City Cast Philly

Philly’s nationally recognized Eviction Diversion Program was created by city ordinance during the pandemic in order to keep people in their homes, and has been extended several times. Last week, City Council voted to make the program permanent, pending Mayor Cherelle Parker’s approval. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Aaron Moselle, housing reporter at WHYY’s PlanPhilly, about what landlords, housing...

It’s Philly Beer Week, and many of the top craft brewers in the country are right here in Pennsylvania. If you’re looking for a local brew to try, we’ve got some options for you. Last year, host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris talked about and sampled some of the beers made in the commonwealth. Listen along and see if you agree with our takes. Here’s the Esquire list of the...

It’s another midweek news roundup! The team talks about why the University of the Arts will close later this week, as well as the closing (and subsequent reopening) of Famous 4th Street Deli after health code violations. Plus, a Philly news quiz that you can play along with. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by producer Abby Fritz and arts and culture contributor Charles Tyson Jr. Our news roundups are p...

Take it from us, Philly is a great place to live. Finding a place to call home, however, is not always easy. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Justin Forte, realtor for KW Empower & ForteLiving, about where to find the best rentals, what questions to ask, what you should know before signing your lease agreement, and how to avoid scams. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our mornin...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include the violence and chaos along the New Jersey shore over Memorial Day weekend, an initiative to recycle fallen trees, and what signifies the start of summer in Philly. Plus, the weird and wild stuff we saw on social media this week. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by O.J. Spivey, sports correspondent at The Philadelphia Tribune, and comedian and writer...

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.  Now that it’s (unofficially) summertime, we’re ready to get outside and explore the city. In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying June in Philly, from the can’t-miss art festivals (most of them are free!) to our recommendations for ce...

We’re back with another midweek news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Abby Fritz, City Cast Philly producer, and Asha Prihar, Hey Philly newsletter editor, for an epic news quiz that covers the latest in politics, transportation, and local business news. Our news roundups are powered by great local journalism (spoilers ahead, if you’re following along with the news quiz):  SEPTA's overhauled...

There’s no debate that Philadelphians have an accent. Even within the city, the words and phrases you hear can sound different from neighborhood to neighborhood. We’re revisiting a conversation from earlier this year between host Trenae Nuri and comedian and writer Alan Massenburg, who grew up in West Philly, about these regional differences and what turns of phrase let you know someone is really...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include Mayor Parker’s new return-to-office policy for city workers and how people are responding to the mandate, as well as updates on the Frank Rizzo statue lawsuit and its possible return. Plus, the local celebrity who has been dubbed “Most Valuable Philadelphian” by the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Jake Blum...

Summer’s right around the corner, which means that it’s the perfect time to eat outside! Host Trenae Nuri speaks with City Cast Philly food contributor Dave Wez (@feedingtimetv) about the best places to eat and drink al fresco, from patios and sidewalk cafes to breweries and rooftop bars. Places/events mentioned in this episode: Emmy Squared Pizza Irwin’s Attico Rooftop Urban Farmer Assembly Rooft...

While there’s a lot of buzz lately about how Philadelphia will be celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, local organizations like Historic Philadelphia Inc. have been bringing our rich history to life for decades. As the birthplace of America, after all, history is woven into our streets, buildings, and even people. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Geoffrey Berwind, artistic director and storytel...

It’s another midweek news roundup! The team talks about how Philly could be losing its spot as the sixth largest city in the country, as well as the curfews city lawmakers are proposing. Plus, the City Cast Philly team is testing their knowledge with the weekly news quiz. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Abby Fritz, City Cast Philly producer, and Asha Prihar, Hey Philly newsletter editor.  Our news r...

The Philadelphia Housing Authority wants to build 70 affordable housing units on the former site of the University City Townhomes in West Philadelphia, but they’ve hit another snag. This $14 million development needs city funding to move forward, but the project wasn’t listed in Mayor Cherelle Parker’s first budget proposal or her administration’s five-year plan. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Aaron...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s crackdown on illegally parked vehicles and a new poll that takes a look at where the presidential candidates stand with PA voters. Plus, what the new Citizens Police Oversight Commission leader, Tonya McClary, plans for the watchdog group. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by two reporters from The Philadelphia Inqu...

Could this be the beginning of the end for lead pipes in Philly? New national regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency are calling for cities across the country to find and map all of their remaining lead pipes by October, and could require them to be replaced within 10 years. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with freelance journalist Zane Irwin about how the city will meet this deadline and th...

Chinatown is filled with rich history, culture and — of course — food. To give you the best experience possible next time you’re there, we’re revisiting the Chinatown food tour that City Cast Philly food contributor Dave Wez (@feedingtimetv) took host Trenae Nuri on, running down everything from his favorite Peking duck place to where you can find pastries that look like pieces of fruit.  Chinatow...

It’s another midweek roundup! Today’s topics include an update on the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Pennsylvania and the 24-hour cheese vending machine in the Olde Kensington neighborhood. Plus, we test your knowledge with a Philly news quiz. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri is joined by City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz and Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar. O...

At 2908 W. Diamond Street sits the home of the world-renowned Black painter Henry Ossawa Tanner, who rose to fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1976, the home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but in the decades after it fell into disrepair, culminating in the City of Philadelphia designating it an “unsafe structure” in 2021. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Chris...

Hey there! We are excited to share the trailer for a new special limited series from our friends and colleagues at City Cast Denver. If you’re a fan of what we do at City Cast, you’ll want to check it out: You’ve probably heard a story about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Like, how she got kicked out of a production of “Beetlejuice” for vaping and groping her date. Or, that time she heckled Preside...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include how the city handled clearing out an encampment of unhoused people in Kensington and why University of Pennsylvania graduate students voted to unionize. Plus, both Pat’s and Jim’s recently finished renovating their storefronts … but who has the better cheesesteak? Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Max Marin, reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, an...

If you’re sniffling and sneezing a lot right now, you’re not alone. Tree and grass pollen numbers are high in the city, and expected to last for a few more weeks. So, we’re revisiting a conversation between executive producer Laura Benshoff and Dr. Marc Goldstein, allergist and immunologist at The Asthma Center, about why allergy season in Philly is starting earlier and earlier each year, how long...

You may have heard Mister Softee’s signature jingle coming from a truck in your neighborhood … because it’s ice cream season! So we’re breaking down where to get your next frozen treat fix. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Dave Wez, City Cast Philly’s food contributor and creator of Feeding Time TV, about their favorite spots for ice cream, water ice, and gelato. Here’s a list of the spots recommended...

It’s another midweek roundup! Today’s topics include the latest from the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Pennsylvania and updates on the lawsuit filed by Philly residents over the city’s makeover of FDR Park. Plus, we test your knowledge with a Philly news quiz. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri is joined by the Daily Pennsylvanian’s Editor-in-Chief Jared Mitovich, executiv...

Philly has long been known as a “city of homeowners,” because more than half of houses here are owner-occupied. But if you’ve never purchased a home before, the process can seem intimidating — and expensive. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Abraham Reyes Pardo, Vice President of the Office of Housing and Diversion Services at the Urban League of Philadelphia, and Mary Harper, Director of Housing at th...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include why one Philly School Board nomination is still in limbo and the newest plan to move the Greyhound bus station (again). Plus, Wawa is creeping in on Sheetz territory. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Carly Sitrin, Philadelphia bureau chief for Chalkbeat, and Meir Rinde, investigative reporter at Billy Penn.  Our Friday News Roundups are powered by...