City Cast Philly

Chinatown is filled with rich history, culture and — of course — food. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly food contributor Dave Wez (@feedingtimetv) go on a food tour of his favorite spots in Philly's Chinatown, running down everything from where to get the best Peking duck to how to find the neighborhood's most exclusive speakeasy. The businesses mentioned in this episode include:  Dim Sum Gar...

Many Philadelphians don’t have a primary care physician, making it harder to get basic checkups and manage health care overall. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Kelly McGuigan, an aspiring primary care physician and medical student at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, about the barriers to primary care in the city and tips for finding a PCP.  Read Kelly’s op-ed on primary car...

Jim’s Steaks in West Philly was a legendary cheesesteak spot that opened way back in 1939. It fell on hard times and closed in 2019. Last year, a local entrepreneur bought the restaurant and reopened it under a new name: Jim’s West.  But the son of the former owner has sued the new one, saying the shop can’t operate with the name “Jim’s” at all. That son, Carl Proetto, operates his own Jim’s Steak...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today's topics include whether state Rep. Kevin Boyle’s recent public outburst could impact his political future, and why Mayor Cherelle Parker wants to bring city workers back to the office five days a week. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Mike D’Onofrio, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, and Jake Blumgart, real estate reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Our Friday N...

For a second year in a row, gun violence in Philadelphia is going down. At the same time, threats of violence toward SEPTA and other city workers have increased. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Mensah Dean, staff writer for the Trace – a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence – about this trend and how the city can better protect public-sector employees. Read Mensah’s reporting on this topic:  Phila...

It’s Valentine’s Day – the annual day of love and romance. But not all of us have someone to smooch on. So, if you’re looking to meet someone or find love, we’re here to help. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Nada Rifai, a certified life coach and professional matchmaker in Philly, about the best local places to put yourself out there and find your next date. Nada’s recommendations: Popular apps: Hinge...

Tune in for the team’s first midweek news roundup! We discuss Mayor Cherelle Parker’s decision to split apart two city departments, how a mysterious door landed on a Mt. Airy roof, and test our knowledge with a Philly trivia question. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by City Cast Philly executive producer Laura Benshoff and Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar.   Our news roundup is powered by great...

For nearly 30 years, a statue of the Lenni-Lenape leader Chief Tamanend has stood at a busy intersection in Old City, next to the on-ramp to I-95 South. Now, a plan to move the monument to a more accessible location has stalled after one Indigenous group equated it with “forced removal.” Host Trenae Nuri talks with Frank Kummer, reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about the conflict over reloca...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today’s topics include: how Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s campaign used artificial intelligence to spruce up her reelection website with fake news articles, and highlights from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s second annual budget proposal. City Cast Philly executive producer Laura Benshoff is joined by William Bender, reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer...

We're devoting a whole episode to Black History Month events in Philly because there's just so much to celebrate! Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Cast Philly Arts & Culture Contributor Charles Tyson Jr. about his curated list of events, from comedy shows to beer drinking parties to dance performances.  List of events mentioned in this episode: 2/6–2/29 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Celebrate Black Leaders a...

Last year, 3,000 old tires were pulled out of the Schuylkill River, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. And Philly’s tire trash problem is only getting worse. There is a law on the books to rein in this type of illegal dumping in the city, but the Department of Licenses and Inspections never fully implemented it. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Jordan Teicher, freelance reporter for Grid Ma...

The snow has melted and Punxsutawney Phil, the state’s official groundhog, has signaled an early spring is on the way. But for now, it’s still sweater weather. So before you pack up your winter gear, make some time to hit up Philly's best soup spots. From pho to French onion, ramen to matzoh ball, there’s something slurpable on this list for everyone. Last fall, host Trenae Nuri chatted with City...

