City Cast Philly

From why you should avoid grocery shopping on Sunday, to items that are weirdly cheaper at Whole Foods, we’ve got your insider’s guide to stocking up in Philly. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Laura Benshoff, and producer Abby Fritz break down your grocery shopping options in the city, as well as their best store hacks and tips for getting a good deal. Want to know what else Philly's talking about? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In 2017, spotted lanternflies showed up in Philly. This invasive species is a threat to local agriculture, so Philadelphians got really into smashing the bugs. Spotted lanternfly numbers have since declined in the city, but you still see these red and grey insects around. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Henry Savage, civics reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about what happened to the hoards of spotted lanternflies we used to see, and whether we should still bother to squish them. Read Henry’s full story here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Sean Collins Walsh, City Hall reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and John Barchard, City Cast Philly sports contributor and co-host of the Bell and the Birdmen podcast. They discuss major City Council races and controversial legislation coming this fall, the Eagles' season opener against the New England Patriots on Sunday, and the best places to grab a bite on game day. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Gov. Josh Shapiro is backing third-party progressive Kendra Brooks for Philly City Council Where to find free or low-cost COVID tests in Philadelphia Eagles want "everyone's best punch," and it begins Sunday vs. Patriots at New England Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, the first Black woman to serve in this high-profile position, is leaving her post at the end of the month. Outlaw led the department through the pandemic, massive protests about policing, and a spike in gun violence. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Chris Palmer, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about Outlaw’s legacy and what’s next for the city. Read Chris’ full story here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philly has a lot of litter, enough that it’s earned the nickname “Filthadelphia.” One way our city deals with trash is with the BigBelly Program, hundreds of solar-powered trash compactors located in major commercial districts. These trashcans cost around $6,000 a piece and send an alert to the Streets Department when they get full. But some residents and business organizations say the bins overflow, break down, and simply attract more litter. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Meir Rinde, investigative reporter at Billy Penn, about these complaints and ways the city could clean up their performance.

Parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, all drink from the same water supply: the Delaware River. And there's a rocky history of sharing this precious resource. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Kyle Bagenstose, an independent environmental journalist, about why climate change could force a showdown between Philadelphia and New York City over control of the drinking water supply, and how our city is planning for that threat. Read Kyle’s full story here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday News Roundup! But, a little different this time. We're talking big picture... about the changes we’re most excited to see in our city, the most pressing issues facing residents, and how we can all stay better connected. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Afea Tucker, Philadelphia community engagement reporter for The Trace, Conrad Benner, founder of Streets Dept, a local art blog, and City Cast Philly Arts & Culture contributor Charles Tyson, Jr. This live show was taped at the Indy Hall Clubhouse in Northern Liberties on August 30, 2023. Find out more about our guests’ work here: Afea Tucker: Email [email protected] or visit Up The Block and TheTrace.org Charles Tyson, Jr.: Follow @neverskurred on Instagram and X. Or, listen to the Full Circle Pod Conrad Benner: Follow @streetsdept on Instagram, X, and TikTok. Check out StreetsDept.com Our live event was also powered by a great Philly business: the Indy Hall Clubhouse & Community. Indy Hall is Philly's original community of freelancers, remote workers, and more. It's for those who love their freedom and flexibility, but don't like always feeling alone. Their clubhouse in Northern Liberties, near 2nd and Spring Garden, is Indy Hall's latest home, providing a comfortable and flexible place to work, play, and get to know people doing all kinds of cool things in Philadelphia. They'd love to meet you, so check out their website, and their upcoming event schedule, at indyhall.org. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philadelphia has 40,000 vacant lots, according to city data. Keeping them clean and green can help reduce crime and littering, and even raise property values. So, what can your community do to start repurposing a vacant lot? Host Trenae Nuri and Nate Hommel, director of planning and design for University City District, talked through the steps for turning a neglected space into a community oasis back in April. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pickleball fever has swept Philly — and the nation. A mix of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong, the game is now the fastest growing sport in America, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Philly alone is home to more than a dozen public and private pickleball courts. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Andrew Freedman, an instructor and ambassador for USA Pickleball, about why this sport is so popular and how you can start playing. For more information about Andrew's pickleball meetups in Seger Park, click here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In Philly, there are official parking regulations... and then there are those unwritten rules, legal or otherwise. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Laura Benshoff, and producer Abby Fritz break down Philly's lawless parking culture and share their hacks to finding the perfect spot in the city. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philly's new school year starts next week, but districts across Pennsylvania have struggled to hire and retain enough teachers to fully staff their classrooms. By county, Philadelphia had the highest teacher attrition rate statewide at 16.4%, according to Penn State’s Center for Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis. Host Trenae Nuri chats with City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris to unpack one of Pennsylvania’s most complicated education issues, and find out how students and teachers are coping with this shortage. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Paul Schwedelson, commercial real estate reporter at The Philadelphia Business Journal, and Sean Collins Walsh, City Hall reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss the plan to redevelop a five-acre area by the North Philadelphia train station, what the city’s mayoral candidates have been up to this summer, and the design group opposing the 76ers' stadium proposal. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Corropolese Tomato Pie chip comes out on top in Herr’s ‘Flavored by Philly’ contest Developers buy long-vacant site next to North Philadelphia train station, plan massive mixed-use project A large Philly-based group of architects and designers just came out against the 76ers’ arena plan Hundreds of Philly politicos partied in North Wildwood to toast the Democratic machine’s resurgence RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly! Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Summer is fading fast, but there's still time to grab a bite to eat or a drink at one of Philly's many patios or sidewalk cafes. Back in May, host Trenae Nuri talked with Ben Fileccia, lobbyist with the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, about how city regulations closed down many outdoor dining options that opened during the pandemic, and where you can still eat outside. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

