CitizenCast

Tim Walz's debate performance should have Democratic insiders wondering what could have been had Gov. Shapiro been on that stage

"... in Black political reality." At a recent Citizen event, aired live on WURD, host James Peterson interviewed Dr. Michael Eric Dyson about his new book "Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote." Dr. Dyson stated that the real goal of American politics "was not the acquisition of democracy, but the establishment of white supremacy."

Pennsylvania's state treasurer manages the sixth largest economy in the U.S — and a few other things. Next up in Your City Defined.

Five million people died last year from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. One Penn scientist is looking deep into the past for a solution.

Abortions bans undermine women's basic reproductive health, explains MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi. And among no group is that threat more acutely felt than Black women, who's lives are at greater risk because of the racism stubbornly entrenched in our healthcare system.

Nine months in, Mayor Cherelle Parker has shown impeccable public-facing skills. But how is she on implementation and transparency?

What's happening to people in cities since the pandemic is more worrisome than the fate of office buildings. This urbanist has a few city-centric solutions to pull us out of the "doom loop."

On this episode of Evening WURDs, host Dr. James Peterson sits down with Roxanne to discuss Pennsylvania's vital role in the upcoming election and what techniques have proved most effective in getting people to the polls.

Temple grad student Deesarine Ballayan has ongoing reservations about Kamala Harris. In this episode of Guest Commentary, she explains how these reservations linger, even after personally attending the candidate's NABJ interview in Philadelphia.

Citizenship Day and Constitution Day are both celebrated on September 17th. This is a bold statement about the importance of immigrants, as well as their contributions and responsibilities to their new country. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi recounts his own experience becoming a US citizen and declares the importance of exercising your citizenship "muscles."

PA legislators struggle to legalize recreational marijuana and create economic opportunities. Can they do something before the year's end?

On this episode of our acclaimed podcast, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter sit down with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, one of the youngest mayors in the country. In March, a cargo ship lost power and smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, thrusting Mayor Scott into the national spotlight amidst ugly insinuations that the tragedy was a result of Sc...

On this episode of Art For Change, we examine a new interactive installation at the Fabric Workshop and Museum by Bearded Ladies Cabaret founder John Jarboe. The exhibition puts on full display "earnest, absurd queer selfhood."

On this episode of Citizen(s) of the Week, we look at Penn Medicine Votes, which motivates healthcare workers to help patients who are unexpectedly hospitalized on election day cast an absentee ballot

Donald Trump and his Republican allies are doubling down on "abortion after birth" (also known as "murder.") MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi breaks down this lie and explains why it's so dangerous.

There's only one major metro region in the nation without a strategic plan for inclusive growth — Philadelphia. Where's our job growth plan?

Longtime higher education executive, Elaine Maimon, shines a light on how the U.S. Constitution was talked about (and referenced) in the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Artist Sonya Clark has created a video installation called The Descendants of Monticello. It fills the historical Declaration House with unblinking windows into our shared history.

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley chats with Shaw Lewis of Expect Lace, a lingerie shop in Manayunk. Shaw explains how, as a successful Black entrepreneur, she is helping lift women around her, and how she's making both women and men feel comfortable about buying intimates. 

Besides hunting down instances of "woke agendas," MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains the intense favoritism that would be shown to private religious schools under Project 2025. "Families who already pay for tuition [to private schools], get a break, while those who can't, are forced back into public schools where they are now receiving even fewer resources."

A former Philadelphia mayor asks ABC's David Muir and Linsey Davis to ask presidential debate questions about basic knowledge...and do some fact-checking

On this special episode of How To Really Run A City , former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed catch up with the Republican mayor whose speech supporting Kamala Harris ignited the Democratic National Convention. Why'd he do it? To honor the ideals and memory of Senator John McCain. "There is no longer loyalty to principles," Mayor John Giles of Mesa, AZ, told us. "It'...

... the CEO of Shift Capital, an urban real estate business in Kensington, lays out how

Center City has 45 alleys. Most are dumps. Center City District President/CEO sees the potential for beauty, greenery and art instead.

Recently, Donald Trump met with Moms For Liberty, a group that some civil rights watchdogs have branded "extremists." MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi lays out what Project 2025 says about "manufactured extremism" and details how the Department of Justice would be sent to dismantle "D.E.I." and other social justice movements.