PODCAST: Aretha Franklin gravely ill, Ossian Sweet House update with Karen Dybis & more

Here’s our show on August 13, 2018.

– The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is said to be “gravely ill.” That’s according to multiple reports and family friend Evrod Cassimy, a WDIV anchor and reporter.

BREAKING NEWS: I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release.

— Evrod Cassimy (@EvrodCassimy) August 13, 2018

– Legendary Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris had his number 47 retired over the weekend.

– The historic David Stott tower in Capitol Park will soon reopen as luxury housing and office space. According to the Freep, asking prices for the apartments could set a new record for price-per-square-foot in downtown Detroit.

– Karen Dybis (writer of these books) joins us on the show to share what’s happening to the historic Ossian Sweet House, and the story behind the important building.

Big day for Detroit and history. The city received $500k to expand the historical district here at the Ossian Seeet home. City, state and national recognition will become a Civil Rights mainstay. Congrats, Baxter family, Detroit and @MayorMikeDuggan. pic.twitter.com/1NpKH7zKRM

— Karen Dybis (@KarenDybis) August 13, 2018

– Sven was out of town last week, so we saved our discussion about the primary election and news of the week for when he came back from the woods.

– A legal analysis by Detroit’s Law Department says that City Council President Jones may be able to keep her local seat while serving for a time in the U.S. Congress.

– On the Detroit side of Mack between Outer Drive and Cadieux sits East English Village, a neighborhood built between the 1920s and 1950s. It’s a neighborhood that doesn’t always get much press attention. But maybe now it will.

– Sunoco stations across Detroit are being sued in Federal court. They’re accused of selling Viagra without a prescription as an “all-natural” male enhancement pill.

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