City Cast Philly

We’re sitting down with State Sen. Joe Picozzi, who represents the Northeast. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz talk to Picozzi, the only Republican state senator from Philly, about his positions on increasing the minimum wage, establishing a state revenue source for SEPTA, and legalizing cannabis. He also dishes on his relationships with Democrats. Then, we give you a quick rundow...

When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Philly. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents local governments from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if this...

This is the time of the year when we crave cozy dinners, cherish time with family and friends, and choose to spend extra time volunteering in the community. In this episode you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying November, including lots of recommendations you won’t find elsewhere.  And if you love Siani’s knit-a-thon pick in this episode, don’t miss our list of other hobbies you can pick up i...

We’re talking about why the Philadelphia Citizens Police Oversight Commission chair was arrested on bribery charges this week and toxic restaurant work culture in Philly’s food industry. Contributors Claudia Vargas and Alisha Miranda join host Trenae Nuri to discuss those stories. Plus, we play This or That (Philly Halloween edition), and we take turns guessing menu items from popular restaurants....

Happy Birthday, Philadelphia! As the city celebrates its 344th anniversary, what gift would you give the city? Contributors Conrad Benner and Lauden Vidas join host Trenae Nuri to discuss some gift ideas. Plus, they talk about what was said and what was not said in City Council’s hearing on the closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences. And they break down a question on next week’s Election Day b...

We’re saying goodbye to the Portal this week. For two years, the art installation gave Philly a connection to other countries around the world. Host Trenae Nuri talks with contributors Nic Esposito and Jay Vereen about why the Portal is leaving and its best moments in the city. Plus, would you live in a Mount Airy home with 10 fireplaces? We play a game of real estate roulette. We also try to spel...

Daylight saving time ends next weekend when clocks fall back one hour — giving us any extra hour of sleep that day. What this also means is that this week we will experience the latest sunrises of the year — the sun won’t rise until almost 7:30 am. That makes it a great time to check out a sunrise over our beautiful skyline and rivers without having to wake up at an ungodly hour. So where are the...

How prepared is Philadelphia to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resilient city in the world — the only U.S. city to make it into the top 10. What’s Chicago doing right? City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran is joining David this week to talk about how the city is adapting to face climate risks, its work in renewable energy, and ot...

We’re talking about what’s been happening in Harrisburg: Lawmakers banned cell phones in all Pennsylvania schools and preliminarily approved a bill to protect our ears when we’re streaming our shows. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz also talk about the best Philly-related content they saw on the internet this week including a Streets Department worker on TikTok and a festival cent...

Where can you get a cheap meal these days? Contributors Fae Ehsan (a community organizer who serves on the board of 5th Square Advocacy) and Conrad Benner (an art curator and storyteller who founded the Streets Dept blog and podcast) joins host Trenae Nuri to chat about their recommendations for budget-friendly meals. Text us about where we should be getting lunch: 215-259-8170 Plus, we’re talking...

Everyone’s talking about the health and wellness of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. This week, the organization announced that their franchise player will be out for the remainder of the season because of life-threatening blood clots. This has left more questions than answers. Contributors Nic Esposito and Lauren Vidas join host Trenae Nuri to discuss. Plus, they talk about what’s at...

With news that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is out for the season, the LeBron James era begins tonight as the 76ers start their season against the New York Knicks. Can he save our city? Contributors Eric Marsh and Conrad Benner also talk with City Cast Philly’s executive producer Matt Katz about a new law that bans most vapes in Pennsylvania and the woman who was arrested for blocking a robot’s...

Earlier this month officials issued a “Do Not Eat” advisory for fish in the Wissahickon Creek after PFOS “forever chemicals” were found in a sample. And last week, a report was released that revealed that forever chemicals are actually present in all of Philly’s waterways. Yet there’s still a lot of activity in our city’s rivers. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Erin Mooney, executive director at the...

How much ownership or responsibility do you feel as a resident of Philadelphia? In Salt Lake City, people are being asked to “adopt a storm drain” to help keep city streets free of floods and trash — and to possibly slow the drying and pollution of the Great Salt Lake. City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta says it’s worth a shot. This week, she joins David to discuss how quick, periodic cleaning o...

Could last weekend’s shooting death of a Philadelphia police officer have been prevented? We discuss whether police misconduct allowed a killer to go free in a 2019 case that preceded the shooting of the officer. Plus, we chat about colorful and vivid photography in Philadelphia in Color 1950-1990 – a new book that explores life in Philly. And for our members-only segment, there’s several scary an...

Contributors Conrad Benner and Alisha Miranda join Trenae Nuri to play three rounds of trivia and learn about some interesting Philly inventions and creations. Plus, with food prices continuing to go up, are Philly restaurants kinda mid these days? And we have some ideas of free and cheap places to hang out in the city.  Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. If...

Contributor Fae Ehsan and Audience Development Manager Spencer Morris join Trenae Nuri to share the circumstances behind the shooting death of a 40-year-old police officer in West Philly last weekend. Plus, City Council is considering opening a city-supported grocery store (cc: Mayor Mamdani). And we have some ideas for how to save some cash and cook at home.  Support our show and get great p...

We’re talking about interesting furniture finds on Facebook Marketplace in Philly. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by contributors Kamal Marell and Claudia Vargas to talk about how to spot quality items over the knockoffs. Plus, City Council unanimously passes a resolution to address the rat infestation in Mayfair. We also discuss the streets we’d never want a Waymo to take us on as the city waits for...

Another Philly school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surpris...

We talk about WHYY’s investigation into Philadelphia Gas Works CEO’s years of free secret trips to Phillies spring training and how that could violate state ethics rules. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz also break down some highlights of the gubernatorial debate between Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger State Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Plus, Wawa debuts a new snack option...

Philly does it big with fall festivals, haunted attractions, and costume contests this time of year. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by contributors Conrad Benner of Streets Dept and Jay Vereen, content creator at Wooder Ice, to talk about alternative Halloween events. Plus, they discuss ways to support the city’s arts and creative community, and the recent theft of beef in the city.  We’re doing...

We’re taking a look at how the city is tackling copper wire theft, which darkens recreation centers and parks. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by creative producer Siani Colon and political contributor Lauren Vidas to also talk about challengers in next year’s council races and how Pennsylvania is at the epicenter for sports betting. Plus, we announce our members-only event on Oct. 28th: A Philly Dive...

We’re zooming into Kensington and talking about how the Parker administration has been addressing issues in this neighborhood. Plus, Black Bottom becomes an official Philly neighborhood – is that enough to remember a displaced community? Host Trenae Nuri is joined with Santiago Ortiz, founder of No Shorts Media, and Eric Marsh, director of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. We als...

What might be the future of our streets? We’re listening back to conversations we’ve recently had about a bill that would allow cyclists to treat red lights and stop signs as yields, upgrades coming to Roosevelt Boulevard, and where we’d like to see Center City District’s Open Street initiative replicated in other Philly neighborhoods. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by executive producer Matt Katz, se...

When Philly looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketball...