Jer and Devon cue up our annual mild, hot, and spicy predictions for Detroit, Metro Detroit and Michigan things in 2026!

From fun, to development, to automotive, to transit, to politics - we cover all of the bases. If you've got your own predictions (or agree or disagree with ours!) let us know.

It's one of our must-listen local podcast episodes of the year.

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Show notes to come

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Michigan's auto industry is still a global leader, but Glenn Stevens of MICHAUTO argues in this episode that "innovate or be left behind" is no longer a slogan — it's the stakes of the moment for the state's economy.

Glenn walks through the forces reshaping the industry — rapid technology shifts like automation, AI, and EVs, fierce global competition from places like China, and whiplash in trade and domestic policy that makes long-term planning harder.

He explains why the real battle is for talent: from skilled trades to high-end software and digital jobs, Michigan needs better K–12 outcomes, clearer career pathways, more counselors, affordable housing, and reliable transit if it wants people to build their lives and careers here.

Here's the full report if you want to check it out for yourself: https://michauto.org/michauto-report-michigan-must-innovate-or-be-left-behind-amid-rapidly-changing-automobility-industry/

Feedback as always: dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com

Thanks to City Bird for their support. Get grat local gifts this holiday season: https://www.citybirddetroit.com/

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State House Speaker Matt Hall's move to cancel $645 million in already-approved state funding is the political equivalent of a rug pull, and it has real consequences for projects and people across Michigan.

This episode digs into what happened, why it matters, and what comes next for cities, nonprofits, and everyday Michiganders.

This wasn't theoretical money on a spreadsheet. It hit projects that were already underway with contracts signed and local dollars already spent on the promise of state reimbursement.

The cuts touch everything from Motown Museum improvements and the BAMF Cancer Center in Detroit to an emergency shelter in Sault Ste. Marie, RX Kids cash support for new parents, police infrastructure in Dearborn, Detroit Zoo funding, and Detroit's right-to-counsel program.

To break down the facts, impacts, what could be next and what you could do about it is Steve Watson. He is a Partner and COO at Watson and Yates, a consulting firm here in Detroit that serves public sector and non-profit clients.

He knows his stuff. Formerly, Steve was budget director for the city of Detroit.

His post, "Speaker Hall's How the Grinch Stole Christmas" took what I had seen in other outlets to another level with his in-depth understanding and I knew I just had to talk to him. https://watsonyates.substack.com/p/speaker-halls-how-the-grinch-stole

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Three timely stories to talk about today:

• The University of Michigan and head football coach Sherrone Moore abruptly part ways after an internal investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, plus a separate assault probe in Washtenaw County.​

• Jer and Fletcher dig into how this goes far beyond wins and losses: the impact on recruits, assistants, and a program still reeling from recent scandals.​

• They also explore how boosters, fans, and parents might see Moore differently after this, and what it means for Michigan's near-term future on and off the field.​

• Detroit's historic Leland House goes dark after a fire marshal–ordered evacuation, with DTE and ownership pointing fingers over damaged equipment and unpaid bills. ​​

• The conversation widens to what happens when iconic Detroit buildings fall into limbo—and how quickly "troubled" can turn into "too far gone."​

• Some good news: Kronk Gym is back inside Detroit city limits at a new home on Wilkins, not far from where legends once trained.​

• The revived gym blends big-name boxing alumni with youth programming, fitness classes and a renewed community mission.​

• Fletcher shares personal memories of the old Kronk and why hearing "hailing from Detroit, Michigan, out of Kronk Gym" still hits different for the city.​

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Detroit's stories in today's show are on the riverfront, in Corktown, in our startup labs, and even inside a nearly century-old neighborhood theater. From a $71 million defense-tech hub on the water and a plant-based diner bringing new life to Michigan Avenue, to a controversial new cannabis tax, brain-drain at U-M startups, and the Senate Theater's call for help, this episode breaks down some of the forces reshaping Detroit in 2025.

The rundown:

01:07 - Where we've been: Saksey's

03:55 - Where we've been: City Bird and Nest

06:47 - State Grants Money For New Riverfront Defense HQ

09:17 - Street Beet opening in Corktown this Thursday

12:33 - Mocha and Company coffee shop opening downtown

15:01 - Marshall M Fredricks Museum opening a studio on the eastside

17:52 - Michigan judge allowing wholesale tax on canabis to start January 1st

20:29 - Report says that the state has a hardtime keeping U of M startups

27:05 - Senate Theater raising money for building repairs

29:00 - Mailbag: Pile of junk update

30:10 - Norris RoboCop statue thoughts

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We got a ton of feedback on the Packard Plant project announcement last week, so we sort through it with our thoughts.

Plus, Norris keeps it a buck on people who want Detroit to win and what it'll take to keep families in the city.

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Today's episode is a fun one in two parts:

1) What are YOUR favorite podcasts, books, and music? We got our Spotify Wrapped and since Devon's a parent and his music selection has been completely skewed by his family, we thought we'd walk through ours and also ask if YOU want to share your favorite stuff! What did the data analytics miss?

2) We have an update on the proposed demolition date of the RenCen, 2027. But should we do something fun with it in between?

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