Daily Detroit Daily Detroit

It's been a busy week up at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference, put on by the Detroit Regional Chamber. But what are some of the things happening that could impact you?
State Representative Mike McFall of the 8th District stopped by and talked about what's moving through Landing and made the Governor's proposed budget. We'll dive into the latest policy discussions and legislative efforts impacting Metro Detroit and beyond.
In this episode, we cover:
Redistricting Changes: Representative McFall discusses the recent redistricting that will see him campaigning for House District 14, which includes parts of Madison Heights, Hazel Park, and Warren. Learn how these changes are reshaping local representation.
Public Transit Initiatives: McFall, co-chair of the Public Transit Caucus, shares insights on the new bill package aimed at expanding public transit, affordable housing, and placemaking efforts across Michigan. Discover how $2 billion over ten years could transform the state's transit landscape.
Affordable Housing Crisis: Addressing the housing shortage, McFall talks about initiatives to create consistent funding for affordable housing, targeting the "missing middle" and ensuring more Michiganders can find affordable places to live.
Retirement Savings Legislation: Learn about the "MI Secure Retirement" bill, which aims to provide retirement savings options for Michigan workers, particularly those employed by small businesses, to help them avoid financial hardship in their later years (and save the state taxpayers money in the long run).
Future Prospects: McFall shares his vision for the next year, hoping for the successful passage of critical legislation and a statewide focus on housing and transit issues that have traditionally been seen as regional concerns.
I hope you find this an insightful episode on the policy efforts shaping the future of Metro Detroit and Michigan.
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From the Porch of the Grand Hotel at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Jer and Devon talk about the latest happenings around Metro Detroit. There's a mix of heavy and hopeful news on this one.
In this episode, we cover:
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Scandal: Fresh developments reveal that up to $40 million may have been embezzled from the nonprofit fund. The FBI is investigating, and the potential fallout could impact local black developers and businesses. Dan Gilbert’s Philanthropic Vision: At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Dan Gilbert announced plans to give away his fortune, potentially transforming Detroit through large-scale investments in education, transportation, and community development. We play the game "what would you do first if you were able to decide where to put a billion dollars?" Mark Hackel’s Political Ambitions: Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel plays footsie with a gubernatorial run again while distancing himself from supporting President Joe Biden, stirring local political dynamics. Personal Reflections and Future Prospects: Jer and Devon discuss the broader implications of these stories and speculate on the transformative potential of Gilbert’s philanthropic promises. Join us for an insightful episode as we navigate the complexities and opportunities facing Detroit today.
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How does Michigan and metro Detroit turn the corner on being the place people want to choose to build their lives? On your Daily Detroit, we explore this pressing question with Khalilah Burt Gaston, the founding executive director of the Song Foundation.
From the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, the conversation dives deep into the holistic approaches and collaborative efforts necessary to revitalize the region.
Some of the topics we cover:
The Song Foundation: Publicly working for the last year, the foundation focuses on emergent youth leadership, tech ecosystem building, and supporting community organizations. Economic Diversification: There's a critical need for Michigan to shift from its traditional reliance on the automotive industry to fostering tech startups and innovative companies. But some still don't see that - and how do we work with them, and move forward? Investment in Founders: The importance of supporting tech founders and entrepreneurs who are committed to making a difference in their communities to help widen our economic base. A Comprehensive Vision: There's a need for unified economic development strategy that includes investments in public education, higher education, transit, and affordable housing in the Metro Detroit region and the state of Michigan. Cultural Shifts: Encouraging a mindset that values risk-taking and innovation, and fostering a culture of collaboration over competition. Challenges and Opportunities: Addressing the high cost of living and lack of affordable childcare in Michigan, and learning from the successes of other states like Indiana and Ohio. So have a listen to the full episode to understand how Michigan can create a high-growth, high-wage state that attracts and retains talent.
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You might have seen some changes in your local TV station over the last few years. Or that more sports is going behind a service that's not your cable provider. Or that more of the well-reported journalism you want to read is behind a paywall.
That's because there are fundamental shifts happening in the media business, pushing these moves.
Joining Jer at the studio in Tech Town is a longtime friend of the show, Matt Friedman, partner at Tanner Friedman Public Relations. Matt brings his expertise to help us navigate the fast-changing media landscape. We talk about the:
State of Media: Matt discusses the dramatic changes in local TV news, including buyouts and the impact of cord-cutting on local stations' revenue. Economic Shifts: The conversation covers how the economics of TV have shifted from high profit margins to a more challenging financial environment, affecting staffing and news coverage. Institutional Knowledge: Concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge in newsrooms and its implications for coverage quality. Collaborative Journalism: There's aerise of collaborative journalism between nonprofits and for-profits to fill in gaps left by traditional media. Impact of Tech Companies: The role of tech giants like Meta and Google in shaping how news is consumed and distributed - and how it's a frenemy situation with many media professionals and producers. Future of Sports Broadcasting: A deep dive into the Bally Sports bankruptcy and the future of sports broadcasting, including the potential shift to team-owned streaming services. Consumer Advice: Matt advises people to be prepared to pay for quality news and information as the media landscape continues to evolve. Listen to the full episode to get a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future of local media.
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Or wherever you listen to shows.
 

Mr. Friday, Devon O'Reilly, is in and we talk about a bunch of local to Metro Detroit things.
Devon had dinner at The Little Club, his first eastside yacht club experience as a west sider We had a chance to try the Ford Mustang Mach-E for a week, and have a number of thoughts on the electric car that doesn't give off electric car vibes After touring the new housing construction on Fischer by Greatwater Homes, some thoughts on how this project was able to come together so well, sell homes quickly - and what Detroit needs to look at if we want to get serious about building more new housing which is needed Devon talks about Leadership Detroit and we preview the Mackinac Policy Conference together that we will be at next week. You can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. We can't do this without listener support.
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Interesting show of Metro Detroit stories today. In the fun category, recently a listener asked why Norris Howard isn't the Baron of Brightmoor, because of the alliteration. He explains why he's the Prince.
There was so much demand for Michigan Central's big concert that it sold out - and so have all the tickets for the tour since we recorded this episode and posted. So I won't include that link.
Then we get into the race for U.S. House, where Adam Hollier didn't get enough valid signatures to make the ballot, dealing a blow to the possibility of black representation for Detroit and nearby areas.
Norris gets into why it matters, but also people need to get their stuff together.
Our all-local daily podcast is on Apple Podcasts: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple
 Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify