City Cast Philly

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 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.

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 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 at 215-259-8170.

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 weighs in! You can read Wil’s article about the rivalry in Thrillist 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 at 215-259-8170.

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 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.

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 overlooked this week and a little bit of good news. Correction: The city that recently enacted a ban on cat declawing is Allentown, not Harrisburg as stated in the episode. 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 at 215-259-8170.

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 Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Charles about what it was like to experience the show 22 years ago and how Harris has influenced the local, national, and international dance scene. Find tickets for “Rome & Jewels” here: https://pennlivearts.org/event/rennie-harris-puremovement-1102 Disclaimer: This episode includes brief mentions of molestation and rape. 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 at 215-259-8170.

City Council voted to permanently enact a 10:00 p.m. curfew for teens. If the mayor signs off on this, it would also require children 13 and under to be home by 9:30 p.m. Officials are citing public safety as the reason for the change. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Dr. Caterina Roman, a criminal justice professor at Temple University, about the effectiveness of curfews. 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 at 215-259-8170.

Words mean everything. They say so much, right? So do the colors chosen for political campaigns. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri chats with Conrad Benner of Streets Dept. blog and podcast about his interpretation of some of the city’s potential mayoral candidates and what we can learn about them through their campaign logos and websites. *Please note that after we recorded this conversation Rev. Warren Bloom Sr. said he wanted to run for Philadelphia mayor. 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 at 215-259-8170.

Violence at gas stations in the city has risen sharply in recent years. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Mensah Dean, Philadelphia reporter at The Trace, about how gas stations fit into this larger gun violence crisis in the city. Read Mensah’s full story for The Trace here. If you’re looking for gun violence resources, check out Up The Block, powered by The Trace. 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 at 215-259-8170.

It’s the Friday news roundup! This week, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Denise Clay-Murray, a freelance journalist and City Cast Philly’s political contributor, and Vanessa Maria Graber, the director of News Voices at Free Press and the Philly president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. The trio discuss the latest developments in the mayor’s race, a potential rail workers strike, and the city’s new agricultural plan. 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 at 215-259-8170.

The new five-part podcast series, “Stop and Frisk: Revisit or Resist” from WHYY and the Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting explores the history of the complicated policing practice that’s been deemed unconstitutional by federal courts, and why some city officials in Philadelphia want to bring it back. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri chats with podcast creators Sammy Caiola, WHYY’s gun violence prevention reporter, and Yvonne Latty, director of the Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting at Temple University, about the use of stop and frisk in Philly and what could be done instead to help curb the rise of gun violence in the city. Correction: An earlier version of this episode left out that the podcast is a collaboration between WHYY and Temple University's Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting. 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 at 215-259-8170.

Philadelphia is full of family-owned businesses that get passed down from generation to generation. For the Anastasio family, their seafood and produce business of the early 20th-century blossomed into something completely different. Now, the family runs Anthony’s Italian Coffee & Chocolate House at the historic Italian Market in South Philly. So, how have they kept evolving for four generations? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and producer Abby Fritz took a trip down to Anthony’s and chatted with current owner Anthony Anastasio about his family’s legacy. Know a legacy business in Philadelphia we should explore next? Send us an email at [email protected]. Or leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. 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.

Back in the 1960s and 70s, there once was a movement to bring UFO-like buildings to the city. They were large, pre-made pods known as Futuro. They were going to modernize American living, but these spaceship looking homes flopped. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Kevin Riordan of The Philadelphia Inquirer about the Futuro homes that survived in our region and why there’s a movement to bring them back. 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.

The holiday shopping season is officially in full swing. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Yvonne Blake, owner of Hakim’s Bookstore, Philly’s oldest Black-owned bookstore about how her family kept the business going over the years and what books she’d recommend as gifts. 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 at 215-259-8170.

While some people may be rushing to the store looking for cranberry sauce or prepping those casseroles, others are ditching the cooking responsibilities all together this Thanksgiving. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with our food contributor Jackie Freiberg about recommendations for restaurants where you can grab a Thanksgiving meal without having to cook. Plus, we’ll hear some cooking tips from Philly chef Elijah Milligan if you do plan on making a delicious meal tomorrow. Find more restaurants recommendations on Jackie’s Instagram @bon_nappetit And get more cooking tips from Chef Elijah Milligan on Instagram @_chefelijahdm 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 at 215-259-8170.

A bus carrying 48 migrants from Texas arrived outside of the 30th Street station on Monday. It’s the second bus in just six days that’s been sent to Philadelphia by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speaks with Benjamin Gamarra, a resource organizer for Juntos, a community-led, Latinx immigrant organization in South Philadelphia about what it was like welcoming people and connecting them with resources and support. If you’d like to make a donation to help the newly-arrived migrants, click 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 at 215-259-8170.

Libraries aren’t just about books. They’re a community gathering place. But these institutions are severely understaffed and underfunded in our city. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Adam Feldman, a library coordinator at Parkway Central Library and a chief steward and executive board liaison for District Council 47's Local 2187, about where all the librarians went and what needs to happen to bring them back. 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 at 215-259-8170.

It’s been a jam-packed news week: Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner was officially impeached, the city will start hiring civilian public safety officers to handle things like traffic control, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. The City Cast Philly team is back behind the mics to break down those stories and give you some rec’s on where to volunteer next week for the holiday! Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: The Inquirer’s reporting on Krasner’s impeachment: https://www.inquirer.com/news/larry-krasner-impeachment-vote-pennsylvania-house-20221116.html CBS News Philadelphia's reporting on Krasner's impeachment: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/larry-krasner-philadelphia-district-attorney-impeachment/ WHYY’s reporting on the city hiring public safety officers: https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-city-council-new-public-safety-officers-ruling/ 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 at 215-259-8170.

The Philadelphia School District is getting $5 million to clean up the drinking water at its 200+ schools. But it’s been a journey to get here. And advocates say there’s still a lot more to be done. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with City Council member Helen Gym about what it took to upgrade the water filtering systems in the city’s public schools. 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 at 215-259-8170.

The use of the word “jawn” is getting out of hand. It’s on billboards, T-shirts, coffee mugs, even food! But the origins of the word are kind of murky. What is for sure though is that Philadelphians feel strongly about how “jawn” is used and who gets to say it. Recently, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri sat down with Dr. Taylor Jones, a linguist who focuses on regional accents in African American English, to learn more about its history and the debate about ownership and identity of language. Want some more Philly news plus amazing event recommendations? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. It hits your inboxes every weekday at 6 a.m. Have strong feelings about jawn and you just want someone to listen? We’re always listening on Twitter! Follow us @citycastphilly. Or leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

According to a recent report from the Philadelphia Education Research Consortium, just 35% of Philadelphia’s public school students in 2018 and 2019 would have been able to graduate based on their test scores alone. But in 2018, the state enacted new graduation standards for the Class of 2023. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Aubri Juhasz, WHYY education reporter, about why more students need alternative pathways to graduate and what those pathways entail. 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 at 215-259-8170.

Back in 2019, The Trocadero Theater closed its doors. This historic theater and former concert venue has a really interesting past. Over the years, audiences could see Blackface minstrel shows, burlesque, Kung Fu movies and rock concerts. Now that there’s money to reopen it, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Peter Schmitz, adjunct theater history Professor at Temple University and host of the Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia podcast, about what we can learn from The Troc’s past and predictions for its future. 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 at 215-259-8170.

It’s the Friday news roundup! A blue wave swept through Pennsylvania on Election Day. Democrats won both the races for governor and U.S. Senate and they even seem poised to take back control of the State House. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody speak with Spotlight PA’s Capitol Reporter Stephen Caruso about what the blue wave means for the future of politics in Pennsylvania. 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 at 215-259-8170.

In honor of the “Philadelphia chicken man” who ate 40 rotisserie chickens in 40 days, the team discusses the most overrated and underrated chicken spots in the city. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Xandra McMahon, producer Abby Fritz, and newsletter editor Brittany Valentine share their hottest and spiciest takes. 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 at 215-259-8170.

The midterm election is over and the City Cast Philly team stayed up late watching results trickle in. Hear host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Xandra McMahon, and producer Abby Fritz chat about the races on election night. Our election coverage was powered by great journalism from the Inquirer, Billy Penn, Politico, and WHYY. We’ll have more updates on the election results throughout the week. Sign up for our newsletter, Hey Philly, to follow along. 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.

Does the midterm election have you feeling nervous or stressed? Well, not to worry. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri gets tips on coping with election anxiety from Dr. Thea Gallagher, a clinical psychologist who specializes in exposure therapy and evidence based practices. Check out Thea’s podcast Mind in View where ever you get City Cast Philly! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for the latest election results tomorrow morning. Subscribe to Hey Philly right here. 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.

The city is in a crisis. According to city data, as of Nov. 2, more than 2,000 Philadelphians have been, both nonfatal and fatal, victims of gun violence. So, what happens after a shooting? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speaks with Afea Tucker, Philadelphia engagement reporter for The Trace, about connecting Philadelphians to Up The Block, a gun violence resource hub. Take Afea's survey about gun violence here. Disclaimer: Some of the personal stories shared in this episode may be triggering for some who have experienced gun violence. 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 at 215-259-8170.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Election Day is around the corner, so City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri is breaking down some of the biggest statewide races with the help of City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody. Looking to move past the ridiculous campaign ads, cut through the misinformation, and get down to where the candidates actual stand on important issues? We’ve got you covered. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great journalism. Steven Lee Meyers in the New York Times on disinformation in PA elections: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/technology/midterm-disinformation-pennsylvania.html Katie Meyer in WHYY on Shapiro and Mastriano’s stances on crime: https://whyy.org/articles/pa-governor-midterm-election-shapiro-mastriano-on-gun-trafficking-crime-public-safety/ Charles Thompson in PennLive on Mastriano’s approach to the opioid epidemic: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2022/06/doug-mastriano-touts-three-part-plan-to-fight-opioid-abuse-in-capitol-appearance.html Caroline Vakil for The Hill on Oz closing gap with Fetterman in new Pennsylvania poll https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3694903-oz-closes-gap-with-fetterman-in-new-pennsylvania-poll/ Bo Koltnow with WFMZ on Dr. Oz ads criticizing opponent John Fetterman's stance on criminal reform https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/pennsylvania/behind-the-ballot-dr-oz-ads-criticize-opponent-john-fettermans-stance-on-criminal-reform/article_8b80ed34-2e2d-11ed-9996-d34781b33cab.html Matt Enright in the York Dispatch on more women registering to vote in Pa. since Roe reversal https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/09/12/more-women-registering-vote-pa-since-roe-reversal-changing-political-dynamic/8021956001/ 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 at 215-259-8170.

When you gotta go, you gotta go! But in Philly, sometimes finding a public bathroom isn’t easy. So where do you go when nature calls? The question has led city officials to the Portland Loo — a single stall, outdoor toilet that’s a little fancier than your typical porta-potty. But is the Portland Loo really the answer to Philly’s public bathroom woes? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Ari Miller, landscape architect and co-founder of Hinge Collective, about some of the public and private places to use the bathroom. 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. Let us know where you want to see more public bathrooms in Philly. Leave us a voicemail at (215) 259-8170 and you might hear yourself on a future episode!

We’re in the final days before the 2022 midterm election. But before you go to the polls or mail in your vote, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and political contributor Denise Clay-Murray discuss some of the less publicized races and questions on your ballot this year. 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 at 215-259-8170.

After 35 years, WHYY’s “Radio Times” is coming to an end. But before longtime radio host Marty Moss-Coane broadcasts the last show on Nov. 18, she sits down with one of her former producers, Trenae Nuri (yes that same Trenae Nuri!) to reflect on the show’s legacy. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly! Head to our Twitter and Instagram to see some fun behind the scenes photos of our trip to WHYY. Follow us @citycastphilly Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

Philadelphia is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in America. It makes sense, right? This city is old! And there’s a new book that chronicles some of Philly’s haunted past. It’s called “Haunted History of Philadelphia” by Josh Hitchens, an author and longtime tour guide with Ghost Tours of Philadelphia. For Halloween, Hitchens shares some ghost stories with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, including the legend of City Tavern, one of Philadelphia’s oldest haunted restaurants. 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 at 215-259-8170.

The first game of the World Series is TODAY. The Phillies will face off against the Astros in enemy territory, so City Cast Houston host Lisa Gray is crashing our Friday news roundup for a “friendly” conversation about baseball. Plus, the City Cast Philly team unpacks the latest in the Philadelphia mayoral race, and offers up some Philly-themed Halloween costume ideas. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Share your best ideas for Philly-centric Halloween costumes with us on Twitter and Instagram! @citycastphilly Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

There’s really no competition: The biggest story in the city this week was the Phillies making it to the World Series. This hasn’t happened in 13 years, and the excitement on the streets has been palpable for days. But we wanted to know what it’s been like for the people working at the sports bars where fans have gathered, watching every pitch with bated breath, and where there will no doubt be pandemonium starting Friday when the World Series kicks off. So City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri took a trip to Paulie Gee’s in Center City and met bar manager Brenton Wallace, a die-hard Phillies fan who’s been preparing for this weekend’s festivities. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Want to see photos of our visit to Paulie Gee’s? Head over to our Instagram and Twitter @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

Pennsylvania is expected to receive more than $1 billion from a major opioid settlement. More than 5,000 Pennsylvanians died from drug overdoses last year, with Philly accounting for 24 percent of those deaths. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri spoke with two people on the frontlines of opioid overdose crisis in the city—Nicole Bixler, from Operation In My Backyard, and Sarah Laurel, from Savage Sisters—who explained what harm reduction is, what they’d do with money from the opioid settlement, and their hopes for the future of harm reduction. 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 at 215-259-8170.

