Jer Staes

We're not out of the Coronavirus woods yet w/ Dr. Paul Thomas

Although there has been a loosening of restrictions like dining capacity and gatherings between households, not only is COVID-19 not at bay but we’re experiencing a new outbreak in Metro Detroit. Statewide, daily cases are increasing and new regional data from COVID ACT NOW shows that we’re near the same spike levels that we saw in the Spring of 2020. This is a problem as although there is some progress with vaccination, we don’t have anywhere close to herd immunity. Pl...

PODCAST: What's Driving Detroit's Real Estate Prices w/ Eric Walstrom, @Properties

In the last few years, it seems as if prices for property in Detroit and Metro Detroit have gone up. It seems like just yesterday there were stories of houses for a dollar; but now, it’s gone pretty far in the other direction, with downtown penthouses listing for $3.2 million, and million-dollar condos in historic hotels.  But why? Well, it turns out Detroit is still affordable for buyers around the nation and, at least according to Eric Walstrom of @properties, there’s an influx...

PODCAST: Historic Bandshell Saved; State Of The City; Plus 6 Things To Know Around Detroit

On today’s show:  00:27 The State of the City address in Detroit was Tuesday night. Let’s do a run through of the highlights. 02:26 The bandshell at the Michigan State Fairgrounds will be saved. 03:04 District 7 City Councilmember Gabe Leland was arraigned on a misconduct in office charge. 04:18 40 Hague is accepting residents. The apartment building was designed by Albert Kahn and was a Packard showroom. More on Urbanize: https://urbanize.city/detroit/post/newly-r...

PODCAST: What makes a good Irish Bar? Ferndale gets a drinking district; Cannabusiness + more

On today’s show, Jer and Devon run through stories around metro Detroit. Plus, Engineer Randy makes a special appearance. 00:31 – Pandemic update, including a discussion on bars and restaurants reopening to 50%. 06:50 – Cannabis news, including municipalities getting $28,000 per recreational dispensary and a lawsuit that’s come up questioning the city of Detroit’s “Legacy Detroiter” licensure program. More background to read: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detr...

How do we build a culture of transit in Metro Detroit? w/ Dave Gifford

In a previous episode of the podcast, we talked about how metro Detroit’s economy is diversifying. But the ways we get around town? We’ve been stuck in the same mode for a lifetime. And that’s almost completely being dependent and investing only in the car. A recent piece in Planetizen talks about how we might, as a region, build a culture of transit. After all, even automakers themselves are embracing ways to get around that aren’t single-person owned vehicles. And may...

PODCAST: Soccer + Sports w/ Fletcher Sharpe

Fletcher Sharpe joins us for our weekly conversation on all things soccer, sports and culture. Topics with timestamps below: 00:38 U.S. Soccer Federation repeals former policy barring players from kneeling during anthem, discussion on Seth Jahn and local impact. 05:46 Detroit City FC has some new faces on both the men’s and women’s teams. 10:32 Former Detroit Red Wing Tod Bertuzzi arrested for a DUI in Auburn Hills. 13:08 Fletcher has a new piece in Hour Detroit about...

How To Get A College Scholarship Through eSports — Competitive Video Gaming

Until I did this interview, I didn’t know you could get a college scholarship competitive playing eSports. But that’s exactly what Cleary University – along with a number of schools throughout the country – are offering. So I sat down with Jared Erickson, Varsity eSports Coach at Cleary University. Below you will find an automated transcription of a conversation on the local news podcast, Daily Detroit. You can listen to the episode in the player on your screen, or subscrib...

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COVID-19 Outbreak At Midtown Detroit Whole Foods

Plus should people get paid to move to Detroit? And an early look at the new Portillo's.

Coronavirus Outbreak Hits Whole Foods In Detroit’s Midtown

When the Whole Foods Market on Mack closed early on Tuesday night, customers didn’t know the reason why. Now we do. There has been a significant COVID-19 outbreak at the Midtown location, with the Detroit Health Department confirming to Daily Detroit that 23 out of 196 employees have tested positive so far. Anonymous sources tell us that three quarters of the on-shift staff Tuesday night tested positive with rapid tests, meaning the store did not have enough employees to ke...

