City Cast Philly

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-pottie. 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 city's public and private places to use the bathroom. This conversation originally aired November 3, 2022. The 11th annual East Passyunk Avenue Restaurant Week is February 27-March 10. Find out more 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.

What do the Grays Ferry, Fairmount, and Tioga neighborhoods have in common? Taney Street. But that name triggers a racist history. Neighbors have voted to rename the street after Caroline LeCount, who’s considered “Philly’s Rosa Parks” and fought to integrate the city’s streetcars in the 1860s. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Samaya Brown, a member of the Rename Taney Coalition, about how community members have been organizing for nearly three years to get the street renamed, and what the holdup is. 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.

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Eliot Olaya, fellow at Al Día News, and freelance journalist Ben Seal to discuss the partnership between the Philadelphia International Airport and WhereWeFly, how students are learning about climate change in and out of the classroom, and events celebrating Black History Month in Philly. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: PHL partners with WhereWeFly to improve how passengers choose their flights Philly establishes optional climate change curriculum, but lags behind neighboring New Jersey NALCAB announces list of 2023 Pete Garcia Fellowship members A Different Kind of Learning Loss Here are links to some Black History Month events happening in Philly: Feb 3-5: Philadelphia opera performances of Credo Saturdays Through Feb. 25: Betsy Ross House abolitionist tours Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 27: A Black History Discovery Hunt For more Black History Month event recommendations and Philly news, sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. What was your top story of the week? Let us know on social media — we’re on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 215-259-8170. We always love hearing your voicemails!

Pennsylvania has two beloved groundhogs. But one draws spectators from around the world for, let’s face it, his bizarre lore. It’s February 2, which means a groundhog will predict if spring will come early based on if he sees his own shadow or not. In honor of Groundhog Day, host Trenae Nuri is chatting with City Cast Pittsburgh host, Morgan Moody, about the man of the hour, Punxsutawney Phil, and how the science stacks up against tradition. They’re joined by two people who spend a lot of time around groundhogs: AJ Dereume, who is Phil’s handler, and Dr. Stam Zervanos, who has studied groundhogs for two decades. What are your thoughts on Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Want more Philly goodness? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly.

It seems like everyone wants to be Philly’s mayor! Except Mayor Kenney, of course. Today, producer Abby Fritz talks with political contributor Denise Clay-Murray about the crowded field of candidates, when the race will narrow down, and why anyone would want to be the mayor of Philly. For more of Denise’s work, follow her on Twitter @denisethewriter. 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.

Whether you’re driving from the Ben Franklin Bridge to 76 or Broad Street to Fairmount Park, traffic in Philly can be a nightmare. According to the InRix Global Traffic Scorecard of 2022, which tracks mobility data of the world’s most-congested areas, Philly ranked number 10 when it comes to highest traffic delay times by city. Host Trenae Nuri, producer Abby Fritz, and Hey Philly newsletter editor Brittany Valentine chat about how they get around the city, which streets to avoid, and tips on navigating the city by bus, car, or ride-share. Learn more about SEPTA Forward's Bus Revolution here. Let us know what YOUR traffic nightmares in Philly are! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text 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

Violent crime is all over TV news. There’s a popular saying in journalism, “if it bleeds, it leads.” But it wasn’t always this way; in fact, the origins of this TV news format trace back to Philly. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Layla Jones, the economic equity reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about the history of this format, how it stereotyped BIPOC communities, and its lasting impact today. Read Jones' original piece for 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.

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Frank Kummer, who covers regional environmental issues for the Philadelphia Inquirer, to discuss why the Boys Scouts are under pressure to sell land in Pennsylvania, the debate surrounding the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course, and why dead whales have been washing up on New Jersey shores. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Boy Scouts selling off storied camps under pressure from sex-abuse claims, bankruptcy — and locals are worried Debate over Cobbs Creek Golf Course reaches City Council Whales navigate a perilous route off the Jersey Shore 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.

Let’s hit the slopes. There are great mountains and indoor spots to ski and snowboard near the Philly area. Host Trenae Nuri and Alisha Wiles, trip lead for the Philly Freeriders, break down some of the best places to go no matter your skill level. The Philly Free Riders’ next trip is to Jay Peak. You can stay connected with the Philly Freeriders Meetup Group and on Facebook. Ski spots mentioned in this episode: Bear Creek Mountain Shawnee Mountain Big Snow Blue Mountain (and don’t miss the Slopeside Pub & Grill!) Jack Frost Big Boulder Camelback Hunter Mountain (New York) Jay Peak (Vermont) Stowe (Vermont) Sugarbush (Vermont) Killington (Vermont) 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 What’s your favorite ski spot? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text and let us know! The number is 215-259-8170.