We’ve been getting a lot of perspectives on the FDR Park Plan — a $250 million redesign project of the former golf course that would add a welcome center, new soccer fields, playgrounds, and more wetlands. Some people would like to see it remain an open green space, while others see a need for more athletic fields and recreation spots for the city’s youth. Today, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Anthony Meadows, president of the youth sports organization, South Philly Sigma Sharks, about how this master plan could benefit the kids he serves. If you’d like to hear why some folks in South Philly oppose the FDR Park Plan, be sure to check out yesterday’s episode: https://pod.link/city-cast-philly/episode/e190c95d60981436da8c4e13ce1eb4c0 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.

For folks in South Philly, the FDR Park Meadows is a respite from city life. People run along its pathways, walk their dogs, or enjoy the green space and wildlife. But in late August, construction began on a massive $250 million redesign project of this former golf course that would add a welcome center, new soccer fields, playgrounds, and more wetlands. But some residents have taken issue with the plan. In September, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri took a trip to FDR Park and chatted with members of the Coalition for a People’s Plan for FDR Park and the Save the Meadows campaign. Tune in tomorrow for a different perspective on this issue. The full statement from a spokesperson at the Parks and Recreation department: “When you say “residents calling for a pause,” we hope your reporting can reflect that a tremendous number of other residents are not calling for a pause. In fact, over 3,000 residents, speaking seven languages, helped create a vision for the future of FDR Park through a robust public engagement process. The resulting community-driven plan found a balance between the water, nature, and recreation that define FDR park. There are many communities that call this park home, and the FDR Park Plan seeks to balance all users’ needs while making sure the park doesn’t become unusable due to regular and worsening flooding. In addition, for the past 12 months, Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation have conducted over 50 hours of open, transparent public engagement through briefings, open houses, park walk and talks, and community association presentations throughout South Philadelphia. These engagements will continue throughout the implementation of the Park Plan. Change is difficult for all of us. While we understand there are individuals who feel very passionate about the former golf course remaining in its current state, we know that is not sustainable. We also know there are other community needs and desires for park usage that have been expressed throughout the engagement process and it is our job to strike an equitable balance that serves the needs of all residents. This plan is vital, it is viable, and it reflects the priorities and concerns of thousands of Philadelphians whose voices have been heard through our public engagement process, even as a small number of opponents seek to drown those voices out.” 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 at 215-259-8170.

Philly sports fans are having a good week, with the Eagles celebrating a major win and the Phillies inching closer to the World Series. In other news, there’s a librarian shortage in city schools. Plus, free avocados! City Cast host Trenae Nuri chats with producers Xandra McMahon and Abby Fritz about the week’s biggest news. 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 at 215-259-8170.

It’s good to be a Philadelphia sports fan right now. The Eagles are undefeated, the Phillies are inching closer to the World Series, and the Flyers and the Union are racking up some wins, too. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri is joined by sports contributor and co-host of the Bell and the Birdmen podcast John Barchard to discuss the recent wins among the city’s sports teams and what it means to be a fan during this moment. 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 at 215-259-8170.

Every October, the Philadelphia Film Society hosts the Philadelphia Film Festival. Now in its 31st year, the film festival brings together more than 25,000 people over their love of film. This year’s festival will showcase locally-produced and international movies, as well as cult classics like John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos.” City Cast host Trenae Nuri spoke with arts contributor Charles Tyson, Jr. about what to check out and more. If you like this podcast, then you’re definitely going to like our daily newsletter, Hey Philly. Subscribe here. Tag us on Twitter and Instagram with the flicks you’re most excited to see at the Philadelphia Film Festival: @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

Many former prisons tap into spooky season by holding haunted houses and other types of Halloween fun. But is that ethical given that real horrors took place at these sites? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri spoke with journalist Hope Corrigan about the ethics of prison tourism and how these institutions could be doing better. Read Hope’s reporting on this for the Marshall Project. 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.

