Hey friends, Jer here.
Welcome to the week, and welcome to November! I’m getting mentally ready as the weatherpeople say that the first snowflakes of the season are coming this weekend.
Got a lot to cover, so let’s get into it.
On today’s Daily Detroit podcast:
🤖 Waymo’s self-driving taxis are coming to Michigan streets, and Detroit is reportedly the first city for their Midwest expansion. [Detroit News] [Crain’s Detroit Business]
Will you be taking a ride, or staying skeptical? I’m definitely up for trying it (like I have other self-driving vehicles) — where Fletcher Sharpe says he won’t give it a spin. We talk about it in today's episode.
🥗 Fletcher shares his own experience that SNAP benefits aren’t easy to get.
🏈 We then ask if it’s time to worry with the Lions' stunning loss against the Vikings.
🏀 The Pistons are looking legit after win Mexico against the Mavericks, as Cade is looking focused.
⚽️ And congrats to Detroit City FC for pulling off a playoff upset, beating top-seeded Louisville City FC. On to Pittsburgh! [Match Recap]
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify (or wherever you listen to shows) for our detailed breakdowns and perspective on the city and region.
🗞️ Federal authorities have charged a pair of Dearborn men in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired terror plot targeting Ferndale during Halloween weekend.
The FBI says suspects Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, both 20 years old, planned violent attacks against LGBTQ+ friendly establishments and referred to the planned event as "Pumpkin Day," believed to mean Halloween. Law enforcement seized firearms, tactical gear, and electronic devices during raids late last week. [NBC News] [WXYZ] [ClickOnDetroit]
Officials say the men used encrypted messaging and practiced at a local gun range ahead of the alleged plot. Both are currently in federal custody and face terrorism-related gun charges. Both are U.S. citizens.
However, defense attorneys strongly deny their clients plotted any attack or participated in extremist activities — and that all weapons were legally owned. [Detroit News]
Local reactions have ranged from shock and concern to calls for caution and fairness.
In a statement, Oakland County Executive David Coulter said:
Learning that Ferndale and the LGBTQ+ community were among the potential targets of a terrorist attack is disturbing. The pain of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando, Florida nine years ago while I was serving as mayor of Ferndale is still deeply felt in the community. I’m grateful for the FBI, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement for their diligence in seeking out and preventing what could have been another mass tragedy.
In an interview with CBS Detroit, Ali’s defense attorney Amir Makled said:
The concern is overwhelming … Because he knows he did nothing wrong, and he knows he’s not part of a terrorist plot or a cell. And there’s nothing that he ever planned or wanted to do, or impost any harm on any member of the community at any point.
Local Response to SNAP Crisis
🍎 As Fred Rogers said, in times of trouble… look for the helpers. On the Friday show, I learned that the Fair Food Network is responding by enhancing their Double Up Food Bucks program—removing expiration dates, lifting earning limits, and adding frozen produce eligibility. [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify]
📦 Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is launching a volunteer recruitment effort to staff around a hundred food pantries across Detroit as federal SNAP benefits remain uncertain. Volunteers can sign up for 4-hour shifts starting Wednesday, and the city has authorized $1.75 million in emergency funds to support local pantries. The Mayor will announce the full list of pantry locations and operating hours on Tuesday. [Lend a hand here]
Some Bear-y Good News
🧸 A giant teddy bear has arrived in Downtown Detroit. It sits at Hudson’s Detroit in what’s now known as “Nick Gilbert Way,” an area that will be activated for holiday events.
☕️ Behind the bear, Cafe Sous Terre is going sur la route (on the road) with a café truck! With a nod to Detroit's French roots as a city, the truck will be named "Un Deux Trois.” It will offer customers freshly roasted and brewed coffee drinks and local pastries.
Un Deux Trois will open for business every day of the week, starting this Thursday, November 6.
If you’re not familiar with what’s going on at Hudson’s Detroit, here’s our most recent look inside the office block. [Daily Detroit]
New Sticker Sheets are here!
I’m excited to unveil our new sticker sheets.
Custom designed to reflect Detroit’s icons, various loves, and our podcast lore — the sheets include six stickers with:
- Our show mascot Phezzy D. Pheasant vibing to the podcast (or your favorite tunes)
- Honoring the Prince of Brightmoor himself, Norris Howard
- Detroit’s streetcar and industrious history
- One honoring our fine architectural art
- The end of show reminder that “You are somebody”
- And of course, our logo
Thanks for reading and until next time,
-Jer
p.s. - On our Instagram stories, we're very much in our Edmund Fitzgerald era. Some good memes if you follow us there — and be sure to send'em if you got'em.
p.p.s. - We're doing an election night livestream on our YouTubes starting at 8p tomorrow (Tuesday).
