City Cast Philly

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, Frank Kummer, environmental reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Anthony Wood, environmental reporter covering the atmosphere at the Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss the city’s air quality from Canadian wildfires, mayoral candidates want to do debates before the general election in November and why the city is denying block party permits. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: More smoke forecast for Philly’s skies today; city says to avoid going outdoors, unnecessary driving At ‘purple,’ it’s the most unhealthful day for air quality in Philadelphia since 2008. What does that mean? Canadian smoke is filling Philly’s skies and is expected to linger through Wednesday Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate Philadelphia denying block parties over public safety threats Philly’s Cooling Resources Map 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

Summer is on it’s way here and so is the stress of trying to fit in absolutely every warm-weather activity you dreamed about all winter. We’re gonna try to make things a little easier - over the next three weeks, you’ll be hearing our Summer Entertainment Guide, recommendations for what to do in this city, and how to have the best time doing them. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Evon Burton, creative director of The Anderson Street Project, about concerts and festivals happening 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. One more thing… we’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Philly an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. 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 Department pilot program, that refers people to social services instead of jail, is set to expand to the entire city this summer. The Police Assisted Diversion (PAD) started in Kensington in 2017 and has been successful, with only 8.5% of people who get into the program committing another crime after going through it. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Christina Griffith, contributing editor for the Philadelphia Citizen, about who qualifies for this program and if the city is ready for the expansion of PAD. Read Christina’s full story here. Here’s a list of Neighborhood Energy Centers. Center City District SIPS kicks off tonight. 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 Beer Week is happening! Many of the top craft brewers in the country are right here in Pennsylvania. Host Trenae Nuri joins City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris to talk and sample the best beers in the Commonwealth. 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. One more thing… we’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Philly an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

A new analysis by the online real estate brokerage company Redfin found buying a home is slightly cheaper than renting in four U.S. metro areas: Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland and Houston. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Michaelle Bond, residential real estate reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about the pros and cons of buying or renting a home in Philly. Read Michaelle’s full story here. First time home buyers can check out the the Philly First Home Program. 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 is joined by City Cast Philly arts & culture contributor, Charles Tyson, Jr., and PhillyVoice staff writer Maggie Mancini. They discuss Philly Pride festivities, Temple University’s new public safety plan, and a free sunscreen program now at Pennsylvania's state parks. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Temple University should include North Philly community in its new safety plan, proposed City Council resolution says Philly Pride, a contentious event in recent years, is scheduled for June 4, 2023 Philly Pride March and Festival: Here's the parade route, road closures and other event details Odunde Festival Philly Pride 365 Galaei. The Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade and Festival To prevent skin cancer, free sunscreen is available at 46 Pennsylvania state parks this summer When all the campaign signs in Philly will come down Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. One more thing... We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Philly an even better show. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. You’ll be doing us a big favor, so anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. Thanks so much! 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.

Six school buildings have closed due to asbestos this year, and the School District of Philadelphia is scrambling to inspect more before the next school year. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Dale Mezzacappa, senior reporter at Chalkbeat Philadelphia, about what the risk is for students and staff, and why this keeps happening in Philly. Read more of Dale’s reporting here. And, please take our audience survey! It's at citycast.fm/survey, and only takes about five minutes to complete. You’ll be doing us a big favor, so everyone who finishes it will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card! Thank you for helping us grow. 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.

SEPTA is updating the Key system. Those are the electronic “smart cards” that replaced tokens and paper passes. But, that initial rollout took years and ran into tons of problems along the way. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Jordan Levy, general assignment reporter for Billy Penn, about what we can learn from past transit mistakes and what riders want. Read Jordan’s full story here. And, please take our audience survey! It's at citycast.fm/survey, and takes about five minutes to complete. You’ll be doing us a big favor, so everyone who finishes it will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card! Thank you for helping us grow. 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.

If you grew up in Philly, you probably took a field trip to the Liberty Bell, City Hall or even the Betsy Ross house. This is American history that gets talked about a lot. But there are other important local figures you may have never heard about. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Samip Mallick, executive director of South Asian American Digital Archive, about how he documents and shares the stories of South Asian Americans who lived in Philly and changed the world. To learn more about the "Revolution Remix" walking tours, visit: https://www.saada.org/walkingtour 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 is joined by Ali Mohsen, food and drink reporter at Billy Penn, and Sophia Schmidt, environment reporter at WHYY. They discuss how the city is trying to clean up dirty air from factories, how to cool off at Philly’s 90 sprinkler parks, and where to eat this Memorial Day weekend. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Philadelphia changed how it regulates toxic air pollution. Here are 3 things to know 90 spraygrounds open this weekend to keep Philadelphians cool Top picks for Memorial Day weekend food and fun if you’re staying in Philly Want some more Philly news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! You can find us at @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

