City Cast Philly

Our state budget was due 107 days ago. Pennsylvania is now the only state in the country with legislators who haven’t approved an annual spending plan. And that has big implications: We can’t fund schools or nonprofits, and the rape crisis center in our city had to shut down its services. Why is this happening? State Sen. Nikil Saval represents parts of South Philly, Center City, Southwest Philly,...

Tipping culture has changed dramatically in Philly. There’s flip screens to tip the barista at the coffee shop, and sometimes a 25% gratuity built into your check at a restaurant. Are we supposed to tip the guy giving us beers at Citizens Bank Park? And how much should we be giving? Host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Matt Katz, and food contributor Alisha Miranda are here to go over those situat...

It’s the Friday News Roundup. We’re talking about the real-world impacts of the Pennsylvania budget impasse, the very expensive state Supreme Court justice election, the City Hall bike lane project suddenly in limbo, and the new name and logo for the Philadelphia Art Museum. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz also dish about a new steakhouse that opened this week, and weekend plans...

We’re taking a ride over to Dream Park Equestrian Center in New Jersey, the temporary home for Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy, to talk about Philly’s deep-rooted Black cowboy culture with Ivan McClellan, founder and CEO of the 8 Seconds Rodeo; Erin “Concrete Cowgirl” Brown, director of Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy; and Darrell Gardner, horse trainer and rodeo rider. Come see the culture an...

We learned this week that there’s some good news when it comes to the city’s opioid crisis: Overdose deaths were down the last two years – and the rate this year is decreasing, too. This comes as the city changes course in how it handles the drug crisis. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Emily Rizzo, Kensington Voice accountability reporter, about this new approach and if it's working. She breaks down a...

People often ask us: “What should I do when visiting Philly?” Now, we have the answers. Send them the link to this episode, in which the City Cast Philly team (host Trenae Nuri, producer Abby Fritz, newsletter editor Siani Colón, and executive producer Matt Katz) are giving out-of-town guests and acquaintances some recommendations of our favorite must-do experiences, restaurants, and hidden gems i...

Center City's office buildings have struggled to bounce back from the pandemic. One reason is because the way we work has changed – some of us are home all the time, some are hybrid, and some are in the office daily. Jake Blumgart, real estate reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, talks about the current state of downtown office buildings, why their value and occupancy is so much lower than befor...

It's the Friday News Roundup! Executive producer Matt Katz and producer Abby Fritz are talking about how the government shutdown will affect Philadelphians, why taxpayers are on the hook for thousands of dollars in legal settlements over firings on a “hit list,” who the power broker is who get in trouble for a speech about Gaza, and why a federal agency is calling on SEPTA to pull half of its regi...

A quintessential October pastime is watching scary films. So we sat down with Christina Acevedo, Philly filmmaker and founder of the film club Girls Like Horror, about where to catch some of the most terrifying film events happening this month. Plus, we dig into her next movie project.  Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We’re also...

Whether your Halloween costume includes a mask or a cowboy hat, the City Cast Philly team have the perfect events where you can rock any get-ups this month. From a masquerade at a historical property on the Delaware River to a rodeo in the heart of the city, October is packed. And if all that isn't scary enough for you, here's some of the most haunted places you can visit around town. For even mor...

You’ve heard of farm-to-table, so what’s the deal with farm-to-glass? The latest from our bar scene shows Philly bartenders are turning produce into cocktails. From herby syrups and edible flowers to local wines and behind-the-bar fermentation, City Cast Philly food contributor Alisha Miranda tells host Trenae Nuri about the best places to drink up this new boozy trend and why it's the next big th...

The air we breathe in Philly is getting significantly worse. The American Lung Association reported that this year the Philly area is the 26th worst out of 200 areas in the  country. This is having dramatic effects on our health. Philly-based freelance writer Jordan Teicher breaks down why the air quality has taken a nosedive and what can be done about it. Read Jordan’s story in Grid Magazine here...

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about why our schools are losing millions due to a lack of a state budget – and why Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania treasurer (and gubernatorial candidate), is offering low-interest loans due to the budget impasse. Plus, we chat about the end of AIDS Walk Philly, new historical markers, and a bike lane coming smack in the center of town. Host Trenae Nuri and...

