Jer Staes

PODCAST: What's next after the pandemic? With Futurist Sheryl Connelly

On today’s show, we look to the future. In a post-pandemic world, it’s looking like things will not snap back to “normal” that was January of 2020.  In fact, some of the changes could be pretty big. So I talked about it with Sheryl Connelly. She’s Ford Motor Company’s head futurist and they just released their Ford Trends report. Here’s a link: Some of the topics we cover in this episode: * Stress and pressures on people due to the pandemic * The desire for people to...

PODCAST: Talking Detroit's Wicked and Fascinating History w/ Mickey Lyons

Today’s episode is a chat with Barchaelogist, Author, Historian and Hamtramckan Mickey Lyons. She’s a font of fascinating knowledge from how our most well-known street (Woodward) is named after Augustus Woodward: Someone who was brilliant, but also incompetent. We get into the wicked past of some of our leaders; to how everything old is new again with anti-maskers.  Yes, we dealt with all this a century ago. Plus – what the heck is a Prohibition Sandwich? We find out....

PODCAST: Three Thirteen Expands; Shop Local in Ferndale; Detroit Water Shutoff Moratorium & More

Today’s daily podcast is in three parts. First, a lightning round of things to know around town. There’s a water shutoff moratorium in Detroit. Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are thankfully leveling off. And Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running for re-election. Then, Clement Fame Brown’s Three Thirteen has been on the Livernois Avenue of Fashion for awhile now. He’s got a new shop opening in Parker’s Alley in downtown Detroit. I catch up with him about the expansion and...

Understanding 10,000 Coronavirus Deaths in Michigan w/ Dr. Paul Thomas

Dr. Paul Thomas from Plum Health Direct Primary Care joins us to help unpack the grim milestone of 10,000 Coronavirus deaths in Michigan. That’s like if the entire cities of Farmington, or Grosse Ile, or Melvindale, or Port Huron were wiped off the map. We cover some of the latest news around the virus, the extended pause from Governor Whitmer, what we can do to improve the situation as well as a listener question. You can follow Dr. Paul Thomas on Twitter: https://twitter....

PODCAST: From Detroit Cop To Cannabis Entrepreneur

How do you make the journey from Detroit cop to cannabis entrepreneur? Today’s feature conversation is with John McLeod of Cloud Cannabis who opens up not just about the business but his path through and past opioids to get there. Link: https://cloudcannabis.com/ Then, three things to know around town: * Details on protestors outside of the Secretary of State’s Detroit house over the weekend and what all of this action might mean going forward * While leaders in Lans...

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Holiday Spirit with Local Spirits; Chandler Park Skatepark and more

It's the weekend, people.

Merry Boozemas! Get into the holiday spirit with local spirits

On Fridays we try to have some fun on the podcast, and this is no exception. Devon, Randy and Jer get together (virtually) to talk about some of our favorite local boozes, spirits and accessories. Here’s a list: King Cubes: Big Clear Ice Cubes: https://www.kingcubesice.com Rare American Whiskey from The Oakland: https://app.upserve.com/s/the-oakland-ferndale Cocktail Cubes from Castalia: https://www.castaliacocktails.com/cocktail-kits Tiki mugs from Lost Rive...

PODCAST: Ferndale Moves; Chandler Park Skatepark Plans; Local Pandemic Updates

Today’s show is three parts: 1. The pandemic continues in Michigan and Metro Detroit. There are bunch of stories around that. 2. Chandler Park on Detroit’s east side is raising money for a new skatepark. We talk with Alex Allen from the Chandler Park Conservancy about what they’re doing: https://www.patronicity.com/project/chandler_park_skate_park#!/ 3. And one of Detroit’s most walkable suburbs, Ferndale, is putting together a new walkability plan. Erin Quetell shares more, with...

PODCAST: Understanding 3 Big General Motors Moves w/ Michelle Krebs

General Motors has made some news as of late with three big moves. So to understand it, we turn to expert and AutoTrader analyst Michelle Krebs. She’s one of the voices I trust to figure out what’s happening in the auto industry. First, we go through that GM has withdrawn their support for a Trump suit against California around emissions. Then, GM’s rollout of an all-electric portfolio for new vehicles and just how big of a deal it is. Finally, the scrapped deal with N...