What do the Grays Ferry, Fairmount, and Tioga neighborhoods have in common? Taney Street, named for the author of one of the most racist U.S. Supreme Court decisions in history. Neighbors have voted to rename the street after Caroline LeCount, known as “Philly’s Rosa Parks,” for her work to integrate streetcars here in the 1860s. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Samaya Brown, a member of the Rename Taney Coalition, about the years-long fight to get the street renamed, and what's holding up the change. This episode originally aired February 6th. 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 has more than 4,000 murals, and claims the title “Mural Capital of the World.” But these public art pieces are being destroyed without warning, whether it’s South Philly’s famous Isaiah Zagar mosaics or murals representing the communities they’re located in. Lead producer Laura Benshoff talks with muralist, Shira Walinsky, and Streets Dept lead contributor, Eric Dale, about why this is happening more frequently and ways Philly could change the conversation around mural ownership. To support the work Streets Dept does, donate to patreon.com/streetsdept. To find some of Shira Walinsky’s more recent work, there’s an event on June 10 to launch a new partnership between Mural Arts, SEPTA, and local parks. 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 prime time to eat outdoors! During the pandemic, more than 800 Philly restaurants set up spaces to serve guests outside. Now, it’s a little harder to find a place to enjoy a meal in the sunshine. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Ben Fileccia from the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association about how city regulations closed down many of these dining patios. Plus, he shares tons of recommendations for where you can still eat and drink outside 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.

The remains of 50 unhoused Philadelphians will be laid to rest at Mount Peace Cemetery in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 23rd. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Michele Wexler, program manager of homeless services at the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, and Quibila Divine, Chief Program Officer at SELF, Inc, about providing dignity for the remains of citizens who may been neglected during their lifetimes. Donate to the Lester Ross Memorial Fund 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 is joined by Chris Palmer, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Lauren Cristella, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at The Committee of 70. We discuss how two men broke out of the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, this week's historic primary election, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Love Your Park Week. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: The second man who escaped from a Philadelphia jail last week was captured Wednesday morning, police say How did two prisoners escape from a Philly jail? As the search continues, an investigation is looking for answers. How Cherelle Parker won the primary: Black voters, a boost from labor, and a personal story of Philly grit After a Race Centered on Gun Violence, Cherelle Parker Wins Philadelphia Democratic Mayoral Primary Everything you need to know about Love Your Park Week 2023 Here’s your guide to all the fun activities you can get into this season at Fairmount Park. Pizza Places mentioned in this episode: Down Norf Joe’s Pizza Philly Pizza Shackamaxon

Is it a sweet riesling type of night? Or a boxed wine brunch Sunday? With Philly’s 300+ BYOB restaurants, you can pick the best alcoholic beverage to pair with some great food. To help break down the options, host Trenae Nuri chatted with Arindam Basu, molecular scientist and educator at Wine & Spirit Education Trust, about the city’s best restaurants to bring-your-own-beverage to and what drink he would pair with their menu. This episode originally aired in February. 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.

City Cast Philly is in your feed a little later this morning to bring you the most up-to-date results of the 2023 primary election. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Laura Benshoff, and producer Abby Fritz break down the winners, turnout and what we can expect for the general election in November. Want to check out the returns yourself? You can look at Philadelphia races at vote.phila.gov, and statewide contests at electionreturns.pa.gov. 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 may lose more than 10,000 federally-backed affordable housing units in the next decade. To try to slow that trend, Philadelphia City Council has passed a package of bills aimed at making it harder to convert them into more profitable, market-rate homes. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Aaron Moselle, housing and community development reporter for WHYY’s PlanPhilly, about the battle between affordable housing and rising rents. Find your polling place on Atlas. 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.

Tuesday is the big primary election in Philadelphia we’ve all been gearing up for. If you haven’t been paying much attention until now, we got you. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Asha Prihar, general assignment reporter at Billy Penn, and Katie Meyer, government editor and reporter at Spotlight PA, to break down your ballot. Want more information to make your picks? Here are some resources that Asha and Katie mention in the episode: Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2023 primary election in Philly MEET YOUR MAYOR: A political matchmaking quiz for Philly voters Pa. primary election 2023: How to vote, where to vote, and everything you need to know for May 16 League of Women Voters guide Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation 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 Alan Yu, science reporter at WHYY’s The Pulse, and Jeff Gammage, immigration reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. We discuss why more immigrants arrived by bus from Texas to Philly, why the Mütter Museum takes down all its online exhibits, and how to get $25 concert tickets. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Philly receives first bus of immigrants from Texas in four months, readies for more arrivals Why did the Mütter Museum take down all their YouTube videos and online exhibits? Penn Medicine residents voted to unionize, creating the biggest new union in Philadelphia in more than 50 years Where Philly's mayoral candidates stand on "Savesies": Pro/con Live Nation Concert Week: How to Get $25 Tickets to Philly-Area Concerts Apply for a PlayStreet 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.

Mother’s Day is a national celebration, but it was founded by Anna Jarvis in Philadelphia. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Patricia Madej, senior digital editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about the history of this special day and why Anna might have hated your brunch plans. 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 new report by the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania says Black girls in local public schools experience an oppressive school culture that holds them back and hurts their mental health. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Paige Joki, staff attorney at the Education Law Center and author of “We Need Supportive Spaces That Celebrate Us,” and Amaiyah, a 12th grade student from Philadelphia, about what needs to change. 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 is known for its amazing sandwiches, like the cheesesteak and of course and the hoagie. Host Trenae Nuri and Dave Wesolowski, creator of Feeding Time TV, break down the essential ingredients that go into a hoagie and his recommendations for the best places to get one. 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’s City Council races are taking up a lot of space in the upcoming primary election - literally. There are dozens of candidates on the ballot vying for seven at-large seats. Due to resignations and retirements, nearly half of the next seating of City Council will be brand new. Host Trenae Nuri and Max Marin, reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, break down why this much turnover is rare for City Hall, and how to pick the best candidates for you. 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 Eliot Olaya, fellow at AL DÍA News and Julie Zeglen, managing editor at Technical.ly. We discuss Philly’s first Youth Ombudsperson, the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s bike lane enforcement unit and the 13th annual Philly Tech Week. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Philadelphia’s bike lane enforcement unit begins patrol PPA Issues Over 3,000 Tickets for Street Sweeping Violations Philadelphia gains its first Youth Ombudsperson This May, Technical.ly is assessing the state of local tech economies and communities State of Local Tech Month 2023 13th annual Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast Get a Free Birding Backpack 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.

States across the country have introduced bills restricting or criminalizing drag shows. While that’s not happening in Philly, local performers say they do feel the effects of a national backlash against LGBTQ+ rights. Host Trenae Nuri checks in with Ian Morrison, aka Brittany Lynn, creator of Philly Drag Mafia and Drag Queen Story Time, about how drag story time helps kids accept themselves, and how he deals with anti-drag protesters. 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.

If you’re sniffling and sneezing a lot right now, you’re not alone. Pollen counts in the Philadelphia region are showing “extreme” levels of allergens in the air. Lead producer Laura Benshoff talks to Dr. Marc Goldstein, allergist and immunologist at The Asthma Center about why allergy season started early this year, how long it will last, and what you can do to find some relief. 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.

More than 500 Philadelphians were murdered in 2021 and 2022. But fewer than half of these homicides have resulted in an arrest. To tackle the backlog of cases, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia Police Department, and Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office have started a new partnership, asking for the public’s help locating known suspects. However, many victims’ loved ones are skeptical this program will make a difference. Host Trenae Nuri and Mensah Dean, Philadelphia staff writer for The Trace, discuss the relationship between victims’ families and law enforcement, and why it’s so hard to solve homicide cases in Philadelphia. Read Mensah’s full story here. Philadelphia Police Department’s crime tip line is 215-686-TIPS (8477) or email [email protected]. Callers can remain anonymous. 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.

The Committee of Seventy, a non-partisan and nonprofit group, has released the first independent poll in Philly’s 2023 mayor’s race. In partnership with FairVote, the Urban Affairs Coalition, The Philadelphia Citizen, and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, pollsters surveyed 1,500 likely voters. Host Trenae Nuri and Lauren Cristella, interim president and chief operating officer of the Committee of Seventy, talk about who’s in the lead to be the city’s next mayor. Check out Committee of Seventy’s Philadelphia primary voters guide. Information on how to register and how to vote by mail is available from the City Commissioners Office. The primary election is Tuesday, May 16th. 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 Kristin Hunt, senior staff writer at PhillyVoice, and Lizzy McLellan Ravitch, workplace reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. We discuss the final mayoral candidate debate before the May 16th primary, recent union activity in our region, and why a book about trans youth by a local author has become one of the most banned works in the country. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism. Here are some stories discussed in this episode: Candidates in Philly mayor's race point fingers, make accusations during final debate before Democratic primary Mayoral candidates squabble over campaign ethics, donations Meet Your Mayor Quiz 'Beyond Magenta,' Susan Kuklin's profile of 6 trans teens, has become one of the most banned books in America As Philadelphia Labor Department faces proposed budget cuts, advocates seek more funding for worker’s-rights enforcement 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

