Hey friends, and happy Monday!
Before we get into some news, I wanted to share with you our new podcast cover art. We change it up seasonally, but this time I decided to go with something bolder this time. I chose an aerial (but modern-feeling) map of a section of Metro Detroit, to reinforce that we talk about the region.
Included, of course, is our shield to represent Detroit. It's rooted in history, a riff off the city of Detroit's flag.
The shape is reminiscent of what you'll find in highway signs, a thing that connects so many of us together.
A shield also adorned the top of the long-defunct Detroit Times newspaper.
Also, it'd be great to see you at our Happy Hour celebrating 1,500+ episodes of the show. It'll be at The Congregation on October 17th. [RSVP free here on Eventbrite]
As always, my thoughts are in italics. And if this is your first time here, be sure to sign up for future notes.
⚡️ A new state audit has found that Michigan's two largest electric utilities, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, are struggling with aging infrastructure and inadequate tree-trimming practices. The audit, released by the Michigan Public Service Commission, highlights these issues as key factors in the companies' below-average performance in power reliability and restoration times. Both utilities rank in the bottom quarter nationally for service restoration and outage duration. [Crain's Detroit Business]
Michigan residents experience longer and more frequent power disruptions compared to other states. Something needs to be done. Every year I spend at least a couple days in the dark in my Detroit neighborhood.
🚇 The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan will take over Detroit's Qline operations from the non-profit M1Rail, opening up federal funding and expansion possibilities. The 3.3 mile streetcar circulator has seen some recent wins, like ridership up 25% in the last year and finding a stable, ongoing funding source. [Urbanize Detroit]
🚘 The Biden administration has announced a sweeping plan to ban Chinese-developed software from internet-connected vehicles in the United States, citing national security concerns. The proposed rule would take effect for model year 2027 vehicles and aims to prevent Chinese intelligence agencies from potentially monitoring Americans or accessing critical infrastructure through vehicle electronics. The ban would apply to all wheeled vehicles on public roads and also includes Russian software. This is on the heels of 100% tariffs imposed on Chinese electric vehicles. [New York Times]
I put this in a Detroit-focused newsletter because it has a huge impact on our signature industry. If you haven't noticed, Ford and others are busy hiring lots of software and product people out west. In coming years, the car is going to become more and more like your smartphone — and that interface will become more and more important.
🌻 Parker's Alley in Bloom is this weekend, September 26-29. You'll find Parker's Alley behind the Shinola Hotel, where there's a number of cute retail and food spots. The floral festival is free and celebrates Detroit’s ever-blooming landscape with beautiful floral installations, bouquet giveaways, botanical cocktails, and more. [Decked Out Detroit]
🍩 Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts is coming to Michigan Central. They opened their first location on Detroit's east side in 2020. This fall, they will be located immediately off the former train stations's east entrance, and they will offer take-out and dine-in options. More information on hours to come.
🎼 ICYMI: Last week I attended a press conference where the Motown Museum announced that its highly anticipated $75 million expansion will open to visitors in the summer of 2026. This marks a significant milestone for the project, which was first announced back in 2016.
The expansion will see the museum grow to 50,000 square feet, featuring interactive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studios, and more. All of this will be built behind the iconic Hitsville U.S.A. building.
For Motown fans eagerly awaiting this opening, it may seem like a long wait. But as the Supremes once sang, "You Can't Hurry Love" – or in this case, a world-class museum expansion. We also talked about in a recent edition of the podcast.
🎙️ On The Podcast
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get shows.
🗳️ Vice President Kamala Harris is polling 50% in Michigan. I talk about that, the endorsement of Donald Trump by the Hamtramck Mayor (who was elected as a Democrat) and more on our Monday show with veteran journalist Steve Friess.
⛳️ Did you know there's a golf center on Belle Isle that's open seven days a week? Devon O'Reilly was in and we caught up on places around town, as well as some opportunities to make connections and learn about the region.
🗞️ Election misinformation is rampant, but how do we combat it? Sam Robinson, now of the Detroit Free Press, joined me to talk about his new assignment until the election with the paper to get the facts right.
And that's it for today's edition. As always, send me feedback and tips at dailydetroit@gmail.com - there's a human on the other side.
Thanks for reading, remember that you are somebody, and we'll talk soon.
-Jer