City Cast Philly

SEPTA says it’s in a financial death spiral. The transit agency is about to increase fares on everything, across the board, by 25%. And cuts to service are on the way. Meanwhile, SEPTA’s CEO just quit, and in the backdrop of all of that, workers are threatening to strike. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Tom Fitzgerald, transportation reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. They break down what this...

This summer the city embarked on an initiative to clean every block in every neighborhood. And last month the city announced results: Workers cleaned more than 18,000 blocks, cleared over 5,000 lots, towed about 2,000 vehicles, and removed 2,078 instances of graffiti. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Nic Esposito, director of policy and engagement at Circular Philadelphia, who says those numbers don’t...

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s list of the 76 essential places to eat in Philly is here, and host Trenae Nuri is talking to the two editors who put it all together – Margaret Eby and Matt Buchanan.  Here’s all of the restaurants referenced in this episode, in order of their mention: Doro Bet Villa di Roma Scannicchio’s Parc Barclay Prime  Alpen Rose Borromini Suraya Kalaya Saad’s Zeppoli Li Beirut Fo...

There's been a lot of national political news filling our feeds this past week. Let's zoom into what's happening on the ground here in Philly and revisit a conversation host Trenae Nuri had with Shawna Smith, founder and owner of A Chance at Life, and Prentice Boone, founder of the Junior Barber Academy. They discuss how to create spaces for young people in our city. Want some more Philly news? Th...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about how it feels now that this election is over and what a Trump presidency will mean for Philadelphians. We also cover the latest on the Jason Kelce and Joel Embiid incidents. Plus, how we’re decompressing from the election. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and producer Abby Fritz.  Our Friday news round...

Donald Trump is now president-elect. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Brian Rosenwald, political and media historian at the University of Pennsylvania, who writes about politics on Substack at The World According to Brian. They discuss how Trump did far better than previous Republican candidates in overwhelmingly Democratic Philly, and what his victory means for American democracy.  Want some more Phi...

The sun is rising in Philadelphia, and we’re here with the latest results in the presidential, senate and local elections. Host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Matt Katz, and producer Abby Fritz have reports from polling places and the most up-to-date results.  Follow the latest vote in tally in Philly:  Philadelphia City Commissioners Office  Want some more Philly election news? Sign up for our m...

As America white-knuckles its way into one of the closest presidential elections in modern history, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with the hosts of our shows in swing state cities. Our host, Trenae Nuri, joins a panel discussion with the hosts from Las Vegas, Madison, and Pittsburgh. In this special episode, our crew of hosts gives you a locals’ look inside how their cities are preparing for...

Tomorrow is the big day. And the Philadelphia City Commissioners – the three elected officials in charge of voting – have been busy preparing. So whether you voted by mail or plan to do so in-person tomorrow, what really happens after you vote? Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, a Republican, about how voting works, whether voter fraud really happens, and why Philly hasn...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! All eyes have been on Pennsylvania – perhaps the most important swing state in the presidential election. Here in Philly, we haven’t had this much influence since the Founding Fathers met up in Independence Hall. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and Julia Terruso, political reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, to break...

Tis’ the season for the return of the Giant Heart, a fake living room on fire, and lots of food!  In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying November in Philly, where to find the kale Caesar hoagie that’s breaking TikTok, how to cheer on runners during the Philadelphia Marathon and Rocky Run, and where to take the family to celebrate the holidays. For even more tips on how to make the...

An estimated 25,000 people annually are released from prison and return to their communities in Philadelphia. But state data shows that two-thirds of those who are released end up back in prison. To reduce recidivism and better transition returning citizens back home, the city just opened its first reentry-focused Neighborhood Resource Center. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Pamela Superville, deputy...

We’re just one week away from Election Day. In a polarizing political climate, how do you know if the news you are consuming is accurate and reliable? We’re looking back at a conversation host Trenae Nuri had with Andrea Wenzel, author and associate professor at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication, about the ways we can spot the difference between real news, fake news, and...

About a half-million Philadelphians use the SNAP program to buy food. But you can do way more than just buy food with your EBT card – anything from movie tickets to funding your education. Host Trenae Nuri talks about the ways to utilize this program with City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz. For more info about SNAP go here, and for employment and training benefits go here.  Want some more Philly...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today we’re talking about the race for state attorney general, state auditor and state treasurer. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris and capitol reporter from Spotlight PA, Stephen Caruso, to break down these PA races.   Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Pa. election 2024: A complete guide to the candida...

Last week the Philadelphia Water Department announced that it made a deadline set by the Environmental Protection Agency to track all of its lead pipes. While much of this mapping of this service line material is still marked “unknown,” the department will have 10 years to replace all lead piping in the city, to be in compliance with a new law the Biden administration officially passed earlier thi...

Drastic cuts to SEPTA service and fare hikes loom after state Republicans held up funding that the transit agency says it needs to survive. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Democratic State Representative Ben Waxman, who represents Center City and parts of South Philly, about funding SEPTA, possible cuts, and how Philly can get its fair share from Harrisburg.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure...

It’s a Philly pop culture roundup! We’re talking about how the Kelce family is just … everywhere, plus a documentary about Wing Bowl and a question we can’t answer: Would you have a baby with the Phanatic? Host Trenae Nuri sits down with Johnny Goodtimes, Philly’s legendary quizzo host. They also chat about Philly sports, books, and the “Abbott Elementary”/“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” colla...

Philly Music Fest starts this week. It’s seven nights of music from 23 Philly bands and artists representing rock, hip hop, bluegrass, jazz and more. Not only is PMF centered around music, it hopes to connect industry professionals to the city’s creative community. Host Trenae Nuri sits down with Greg Seltzer, founder and producer of the festival, to talk about the sounds of the city and how to ke...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! If you’ve recently tuned out all the election drama, we’ve got you covered. Since the race for president is now centered on Pennsylvania, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris – and Elon Musk! – have been campaigning in and around Philly. Our city might be the most significant in the country when it comes to determining who moves into the White House, but there are new compl...

There’s a new, extremely Philly, animated show on FOX, called “Universal Basic Guys.”  Host Trenae Nuri talks with Adam and Craig Malamut, two brothers and self-taught animators who are now bringing the culture and accents of the Philly region to a national audience. Catch the show on Sunday nights right before “The Simpsons!” Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning n...

Political commercials are everywhere in Pennsylvania right now, to the tune of more than $430 million so far. So who’s paying for all of this, and why are they so negative? Our colleague at City Cast Pittsburgh, host Megan Harris, speaks with PublicSource’s Charlie Wolfson about the men and masks behind the money. Charlie’s “Spot Check” series will publish most Thursdays leading up to the November...

Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from Philly's own Trenae Nuri along with hosts from our daily local shows in Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, and Portland. City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joining our...

It’s the Friday News Roundup, senate election edition! The U.S. Senate race in our state could determine control of Congress. Is the Democrat really letting fentanyl in over the border? Does the Republican really live in Connecticut? Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Katie Meyer, government editor/reporter at Spotlight PA and Charles McElwee, editor of Real Clear Pennsylvania and writer for Politico M...

Have you heard of novelty songs? Considered a part of the pop music genre in the 20th century, these wacky songs range from spooky to sultry. Host Trenae Nuri talks about this genre’s connection to Philly with Kira Coviello, also known as @honest2Betsy, a local content creator who highlights these vintage songs in her work.  Check out Kira’s work @honest2betsey on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and...