PennDOT is gearing up to redo the portion of I-95 in Philly that runs from the Ben Franklin Bridge to the Walt Whitman Bridge. But, initial proposals have some neighborhood groups concerned that the highway will take up space currently used for houses and recreation. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Inga Saffron, architecture columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about how the interstate could chang...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! This week’s topics: the Franklin Institute’s Giant Heart display turns 70, the controversy over a police-involved shooting in Fairhill, and Governor Josh Shapiro’s plan to boost funding for SEPTA. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Max Marin, reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Cory Sharber, general assignment reporter at WHYY News. Our Friday News Roundups are powere...

Happy February 1st! The City Cast Philly team is bringing you our recommendations for activities, food/drinks, free events, and Valentine’s Day plans this month. We’ve got something for everyone, from a BYOB hangout with goats, to Lunar New Year parades, to tamale and beer festivals. Host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Laura Benshoff, producer Abby Fritz, and Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Pri...

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a ruling related to abortion access. Technically, the case before the court was about Medicaid. But some of the justices signaled their willingness to make a bigger ruling about reproductive rights in the Commonwealth. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris breaks this all down with Susan Frietsche, co-executive director of the Women’s Law P...

Philly’s Office of Homeless Services is facing scrutiny over a bunch of issues: confusion over where to send folks during recent cold and snowy weather, unpaid contracts, and overspending its budget by $15 million. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Rev. Jeremy Montgomery, President & CEO of Philly House, and Anna Orso, City Hall reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. They dive into all of this, as wel...

News that a beloved coffee shop on Passyunk Avenue is losing its space has some neighbors boiling over. The landlord says the shop, Black N Brew, has unpaid bills. But the shop’s owners swear they’ve paid their rent and are getting pushed out. So who’s telling the truth? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Victor Fiorillo, senior reporter at Philadelphia Magazine, about the controversy. Read Victor’s full...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Listen to hear about the Sixers’ Joel Embiid’s historic 70-point game, SEPTA's updated branding and new countdown clocks, and how you can protect yourself from predatory towing fees after a crash. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ximena Conde, general assignment reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and O.J. Spivey, sports contributor at The Philadelphia Tribune. Our Fr...

Step aside Wisconsin, the Keystone state is coming for your cheese crown! Pennsylvania is home to 5,000 dairy farms, and the Philly area is chock full of artisan cheese shops and creameries. Today, host Trenae Nuri chats about what makes Philly a dairy destination with Tenaya Darlington, the cheese curator at Tria and author of Di Bruno Bros. House of Cheese and Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Chee...

There’s a battle brewing in Fishtown. The Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District is trying to take control of a house it says is an eyesore. But the family that has owned the home for generations says they’re being targeted because they have limited means to fix it up. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Samantha Melamed, investigative reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about this con...

If you’re looking for ways to prioritize your wellness or find new self-care practices this year, we’ve got you. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Imani Harris (@xoimaniindigo), a lifestyle content creator on TikTok and Instagram, about the best spas, yoga classes, and wellness experiences located right here in Philly.  Here’s a list of wellness destinations mentioned in this episode:  Joseph Anthony Sp...

Philly is technically America’s “poorest big city,” a data point that’s often used by politicians, activists, and journalists. But this label may not actually help address the poverty that it describes. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Kenny Cooper, reporter at WHYY, about how this term can create stigma and whether it lets the city’s rich suburbs off the hook. Read Kenny's full story here. And, check...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today's topics include Philly's response to the end of our nearly two-year snow drought, reactions to Jason Kelce (maybe) calling it quits after 13 seasons with the Eagles, and West Philly’s aggressive raccoon problem. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ximena Conde, general assignment reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and O.J. Spivey, sports contributor at The Philad...

Philadelphia finally got snow! Over 700 days had passed without a one-inch dusting of snow to brush off of our cars or admire on the trees. But this week’s storm changed that, ending our city’s longest snow drought. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Anthony Wood, weather writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer and author of “Snow: A History about the World’s Most Fascinating Flake,” to talk about snow to...