This February, the 100th school in Pennsylvania started a girls wrestling team. That’s the threshold to get sanctioned and fully sponsored as a sport by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. If approved, girls teams would be able to hold tournaments and championships— without having to compete with boys. Host Trenae Nuri talks with three state qualifying wrestlers and their coach at Penn Wood High School in Delaware County about what this sport means to them. For more information about how girls wrestling is growing across the Commonwealth go to SanctionPA. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly! We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! 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.

The 24th annual Philly Black Pride celebration kicks off this week. The four-day festival includes dance parties, karaoke, and even a skate night! Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Cast Philly arts and culture contributor Charles Tyson Jr. about why Philly’s Black LGBTQ+ community is focusing on joy and healing this year, and his can’t miss events this weekend. Here’s a list of some resources for Philly’s LGBTQ+ community Colours Organization Bebashi Philadelphia FIGHT galaei Mazzoni Center The Family Practice & Counseling Network Looking for Philly Black Pride events? Here’s the festival calendar: http://phillyblackpride.org/events/ April 26th is National Pretzel Day. Get a free pretzel at Philadelphia Pretzel Factory. 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 has 10,000s of 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, talk through the steps for turning a neglected space into a community oasis. 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.

School districts in Bucks and Philadelphia counties are using AI software to track students' online activities on school-issued devices. The idea is to prevent bullying, suicide, or even a school shooting. However, critics say there are a host of downsides. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Emily Rizzo, reporter for WHYY News, about her recent reporting on this type of software, where it's used locally, and the questions this technology raises for parents and school districts.

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is join by Emily Neil, digital content producer for WHYY News, Julia Terruso, political reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and O.J. Spivey, sports contributor for The Philadelphia Tribune. We talk about U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s first week back to work, the City’s plan to roll out multilingual emergency alerts, and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ multi-million dollar extension. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: ‘So grateful’: Inside John Fetterman’s hopeful first week back in the Senate after his treatment for depression ‘It’s great to be back’: John Fetterman returns to the Senate Philadelphia plans to roll out multilingual emergency alerts this year Sign up for the city’s alerts here: ReadyPhiladelphia Committee of Seventy and Partners to Issue First Public, Nonpartisan Poll in 2023 Mayor’s Race Sixers prepare for deep playoff run WHYY News launches Climate Desk to tackle our changing environment 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

The Phillie Phanatic turns 45 next week. So, how did a giant, flightless bird from the Galápagos wind up as our baseball mascot anyway? Host Trenae Nuri talks with AJ Mass, editor and writer at ESPN and author of “Yes, It’s Hot in Here,” about his experience as a mascot for the New York Mets and how the Phanatic became the model for future mascots to follow.

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. Learn more about Chat-GPT at this free event. 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.

The process of getting into a selective high school has recently changed. The school district launched a lottery admissions system. It’s goal was to boost enrollment for Black and Latino students. But, it’s left many open seats at schools, some parents confused, and even faculty and students have protested. Host Trenae Nuri and senior reporter Dale Mezzacappa talks about what went wrong with the new school lottery system. 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.

Millions of dollars are flowing to Philly’s Democratic mayoral candidates ahead of the May primary election. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Meir Rinde, investigative reporter for Billy Penn, about where that money is coming from, what those sources say about the candidates, and why it matters to voters. Find a Financial Empowerment Center near you. 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 Oliver Sabo, staff writer at Temple News, and independent journalist, Kyle Bagenstose. We discuss what’s happening at the former oil refinery site in South Philly, city council talks about teen programs for the summer, and Temple University named its new acting president. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Temple welcomes JoAnne Epps at introductory press conference Philadelphia’s Next Mayor – Democratic Primary Debate on FOX 29 Will the new owners of the shuttered PES refinery bring blue skies or dreams denied to South Philadelphia? Ongoing Threat from Plant behind March Chemical Spill Philly sheriff denies misuse of funds when requesting pay raises for herself and top staff City Council members discuss teen programs, police recruitment ahead of summertime Paul Robeson High senior accepted to Harvard, first in school’s history ‘A dream come true’: YouthBuild Philly celebrates permanent home for public charter school 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.