The team is here to save you some cash on groceries. Some of us bargain hunters and others just love niche markets and farm-to-table products. But we all have opinions where to find the best eggs, fresh produce, and cheap snacks. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by executive producer Matt Katz, producer Abby Fritz, and Hey Philly newsletter editor Siani Colon to let you in on the best grocery shopping h...

Mayor Cherelle Parker just signed a new law targeted at reducing shootings in the city and it’s believed to be the first in the nation. This new law requires gun shops to post a bright orange sign in their stores as a deterrent of anyone buying a gun for someone who can’t legally own one – a practice known as straw purchasing. ⁠Mensah Dean⁠, staff writer at The Trace, talks with host Trenae Nuri t...

Under an executive order issued by President Trump mandating removal of material at national monuments, museums, and parks that “inappropriately disparage Americans,” the National Park Service is planning to remove mentions of slavery from the President’s House exhibit at Independence National Historical Park on 6th and Market Streets. Host Trenae Nuri talks with the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, histori...

Gambling is everywhere in Philly – from sports betting apps to the lottery, skill games to casinos. Since gambling can be incredibly addictive, there’s a state service designed to allow people to ban themselves from casinos and gambling apps. But it’s not really working, and people are paying the price. Isaac Avilusea, reporter for Axios Philadelphia, joins host Trenae Nuri today to talk about his...

This is our Friday News Roundup, with host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz. We talk about how the Trump administration is removing exhibits about slavery from Independence National Historic Park, where ICE raided on Monday morning, why District Attorney Larry Krasner is holding town hall meetings warning of a U.S. military invasion on the city, what the reaction to Governor Josh Shapi...

Philadelphia Rugby Football Club has been hitting the pitch since the 1970s, making it one of the oldest teams in the country. As the Supreme Court considers banning trans people from participating in scholastic sports, this club team is championing the push to make rugby a welcoming space for all. And when our producer Abby Fritz isn’t helping make City Cast Philly, she plays for PRFC. She brough...

Democrats in Philly keep searching for ways to push back against President Trump and the policies that they say harm our city. So some are turning to Conor Lamb, a former Democratic congressman from Western Pennsylvania who lost to Sen. John Fetterman in the 2022 primary. On today’s show host Trenae Nuri teams up with City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris to talk to Lamb about how he thinks local...

 Did you know your car can be towed in Philly, even if it’s parked legally? “Courtesy towing” is a longtime – and uniquely Philly – practice where a car is moved without notice to an unknown location in order to accommodate construction or events. And it has left some Philadelphians wondering where the heck their car went. In today’s show we’re repairing a chat that host Trenae Nuri had with Bill...

The Mütter Museum, one of Philly’s prominent institutions, has rethought the ethical considerations around its collection and display of bodies and body parts. This institution gives us a sometimes graphic window into medical mysteries through its displays of human specimens, and it has now completed what it calls a Postmortem Project to modernize its approach to the displays of the deceased. Host...

It’s the Friday News Roundup. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz talk about this week's headlines, including: SEPTA cuts getting reversed (thank goodness – but what are the consequences of how it all went down?), speed cameras on Broad Street (is 25 mph too slow?), and the judicial retention election this fall (we explain what that means). Plus, our spit-take on Philly sports. Our F...

All week, we’ve been hanging out on South Street and learning about its past, present and future. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Siani Colón, Hey Philly newsletter editor, about the  businesses, bars and even bookshops in Queen Village, a neighborhood along the East side of South Street.  Check out Siani’s Graduate Hospital neighborhood guide here.   Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our ne...

This is part 3 of our South Street Series covering what we consider Philly's most iconic street. We take a look at the mix of businesses that have made South Street distinct, with interviews from Drexel University Professor Richardson Dilworth, Condom Kingdom owner Stu Schlaffman, Streets Dept. founder Conrad Benner, Councilmember Mark Squilla, and Jim’s South Street president Ken Silver. And ICYM...