A Philadelphia police officer shot and killed 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry in North Philly last week. A police department spokesperson initially said Irizarry got out of his car and lunged at officers with a knife in his hand. But almost immediately, officials walked back that account, leaving many unanswered questions about the shooting. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Ellie Rushing and Rodrigo Torrejón, criminal justice reporters at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about what we know so far and how Irizarry's family and community are responding to his death. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

We’re taking a trip down I-95 South to Washington, D.C.! Host Trenae Nuri chats with City Cast DC host Bridget Todd about the most iconic D.C. spots to grab a bite, which tourist traps to avoid, and how folks from the City of Brotherly Love and the nation's capital relate to each other. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Atlanta, Chicago, and New York have all transformed unused railroad lines into beautiful public parks. Philly has been trying to do a similar makeover with the Reading Viaduct for around 20 years. But so far, only a tiny stretch has been completed. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Inga Saffron, architecture columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about what’s derailing this project's progress. Read Inga’s full story here. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Tom Fitzgerald, transportation reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer and Meir Rinde, investigative reporter for Billy Penn. They discuss what's causing SEPTA’s recent string of crashes, why the transit agency's drivers are facing more abuse from passengers, and local political figures connected to the most recent Trump indictment. Plus, the Boss postponed his long-awaited Philly shows! Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: SEPTA drivers are increasingly victim to abuse and assaults. Some say the agency isn’t doing enough to protect them. SEPTA and Amtrak plan to reconnect their train stations at 30th Street Pennsylvania’s ‘fake electors’ are unlikely to face consequences. Here’s what they’re up to. Who is Mike Roman, the Philly campaign operative charged in Georgia with helping Trump efforts to overturn the 2020 election? RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philly and South Jersey residents have long complained about loud music blasting from cars during late night ‘boom parties' held along the Delaware River. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with PhillyVoice reporter Maggie Mancini about how New Jersey and Philly are pulling the plug on these meetups, and nuisance cars in general, with new laws and fines. Read Maggie’s full story here. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Crimes against the elderly are on the rise, according to the Pennsylvania state courts. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Alex Blumenthal, supervisor of the Elder Justice Unit in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, and Sarina Issenberg, coordinator of the Philadelphia Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team, about local initiatives to combat these crimes and support victims. Here is a list of elder justice resources from the Philadelphia’s District Attorney’s Office: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Elder Justice Unit Hotline: (215) 686-5710 CARIE Line and Long-Term Care Ombudsman: (215) 545-5728/ 1-800-356-3606 PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040 PA Attorney General Senior Protection: (866) 623-2137 First Judicial District Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center: (215) 686-7027 SeniorLAW Center HelpLine: 1-877-727-7529 (1-877-PA SR LAW) In an emergency or to report a crime in progress, please call 911. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Let’s face it, even if you love your sweetheart, sometimes you can fall into a rut with date ideas. Enter "alphabet dating." This new TikTok trend encourages couples to plan date nights with themes for every letter, running from A to Z. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Manisha and Gabe Maday, the Philly couple behind the Instagram account @phillydateideas, about their Philly-centric alphabet dating guide. Check out their Instagram account here. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