City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz is joined by Dawn Woods, administrator for the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, to talk about the role of block captains and their history in Philly. How to Become a Block Captain. 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.

The city has recently sued an employer for not paying its workers. This is the first time Philly has enforced it’s wage theft laws through a legal action. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Juliana Reyes, investigative reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about what this wage theft lawsuit means for worker protections in Philly. Read Reyes’ full story here. Here’s the city’s list of so-called bad actors. You can report a wage theft violation 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.

What does financial freedom mean to you? There’s lot of definitions, but for some Philadelphians it’s hard to meet this goal. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Christopher Wink, publisher and CEO of Technical.ly, about a year-long reporting project called “Thriving” and what it takes for 10 Philadelphians to thrive in Philly. The Pew Charitable Trusts ‘State of the City’ 2023 Live Webcast : Issues Facing Philadelphia and Visions for the Future 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.

Any self respecting Eagles fan knows that you shouldn’t be repping the Cowboys in Philly, but maybe we should make an exception — not for the football team but for the hats. It turns out those wide-brimmed hats you see all over westerns were invented by a hat maker in Philadelphia. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with WHYY’s midday host, Avi Wolfman-Arent, about the historical significance of this invention and it’s once great impact on the city. Check out Avi’s original Twitter thread on the invention of the cowboy hat here. You can check out our episode on Philly’s public bathroom problem here. There are additional routes to the riverfront trail from center city for pedestrians here and bikers 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 round up! Producer Abby Fritz speaks with Denise Clay-Murray, political contributor and co-host of the Philadelphia Hall Monitor. Mayoral candidates were all the talk this week from Jeff Brown’s alleged code-switching, to fundraising numbers going public — plus some surprising mayoral endorsements. Our Friday news round ups are powered by great local journalism: Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Forum - Addressing Gun Violence The Problem With Jeff Brown’s Racial Code-Switching What recent fundraising tells us about the state of the Philly mayor’s race, in five charts Dress in your Sunday best and win prizes during Philly's Easter Promenade The Undecided: If a new poll is any indication, a significant portion of Philadelphia’s electorate doesn’t know who it’s voting for in the May 16 primary 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.

It's unsurprisingly hard to find humor in terminal illnesses, that is unless you’re Philly comedian and actor Kirsten Michelle Cills. Producer Abby Fritz speaks with the “terminally chill” comedian about why she makes jokes about her terminal illness and how she’s giving audiences permission to laugh along with her. Also, she shares her favorite Philly comedy clubs you need to check out. To see Kirsten perform live, check out her website. For a list of all the city holidays that will affect your trash pick-up schedule, 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.

Whether you’re driving from the Ben Franklin Bridge to 76 and Broad Street to Fairmount Park, traffic in Philly can be a nightmare. This week traffic could be even worse than usual. With PennDOT filling some of those pesky potholes, keep an eye out for lane closures on 95, 76, 676, and even routes 422 and 202. 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. 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. 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.

April is National Poetry Month. What better way to celebrate than with a Philly-born, award-winning poet who’s hosting an award-winning podcast dedicated to poetry? Host Trenae Nuri chats with Major Jackson, host of The Slowdown podcast, about the reasons we all need poetry. Read Major’s Duck Girl poem 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.

Black infants in Philadelphia are more likely to die within the first year of their lives than babies of other races or ethnicities. So the city wants to roll out a new program to help reduce the city’s high infant mortality rates. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Dr. Stacey Kallem, pediatrician and director of the Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and Lydia Seymour, Community Action Network coordinator for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s division of Maternal, Child and Family Health, about how the Philly Joy Bank pilot program will support expecting Philadelphians. You can stay updated about the Philly Joy Bank by following Philly Loves Families on Facebook and going to Philly CAN. 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 round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Danya Henniger, director/editor of Billy Penn, and Ben Seal, freelance reporter. We talk about the communication from officials about the safety of Philly’s tap water, Jason Wingard, Temple University’s first Black president, resigning, and the new ballpark snack options at Citizens Bank Park. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: A short history of (the many) recent environmental mishaps along the Delaware River Philly’s drinking water will not be impacted by chemical spill, Kenney says; officials say they chose to communicate as much as possible Philadelphia restaurant owners wished for clearer messaging on water contamination The Green Living Plan Mayoral Candidate Forum (video recap) The Green Living Plan For Philadelphia Philly Tree Plan The City’s long-awaited, ambitious tree plan has been released. Here’s what it says, and doesn’t say. Temple University President Jason Wingard resigns ahead of no-confidence vote 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