City Cast Philly

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...

Your water bill is increasing, and here’s why. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz dive into how to read your bill and why it’s so hard to get a Philadelphia Water Department customer service rep on the phone. And Kae Lani Palmisano, food editor of Philadelphia Magazine and host behind the podcast game show Everyone’s a Critic in Philadelphia, joins us as we guess the price of dishes...

Get ready for some seasonal fun because this month is packed with fall festivals, art exhibits — and, of course, haunted adventures. In this episode you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying October, including lots of recommendations you won’t find elsewhere. And if you love Spencer’s pick for margaritas in this episode, don’t miss our list of best new restaurants in Philly. For even more tips [LINK...

We’re talking about why this is an exciting time to be a Philadelphia sports fan (other than the Trump administration’s questionable use of Eagles’ highlights in an anti-immigration video. Plus, we take a look at some new changes to tailgating rules down at Lincoln Financial Field and how fans are reacting. Host Trenae Nuri is with creative producer Siani Colón and content creator Jay Vereen. Plus...

When you gotta go, you gotta go! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by senior creative producer Abby Fritz and Santiago Ortiz, founder of No Shorts, to talk about some of the best, worst, and confusing bathrooms in the city. They also talk about the Academy of Natural Sciences closure and the Philly experiences still on their bucket lists.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every...

In recent weeks there’s been online chatter about whether Philadelphians should patronize Blank Street, a New York coffee chain that opened this month in Rittenhouse Square. There are actually a lot of out-of-town businesses coming to Philly, especially when it comes to food. Why are they attracted to Philly? Host Trenae Nuri is talking with creative producers Abby Fritz and Siani Colón about some...

What’s a seemingly small project in Philly that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just been fitted with a seamless electrical turbine, so that an existing utility can now have a dual purpose. David is joined by Nic Westendorf, Tualatin’s deputy public works director, to talk about the power of thinking local, using existing tools, and looking ahea...

We’re talking about teen meet-ups stirring public safety concerns — where are the spaces for youth to hang out across the city? Plus, the Parker administration highlights hitting a milestone in the mayor’s H.O.M.E. initiative. And for our Neighbors-only segment, we walk through the new Museum of The Philadelphian in Fishtown and chat with one of the colorful Philadelphians highlighted inside — The...

The Republican party faces an uphill battle as they try to win support in a hugely Democratic city. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by creative producer Siani Colón and reporter Claudia Vargas. They also talk about the four years of vacancy at the former police headquarters known as the Roundhouse, and a unique Air BNB listing for a houseboat on the Delaware River. Our newsletter has Philly news & even...

City Council held its first session last week introducing nearly 50 bills and resolutions ranging from keeping life affordable in the city to making updates to the city’s zoning code on drag shows. Host Trenae Nuri talks with our political contributor Lauren Vidas and creative producer Abby Fritz about some of the other happenings in City Hall, including a hearing on the closure of the Academy of...

Pennsylvania has reported four measles deaths in the past month, marking the first deaths in the Commonwealth related to once-eradicated disease in 35 years. But state health officials haven’t provided many details to the public. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by contributors Nic Esposito and Cassidy Leyendecker to discuss how information about the measles outbreak is being handled on local, state, an...

The Rocky statue has been playing musical chairs between the top, bottom, and inside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It’s now taking its permanent spot at the top of the Art Museum steps. It’s been 50 years since the first “Rocky” movie debuted, and the statue of the fictional boxer is still a place of pilgrimage and a symbol of pride for Philadelphians. As the statue gets comfortable in its ne...

Did you know that Philly neighborhoods have seen drops in depression and crime, all because vacant lots were revitalized? Thanks to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), this could continue to be a reality. David is joined by Trenae Nuri and special guest Matt Rader, PHS president, to talk about a unique Philly program called LandCare, whose team steps in to fix blighted properties when no...