City Cast Philly

If you’ve walked around Philadelphia, you may have seen colorful posters that say “Get Squid Facts,” with a phone number on them. This street art project is the brainchild of Sarah McAnulty, a squid biologist and the creator of the science education non-profit, Skype A Scientist. So far, more than 135,000 people have signed up to receive her squid facts. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with McAnulty about...

When you see a home renovation or major construction project happening in your neighborhood, you assume that work is done safely. But that’s not always the case in Philly. An ongoing investigation by The Philadelphia Inquirer has found that unsafe construction work can go unchecked, causing damage to homes and neighboring properties, and in the worst cases, building collapses. Host Trenae Nuri spe...

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Oliver Sabo, reporter at The Temple News, Philadelphia Inquirer political reporter Chris Brennan, and City Cast Philly lead producer Laura Benshoff. They discuss the sudden passing of Temple’s acting president, JoAnne A. Epps, and her legacy at the university. And, they cover what to expect from the newly announced mayoral debate, as well...

We’re bringing you the third and final installment of our Fall Getaways series! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Philly wine expert, Arindam Basu, educator at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, about the best day and weekend trips you can take to visit regional wineries this fall. (Check out our earlier fall getaway guides too! There's one on haunted attractions, and one on fall strolls and snacks.) Wi...

We’re bringing you the second installment of our fall getaways series, where we share our best tips for making the most of this short, sweet season. Looking for a scare and a little roadtrip? Host Trenae Nuri chats with Henry Savage, civics reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, to get the lowdown about the best haunted houses and creepy attractions you can visit outside of Philly. From ghost pira...

Get in listeners, we’re going leaf-peeping! Today's episode is the first in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé, a local freelance food writer and tour guide, about places outside of Philly where you can enjoy the fall foliage. Sweitzer-Lammé also shares her recommendations for where you can savor the flavors of the season,...

A recent statewide study found that severe pregnancy complications spiked in Pennsylvania between 2016 and 2022, part of a worsening trend in maternal health outcomes. Now, Philadelphia is trying something new to address health problems during pregnancy. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Dr. Aasta Mehta, OB/GYN and Medical Officer of Women’s Health for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, about...

It’s the Friday news roundup! Today's topics include: the capture of Chester County Prison escapee Danelo Cavalcante, the move to ban supervised injection sites in most of Philly, and the search for Temple University’s new president. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Kenny Cooper, suburban reporter for WHYY News, Aubrey Whelan, health reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Oliver Sabo, reporter at...

Back in February, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that the way the state funds public education is unconstitutional. But what does that actually mean? A recent report from the Philadelphia Inquirer found that a whopping 85% of Pennsylvania school districts don't get enough funding to adequately educate students. This week, lawmakers and experts in education are holding hearings to fig...

UPDATE: Pennsylvania State Police told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Danelo Cavalcante was taken into custody after 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning. We'll have a brief update about his arrest later this week. Today, you'll hear how he was able to evade law enforcement for nearly two weeks, hide out in a local botanical garden, and even steal a gun. Host Trenae Nuri and WHYY reporter Kenny Cooper brea...

From why you should avoid grocery shopping on Sunday, to items that are weirdly cheaper at Whole Foods, we’ve got your insider’s guide to stocking up in Philly. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Laura Benshoff, and producer Abby Fritz break down your grocery shopping options in the city, as well as their best store hacks and tips for getting a good deal. Want to know what else Philly's talking about...

In 2017, spotted lanternflies showed up in Philly. This invasive species is a threat to local agriculture, so Philadelphians got really into smashing the bugs. Spotted lanternfly numbers have since declined in the city, but you still see these red and grey insects around. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Henry Savage, civics reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about what happened to the hoards of s...

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Sean Collins Walsh, City Hall reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and John Barchard, City Cast Philly sports contributor and co-host of the Bell and the Birdmen podcast. They discuss major City Council races and controversial legislation coming this fall, the Eagles' season opener against the New England Patriots on Sunday, and the bes...

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, the first Black woman to serve in this high-profile position, is leaving her post at the end of the month. Outlaw led the department through the pandemic, massive protests about policing, and a spike in gun violence. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Chris Palmer, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about Outlaw’s...

Philly has a lot of litter, enough that it’s earned the nickname “Filthadelphia.” One way our city deals with trash is with the BigBelly Program, hundreds of solar-powered trash compactors located in major commercial districts. These trashcans cost around $6,000 a piece and send an alert to the Streets Department when they get full. But some residents and business organizations say the bins overfl...

Parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, all drink from the same water supply: the Delaware River. And there's a rocky history of sharing this precious resource. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Kyle Bagenstose, an independent environmental journalist, about why climate change could force a showdown between Philadelphia and New York City over control of the drinking water supply, and...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! But, a little different this time. We're talking big picture... about the changes we’re most excited to see in our city, the most pressing issues facing residents, and how we can all stay better connected. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Afea Tucker, Philadelphia community engagement reporter for The Trace, Conrad Benner, founder of Streets Dept, a local art blog, and C...

Philadelphia has 40,000 vacant lots, according to city data. Keeping them clean and green can help reduce crime and littering, and even raise property values. So, what can your community do to start repurposing a vacant lot? Host Trenae Nuri and Nate Hommel, director of planning and design for University City District, talked through the steps for turning a neglected space into a community oasis b...

Pickleball fever has swept Philly — and the nation. A mix of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong, the game is now the fastest growing sport in America, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Philly alone is home to more than a dozen public and private pickleball courts. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Andrew Freedman, an instructor and ambassador for USA Pickleball, about why this sport...

In Philly, there are official parking regulations... and then there are those unwritten rules, legal or otherwise. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Laura Benshoff, and producer Abby Fritz break down Philly's lawless parking culture and share their hacks to finding the perfect spot in the city. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for o...

Philly's new school year starts next week, but districts across Pennsylvania have struggled to hire and retain enough teachers to fully staff their classrooms. By county, Philadelphia had the highest teacher attrition rate statewide at 16.4%, according to Penn State’s Center for Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis. Host Trenae Nuri chats with City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris to unpack o...

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Paul Schwedelson, commercial real estate reporter at The Philadelphia Business Journal, and Sean Collins Walsh, City Hall reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss the plan to redevelop a five-acre area by the North Philadelphia train station, what the city’s mayoral candidates have been up to this summer, and the design group o...

Summer is fading fast, but there's still time to grab a bite to eat or a drink at one of Philly's many patios or sidewalk cafes. Back in May, host Trenae Nuri talked with Ben Fileccia, lobbyist with the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, about how city regulations closed down many outdoor dining options that opened during the pandemic, and where you can still eat outside. RSVP for ou...

A Philadelphia police officer shot and killed 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry in North Philly last week. A police department spokesperson initially said Irizarry got out of his car and lunged at officers with a knife in his hand. But almost immediately, officials walked back that account, leaving many unanswered questions about the shooting. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Ellie Rushing and Rodrigo Torrejó...

We’re taking a trip down I-95 South to Washington, D.C.! Host Trenae Nuri chats with City Cast DC host Bridget Todd about the most iconic D.C. spots to grab a bite, which tourist traps to avoid, and how folks from the City of Brotherly Love and the nation's capital relate to each other. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our mor...