After, Jer digs into some details about Spirit's demise and we're looking for your Spirit experiences.  Feedback as always — dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

We break down fresh polling data from the Detroit Regional Chamber and Glengariff on Michigan's August 2026 primaries. With 36% of Democratic voters still undecided in the Senate race, this election is anyone's game. Plus, we get into the Republican and Democratic primary landscapes, examining Donald Trump's 85.9% favorability among GOP voters, Jocelyn Benson's commanding 58-point lead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, and the tight three-way Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and Mallory McMorrow with a huge universe of undecided voters. The conversation also explores Gretchen Whitmer's potential role in the 2028 presidential race, as she's got immense popularity in the state and is the leading candidate here for president — or be the person that chooses who would win on the Democratic side.  Topics covered: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Detroit Regional Chamber/Glengariff Group poll methodology (500 respondents per party, ±4.4% margin of error) p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Republican primary: John James vs. Perry Johnson for governor p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Democratic Senate primary breakdown by region and demographics p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Youth voter impact on both parties p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Presidential preference polling for 2028 p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The disconnect between progressive policies and progressive candidates p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why showing up matters

Ferndale is bucking the trend. While most of Detroit's inner-ring suburbs are losing people, Ferndale has grown 1.3% since 2020 — outpacing every municipality that touches Detroit's city limits.  We dig into new population data highlighted by the Detroit Free Press and ask what makes Ferndale different: walkable neighborhoods, a real downtown at Woodward and Nine Mile, a strong LGBTQ community, and a place where people say they feel safe because neighbors have their back.  Here's a link to the piece we discussed: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/04/28/ferndale-is-growing-while-detroits-other-inner-ring-suburbs-shrink/89644896007/ We contrast Ferndale's urbanist-friendly density and sense of belonging with the population losses in places like Warren, Redford, Dearborn Heights, and River Rouge, and talk about how Gen Z, dual-income-no-kids households, and the Woodward corridor are reshaping where Metro Detroiters choose to live. 

On today's episode: A state representative is planning on personally delivering a letter to President Trump asking for him to free Kwame Kilpatrick. Shianne argues there are plenty more wronged people to free first than the former mayor. The city of Detroit's financial health has improved, according to the Moody's rating service.  Macomb County lawmakers are looking to opt out of the Detroit Institute of Arts Millage that is up for renewal early next month. Opinion: It's more of the shortsighted thinking that got Metro Detroit in this place. (Read more on the Freep) Polonia Restaurant in Hamtramck is up for sale for a cool $450,000. And so is Craftwork in West Village, they are asking $300,000 for the space.  Matt and Mo's Italian Beef has kicked off a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a brick and mortar location in Hazel Park.  Royal Oak Commissioners have approved plans for City Ramen to use a liquor license that was transferred from a Mod Pizza location in Rochester Hills. There will soon be a new sculpture in Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth thanks to the Detroit Institute of Arts.

It's Monday, Dec. 17 in the mystical land known as Detroit. Here's what you get when you listen to your beloved Daily Detroit podcast today: Lincoln has made good on its pledge to reintroduce suicide doors on the Continental luxury sedan. The 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition is an homage to the first Continental introduced in 1939 and to the center-opening doors that graced the car during the 1960s. Just 80 examples will be made for 2019. Elsewhere, unpredictable winter weather continues to defy MDOT's ability to predict when I-696 construction will wrap in Macomb County. The QLine is offering free rides for the holiday shopping season, and Detroit's historic Grande Ballroom, home to many a legendary show from the MC5, The Stooges, The Who and others, lands on the National Register of Historic Places. We cover two bits of business news: High-end clothier The Broadway will close down for good after 43 years in business in downtown Detroit so its owner can retire. Over in Corktown, Cork and Gabel will open this week, bringing a mix of locally sourced Irish, German and Italian fare to the neighborhood. More info is at Eater Detroit. Lastly, Daily Detroit correspondent Shianne Nocerini joins us to talk about Drag Queen Storytime, which has managed to attract controversy from the usual quarters. And a little P.S. - there's a show at Otus Supply on Wednesday night you might want to check out if you're into rock and roll. More here: https://www.facebook.com/events/215150699406826/  

Our stories today: An autonomous shuttle is coming to downtown Detroit A historic Detroit mansion is getting a facelift, but there's a mystery as to why. Detroit is ranked as the number one city in America for pizza fans. Detroit's own ISP is the nation's second-fastest. Amazon is searching for a spot for a second headquarters. Could it be Detroit? New housing developments in Ferndale. Hosted by Jer, Randy Walker from IT in the D, and Daily Detroit Happy Podcast host and writer Sven Gustafson. Thanks to Podcast Detroit for their support! http://www.podcastdetroit.com