There’s new research from the real estate brokerage company Redfin that says first-time homebuyers in the Philly region need to make more money than they did a year ago if they want to buy a house. That means dreams of homeownership remain out of reach for many in our city. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Aaron Moselle, housing and community development reporter for WHYY’s PlanPhilly about what's driving this trend, and whether homes prices are likely to come down any time soon. Read Aaron's story here: https://whyy.org/articles/philly-area-housing-market-starter-home/ RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Zoe Greenberg, features reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter with Spotlight PA, and Ben Seal, freelance reporter. They discuss the drama over who gets to profit from Tiffany windows discovered in a church in West Philly, why a sexual abuse amendment missed its deadline to get on the November ballot, and why advocates want to see Pennsylvania reform the use of psychedelics. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Dorney Park to get the region’s first dive rollercoaster in 2024 A West Philly church’s Tiffany windows sold for $200,000. A bank says the money is theirs. Proposed relief for child sex abuse survivors won’t reach Pa. ballot in 2023 Pennsylvania is getting closer to psychedelic reform, and advocates in Philly are pushing for decriminalization 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

This week, hip-hop turns 50. Even though the Bronx birthed this music genre, Philly’s produced some legendary rappers. But that’s not all we’ve done. Our city has deep connections to R&B hitmakers as well as a thriving punk scene. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Evon Burton, creative director of The Anderson Street Project, and Dave Kiss, talent buyer with Dave Kiss Presents, about which genre or genres best represent Philly’s sound. Plus, we hear from some of our Hey Philly Newsletter readers on the topic! RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here! You can follow Dave Kiss’ work here. You can follow Evon Burton’s work here. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

