City Cast Philly

It’s been super hot this summer, with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees and humidity making it feel even hotter. What’s the deal with these heat waves, and is weather like this going to be the new normal in Philly? Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz, award-winning meteorologist, about why it’s so hot, the urban heat island effect, and what Philadelphians can do to mitigat...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about Mayor Cherelle Parker defending her return-to-office policy, and a lawsuit trying to block it. Plus, Pennsylvania’s license plate redesign, how to stay cool in Philly’s extreme heat, and some of the most Philly things we saw on social media this week. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Mike D’Onofrio, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, and Alex Hillman, co...

The Philadelphia Zoo — aka America’s first zoo — is celebrating its 150th anniversary this month. And, there’s been lots of hype, from a new celebratory zoo key design to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s announcement that July 1st is now “Philadelphia Zoo Day.” So, we took a trip to the zoo and host Trenae Nuri sat down with President and CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman to talk about notable milestones and her fa...

Ice cream was invented more than two thousand years ago, but 19th-century Philadelphians played a significant role in revolutionizing the process. So how come we don’t know about them? Host Trenae Nuri talks with food historian and co-host of the City Cast Las Vegas podcast Sarah Lohman about Philadelphia-style ice cream, and the women and Black culinary professionals whose innovations made it wha...

What comes to your mind when you think of Pennsylvania? Over the years, we have adopted all sorts of plants, animals, and even a drink to represent our Commonwealth, but not all of these symbols and the stories behind them are common knowledge. Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar is putting the City Cast Philly team to the test. Come play along with us! (And special thanks to Sophia Lo, City...

This summer, host Trenae Nuri is going on a mission to figure out who makes the best cheesesteak in Philly. To kick things off, we’re revisiting a conversation we had this spring with Dave Wez, City Cast Philly’s food contributor and creator of Feeding Time TV, and Carolyn Wyman, author of “The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book,” about what makes the perfect cheesesteak, and how to order one. They dis...

City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from all 13 City Cast daily local podcast hubs to talk about what stories they’re watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Listen in for how Trenae Nuri's story stacks up against the rest. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us...

The nation’s 250th anniversary, also known as its semiquincentennial, is coming up in two years, and preparations have already begun. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Stephanie Farr, Philly culture columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about why Philly is “woefully behind” on this front, and if Independence Park will be ready in 2026. Check out Stephanie’s piece about Boston’s Freedom Trail, and how...

In our midweek news roundup, we discuss why state lawmakers missed the budget deadline, the Little League scandal in Springfield, and the new tech coming to some ShopRites. Plus, the Sixers are getting some new players. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by O.J. Spivey, sports correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune, and Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia. Our news roundups are powered by g...

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Philly community. It’s finally summertime! In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying July in Philly, from outdoor movies to a West Philly restaurant week and some top-notch festivals. If you’re planning on going to the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festiva...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include how Philly may have improperly spent federal opioid settlement money in Kensington, and the "extended-day, extended-year" school pilot program. Plus, two bold porch pirates fight over a package in Berks County. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Larry Platt, co-founder at The Philadelphia Citizen, and Sammy Caiola, special projects reporter at Kensin...

With Philly’s easy access to the mid-Atlantic coast, it’s no surprise that seafood has been a popular choice for Philadelphians since at least the turn of the century. So whether you're on the shore or in the city this summer, the choices are endless, from Sweet Amalia oysters on the half shell to local bluefish and much more. Host Trenae Nuri talks with freelance food and travel writer Alisha Mir...

Black infants in Philadelphia are more likely to die within the first year of their lives than babies of other races or ethnicities. In order to help reduce these high infant mortality rates, the city is launching Philly Joy Bank, a guaranteed income pilot program for 250 pregnant Philadelphians. Last spring, host Trenae Nuri talked with Dr. Stacey Kallem, pediatrician and director of the Division...

It’s another midweek news roundup! What’s up with the new I-95 sign? Plus, the team breaks down SEPTA’s higher fines for disorderly conduct and the designs for the new trolleys coming in 2027. Also, follow along with a Philly news quiz. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by producer Abby Fritz and Asha Prihar, Hey Philly newsletter editor. Our news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  New I-95...

Philly is a city of neighborhoods, and those neighborhoods are always changing — including the way written language is used in public spaces. Daniel Guarin is a PhD candidate in Hispanic linguistics at Temple University, and he looked at over 3,000 signs in three heavily Latino neighborhoods: Fairhill’s “The Golden Block,” Olney, and the Italian Market area. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Guarin abou...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include the increased police presence in Kensington, this week’s heat wave, and how the SS United States is being forced to leave its South Philly berth in September. Plus, if Philly’s statues, murals, and other public art came to life, who would win in a fight? Host Trenae Nuri is joined by newsletter editor Asha Prihar and producer Abby Fritz. Our Fri...

Parking in Philly is not for the faint of heart. There’s official regulations and then there’s unwritten rules, legal or otherwise. Last August, host Trenae Nuri sat down with producer Abby Fritz and former executive producer Laura Benshoff to talk through their hacks for finding the best parking spots in the city.  Find out more about the recent crackdown on illegal parking in Philly. Want some m...

Gov. Shapiro says he wants to fully legalize recreational cannabis; what’s the holdup in the legislature? City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris talks with Spotlight PA reporter Ed Mahon about where Pennsylvania stands on this issue, particularly in light of Ohio’s expanded access. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter an...

Whether you love our Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, or Sixers, one thing is clear: Philly is a very sports-oriented city. But is there something missing in our sports culture? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Diana Lind, writer and urban policy specialist, about why she thinks Philly needs a sports mayor, and what that role could look like here. Check out Diana’s Substack, The New Urban Order, where she mak...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include why the city is rejecting certain block party applications and the closure of all OCF Coffee House locations. Plus, the Kelce brothers have a new business. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by O.J. Spivey, sports correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune, and Nicole Phoenix, standup comedian and producer. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great...

In 2011, the Philadelphia Water Department created the 25-year, $2.4 billion “Green City, Clean Waters” program to fix the city’s aging sewer systems. However, even though the program has been nationally recognized for its innovative green infrastructure, it’s turning out to be more costly than expected. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Kyle Bagenstose, an independent environmental journalist, about t...

Breakfast tacos made their Philly debut 15 years ago, but they’ve experienced a resurgence recently thanks to Taco Heart. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Jenn Ladd, food reporter at the Inquirer, about what breakfast tacos are, why they deserve the hype they’ve been getting, and her favorite breakfast taco spots in Philly.  Check out more of Jenn’s reporting on breakfast tacos here. Want some more Phi...

It’s another midweek news roundup! The team talks about Mayor Cherelle Parker’s first city budget, which got the green light from City Council last week. Plus, a Philly sports mascot has a new song, and we have a Philly news quiz that you can play along with. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Anna Orso, City Hall reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Asha Prihar, Hey Philly newsletter editor.  Ou...

Last Monday, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that the Big Naddy Gang in North Philly is “history,” thanks to the recent arrests of BNG members. Some think that arrests like these are part of the reason for the dramatic decrease in shootings and homicides since 2021. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Ellie Rushing, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, abo...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include the University of the Arts closure, where the city should put the intercity bus station, and the mystery behind Old City’s cloud billboard. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Inga Saffron, architecture columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Conrad Benner, founder of StreetsDept.com, curator at Mural Arts and host of WHYY’s Art Outside podcast. ...