For years the University of Pennsylvania touted itself as being on the right side of history. That’s what Penn student, VanJessica Gladney, thought, too. But when Gladney walked past the bronze statue of George Whitefield, she soon learned that the university’s founding story had deep connections to slavery. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri unpacks this story with Zoe Greenberg, journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer’s A More Perfect Union series. This series that explores the roots of systemic racism in America through institutions that have been founded in the city. Read Greenberg’s latest story for the series here: https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq2/more-perfect-union-university-pennsylvania-history-slavery-research-20221011.html And register for the Inquirer’s live event about “Indebted” on Nov. 3 here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inquirer-live-a-more-perfect-unions-indebted-tickets-435693359567?aff=editorial 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!

There’s a reason Philadelphia is called the mural capital of the world — we have a lot of murals. And every October, the city celebrates its public art through events hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and producer Abby Fritz attended a recent Mural Arts Month event in Kensington where a mural was unveiled on a van that will connect residents with art opportunities and mental health resources. Trenae spoke with Porch Light director Nadia Malik and artist Jose “Busta” Bustamante about how public art is making an impact in Kensington. 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.

Historically, voter turnout in Philadelphia is low when it comes to local elections. But this one coming up in November is a big one. Philadelphians will be picking a new governor, a new U.S. senator, and more. So how do you convince folks to show up to the polls? Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Cast Philly political contributor Denise Clay-Murray about some ways to motivate Philly voters. You’re going to want to mark your calendars with these important election deadlines! The last day to register to vote in the 2022 election is Oct. 24. The last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is Nov. 1. This year’s general election is Nov. 8. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 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.

SEPTA is investing more than $500 million to make all stations on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines accessible within the next decade. But what does complete accessibility really look like? And what changes are coming to make trains more ADA-compliant? Host Trenae Nuri chats with Cassandra West of SEPTA and Charles Horton, the chair of the board of directors for Disability Pride PA. If you’re riding SEPTA and something is inaccessible, dirty, or broken call: 215-580-7810. To learn more about SEPTA’s accessibility plans head to planning.septa.org. You can find a full transcript for this episode here: https://philly.citycast.fm/how-septas-investing-in-accessibility/ 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.

Everyone has a favorite spot to eat in the city and yeah sometimes the food looks so pretty you just have to snap a pic for the ‘gram before digging in. We all do it! But some people take those food pics to the next level. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri asks Philly food influencer Jackie Freiberg, creator of the Instagram account @bon_nappetit, where the most photogenic food is in Philly and how to get a great photo of your plate. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycastphilly

Five teenaged football players were leaving a scrimmage Tuesday afternoon when at least two gunmen ambushed them outside of Roxborough High School. Fourteen-year-old Nicholas Elizalde of Havertown was killed. The other four teens suffered injuries and are expected to recover. But after-school activities are meant to keep kids safe. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Kendra Van de Water, co-founder and executive director of Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout (YEAH Philly) and Monet Seidle, a student at Roxborough High School. 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

Philly is often referred to as “the city of neighborhoods.” And it’s true — there are a lot of distinct neighborhoods with rich histories and tight-knit communities. These neighborhoods are also filled with stories, which is why City Cast Philly is going to take time to get to know some of them through the pod. First up is Chinatown, because that neighborhood has had to deal with a lot of change over the decades and the community has routinely pushed back against development projects that threaten to shrink the cultural district. Even this summer when plans for a new Sixers arena were proposed, Chinatown residents again voiced their concerns about the impact such a project would have on the neighborhood. Wei Chen of Asian Americans United, an advocacy organization that works to preserve Philly’s Asian American culture and legacy, chats with host Trenae Nuri about the changes the neighborhood has faced and the importance of keeping Chinatown intact. 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.

“Abbott Elementary” has kept us laughing for 13 episodes over a fictitious Philadelphia public school. Now, with season two premiering this week, fans can’t wait to see what Janine and her teacher friends will get up to this school year. But the season premiere had the City Cast Philly team wondering: How does “Abbott’s” depiction of life in Philly’s public schools hold up to reality? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Chalkbeat Philadelphia senior reporter Dale Mezzacappa about the accuracy of the show and how it tackling the city’s educational issues in a comedic way. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter What are your favorite “Abbott Elementary” quotes? Share with us on Twitter! @citycastphilly

Ever since Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner took office in 2018, his work has been under fire. That’s because his progressive policies were a game changer for criminal justice reform in the city. Over the summer, state Republicans have been making moves to impeach Krasner. And last week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to hold Krasner in contempt. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with political journalist Denise Clay-Murray about why this call for impeachment is happening now and what could happen next. Check out Denise’s podcast all about city politics called the Philadelphia Hall Monitor. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us at @citycastphilly.