City Cast Philly

It’s our weekly politics episode. Host Trenae Nuri talks with our political contributor, Lauren Vidas, about the “ Super Bowl for city finance nerds”: Mayor Cherelle Parker’s budget address. Plus, we cover city council’s plan to hold a hearing next month to limit ICE operations and new proposals for tenant protections.  Read more about the happenings in city hall from Lauren here.  Find out more a...

Chef Marc Vetri is a lifelong Philadelphian who made his mark in this city with Vetri Cucina, an intimate, game-changing restaurant in a historic townhouse on Spruce Street. He has continued to elevate Philly's food scene by opening Osteria, Amis, Pizzeria Vetri, Lo Spiedo, Alla Spina, and Fiorella. Plus, he's championing community through nutrition education with Vetri Community Partnership. At a...

We love to say we live in Philly, but when someone asks what neighborhood we live in, what do we say? In this city, neighborhood names are always changing. And saying you live in “West Philly” doesn’t always tell people exactly where you live. So today, we’re revisiting a classic Philly debate: what do we actually call our neighborhoods? And we’re putting City Cast Philly’s Trenae Nuri, Siani Colo...

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Philadelphia are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s on...

It’s the Friday News Round-up, with host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz. We’re discussing joy in Philly schools, and how new rules on bathroom breaks and half-days might affect that. Also, why was Marsha’s on South Street – a queer-owned women’s sports bar – inspected by the police on a busy night? And the World Cup is less than 100 days away: Time to pick which team playing in Phill...

You don't have to be a career politician to help make zoning decisions, or add a speed bump on your block, or even move the intercity bus stop out of your neighborhood. And if you’re frustrated about potholes and trash, there are ways to get involved in your community to fix that. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Violet Comber-Wilen, a reporter at Billy Penn, about how surprisingly easy it can be to le...

The school district is proposing major changes to its schools. And it could dramatically impact neighborhoods in the process. Philadelphians have not been quiet about their feelings. District officials say this is all in an effort to address lower enrollment, dilapidated buildings, and overcrowded classrooms. But are parents, students, and teachers' concerns being heard? Carly Sitrin, bureau chief...

We've got a grab bag of news about the way Philly sports affect our culture. Listen for predictions about A.J. Brown's future with the Eagles and his heartfelt message to other NFL players. We also discuss which boxer statue should be at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, and why. Host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Matt Katz, and City Cast Philly sports contributor O.J. Spivey brin...

We’re starting to thaw out from the winter and we’re ready to get outside. In today’s show, you’ll hear where to go for free mojitos and how artists transformed an old bank in Old City into an immersive experience. We’re also talking about a unique coffee shop that just opened in University City, and if you need more coffee shop ideas, don’t miss our rundown of the best places in Philly to get caf...

A lot of cities, including Philly, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris ab...

On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz look at PECO’s profits as our energy bills go up and up. Plus, what are our city’s elected officials really up to on social media? And the Franklin Mall is closing, at least temporarily, so we look back to its heyday (when it was called the Franklin Mills Mall). Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local jou...

This year’s “One Book, One Philadelphia” launches today, and on today’s show we reveal which book has been selected. The annual program run by the Free Library of Philadelphia aims to have Philly reading the same book all year long. Host Trenae Nuri will be reading the book, but first she’s sitting down with Amir Richardson, the library system’s director of community programs and event production....

As state legislators begin to talk about next year's budget, data centers have taken center stage, sparking negotiations over proposed regulations. The companies behind data centers promise new jobs, but there’s growing concern among lawmakers over the loss of billions of dollars due to their eligibility for a tax exemption and their impact on the environment and utility costs. Host Trenae Nuri is...

As we’re thawing out from this week’s blizzard – and shoveling out our cars and sidewalks – take a break and watch a Philly movie. Today is a great day to curl up and listen back to host Trenae Nuri chat with Len Webb and Vincent Williams, film critics from ⁠The Micheaux Mission podcast⁠, about the most essential Philly movies to watch.  This episode originally aired on December 9, 2024.  ⁠Our new...

Today, host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz give an update on the ongoing intercity bus terminal saga. Plus, they discuss how the city installed 76 monitors to track neighborhood air quality, and there's a brewing controversy over $1 million in security upgrades at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private home.  A meeting to get public input on the bus station proposals will be held Feb. 25 at the...

Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including Philadelphians. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down...

On today’s Friday news round-up, we talk about the Trump Administration being forced to reinstall panels about slavery at President George Washington’s house on Independence Mall, Pat’s rebooting its cheesesteak, and the lingering nastiness of last month’s snowstorm. We also recall the phenomenal contributions of mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar of the Magic Gardens, who died this week. Host Trenae Nuri...

Restaurant weeks in Philly are a chance to eat and drink at some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants for a fraction of the cost. But are these seasonal promotions worth the effort for Philly restaurants? And is the experience worth spending your money on? And do we even need them to begin with? Our food contributor Alisha Miranda joins host Trenae Nuri to talk about restaurant week culture...

In this week’s politics episode, we take a look at the Stop Trashing Our Air Act – a bill introduced by City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier that could ban Philadelphia from burning trash in Chester, PA, a city just south of Philly. Each year, the city collects 610,000 tons of waste, and one-third of it ends up getting incinerated in Chester where residents have complained that it causes health and e...

Wawas have been closing all around Philly for the past couple of years. Now Sheetz wants a piece of their pie. Why are Wawas shutting down stores in Philly proper? Has the quality of their hoagie gone downhill, or are we just getting older? Why are some Wawa stores bonkers, and others a place where everyone knows your name? And why, in the event of an apocalypse, would the first thing we say be: “...

All eyes have been on the Twin Cities lately, including Philadelphians’. Operation Metro Surge is reportedly ending in Minnesota, with the withdrawal of immigration agents expected over the next week. Over the last two months, though, residents of the Twin Cities have organized a range of local collective action efforts including protests, mutual aid, and monitoring ICE — and they’ve done it quick...

It’s the Friday News Roundup. We’re talking about anger over the school district’s plan to close 20 schools and how these cold winter days are straining our streets, subways, and libraries. Plus, host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz discuss the latest on the decision to relocate the “Smokin’” Joe Frazier statue to the bottom of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Also, with s...

McGillin’s Olde Ale House isn’t just the oldest bar in the city; it may also be Cupid’s most frequented watering hole. With Valentine’s Day this weekend, we’re listening back to a conversation between host Trenae Nuri and Chris Mullins, the bar’s owner, about hundreds of couples who found love at the ale house. They also talk about the “Love Letters Book,” which lists the signatures of couples who...

With the retirement of Congressman Dwight Evans, Philly has an election this year for an open congressional seat, which doesn’t come along very often. That’s why there are at least 10 Democrats vying for the seat in the May primary. The third congressional district covers most of the city and is very blue, making the primary in three months the race to watch. But how are voters supposed to make se...

Philly restaurants are top-tier. Old and new food establishments are serving some of the most craveable food and drinks around. Host Trenae Nuri talked with food contributor Alisha Miranda about the iconic dishes you need to try at Philly’s best restaurants. Whether it's a sesame-crust hot-honey pizza or a duck fat cubano, you can’t get these signature meals anywhere else.  Our newsletter has Phil...