On Monday, the Philadelphia Housing Authority made 10,000 spots available on its Housing Choice Voucher waitlist. Formerly know as Section 8, this waitlist has been closed for the past 12 years, and a lottery will determine which Philadelphians can potentially receive affordable housing assistance. Trenae Nuri spoke with Rasheed Ajamu, lifelong Philadelphian and the curator of Phreedom Jawn, about what it was like for his grandmother to live on the waitlist and never get off it. The application for the HCV waitlist will be open until February 5 at 5:59 p.m. Read Rasheed’s original tweet here. To follow more of Rasheed’s work at Phreedom Jawn, check out @phreedomjawn on Instagram and Twitter. 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.

Ever wondered what questions non-locals have about Philly? Which stereotypes are true and which ones need debunking? In today’s episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz asks host Trenae Nuri about jawn, “Abbott Elementary,” Philly cheesesteaks, who gets to say they’re from Philly, and much more. Want to dive deeper into the word “jawn”? Check out our episode with linguist Dr. Taylor Jones. We also did a whole episode about “Abbott Elementary”! You can listen right here. The PennDOT open house will be Wednesday, February 1, at 6 p.m. Find out more here. Have a different take on any of these “essential Philly” questions? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text 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

Faith leaders in the city are getting training on how to have conversations about race and reparations. Host Trenae Nuri and Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs for the City of Philadelphia and adjunct professor at Villanova University and Arcadia University, discuss how congregations talk about the intersections of faith and racial justice. If you're a faith leader or member of a faith group who wants to get involved in this work, you can reach Rev. Naomi at [email protected] Rev. Washington-Leapheart is speaking at The Hallmark Program of Penn’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium tonight from 5-7 p.m. at Hillel Steinhardt Hall. 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.

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by senior reporter for Philadelphia Magazine Victor Fiorillo and city editor at the Philadelphia Tribune Sharyn Flanagan, to discuss a call for an independent investigation into the taser incident involving a Lower Merion police officer and a Black woman, sightings of disembodied pigeons around the city, and how a Philly restaurant saved a traveler’s lost luggage. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: OK, What’s Up With All the Disembodied Pigeons on Philly Streets? The Craziest Lost Luggage Story You Will Read This Week Lower Merion Residents Call For Independent Investigation After Police Use Taser During Traffic Stop 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.

Does sprucing up abandoned homes really help reduce gun violence? The answer is yes, according to a 3-year study done by University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University researchers. Dividing the 258 randomly-selected houses into three groups and providing varying levels of interventions to them, they found that the houses that received both maintenance and yardwork saw a 13% drop in gun assaults. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Sammy Caiola, gun violence prevention reporter at WHYY, about these results and their implications, what it would take to widely implement this solution, and other work communities around the city are doing to clean up vacant lots. Check out Sammy’s reporting on this, and dive deeper into the study itself. Learn more about the Young Chances Foundation, the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP), and #JustServicesPHL. We mentioned the dumping that happens around the city. Listen to yesterday’s episode to learn more about "Why Illegal Dumping is Still a Messy Issue.” Want a cheatsheet to what’s happening in the city? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly! We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly Have some thoughts on a recent episode? Let us know your hot takes by leaving us a voicemail or sending us a text at 215-259-8170.

Car tires, dirty mattresses and scattered contractor bags get tossed throughout Philly neighborhoods. The trash is piling up. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Bernard Brown, writer for GridPhilly and author of Exploring Philly Nature: A Guide For All Four Seasons, about why illegal dumping is still a major problem despite efforts to clean things up. You can read Brown's original story for GridPhilly about illegal dumping here. If your block has immediate trash removal needs, call 311. 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.

Visitors from around the world love to visit the Rocky Balboa statue. But the bronze monument memorializes one of the most famous Philadelphians who never actually lived. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Paul Farber, director of Monument Lab, and host of The Statue podcast produced by WHYY Digital Studios, about why people love this fictional boxer so much and keeping Rocky’s legacy alive. 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.

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by freelance journalist Ben Seal and Philadelphia Inquirer real estate reporter Jake Blumgart, to discuss a new study from Temple University Hospital that found breaking news coverage on gun violence can be harmful for victims, how the city’s real estate development may slow down this year and how workers made Eeva the first independent unionized restaurant in the city. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: ‘Like I’m a nobody’: Breaking news coverage of shootings is dehumanizing and delays progress, per new Temple study Real estate development in Philly likely to slow this year given interest rate uncertainty Workers at Eeva in Kensington have unionized Philly’s stray cat population, estimated at 400,000 pre-pandemic, has stayed relatively stable thanks to a grassroots network 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.

