City Cast Philly

Philly takes center stage as Freedom Fuel, the cheap gas stations promoted by President Trump, opened in the city this week. Executive producer Matt Katz and senior producer Abby Fritz also cover how convicted child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein tried to recruit women from the University of Pennsylvania. And they give context on the arson attack on a mosque in the Northeast. City Cast Philly Neighbor...

It's no secret that SEPTA is in need of stable, long-term funding. But the divided state legislature hasn't been too keen on allocating money to the public transit agency, and fares alone just aren't cutting it. So the agency’s new creative way to boost its funds is to add mixed-use development to some of its vacant land holdings near transit stops. Senior producer Abby Fritz talks with Molly McVe...

Lauren Rinaldi’s ascension to the No. 3 position in the city Democratic committee was seen as something of an olive branch to progressives after State Rep. Chris Rabb, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, beat establishment-backed candidates to win the party nomination for Congress. Rinaldi is a professional artist, progressive Democratic ward leader in Fishtown, and member of DSA. Ca...

Did the Fourth of July semiquincentennial celebrations fall flat, given the too-hot and then too-wet weather, a cancelled parade, and pricey middle-of-the-night fireworks? At least many Ben Franklins provided a much-needed silver lining. Executive producer Matt Katz, senior producer Abby Fritz, and food contributor Alisha Miranda recap the wild July Fourth weekend, give updates on the PECO union w...

While all fireworks shows have ended, Philly is still a noisy place. Just listen to the El train rolling by, neighbors yelling at each other from across the street, and Mr. Softee’s jingle playing on a loop. But are there noises that make the city’s soundscape special? Host Trenae Nuri talks with executive producer Matt Katz and newsletter editor Siani Colón about which noises piss them off, which...

See if your Philly knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of que...

Every celebration needs a beverage to pair with it. This weekend, as the city marks the semiquincentennial with fireworks, block parties, and parades, honor Philly’s part in the nation's history with a cocktail created here. Host Trenae Nuri runs through these beverages, the history behind them, and where to get them with food contributor Alisha Miranda.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in...

As America rings in its 250th anniversary on July 4, Philadelphia celebrates with free museum admission, concerts, and special events for the semiquincentennial. We also recommend celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and a spaghetti-eating contest. In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying Philly, plus lots of activity...

Are you sticking around for the semiquincentennial celebrations this weekend? Host Trenae Nuri, senior producer Abby Fritz, and Fae Ehsan, a board member of the urbanist group 5th Square Advocacy, make a list of pros and cons to help you decide. Plus, they discuss the couple in City Hall taking advantage of a retirement incentive — without retiring — and the neighborhoods that could get more housi...

Is 2026 the safest year in Philly’s history? If you look at homicide rates, it just might be. In 2025, we saw the fewest number of homicides since the 1960s. And through the first half of this year, the murder rate is down about 30 percent from even that historic low. What’s going on here? What story are these numbers telling us about crime in the city. And statistics aside, do people feel safe? H...

Just how good are the sidewalks in Philadelphia? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podc...

For today’s Friday News Roundup, we’re talking about our city’s most popular and least popular politicians, why it seems like President Trump is trying to kick 6abc off the air, and South Broad Street’s recent glow-up. And stick around with host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz as they talk about summer deals, exclusively for our City Cast Philly Neighbors. Our Friday news roundups are...

Catching the sunrise in the morning or the sunset in the evening can be a magical Philly experience. Because the city is relatively flat, you can catch beautiful views in so many places. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz take us on a tour of some of their favorite places to watch the sun rise and set in the city.   Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday...

Pennsylvania’s state budget is due next week. It’s the state’s plan on how to spend money and support the services we rely on – public schools, SEPTA, and roads and bridges. But last year’s budget was more than three months late, which messed up the finances of cities and nonprofits in the state. Will lawmakers in Harrisburg come to an agreement by next Tuesday’s deadline? Host Trenae Nuri talks w...

World Cup soccer fans are taking over the Rocky steps and Lemon Hill Fan Fest, but are small businesses feeling a boost? Host Trenae Nuri is joined by executive producer Matt Katz and Conrad Benner, host of the Streets Dept. podcast, to talk about whether Philly neighborhoods and small businesses are financially benefiting from all the fandom. Plus, on this Tuesday News Roundup we discuss the late...

The Schuylkill River flows 137 miles through Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, Chester, and Philadelphia Counties before reaching the Delaware River. Philadelphians fish, boat, and live next to these rivers, but what's below the water's surface? Can you eat fish from the rivers? Should you swim in them? Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Erin Mooney, executive director at The Schuylkill Center for Environm...

From scenic riverfronts to car-free paths to wooded gravel roads, the Philly area has some amazing bike trails, whatever your experience level might be. Host Trenae Nuri talks with West Philly cycling enthusiast Julian Bender, who created a bikepacking route from 30th Street Station to the New Jersey Pine Barrens that he calls the Jersey Devil Hunt. Plus, we learn about other accessible bike route...

Yet another thing that makes Philadelphia so great is that there are races, rowing competitions, and a random assortment of other special events that happen almost every weekend in the city. But it’s gotten more expensive for event organizers to put these events on, and the city’s permit process is so hard to navigate. Plus, security costs are reaching $20,000 to $40,000 per event. So organizers s...

Why are this summer’s tourists the primary beneficiary of new stuff from the city, like bathrooms and bike racks and new open spaces? What about us? Host Trenae Nuri, newsletter editor Siani Colon, and politics contributor Lauren Vidas have some complaints on this Tuesday News Roundup. Plus: We also look at whether the slavery exhibits at the President’s House will be back in place by July 4th and...

The FIFA World Cup is in full swing, and soccer fans from around the world are here in Philly. But some countries have a different tipping culture from here in the United States. And recently, tipping in Philly has reached a new level. It’s everywhere. So will international visitors this summer properly tip our service workers? Because even Philadelphians don’t know when, who, and how much to tip....

Do you know how many parks Philly has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The re...

For today’s Friday News Roundup, we’re looking at how City Hall found $50 million to avoid teacher layoffs, we’re discussing the aftermath of what one city councilmember described as police “brutality” in the gayborhood after Pride celebrations, and we’re analyzing the real political meaning behind District Attorney Larry Krasner’s unusual letter delivery to Mayor Cherelle Parker. And for our City...

Odunde, the largest African American street festival in the nation, returns to Philly on Sunday, June 14, with hundreds of thousands expected to gather on 16 blocks. What started out as a simple idea to celebrate African and Caribbean culture has become a 51-year-old demonstration of the power of community. There will be arts, crafts, and food vendors, as well as dance performances and R&B music h...

Gov. Josh Shapiro wants data centers in Pennsylvania, and he’s got a plan to incentivize developers to build. But does the governor’s proposal have a shot at making it through our divided legislature? Kate Huangpu, government reporter for Spotlight PA, joins host Trenae Nuri to talk about the appetite for data centers among lawmakers, business groups, and the labor force, and how the Keystone Stat...

What’s one thing we would ban from Center City? Why is the police headquarters costing the city so much money to buy? And will Bob Brady be dethroned as chairman of the Philadelphia Democrats? That – plus what we’re looking for in World Cup merch – on the Tuesday News Roundup with journalist Claudia Vargas, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, and our senior producer Abby Fritz.  Our newsletter has...