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The Metro: Why the economy resembles the Covid era for many small businesses

By: Sam Corey
29 September 2026 at 17:30

As the Iran war continues, gas prices hit a weekly average of $4.88 in Metro Detroit. The average price of diesel is $2 more than that.

The stock market is strong, but inflation is at least 1% higher than the federal reserve’s target. And the U.S. is in a trade war with Canada. 

This hasn’t caused a recession. But all of this does make it harder for small businesses to operate, like the corner bar on your street, and the auto repair shop in your suburb.

Mark Lee runs The Lee Group, where he’s been advising small businesses in this region for nearly 20 years. He explored answers to these questions with The Metro’s Sam Corey

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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The post The Metro: Why the economy resembles the Covid era for many small businesses appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Displaced Leland residents fear Detroit is taking money meant to compensate them

20 August 2026 at 20:06

Eight months after residents were abruptly forced from the historic Leland House in downtown Detroit, a new fight is brewing over what remains of the money from the building’s sale.

The post Displaced Leland residents fear Detroit is taking money meant to compensate them appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

Voting opens for the 2026 Metro Times Best of Detroit awards

28 July 2026 at 11:55

The 2026 Metro Times Best of Detroit readers poll is officially open, inviting readers to vote in 263 categories covering nearly everything that makes this region worth exploring.

The post Voting opens for the 2026 Metro Times Best of Detroit awards appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

After two violent crashes, Detroit officials demand ICE end neighborhood chases

9 July 2026 at 15:11

Detroit officials are demanding that federal immigration agents stop high-speed chases through residential neighborhoods after two recent pursuits left two immigrants seriously injured and damaged a resident’s property.

The post After two violent crashes, Detroit officials demand ICE end neighborhood chases appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

Lawsuit alleges Allen Park Krispy Kreme failed to protect disabled worker before sexual assault

2 July 2026 at 14:33

A young woman with a developmental disability was sexually harassed, abused, and discriminated against while working through a supported employment program at a Krispy Kreme in Allen Park, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court.

The post Lawsuit alleges Allen Park Krispy Kreme failed to protect disabled worker before sexual assault appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

Workers spoke out about racism at the Detroit Club. A jury awarded them $6.25 million.

26 June 2026 at 14:48

A federal jury has ordered the Detroit Club and its owner to pay more than $6.25 million to three former employees who said they were punished after speaking out about racist treatment of Black guests and workers at the historic downtown private club.

The post Workers spoke out about racism at the Detroit Club. A jury awarded them $6.25 million. appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

The unfinished business of Wayne State’s historic ‘study-in’ protest

24 June 2026 at 15:32

Decades after a student occupation helped create Wayne State’s African American Studies department, alumni are fighting to preserve the vision they say the university promised.

The post The unfinished business of Wayne State’s historic ‘study-in’ protest appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

DDOT created six-figure job for Duggan appointee before removing him months later

16 June 2026 at 17:23

After Mike Duggan left office as mayor of Detroit, one of his appointees landed a newly created six-figure job at the Detroit Department of Transportation, even though employees say he lacked traditional transit experience and the position was never posted online.

The post DDOT created six-figure job for Duggan appointee before removing him months later appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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