All Episodes

July 18, 2025 3 mins
# Detroit This Week: Fighting for Clean Air, City Growth, and Cultural Celebrations

Discover the pulse of Detroit in this engaging episode of "The Word on the Streets" with host Morgan Riley. Listen as we explore Southwest Detroit's powerful environmental justice protests against pollution regulation rollbacks, highlighting how these changes disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities already facing health challenges.

We celebrate positive city growth with Mayor Duggan's announcement of 7,000 new residents annually and exciting housing developments reshaping Detroit's skyline. The episode also spotlights Michelle Harris, owner of historic Baker's Keyboard Lounge, and her inspiring work nurturing young musical talent in the world's oldest jazz club.

Get your weekend plans sorted with our rundown of Detroit's vibrant cultural events, including the free Concert of Colors world music festival and the African World Festival at Hart Plaza. From community activism to cultural celebrations, this episode captures the resilience, creativity, and determination that define Detroit today.

#DetroitNews #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityActivism #DetroitCulture #UrbanRenewal
Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good evening, Detroit. I'm Morgan Riley bringing you the word
on the streets of Detroit as we close out another
bustling week in the Motor City. Tonight's top local stories
shape the momentum and mood of Detroit, from pivotal community actions,
construction changing the skyline, and vibrant cultural festivities defining who
we are. Let's get started with the big news. Southwest

(00:21):
Detroit was the center of passionate protest this week, as residents, activists,
and city leaders gathered in Kemedy Park to challenge recent
rollbacks on pollution regulations. Speakers, including Megan Richards from the
East Side Community Network and Detroit City Council Member Gabriella
Santiago Romero, asserted that the fight for clean air is
a matter of survival. These changes, which have loosened standards

(00:45):
on mercury and air pollution, directly impact our neighborhoods, places
already burdened by high rates of asthma and respiratory issues.
As detroitter's, we know resilience, but, as Richards emphasized, we
deserve more than survival. We deserve justice. According to Planet Detroit,
these harmful rollbacks are felt most acutely in black, brown,

(01:07):
and low income communities, shining a spotlight on long standing
environmental inequalities. In uplifting news, Mayor Mike Duggan announced Detroit
has added seven thousand residents a year over the past
two years. That might sound like stats talk, but what
it really means is our city is growing and with
that comes new housing projects. A newly approved thirteen story

(01:30):
residential tower on the East Side will soon add over
three hundred housing units, supporting fresh faces and familiar neighbors alike.
Turning now to a story about community spirit, let's talk
about Michelle Harris, owner of Detroit's historic Baker's Keyboard Lounge.
As the world's oldest jazz club, Baker's remains a touchstone

(01:51):
blending classic Detroit soul and modern sounds. This week, Michelle's
been hosting free youth jam sessions, ensuring Detroit's next wave
of tien talent gets center stage. Her passion to make
bakers a community anchor for music shines a light on
the power of local businesses and artists sustaining our city's
unique beat. Looking ahead, Detroit's event calendar is vibrant. The

(02:14):
Concert of Colors, the Midwest's largest world music festival continues
through Sunday with global arts, food, and music, all free
for families. The African World Festival is in full swing
at Heart Plaza, celebrating African heritage through music, dance, and food.
And if you're feeling creative, the Detroit Public Library is

(02:36):
hosting a design a book cover competition today. No experience
needed weatherwise, expect muggy nights and some relief from the
heat by Sunday. But please, if you have respiratory issues,
limit time outdoors as air quality remains a concern. As
we reflect on these stories, I'm struck by the resilience
and creativity pulsing through Detroit, from fighting for cleaner air

(02:59):
to sell clebrating our rich cultural tapestry. That's the word
on the streets of Detroit. Thank you for tuning in
and being part of this community. I'm Morganiley, your neighbor
in the news. Don't forget to subscribe and never miss
a Detroit News update. For more information, reach out to
Morgan at Inceptionpoint dot ai or check out our website

(03:21):
at Quiet Please dot ai. This has been a Quiet
Please production. For more check out Quiet Please dot ai.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.