City Cast Philly

It’s the Wednesday politics show. Last week the Parker administration announced that the city is scrapping a longstanding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative that mandates a certain percentage of government contracts go to minority, women, or disabled-owned businesses. That prompted criticism. But yesterday, Mayor Parker held a press conference detailing a new plan for contracting with bus...

Do you have friends or family coming in for the holidays? Do they need a place to stay … that isn't the couch in your living room? Fortunately, we're seeing a boom in boutique hotels around the city. Today we're revisiting host Trenae Nuri’s conversation with co-owners Scott Yesner and Wendell Holland of The Gas Lamp Hotel in Old City. Other newish boutique hotels in the city include Yowie and Soc...

There’s something special about West Philly, especially along Baltimore Avenue. It runs through neighborhoods like Spruce Hill and Cedar Park, with beloved coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and bookstores. But some things are changing. Freelance writer (and events newsletter writer) Jen Kinney points out that storefronts are staying empty longer and vape shops are replacing neighborhood favorites....

It’s the Friday News Roundup. We’re talking about what’s inside the new state budget, Pennsylvania politics down at the U.S. Capitol, Mayor Cherelle Parker getting rid of diversity requirements for city contracts, the former Philadelphia Art Museum CEO is suing over her termination, the death of the penny, and where a new red light camera is located. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Ka...

Times are tough, Philly. But you can still get out and have an excellent meal for cheap. Host Trenae Nuri and our City Cast Philly food contributor, Alisha Miranda, show you how to eat in Philly for $25 or less. Listen with the Notes app on your phone open, because there are a ton of recommendations in this show.  Where are you eating for cheap? Call or text us: 215-259-8170 For more food news and...

Hundreds of commuters rely on SEPTA, but it’s been battling challenges at every turn. The transit agency faces a federal deadline to inspect its fleet of Regional Rail cars, which have repeatedly caught fire. The labor contract with its largest employees union has expired. And long-term funding needs are still unfilled by the state legislature. But Scott Sauer, general manager of SEPTA, tells host...

For the last decade, researcher Chris Gibbons has worked to identify each and every person from the storied Roman Catholic High School who died in World War I. Why? For Veterans Day, Trenae Nuri revisits her conversation with Gibbons about the men who fought and died in a now largely forgotten war, and why it’s so important to commemorate their sacrifices.  This episode originally aired on April 1...

How is artificial intelligence used by the Philadelphia Police, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and City Hall? AI has been integrated into many aspects of city government, from issuing parking tickets to operating drones. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Meir Rinde, investigative reporter for Billy Penn, about how our local government is using AI to address problems and why there are concerns abou...

It’s the Friday News Roundup. We’re talking about the relatively high voter turnout in this week’s election and what that says about Philly (and Trump). Plus: SEPTA has new challenges, hotel workers have a new contract, 76ers Joel Embiid isn’t playing much (but just sold his penthouse), and did the termination of the CEO of the Philadelphia Art Museum have something to do with DEI? Host Trenae Nur...

Our Philly accent is having a moment. A Northeast Philly native who does Philly ASMR videos on TikTok is going viral. And the Philly/Delco accent is almost like a character in itself on the hit HBO show “Task.” So we’re revisiting host Trenae Nuri’s hilarious conversation from earlier this year with comedian Lauren S. Daniels, a Philly native who does online skits about Philly and impersonations o...

District Attorney cruised to a third term on Tuesday against an opponent, Pat Dugan, whom he had already vanquished in the Democratic primary. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz give you the latest on that race – and in the hugely consequential state supreme court retention election – in this Election Day round-up. Plus, a look at the two major local elections in 2026.  Get Philly n...

Philly's skyline has everything from the oldest residential homes in the country on Elfreth's Alley to the skyscrapers in Center City to the twin houses of West Philly. Philly's architecture tells stories about its history — if you know where to look. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Chris Hytha, a Philly artist who has been studying and documenting Philly's built world, about the city's most iconic ar...

