On today’s show, we bring you the latest news about ongoing protests in the city and region, and we discuss the ramifications of new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that say unemployment in Detroit proper is at 51% right now, third worst in the nation behind Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. What does this mean for Detroit’s much-vaunted “comeback”?
Also making waves across Michigan today: The parent company of HopCat, the craft beer-focused restaurant chain, has declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It says it intends to open its Michigan HopCat locations on June 13 while it works out a financial restructuring under bankruptcy protection. We also hear from Trevor Staples of the Tony Hawk Foundation about a key funding hurdle in getting a new skatepark built at Chandler Park on Detroit’s east side.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has rescinded three coronavirus-related orders, while Oakland County has rescinded its order closing outdoor playgrounds and playground equipment — further good news for those of us with kids! (But bring hand sanitizer — Sven).
Rivian, the electric vehicle startup, has let go 40 employees but hired a new chief operating officer.
Oakland County has hired its first-ever chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
Sales of cocktails-to-go got a boost when the proposal passed unanimously out of a Michigan House committee. We spoke about that with Robyn Cleveland of Norden Aquavit here.
And lastly, Star Line, one of two ferry operators serving Mackinac Island, has announced a new Mackinac Pirate Adventure Tour. They’ve outfitted a ferry boat, called the Good Fortune and shown in the photo above, to look like a pirate galleon. You’ll be able to take it to the island, or on an evening booze cruise under the Mackinac Bridge, starting June 19.
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