There’s been a debate brewing in the Garden State for years. Is Central Jersey a real place? Well, a bill that recently passed the NJ State Legislature would officially settle it and carve up the state into North, Central, and South Jersey. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with bill sponsor and state Senator Andrew Zwicker about what defines Central Jersey and why it deserves to be on the map. RSVP for our upcoming live event on 8/30 here. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a slice of pizza. Luckily, there are plenty of great Philly pizza parlors to choose from, slinging everything from Detroit-style pies to Indian fusion pizza. In this episode, host Trenae Nuri and Dave Wez, the food blogger behind Feeding Time TV, dish about their favorite pizzas in the city. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Just over a year ago, the Philadelphia 76ers announced a new plan to build a stadium in Center City. Since then, it’s pretty much been non-stop controversy. The Sixers say they want a modern, new stadium where they get to control their schedule. But some community groups, many in Chinatown, say they don’t want a stadium in their backyard. Host Trenae Nuri digs in with Jordan Levy, general assignment reporter at Billy Penn. They cover all the highlights of this debate and what decision-makers could do in the coming months. Read more of Jordan’s reporting here Read more about the stadium plan here. These are the five possible designs for Philly’s permanent Harriet Tubman statue Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s a ~sporty~ Friday News Roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by John Barchard, co-host of Bell and the Birdmen podcast, Jaison Nieves, sports social media manager at The Temple News, Brian Micheal, owner of Shibe Vintage Sports, and Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia. They discuss how the Philadelphia Eagles throwback Kelly green uniforms rollout was leaked, Temple University’s updated sports logo, and a new exhibit displaying Philly’s connections to baseball's groundbreaking Negro leagues. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $1.25 billion after no one hits the top prize The Eagles fan behind throwback jersey leak Eagles Fans Furious Over Canceled Kelly Green Jersey Orders Temple introduces new logo for athletics Temple has a new logo, so here’s a look back at 25 owls that came before Negro Leagues exhibit at Cherry Street Pier tells stories of Philadelphia’s baseball past City Cast Philly 1 Year Anniversary Live Taping Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly We’re also on Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Philly is a great place to raise kids, but it could be even better. Host Trenae Nuri goes from A-to-Z on what could improve with Christine Speer Lejeune, a fellow Philly parent and contributing editor at Philadelphia Magazine. Christine breaks down 17 big kid-centric innovations the city could try, from appointing a child mayor to encouraging more multigenerational housing. You can read the story Christine co-wrote here. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Thousands of Philly city government jobs are vacant, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. This labor shortage affects everything from how quickly someone picks up your 911 call, to how late your local library is open. And this is all putting pressure on the city budget, in the form of rampant overtime. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Ryan Briggs, a researcher on the investigations team at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about why there are so many job openings and how we’re all paying for them. Read reporting by Anna Orso and Ryan Briggs from The Philadelphia Inquirer here. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Lemon Hill is usually a place where people host cookouts, but it’s also a great spot to forage for local, edible plants. Host Trenae Nuri and producer Abby Fritz explore this corner of Fairmount Park with Lynn Landes, the creator of Wild Foodies of Philly. She shares her knowledge about the vast variety of useful plants found in our city, as well as some general tips on urban foraging. You can learn more about Wild Foodies of Philly, and the group’s meetups, at http://www.wildfoodies.org/ 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Potholes are just part of life in Philly, and now it feels like sinkholes are too. In the last few weeks, sinkholes have closed city streets, shut down a highway in Montgomery County, and maybe even derailed a freight train. Host Trenae Nuri dives into the bedrock issues causing these cave-ins with Laura Toran, a hydrogeologist at Temple University. Here’s a geological map of Pennsylvania sinkholes. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Asha Prihar, reporter at Billy Penn, and Kenny Cooper, reporter with WHYY News. They discuss why the city is going after unlicensed short-term rentals, how Delaware County and Pennsylvania State Police cracked a 48-year-old cold case, and why the former Glen Mills campus plans to admit students this fall. Note: This episode briefly mentions child sexual abuse, so please take care while listening. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Former Glen Mills campus plans to admit students in September Delaware County law enforcement, Pa. state police crack 48-year-old Marple Township cold case Philly is cracking down on unlicensed Airbnb hosts, with 1,500 listings at risk of removal Philly Council passes tougher Airbnb regulations Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philly’s bar scene is changing. There’s more trendy, beer gardens popping up, and you can drink in grocery stores. But where are those neighborhood corner bars where you can get a cheap drink, you know the bartender by their first name, and there’s no a crowd to push through? Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Paul L. Herron, Esquire, of Kelly & Herron, P.C., who has spent decades working with bar owners to keep their taps flowing. They discuss why the drinking scene in Philly is changing. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. It’s writing travel guides, doing customer service, and even making art. ChatGPT is one such AI tool, that responds to questions or requests in text form. In this episode, host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Laura Benshoff and producer Abby Fritz put questions about Philly to ChatGPT, and get back some surprising answers. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Some Philly residents are frustrated by surprisingly high water bills. The Philadelphia Water Department says they’ve upgraded residents’ home water meters to be more accurate and high charges are rare. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Meir Rinde, investigative reporter for Billy Penn about why some customers are struggling to keep up with the water bills and what relief is available. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pennsylvania’s laws can sometimes feel like they were written for another time. That’s because many of them were. From a ban on fishing with dynamite, to a prohibition on fortune-telling for money, we get into some of the weirdest state laws still on the books. Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris and Harrison Cann, reporter at City & State PA. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Lizzy McLellan Ravitch, workplace reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Sophia Schmidt, environmental reporter for WHYY’s PlanPhilly. They discuss a looming UPS strike and what it could mean for thousands of workers in our region, as well as what we’ve learned about the recent deadly flash flood in Bucks County. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Philly UPS workers have been preparing for a possible strike Climate scientists say extreme rain behind deadly Bucks County flood is becoming more frequent Ranking Philly’s Most Iconic Treats Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Imagine waking up one day and looking out your window to see 20 dinosaurs mounted on a roof of a nearby skyscraper. This isn’t a joke. Host Trenae Nuri and Stephanie Farr, columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, chat about why there are enormous sculptures of prehistoric creatures on an apartment building in Center City, and what weird pop-ups like this say about our city. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philly was recently named the 4th Best Place to Bike in America, according to PeopleForBikes, a nonprofit that focuses on bike safety and access. But is Philly actually bike friendly? Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Stuart Leon and Zach Leon, bicycle crash and safe street lawyers in Philadelphia, and Dillon Mast, paralegal at Stuart Leon Bicycle Crash Law, about how cyclists can stay safe in Philly streets. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

