City Cast Philly

Philadelphia uses a private law firm, known as the landlord-tenant officer, and private security companies, to carry out many evictions. This practice has come under fire recently after two attempted evictions resulted in private security officers shooting off their weapons. In one case, a tenant was shot in the head and had to be rushed to the hospital. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Aaron Moselle,...

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Meir Rinde, investigative reporter at Billy Penn, and Erin McCarthy, consumer reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss how to stay cool during the summer, how travelers are dealing with the new Greyhound Bus stop location, and why some families are getting priced out of Jersey shore vacation home rentals.  Our Friday news roun...

Philly‘s had some wild weather this summer. There’s been a drought watch, downpours, as well as killer heat and humidity. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Frank Kummer, regional environmental reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about how climate change drives all different kinds of extreme weather we feel in Philly. Read more of Frank’s reporting here.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to...

All summer long, we’ve talked about music festivals, free events and places to eat. Add a dance show to your list! Philly has a strong, innovative dance community. Host Trenae Nuri and Charles Tyson Jr., City Cast Philly’s arts and culture contributor, talk about some of the must see dance performances taking stage in the city this summer.   Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up fo...

It’s no secret Philly gets unbearably hot in the summer. So every year, people find a place to swim in a nearby creek in the Wissahickon Valley Park in Northwest Philly called Devil’s Pool. But it’s totally against park rules to swim in the creek. Host Trenae Nuri and Ben Seal, freelance reporter for Grid Philly, discuss why are people still going in the water.  Want some more Philly news? Then ma...

In West Philly’s Spruce Hill, homeowners are hoping that the third time’s the charm to get the area declared a historic district, in order to protect its vast collection of Victorian homes from demolition. However, this plan isn’t popular with everyone in the neighborhood. The student housing companies that own many of these properties want to keep their options open for future development, and so...

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ellie Rushing, criminal justice reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia. They discuss what we know about this week’s mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighborhood, how gun violence is trending in the city overall, and how Bucks County prosecutors busted an allegedly multimillion-dollar c...

McGlinchey’s Bar is a long-standing dive on South 15th Street in Center City. It’s also one of the few bars that still allows customers to smoke, despite a 2008 ban on smoking in most indoor spaces. Host Trenae Nuri sits down with Ali Mohsen, food and beverage reporter for Billy Penn, and Sheldon Sokol, co-owner of McGlinchey’s Bar, about the culture and policies that are keeping Philly's smoking...

Philadelphia is known for the Rocky statue, the Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks. But this city also has Philbert the Pig, and a bunch of other weird and fun places to visit. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura, a website devoted to finding the most remarkable places around the world, about his recommendations in Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us...

Not all roads in Pennsylvania lead to getting a vanity plate green lit. Host Trenae Nuri joins City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Elizabeth Kauma to break down what phrases, acronyms or combination of up to seven letters and numbers get rejected by the state when it comes to personalized license plates. This episode aired in March 2023.  Did the episode inspire you to get a vanity plate? You...

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Thomas Fitzgerald, transportation reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Meir Rinde, investigative reporter at Billy Penn. They discuss why the conservative school board group Moms for Liberty is hosting a summit in Philly this weekend, the new temporary lanes on I-95, and some alternative walking tours in the city that explore more...

July 4th is a big deal, especially here in Philadelphia. This city is the birthplace of the nation, and its former capital. Our streets carry years of history and tradition. Host Trenae Nuri chats with City Cast Philly lead producer Laura Benshoff and producer Abby Fritz about all the ways Philly celebrates the Independence Day! Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning...

From music to binoculars to cake pans, your Philly library card can be used to check out way more than books. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Christine Caputo, youth services administrator and city programming manager at the Free Library of Philadelphia, about all your local library branch has to offer. Find your closest library here.  Other links from the episode: Listen back to our episode about Phi...

From the meadows of FDR Park to the Belmont Plateau, Philly has some amazing green spaces. There’s more than 10,000 acres of park land and lots to do there. Host Trenae Nuri talks with John Sigmund, public programs manager at the Fairmount Park Conservancy about all of the different kinds of activities available at your local park. This episode originally aired March 22, 2023.  Want some more Phil...

Downtown Market East has seen a lot of changes over the past few years. New restaurants, office spaces, and apartments are popping up. Even the 76ers have their eyes on this neighborhood. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Ben Seal, freelancer reporter for Billy Penn, about what new development is still coming to Market East and why businesses are so attracted to this side of town.  You can read Ben’s f...

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Maggie Mancini, staff writer at Philly Voice, and Kimberly Haas, staff writer at Hidden City. They discuss how speed cameras on Roosevelt Blvd could become permanent, Pennsylvania House passes a bill to raise minimum wage in the state, and new landmarks are added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.  Our Friday news roundups...

This is the final episode of our Summer Entertainment Guide, where we help you make sense of summer’s overwhelming options for how to spend your days. In Philly, there’s no shortage of unique experiences and free events happening. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz chat about free movie nights, museum tours, and groups to join in the city.  We mentioned earlier episodes on b...

Have you ever gone down a Philly sidewalk and suddenly there was a giant construction barrier — and you had to risk your life moving into the street just to take a detour? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Inga Saffron, Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic at the Philadelphia Inquirer, about why she says our sidewalks are such a mess. This episode originally aired on March 7, 2023.  Want some more...

Summer brings great weather, time outside, and, of course, great food. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Dave Wez, creator of the food blog Feeding Time TV, about what’s on the menu at some of his favorite happy hours, places to grab oysters, and water ice spots. Plus, he gives recommendations on how to impress your guests at the next cookout.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for o...

It’s the Friday News Roundup. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Denise Clay-Murray, City Cast Philly political contributor and co-host of The Philadelphia Hall Monitor, and Thomas Fitzgerald, transportation reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss the I-95 rebuild, safety concerns on SEPTA, and City Council plans to hold hearings on the proposed Roosevelt Boulevard subway line.  Our Friday...

For the next installment of our Summer Entertainment Guide, where we help you make the most of this season. Host Trenae Nuri chats with O.J. Spivey, Philadelphia Tribune sports contributor, about the best way to enjoy a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. Take Me Out to The Ballgame was performed by Kevin MacLeod. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. W...

A tanker truck caught fire beneath I-95 Sunday morning, causing the north bound lanes of the highway to collapse. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued a disaster declaration. Repairs are expected to take months. It’s left the Northeast Philly region in a traffic nightmare. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Danya Henninger, director and editor at Billy Penn, about the impact this has been on the sur...

Michelin's Green Guide, a French tourism guide, recently gave Philly an interesting honor. It named our city the Frenchest American city. How did we beat out New Orleans? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Stephanie Farr, columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about Philly’s French connection.  Stephanie’s full story is here. Read the latest on the bridge collapse on I-95.  Want some more Philly news? T...

Pools are a quintessential part of summer, but Philly’s pools have been struggling. It is not because people don’t want to to go to them, but because they can’t find the staff. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Alex Hughes-Taylor, Aquatics Director at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and Robin Borlandoe, a retiree-turned-Philadelphia lifeguard who has been trying to solve the staffing shortage.  The cit...

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, Frank Kummer, environmental reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Anthony Wood, environmental reporter covering the atmosphere at the Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss the city’s air quality from Canadian wildfires, mayoral candidates want to do debates before the general election in...