PODCAST: Hate Has No Home Here; Pistons & Detroit City FC News w/ Fletcher Sharpe

Show notes: 00:45 The Hate Has No Home Here rally supporting Black Lives Matter happened, in part, outside of Fletcher’s front door. We were going to cover this on the show in a different way, but we ended up talking about about what happened in his community plus the bigger picture of a changing Southeast Michigan region as a whole. Background reading on the flag incident: https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/hate-has-no-home-here-rally-held-after-kkk-flag-hung-in-window...

PODCAST: Previewing the new Portillo's w/ Karen Dybis + Stories to know around town

Our feature conversation is with Karen Dybis talking about the new Portillo’s in Sterling Heights. She went to the media preview and shares the details. Show notes w/ timestamps: 00:30 COVID-19 update. A restaurant and bar association in Macomb County sues seeking damages due to the state-ordered pandemic shutdown. Wayne County has a series of vaccination sites.  02:50 Detroit vs. Everybody is collaborating with Gucci for Gucci vs. Everybody. 03:50 The Art Van name goe...

PODCAST: Michigan's Growing Cannabis Business; QLINE Leadership Change and More

On your Daily Detroit for Friday, February 19, 2021: 00:37 Michigan’s marijuana industry has skyrocketed, with more people employed in the cannabis industry than police; and roughly as many as there are auto mechanics.  03:23 There’s new leadership at the QLINE, and it’s a familiar face to Daily Detroit listeners. What are the challenges ahead and when will it get back on the rails? 08:01 Fernando Pallazuelo is falling futher behind at the Packard Plant. His plans were sky...

PODCAST: Blake Griffin Benched; UM Hoops Success & More w/ Fletcher Sharpe

Today, Fletcher Sharpe joins us to talk: 00:46 Blake Griffin’s benching until the Pistons find a place to trade him or something else. 07:11 Michigan is doing very well in the AP College Basketball rankings, but so is the rest of the Big 10 with three teams in the top five for the first time ever. 10:24 For the first time Fletcher can remember, Michigan State University basketball is in the basement.  Follow Fletcher on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SaintFDW Sup...

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A Supreme Edition

Losing Mary Wilson, building up East Jefferson & more

PODCAST: Remembering Mary Wilson Of The Supremes

My mom was in her 20s in the 1960s, and Motown – be it Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Stevie Wonder or you name it – that was the music she’d have on the radio in the Detroit flower shop where she worked. When she had me years later, those same songs were installed in my heart as lullabies. Today’s episode honors founding Supreme Mary Wilson and tells some of her story. Her sudden passing at age 76 stunned Motown fans everywhere. I’m going to focus on the news itself, how Mary...

PODCAST: Jefferson East's New Community HQ w/ Josh Elling

Along Jefferson from I-375 to the Grosse Pointe border, one of the organizations that’s undoubtedly making an impact is Jefferson East Inc., or JEI. It’s not just with flashy projects, but in very personal ways such as helping Detroiters stay in their homes. The nonprofit covers five neighborhoods with more than 18 square miles of land area and 42,000 people. That’s bigger than many suburbs. As someone who knows this area decently well, I also know lots of people write off...

PODCAST: Michigan Central Restoration Update Plus 4 Things To Know In Metro Detroit

On today’s show: 00:34 Unemployment is among the highest in the nation in Metro Detroit, only behind Las Vegas 03:24 A new report shows Black Michiganders had worse outcomes with COVID-19. More: https://news.umich.edu/black-michiganders-with-covid-19-suffer-worse-health-socioeconomic-outcomes-than-whites/ 05:44 Little High Flyers shutters their brick and mortar shop in Midtown and go online only: https://littlehighflyers.com/ 06:46 The Golden Fleece in Greektown got a remo...

PODCAST: Restaurant Workers Can Get Vaccines In Detroit; Mama Shu Fights On; Lions, DCFC w/ Fletcher Sharpe

Today: 01:02 Vaccines are now available to people who work with food and beverage, including employees at restaurants, grocery stories, meatpacking facilities, and more. Janitors and security guards are all also eligible. 02:25 Reports are swirling that the Suburban Collection, a large auto dealer group, will be bought by a publicly traded company. 03:40 The historic Birmingham 8 has been bought by Emagine. 04:40 Previous guest of the podcast Mama Shu in Highland P...