City Cast Philly

Visitors from around the world love to visit the Rocky Balboa statue. But the bronze monument memorializes one of the most famous Philadelphians who never actually lived. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Paul Farber, director of Monument Lab, and host of The Statue podcast produced by WHYY Digital Studios, about why people love this fictional boxer so much and keeping Rocky’s legacy al...

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by freelance journalist Ben Seal and Philadelphia Inquirer real estate reporter Jake Blumgart, to discuss a new study from Temple University Hospital that found breaking news coverage on gun violence can be harmful for victims, how the city’s real estate development may slow down this year and how workers made Eeva the fi...

Center City District Restaurant Week is returning this year from Jan. 15-28, and it’s got a line-up of more than 60 eateries. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri chats with Cass Foley, a local food and culture influencer, about navigating two weeks’ worth of delicious meals and plenty of deals. For more food and event recommendations, follow Cass on Instagram @cass_andthecity.  Want some more Philly...

It’s a new year and a new state legislature agenda. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and political contributor Denise Clay-Murray chat about new leadership in Harrisburg and what issues lawmakers might focus on this 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 @citycastphilly Have a question or just want...

The Kensington Corridor Trust (KCT) is trying to help the community own more land in the neighborhood. This type of trust is the only one of its kind in Philly. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speaks with Crystal Ortiz, a business owner who’s been able to open a store in Kensington thanks to this nonprofit, and Adriana Abizadeh, executive director of KCT, about the organization’s hopes for the n...

When you think of the old west, you’re probably thinking about cowboys, horses, and those wide-brimmed hats. But it turns out that a hat maker here in Philadelphia invented that iconic style of cowboy hats. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with WHYY’s midday host, Avi Wolfman-Arent, about the historical significance of this invention and its once great impact on the city.  Check out Avi’s o...

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Philadelphia Inquirer editorial writer Daniel Pearson and our Eagles contributor and co-host of Bell and the Birdmen podcast John Barchard, to discuss this week’s status on the team’s starting quartback Jalen Hurts, updates on Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin, and if former two-term Mayor Michael Nutter is considering enter...

When it gets cold outside, sometimes you just want to get cozy and watch a movie. But what are some of the best films that feature our great city? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks movies you should know with Andrew Greenblatt, the CEO and executive director of the Philadelphia Film Society, that are about or filmed in Philadelphia.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for...

A tiny home village is expected to come to the city this year. Construction is slated for spring 2023 with hopes to have residents by the summer. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Cathy Farrell, board director of Sanctuary Village, a nonprofit focused on building a tiny home community in Philadelphia for people transitioning out of homelessness. Nuri and Farrell discuss how this housing...

Happy new year! We're kicking off 2023 with some resolutions for the city of Philadelphia. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, producer Abby Fritz, 'Hey, Philly' newsletter editor Brittany Valentine and some friends of the podcast share their hopes and plans for the new year. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follo...

We’re taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Most Thought Provoking Story.” Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links.  Wan...

We’re taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Biggest Phillies Fan.” Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links.  Want some m...

We’re taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Most Out of This World Story.”  Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links.  Wa...

We’re taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Most Likely to Outlive Us All.” Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links. Wan...

Philadelphians love to see holiday lights. But there’s one block in South Philly that shines bright. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri chats with 12-year-old James Spacco and his mom Natalie about what it means to decorate and live on the block known as “The Miracle on South 13th Street.” Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and In...

Joseph Augustus Zarelli, formerly known as the boy in the box, made headline news in the city. But there is another cold case involving a child known as “the girl in the box.” A young Black girl was found discarded in a box in the 60's. She has not received the same treatment as Zarelli. We have new forensic advancements, but how far will they take us? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speaks with...

Here in the state, liquor and wine sales are controlled by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The laws are among the most frustrating and restrictive in the nation. But a new pop-up shop in Philadelphia, BOTLD, has found a way to bypass the state’s liquor store system. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Michael Klein, who covers the food and the restaurant scene for the Inquirer, abo...

After two and a half years of sitting in a red, white and green plywood box, the Christopher Columbus statue in South Philly is visible again. It’s been at the center of multiple lawsuits over whether or not it should be taken down. But that years-long court battle finally came to an end recently. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Emily Neil, freelance reporter for Billy Penn, about the...

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Billy Penn director and editor Danya Henninger to discuss this week’s contentious town hall for the planned Sixers arena, year-end gun violence statistics, and how Philly’s “Chicken Man” continues to give back to the community. As the holidays get closer, you’re definitely going to want to check out Billy Penn’s hilari...

Philadelphia is one of the poorest big cities in the country. The Promise is working to getting 100,000 Philadelphians out of poverty by 2025. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Michael Banks, executive director of The Promise, about its first year and what still needs to be done.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and...

We’re fast approaching the winter solstice on Dec. 21. The city is just so fun this season, from the lights, to the pop-up holiday markets, to the festive drinks and pastries. On today’s episode, our host Trenae Nuri is chatting with Lauren Rei, program director of Wooder Ice, about how to have the most perfect winter day in Philly. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our mor...

Across the Commonwealth, a rivalry has raged on. No, it is not the Eagles vs. the Steelers or the Flyers vs. the Penguins... it’s much deeper than sports: It is our gas stations. It's time for the preeminent Sheetz vs. Wawa debate with City Cast Philly’s Trenae Nuri on Wawa’s side, City Cast Pittsburgh's Morgan Moody on the side of Sheetz, City Cast’s Wil Fulton as judge, plus you, the listener we...

In recent months, several independent coffee shops have unionized, and some of them received guidance from members of the Starbucks Workers United union.  On today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri speaks with Kay Perry, a barista from Ultimo Coffee, which won its union election last month, and Alex Riccio, a labor organizer who’s been helping these coffee shops start their movements.  Want some more Ph...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! This week, host Trenae Nuri is joined by PhillyVoice senior staff writer Kristin Hunt and Philadelphia Magazine editor-at-large Ernest Owens. The group discusses the potential harm caused by a Philly social media influencer’s latest viral stunt and the upcoming closure of the migrant detention center in Berks County. Plus, they share what stories they felt were overlo...

If you’re still looking for something to do this weekend, City Cast Philly arts contributor Charles Tyson, Jr. recommends a can’t-miss hip hop dance show “Rome & Jewels.” It’s a remake of Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet” and is being presented by Penn Live Arts at the Zellerbach Theater on Dec. 9 and 10. The show was created by Rennie Harris, a local artist and street dance legend. City Ca...