Hey, Jer here.
You know, the stock market may be down more than 1,000 points in the last couple days — but it's clear, at least according to my dog, that the stick market is up! She's loving the sun and break from the cold during the day.
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National News Made Local
🍁 A draft rule that is to take effect on April 11 would mean that Canadians planning to stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days need to register their information with the United States government and submit to fingerprinting. [Financial Post]
There are a lot of Canadians in and around Metro Detroit — so passing this along.
🇹🇳🇰🇼 The mayor of Dearborn Heights, Bill Bazzi, has been nominated as ambassador to Tunisia — and the mayor of Hamtramck, Amer Ghalib, has been nominated ambassador to Kuwait. Both, elected as Democrats, helped deliver their formerly Democratic-majority, majority-Muslim local cities for Trump in the last election. [Canadian Press] [WXYZ]
🍓 A billion-dollar U.S. Deparment of Agriculture program to support food pantries and schools buying local, healthy food has been axed. Here in Michigan, 816 School Food Authorities used their portion of the money to buy locally grown and minimally processed fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy, legumes, and grains from small and underserved farms and businesses. [CBS Detroit] [USDA background]
Schools are dealing with ever-higher food costs, while on average in the U.S. the reimbursement rate for free school lunches is $4.43, reduced price $4.03, and paid lunches 42 cents.
p.s. - I'm working on an episode about what it may mean for Michigan and Metro Detroit as the U.S. Department of Education is in the process of being dismantled. What money might flow directly to the state, what money may go to other priorities, what additional work will Michigan and local school districts need to do, and probably another on student loans.
I plan to have a similar vibe to our local tariff explainer.
Jer Staes
What to know
📊 Detroit-based Rocket Companies plans to buy online brokerage Redfin for $1.75 billion in an all-stock deal expected to close later this year. The merger combines Redfin's extensive real estate platform, which reaches 50 million monthly visitors, with Rocket's mortgage and fintech services. The combined company aims to streamline homebuying through AI integration and expects $200 million in savings by 2027. [CNBC] [Scotsman Guide]
The entire home buying experience, in one app? I'm interested to see what the impact might be for individual real estate brokers, as this basically makes for vertical integration from search to agents at Redfin, then through the mortgage process.
🥮 The award-winning Warda Patisserie is opening a new location in Detroit's "Little Village." That's kinda near Indian Village, if you're not familiar. [Instagram]
⛪️ Detroit's Ste. Anne's Basilica will get restored. A partnership between Ste. Anne's and the newly-formed The Catholic Initiative is paying for a $30 million rehabilitation. Built in 1886, Ste. Anne's is one of 89 churches in the U.S. to have the "minor basilica" distinction. [Daily Detroit]
🏓 The Paddle & Par indoor golf and pickleball spot is open in Beverly Hills. Located in a former Bed Bath and Beyond on Southfield Road, it has 11 courts, five golf simulator suits, a full kitchen with bar, and a pro shop. [Website]
A segment from a previous Daily Detroit podcast episode with streetscape details
🚧 Road closures on Monroe in Greektown have started for streetscape road work, between Randolph and the I-375 service drive. Traffic is able to cross Monroe at Brush, Beaubien and St. Antoine streets, but full construction closures of those intersections will occur in coming weeks. Businesses will remain open. The project will be ready in summer of 2026.
☕️ Coffee Down Under, an Aussie-inspired basement coffeeshop at Shelby and Congress in Detroit's Financial District, is closing March 15. They cite the low occupancy of offices since the pandemic hurting their business. [Daily Detroit]
🍻 Loaded Dice Brewery in Troy has two more weekends left before it closes. Rebuy Brewing Company, under the same ownership in Shelby Township is also shuttering. [Facebook]
🍝 Zeoli's Modern Italian in Clawson is closing after six years. [Facebook]
Thanks so much for reading. Don't forget our Spring survey if you haven't taken it.
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Until next time, remember that you are somebody — and we'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
p.s. - My track tonight? "Gotta Push On" by locally-born artist GRiZ seems appropriate in these times. Although this one is a little more recent, I'll never forget the first time I heard him at Movement in 2012. Magic.