Center City District Restaurant Week is returning this year from Jan. 15-28, and it’s got a line-up of more than 60 eateries. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri chats with Cass Foley, a local food and culture influencer, about navigating two weeks’ worth of delicious meals and plenty of deals. For more food and event recommendations, follow Cass on Instagram @cass_andthecity. 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.

It’s a new year and a new state legislature agenda. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and political contributor Denise Clay-Murray chat about new leadership in Harrisburg and what issues lawmakers might focus on this session. 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.

The Kensington Corridor Trust (KCT) is trying to help the community own more land in the neighborhood. This type of trust is the only one of its kind in Philly. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speaks with Crystal Ortiz, a business owner who’s been able to open a store in Kensington thanks to this nonprofit, and Adriana Abizadeh, executive director of KCT, about the organization’s hopes for the neighborhood. 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 think of the old west, you’re probably thinking about cowboys, horses, and those wide-brimmed hats. But it turns out that a hat maker here in Philadelphia invented that iconic style of cowboy hats. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with WHYY’s midday host, Avi Wolfman-Arent, about the historical significance of this invention and its once great impact on the city. Check out Avi’s original Twitter thread on the invention of the cowboy hat 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.

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Philadelphia Inquirer editorial writer Daniel Pearson and our Eagles contributor and co-host of Bell and the Birdmen podcast John Barchard, to discuss this week’s status on the team’s starting quartback Jalen Hurts, updates on Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin, and if former two-term Mayor Michael Nutter is considering entering into the crowded 2023 mayoral race. 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.

When it gets cold outside, sometimes you just want to get cozy and watch a movie. But what are some of the best films that feature our great city? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks movies you should know with Andrew Greenblatt, the CEO and executive director of the Philadelphia Film Society, that are about or filmed in Philadelphia. 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 tiny home village is expected to come to the city this year. Construction is slated for spring 2023 with hopes to have residents by the summer. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Cathy Farrell, board director of Sanctuary Village, a nonprofit focused on building a tiny home community in Philadelphia for people transitioning out of homelessness. Nuri and Farrell discuss how this housing model could be a solution to housing insecurity. 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.

Happy new year! We're kicking off 2023 with some resolutions for the city of Philadelphia. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, producer Abby Fritz, 'Hey, Philly' newsletter editor Brittany Valentine and some friends of the podcast share their hopes and plans for the new 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.

We’re taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Most Thought Provoking Story.” Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links. 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 taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Biggest Phillies Fan.” Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links. 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 taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Most Out of This World Story.” Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links. 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 taking some time off as the year wraps up but we didn’t want to leave you hanging! We’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and handing out some well-deserved superlatives. We’ll be back in the new year with fresh episodes. Listen for our pick for “Most Likely to Outlive Us All.” Don't spoil the reveal! But click here to find the original episode's show notes and links. 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.

Philadelphians love to see holiday lights. But there’s one block in South Philly that shines bright. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri chats with 12-year-old James Spacco and his mom Natalie about what it means to decorate and live on the block known as “The Miracle on South 13th Street.” 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.

Joseph Augustus Zarelli, formerly known as the boy in the box, made headline news in the city. But there is another cold case involving a child known as “the girl in the box.” A young Black girl was found discarded in a box in the 60's. She has not received the same treatment as Zarelli. We have new forensic advancements, but how far will they take us? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speaks with Lynette Hazelton, Communities and Engagement Desk Reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about why the story about this little girl has been overlooked for decades. ***Please be advised that this episode includes descriptions of a very graphic crime that involves a child. 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.

Here in the state, liquor and wine sales are controlled by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The laws are among the most frustrating and restrictive in the nation. But a new pop-up shop in Philadelphia, BOTLD, has found a way to bypass the state’s liquor store system. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Michael Klein, who covers the food and the restaurant scene for the Inquirer, about about how a new pop-up shop in the city found a way to bypass the state’s liquor store system. You can read Mike’s full story for the 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 at 215-259-8170.

After two and a half years of sitting in a red, white and green plywood box, the Christopher Columbus statue in South Philly is visible again. It’s been at the center of multiple lawsuits over whether or not it should be taken down. But that years-long court battle finally came to an end recently. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Emily Neil, freelance reporter for Billy Penn, about the saga and what’s going to happen to the statue. Read Emily’s full story for Billy Penn 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.

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Billy Penn director and editor Danya Henninger to discuss this week’s contentious town hall for the planned Sixers arena, year-end gun violence statistics, and how Philly’s “Chicken Man” continues to give back to the community. As the holidays get closer, you’re definitely going to want to check out Billy Penn’s hilarious rendition of the “Elf on the Shelf” memes: ‘Elf on the Shelf,’ but make it Philadelphia. 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.

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.