Daylight saving time ended at the start of the month, so the days are shorter with less sunlight. Not to worry, the City Cast Philly has curated a list of events, places to eat, free stuff to do, and ways to get involved in Philly this November. Don't miss the parades, a community cumbia lesson, and an exhibit about death at the library. Plus, make sure to go out and vote tomorrow! Here's a last-m...

It’s the Friday News Round up. We offer our guide to Philly’s election next week and explain why these races matter to the city and state. We tell you where to get free food in the city as SNAP benefits run out. Plus, the Philadelphia Parking Authority may renovate the intercity bus terminal and move it back to Filbert Street!?! Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz talk about these st...

A new mural was unveiled this month on the Sansom Street side of the Philadelphia Film Society Center called “Films Shaped by a City,” featuring many Philly films like The Sixth Sense, 12 Monkeys, and Trading Places. So we’re listening back to our conversation with local film critics Len Webb and Vincent Williams from The MICHEAUX MISSION podcast, about our favorite Philly films.  What’s your favo...

State Rep. Joanna McClinton runs Pennsylvania’s House. She’s a Philly Democrat and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the commonwealth, the top legislative Democrat in the state. And that means she’s one of the very few people involved in negotiations over our state budget. That budget was due back on July 1st. But the legislature still hasn’t passed it, and the consequences are dire. Wha...

Mayor Cherelle Parker has been quiet about President Trump's policies targeting cities. Some Philadelphians may want her to be more vocal, but does speaking out pose risks? Denise Clay-Murray, co-host of Philadelphia Hall Monitor, and City Cast Philly political contributor Lauren Vidas talk with host Trenae Nuri about how and why the mayor is pulling her punches when it comes to the president.  Yo...

Cities across the country have been reeling because of heightened immigration enforcement. So, how are Philly's immigrant communities being impacted? Peter Pedemonti, co-director of New Sanctuary Movement –  a faith-based organization – works to educate, advocate, and protect families.  Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We’re also...

Thousands of households across Philly could soon have their SNAP benefits pulled due to the federal government shutdown. We're talking about that and the ongoing case of Kada Scott, how City Council is cracking down on smoke shops, and the Eagles welcoming back Brandon Graham. Host Trenae Nuri and producer Abby Fritz discuss these stories and weekend events on this week's Friday news roundup.  Our...

On October 27, 1682, Philadelphia was founded by William Penn. At the time it wasn't much more than a rectangle between two rivers – now known as Center City. Over the last 343 years, Philly has expanded to include more neighborhoods in the city limits. But there’s just so many neighborhood names now and they’re constantly changing. We’re revisiting an enduring topic of discussion in Philly: What’...

On the ballot for the Nov. 4 election are a bunch of judges, two candidates for District Attorney, and — maybe most importantly — three Supreme Court justices, who are up for what’s known as “retention.” If they win, they keep their seats and Democrats will continue to control Pennsylvania’s court. If they lose, changes could be on the way on everything from abortion access to election law — poten...

Halloween is 10 days away and over in West Philly, Dyresha Harris and her partner, Eo, are creating a special database. It’s called the West Philly Fright Registry, and it shows which houses are doing it big for Halloween. It's a completely community generated list of who’s got the best candy and decorations. Check out the Fright Registry here. And maybe create one for your own neighborhood? Get P...

The city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars since 2021 buying one-way bus tickets out of Philly for unhoused people. The voluntary program is described by one city official as Philly’s “most efficient program in ending homelessness.” But what happens after someone gets on that bus? Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Claudia Vargas, NBC10 investigative reporter, and Ali Ingersoll, NBC10 investiga...

It’s the Friday News Roundup with host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz. There’s more fall-out from the state budget crisis, the arsonist who tried to kill Gov. Josh Shapiro pleads guilty, two crimes this week are shaking our city even as there’s hopeful news when it comes to homicide statistics, kids’ sports facilities need help, and we’re pulling for a goat named Ray who needs a whee...

We've been keeping an eye on the Pennsylvania foliage report, and parts of the state have already reached "peak color." That means the trees are looking good! So to catch a glimpse at the changing colors, we're taking a hike. In an interview from July, host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Matt Katz, and Hey Philly newsletter editor Siani Colón got recommendations from two Inquirer reporters, Frank...