PODCAST: Bye Patricia. What's next for the Lions? Saleh? Bieniemy? Harbaugh? Plus Michigan, MSU and Coronavirus updates

Today’s show is in two parts. First, the latest in local Coronavirus news. * Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has started to hint at what’s ahead for a massive vaccination program in the city of Detroit – with a target of 5,000 a day.  * Southeast Michigan hospitals are filling up fast with COVID-19 patients. * Governor Gretchen Whitmer was $100m she says for residents, a mask mandate and an unemployment extension.  * A large restaurant owner wants restrictions to stop, or he says...

The Coronavirus Is Still Here, FYI. What's Next w/ Dr. Paul Thomas

The Coronavirus pandemic is still here. And it’s raging at levels higher than when we were locked down. With nearly 14,000 COVID-19 cases since Friday and almost 130 deaths – not to mention the rising hospitalization and outbreak numbers – we need to be careful.  What’s the situation, what’s next, and what are some answers to listener questions? Dr. Paul Thomas from Plum Health Direct Primary Care joins us to dive in.  Some topics include: * Where we’re standing now...

PODCAST: The 2020 Election In Michigan Is Being Very 2020 w/ Steve Friess

Today’s show is a look into what we know so far around the election with Steve Friess of Newsweek and Hour Detroit. We try to unpack it and look at some bigger picture topics. Topics include: * Polling was way off on the local level * The race for president in Michigan was far closer than people expected * Gary Peters and John James were in a very close Senate race * House Representatives Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens hold on * Trump may lose the presidency but he’s not...

PODCAST: Coronavirus Update w/Dr. Thomas; A.J. Hinch And The New Motor City Cruise; 5 Michigan Fall Beers

Today’s show is in three acts: Dr. Paul Thomas from Plum Health Direct Primary Care on why we’re back in COVID-19 outbreak status in Michigan and what’s next. Dr. Thomas on Twitter: @PlumHealthDPC Fletcher Sharpe on A.J. Hinch and the new G-league basketball team in town, the Motor City Cruise. They’re going to play at Wayne State’s new arena. Fletch on Twitter: @SaintFDW And what to drink this fall? We have 5 Michigan beers to check out with Devon O’Reilly. Beers include:...

COVID-19 Economic Worries Unpacked; Michigan Returns To Outbreak Status

On today’s show: Some pandemic restrictions are put back in place as the virus spreads, deaths rise and COVIDACTNOW lists Michigan as in COVID-19 outbreak status. A judge has ruled in favor of guns in polling places. But that fight isn’t over yet and in a new poll, Michiganders are clear where they stand. A popular restaurant chain has new owners. And our feature today is on the economy. A Coronavirus financial backstop is not coming from the federal government anytime soon...

Detroit's Proposed Marijuana Ordinance Explained, w/ Councilman James Tate

The city of Detroit has been watched closely by those interested and involved in the cannabis industry. Due to the city’s size and voters overwhelming approval of recreational marijuana – almost 70 percent of residents were behind it in 2018 – The Motor City will almost assuredly become the hub of recreational weed in Michigan. But the city has taken awhile to draw up local rules, getting a proposed ordinance together just this week. So what is on the table? And how do...

How This Beautiful Old Hudson's Elevator Came Back To Life

Hudson’s was a name at the center of Detroit life for decades. And their flagship store on Woodward loomed over downtown until it was demolished in 1998. I remember that day because I worked it for a local TV station. Street after street was covered in dust, and it was a quick, final end to the second largest and tallest department store in the country. According to HistoricDetroit.org, it was a behemoth. We talked about the height. But the three electric transformers inside cou...

New Neighborhood Naming Ordinance Proposed; Leaders Call For Health Order Lawsuit Cease Fire; Car Design Exhibit Coming To DIA

On today’s show: COVID cases are surging here in Metro Detroit. And there’s no wall around the city, so there’s concern there, too.  Yes, the mail has been slower lately according to a new report.  Business, hospital system and university leaders are calling for a cease-fire on lawsuits to try and repeal health orders to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Basically – they say working together works to slow the spread, and that current orders should be allowed to stand....

Should You Trust The MI COVID Contact Tracing App? Dining Spaces Adapt, But Are They Safe? Plus Amazon Deal Approved

There’s a new MI COVID app for your phone. It’s to help with contact tracing, something that experts say will help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Is this a good idea? How will this help? Is your privacy at stake? Plus – more and more restaurants are doing tents and domes for dining as the weather comes. How should you treat them? Dr. Paul Thomas and technologist Tom Lawrence join me. Dr. Paul Thomas on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlumHealthDPC Tom Lawrenc...