City Cast Philly

There’s nothing like a fresh bagel with cream cheese, or a bagel sandwich, to kick off your morning. Luckily, Philly has an abundance of homegrown bagel places to satisfy all of your carb-y cravings. A few months ago, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, and food contributor Dave Wez (@feedingtimetv), debated the pros and cons of the different styles, toppings, and shmears you can find at Philly’s b...

Germantown is going through a transformation. Since 2019, at least 400 new housing units have come online, with another 400 expected in 2025, according to WHYY. This investment is coming to a Philly neighborhood with a deep sense of pride and a history of being overlooked by developers. Some residents hope these new projects will attract more businesses, while others fear changes to the neighborho...

On today's news roundup, we run down some recent headlines out of Philadelphia City Council, from a new ban on casino-style gaming terminals to a hearing on an anti-blight law that some residents say is misapplied to force them to sell their family homes. Plus, what we know about why the SE Asian Market pushed back its opening date. Executive producer Laura Benshoff is filling in for host Trenae N...

New city policies are rolling out in Kensington, a neighborhood that’s long been the center of the opioid epidemic and a hotspot for homelessness. Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, recently re-elected to her first full term, is one driving force behind these changes, which include a new business curfew and calls for a “triage center.” Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Lozada about the challenges facing the...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today's topics include plans to move the intercity bus terminal again and why some local businesses have adopted a four-day work week. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Meir Rinde, investigative reporter at Billy Penn, and Lizzy McLellan Ravitch, workplace reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. Our Friday News Roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Pennsylvania Lo...

In honor of National Cheesesteak Day this coming weekend, today’s guests weigh in on an evergreen Philly debate: What makes a cheesesteak authentic? And, what’s the right way to order one? City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri talks 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.” They discuss t...

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s first budget proposal follows up on her campaign promise to make Philly “the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in the nation,” by requesting funds for expenses like police technology and street cleaning. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri speaks with Sean Collins Walsh, City Hall reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about what this budget says about Parker’s...

It’s the Tuesday News Roundup! The team talks about a large federal grant for the Chinatown Stitch project and the closure of another Center City Wawa. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz and Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar. Plus, play along as the team tries to guess what city landmark inspired a DC Comics heroine.  Our Tuesday news roundups are powered by...

Video gambling machines have cropped up in gas stations and corner stores around Philly. City council now wants to ban these “skill games,” while Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro wants to tax them. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri speaks with Harrison Cann, reporter for City & State PA, about why these casino-style games are targets for regulation and who’s defending them. Read Harrison...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We dig into how Philadelphians feel about the proposed stadium district redesign versus 76Place, the latest on last week’s bus stop shooting, and the most Philly things you notice when it gets warm outside. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ellie Rushing, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Mike D’Onofrio, reporter at Axios Phil...

SEPTA is experiencing a spike in high-profile violent incidents, including the shooting of eight teenagers waiting for a bus last week. Last December, state lawmakers created a new position just to address this issue — a special prosecutor for crimes on public transportation in the city. But, the position has been controversial from the start and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has su...

Whether you like them with coffee or fried chicken, Philly has donuts you can enjoy year-round! Back in November, host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly’s food contributor Dave Wez broke down the best places to enjoy these deep fried treats. And, they even covered some donut destinations outside the city. Donut spots mentioned in the episode:  Manna Bakery Federal Donuts Mochi Ring Donut Buddakan D...

The City Cast Philly team shares updates on last week’s shooting at a SEPTA bus stop that left eight teens injured, and we discuss how you can help determine where Philly will add new speed cameras. Plus, we've got more Philly-related Women’s History Month trivia for you. Our news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Law Enforcement Officials Provide Update on March 6th Octuple Shootin...

Can you identify some of Philly’s biggest landmarks, based on their haters? A few months ago, City Cast Philly executive producer Laura Benshoff compiled one-star reviews of iconic spots in the city and put host Trenae Nuri and producer Abby Fritz to the test. Listen and play along with us! Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on T...

Welcome back to the Friday News Roundup. We discuss the four recent shootings on or near SEPTA property, including one on Wednesday where eight teens were struck; an unexpected shakeup on Philly’s Board of Education; and which restaurants in the city are keeping the $1 hot dog tradition alive after the Phillies ended their “Dollar Dog Nights.” Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Tom Fitzgerald, transpor...

There’s no debating that Philadelphians have an accent. Even within the city, the words and phrases you hear can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Host Trenae Nuri talks with comedian and writer Alan Massenburg, who grew up in West Philly and Delaware County, about these regional differences and how to talk like you're truly from Philly. Check out Alan's show tonight at 10 p.m. at Helium Com...

More than a dozen ballfields in Philadelphia use artificial turf, and the city has big plans to add more. But that material contains toxic chemicals – among them PFAS – which are linked to certain types of cancer. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with David Gambacorta and Barbara Laker, investigative reporters with The Philadelphia Inquirer, about the risks of fake turf and why Philly is still using it. Re...

We're back with another midweek news roundup! We discuss Mayor Cherelle Parker’s back-to-office push and what our Hey Philly newsletter readers think about it. And, we share reactions to the end of 'Dollar Dog Nights' at Citizens Bank Park. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by City Cast Philly executive producer, Laura Benshoff, and Hey Philly newsletter editor, Asha Prihar. Plus, we've got some Women’s...

In Philly, 17,000 kids live in homes where their grandparents are primary caregivers, according to the nonprofit Generations United. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with WHYY multiplatform producer Vicky Diaz-Camacho about the unique challenges faced by these “grandfamilies” and why their experience is becoming more common in the city. Resources for grandparent led families mentioned in the episode:  Gran...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We discuss an initiative to get 2,024 young Black men in Philly registered to vote by November and the debut of the city's first autonomous bus down at the Navy Yard. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Pat Loeb, City Hall Bureau Chief for KYW Newsradio, and Meir Rinde, investigative reporter for Billy Penn. Our Friday News Roundups are powered by great local journalism:  T...

March is just around the corner, so the team is back with our monthly picks of the coolest things to do, places you’ve gotta eat, and free events to enjoy. Host Trenae Nuri talks with executive producer Laura Benshoff, Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar, and producer Abby Fritz. Here’s a full list of our recommendations for March: Hilltop Books Lucky Day Book Sale Free Rita’s Water Ice Free...

A state-run program called Keystone Opportunity Zones gives tax breaks to some businesses planning to develop blighted or abandoned properties in the city. But public schools in Philly are partially funded by these taxes, and miss out on millions of dollars in revenue each year as a result. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Emily Rizzo, freelance reporter at Chalkbeat Philadelphia about the pros and co...

We're back with another midweek news roundup! The team talks about a new SEPTA Key feature that lets you pay for multiple riders with a single card and Philly's connection to the viral TikTok saga “Who TF Did I Marry.” Host Trenae Nuri is joined by City Cast Philly executive producer, Laura Benshoff, and Hey Philly newsletter editor, Asha Prihar. Plus, we've got some Philly Leap Year trivia for yo...

Philly has amazing nightlife — but, it could be even better. The city could use more late night food spots and transit options. Plus, businesses that operate at night have unique challenges and need specific kinds of support to thrive. That’s why the Philadelphia Department of Commerce created a new job in 2022: the Night Time Economy Director, aka the city’s “Night Mayor.” Host Trenae Nuri talks...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about why Mayor Cherelle Parker’s campaign doesn’t have to disclose who was on its nearly $1 million payroll, why home buying might be tricky again this spring, and training tips to tackle the Broad Street Run. Plus, what’s up with the horse that got loose on I-95. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ryan Briggs, researcher on the investigations team at The Ph...