From Peanut Chews to Tastykakes, pretzels to water ice, Philly is home to some great treats. In this show from March, host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz taste and grade their favorite local snacks. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philadelphia uses a private law firm, known as the landlord-tenant officer, and private security companies, to carry out many evictions. This practice has come under fire recently after two attempted evictions resulted in private security officers shooting off their weapons. In one case, a tenant was shot in the head and had to be rushed to the hospital. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Aaron Moselle, housing and community development reporter with WHYY’s PlanPhilly, about why the city handles evictions this way, and what changes Here’s a link to Aaron’s story. Worried about getting evicted? Call the Philly Tenant Hotline at (267) 443-2500. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Meir Rinde, investigative reporter at Billy Penn, and Erin McCarthy, consumer reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss how to stay cool during the summer, how travelers are dealing with the new Greyhound Bus stop location, and why some families are getting priced out of Jersey shore vacation home rentals. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Greyhound’s bus station move leads to dead-end on Cuthbert and crowds of customers on Market Priced out of the Jersey Shore: Some travelers opt for all-inclusive resorts instead as rental costs soar The Philadelphia Fire Department is hiring Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philly‘s had some wild weather this summer. There’s been a drought watch, downpours, as well as killer heat and humidity. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Frank Kummer, regional environmental reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about how climate change drives all different kinds of extreme weather we feel in Philly. Read more of Frank’s reporting here. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

All summer long, we’ve talked about music festivals, free events and places to eat. Add a dance show to your list! Philly has a strong, innovative dance community. Host Trenae Nuri and Charles Tyson Jr., City Cast Philly’s arts and culture contributor, talk about some of the must see dance performances taking stage in the city this summer. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s no secret Philly gets unbearably hot in the summer. So every year, people find a place to swim in a nearby creek in the Wissahickon Valley Park in Northwest Philly called Devil’s Pool. But it’s totally against park rules to swim in the creek. Host Trenae Nuri and Ben Seal, freelance reporter for Grid Philly, discuss why are people still going in the water. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In West Philly’s Spruce Hill, homeowners are hoping that the third time’s the charm to get the area declared a historic district, in order to protect its vast collection of Victorian homes from demolition. However, this plan isn’t popular with everyone in the neighborhood. The student housing companies that own many of these properties want to keep their options open for future development, and some homeowners worry about increased maintenance costs. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Jake Blumgart, commercial real estate reporter with the Philadelphia Inquirer, about the fight over the future of this neighborhood. You can read Jake’s story here. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ellie Rushing, criminal justice reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia. They discuss what we know about this week’s mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighborhood, how gun violence is trending in the city overall, and how Bucks County prosecutors busted an allegedly multimillion-dollar catalytic converter theft ring. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: The Kingsessing mass shooting suspect told police the rampage was an attempt to fight gun violence, sources say Halfway through 2023, shootings are down and more killings are solved. But trauma persists. Philly tow company snared in catalytic converter theft ring Philadelphia files lawsuit to crack down on ghost guns Financial assistance for businesses impacted by the I-95 temporary closure in Northeast Philadelphia Want some more Philly news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

McGlinchey’s Bar is a long-standing dive on South 15th Street in Center City. It’s also one of the few bars that still allows customers to smoke, despite a 2008 ban on smoking in most indoor spaces. Host Trenae Nuri sits down with Ali Mohsen, food and beverage reporter for Billy Penn, and Sheldon Sokol, co-owner of McGlinchey’s Bar, about the culture and policies that are keeping Philly's smoking bars alive, and why they'll likely die off in the next couple of decades. Read Ali’s full story here. 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Philadelphia is known for the Rocky statue, the Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks. But this city also has Philbert the Pig, and a bunch of other weird and fun places to visit. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura, a website devoted to finding the most remarkable places around the world, about his recommendations in Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

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. This episode aired in March 2023. Did the episode inspire you to get a vanity plate? You can apply for a personal licensed plate using this Penndot form, and you can find more information on the process here. Make sure to check the state’s Do Not Issue list before you apply, so you don’t waste time and money on a plate that will get rejected. Can you set off fireworks in Philadelphia? What to know about the rules and regs in advance of July 4 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 to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.