City Cast Philly

The past few days have been pretty chaotic and unsettling over the chemical spill in Bucks County that raised concerns about Philly’s tap water. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Frank Kummer, environmental reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, about how this all happened and how the region’s infrastructure keeps the city’s drinking water safe.  Check here for live updates on Philly’s water.  Want som...

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.  Did the episode inspire you to get a vanity plate? You can apply for a personal licensed...

Imagine this. You’re sitting outside in what you think is your backyard. Until the city says that your whole backyard isn’t technically yours; it’s apart of a public golf course. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Bernard Brown, writer for Grid Philly, about how property lines got crossed in Overbrook Park.  Read Bernard’s full story here. To reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug u...

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Thomas Fitzgerald, transportation reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Aaron Moselle, housing and community development reporter for WHYY’s PlanPhilly. We talk about how SEPTA’s updating its bus plan, an investigation over asbestos in Philly schools, and when street sweeping is coming back.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by...

Spring Fling Week is on a roll. The weather has been pretty nice this week — especially for roller skating. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Stevi Lukacz and Dirt Hutchinson of Philly Quad Fund, a community of skaters making skating more financially accessible. Plus, they talk about the best places and surfaces to find your skating flow in the city.  Philly-based skate groups and spots mentioned in thi...

We’re continuing our Spring Fling Week. From the meadows of FDR Park to the Belmont Plateau, Philly has some amazing green space. 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 the variety of programming happening at city parks.  When the Boathouse Row lights resume later th...

We live in a city full of interesting people, historic landmarks, and a wide variety of birds. Host Trenae Nuri and Elise Greenberg, founder of Philly Queer Birders, chat about some of the best places in the city to see our feathered neighbors.  Elise’s favorite places to spot birds in Philly: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum FDR Park  Penny Pack Park  Want some more Philly news? The...

It’s spring! And it’s time to do some cleaning. But before you throw out your old junk and take it to the curb, there are businesses in our city that are recycling and repurposing used goods in a more meaningful and sustainable way. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Nic Esposito, director of policy and engagement at Circular Philadelphia, about how his organization is advocating for policy changes to bu...

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, and Cherri Gregg, afternoon drive anchor for WHYY-90.9 FM and co-host of Studio 2. We talk about the old coffee can that’s used to select the mayoral ballot, top issues on voters' minds, crime reporting, potholes, and an AI poetry slam.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local jo...

Philadelphia is full of family-owned businesses that get passed down from generation to generation. For the Anastasio family, their seafood and produce business of the early 20th century blossomed into something completely different. Now, the family runs Anthony’s Italian Coffee & Chocolate House at the historic Italian Market in South Philly. So, how have they kept evolving for four generations?...

Governor Josh Shapiro is a huge sports fan. He recently sat courtside at a Sixers game, and was cheering for the Eagles at the Super Bowl. But who paid for those tickets? City Cast Pittsburgh Lead Producer Megan Harris chats with Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA, about the rules around gifts and campaign contributions to elected officials.  Check out Stephen's article on this stor...

Things are getting tight. Because of a federal reduction in SNAP benefits, 1.9 million Pennsylvanians lost additional money to buy groceries. These changes mean some families are losing an average of $181 per month food. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Chelsea Short, communications and marketing director at Philabundance, about how their group is filling the gap and keeping up with demand of food reso...

Be honest, what colors are on Philly’s municipal flag? Could you identify any symbols on it? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Alison McCook, assistant editor of the opinion page at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about what makes a flag “good” and memorable.  You can design your own Philly flag and read Alison’s full story.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter He...

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Vanessa Maria Graber, News Voices Director at Free Press and President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Philadelphia Chapter, and Lawrence McGlynn, co-host and producer of The Philadelphia Hall Monitor. We talk about ballot deadlines, toxic materials in Philadelphia school buildings, and the food and drink specials from...

Culturefest! happens this weekend at The Penn Museum. This month celebrates diverse women artists and creatives in our region. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly Arts and Culture Contributor Charles Tyson, Jr. talk about the work of Madhusmita Bora from Sattriya Dance Company, who’s carrying a 600-year-old traditional Indian prayer dance forward and performing at Culturefest! Want some more Phi...

The city landed a huge honor. We’re officially “certified welcoming” — a title given by Welcoming America — a national nonprofit that promotes economic opportunities for immigrants. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Amy Eusebio, executive director of the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, about what this certification means for Philadelphia and our immigrant communities.  Want some more Philly news? Th...

Have you ever gone down a Philly sidewalk and suddenly there was a giant construction barrier — and you had to risk your life moving around it? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Inga Saffron, Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic at the Philadelphia Inquirer, about why our sidewalks are such a mess.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twi...

Last week, Mayor Jim Kenney gave his final budget address. The budget proposal doesn’t raise taxes, gives city employees and low-income Philadelphians free SEPTA rides, and includes more funding for the Police Department. Host Trenae Nuri and Mike D’Onofrio, reporter for Axios Philadelphia, discuss other big ticket items in Kenney’s $6.1 billion proposal. Did you hear our Tip of the Day and want t...

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by city editor at the Philadelphia Tribune, Sharyn Flanagan, and senior reporter for Philadelphia Magazine, Victor Fiorillo, to discuss Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton’s historic rise, former Councilmember Bobby Henon’s sentencing, sit-ins happening at Drexel University, and Peeps-flavored Pepsi. Plus, the gro...

Cannabis law in the Keystone state is different depending on where you live. And while it's hard to say whether Pennsylvania will fully legalize cannabis this year, lawmakers could make other important changes to our cannabis laws. Host Trenae Nuri, City Cast Pittsburgh Lead Producer Megan Harris and Ed Mahon, investigative reporter for Spotlight PA, discuss proposals for decriminalization, DUI pr...

We’ve been talking on the show about the crowded mayor’s race. After all, voters will determine the city’s 100th mayor. In recent weeks, some candidates have picked up support from influential political groups. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly political contributor Denise Clay-Murray discuss if endorsements matter in this political race.  Watch Denise tonight on The Philadelphia Hall Monitor...

In Pennsylvania, public school teachers can’t legally wear religious garb while working. PA's the only state that still has such a ban. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Aubri Juhasz, WHYY’s education reporter, about a push to get rid of the ban this legislative session.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @cit...

Each week this month, we’ve been highlighting stories of Black Philadelphians doing incredible work in our city. And in the final week, host Trenae Nuri talks with Ajoa Abrokwa, founder of She is Focused, about how her healing journey lead her to having a renewed spirit in the great outdoors. Plus, she’s building a community of other women and girls to share a passion for cycling. Want some more P...

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Mensah Dean, staff writer for The Trace, and Ellie Rushing, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, to discuss the recent killing of Temple University officer Christopher Fitzgerald, how residents are responding to increased police presence in the city’s 39th, 25th, 24th and 22nd di...

A new drug called Xylazine has saturated Philly’s drug supply. It’s also known as Tranq, short for animal tranquilizer. The drug is leaving users with gaping wounds. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Kathleen Lalli, CEO of Kensington Hospital, about their wound van that has been treating the effects of this drug and why they are expanding their services now. The wound van is parked on 2755 Kensington Av...