City Cast Philly

It’s Eagles season again! With the home opener on Monday, we thought it would be a good time to talk football and food. Because you gotta have a solid game-day menu lined up, right? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri chats with John Barchard, host of the Eagles podcast, Bell & The Birdmen about how the team looks this year, what’s decent to order inside the Linc, and why the real food competition is actually in the parking lot. This episode included music by Philly band, SNACKTIME. Find more about them here. The weekend is fast approaching and our morning newsletter, Hey Philly, has you covered for things to do around the city. Don’t miss another one! Sign up here. Share your game day pics and what you’ll be eating with us on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly.

Earlier this month, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman announced a plan to pardon thousands of people with non-violent, cannabis convictions calling it the “Marijuana Pardon Project.” But those charges generally come compounded with a slew of other ones. So realistically, how many people are actually going to benefit from this program? In this episode, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody chat with criminal defense attorney Patrick Nightingale, who has some statewide perspective on the pardoning project. You can learn more and apply for a pardon 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 at @citycastphilly.

Indie films, guided meditations in nature, and a cooking show opera set during the pandemic are some of the offerings at the 2022 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. This nearly-month long festival celebrates independent artists’ innovative and daring performances, and has been doing so for more than 25 years. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri sits down with artist and podcaster Charles Tyson, Jr. about some of the must see shows to see at this year’s festival. Want some more Philly Fringe Fest recommendations? City Cast Philly newsletter editor Brittany Valentine has been rounding up the shows and events in our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. If you go to Fringe, we would love to see your photos! Tag us on Twitter or Instagram @citycastphilly.

Terrill Haigler, also known as Ya Fav Trashman, makes street cleaning look fun to his more than 31,000 Instagram followers. As a former sanitation worker, he’s worked to get those in the industry the proper protective equipment needed during the pandemic, and frequently organizes community cleanups around the city. But on Saturday, he announced his next big chapter: a run for City Council. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri sat down with Haigler to talk about his work cleaning up the city and how that experience could help him on City Council. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. Are you on Twitter or Instagram? So are we! Let’s connect @citycastphilly.

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. 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. 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.” If you’re driving anywhere near the art museum this weekend then you are definitely going to want to check out which streets are closed for Made in America. You’re welcome. Not going to Made in America but still want rec’s for fun things to do this holiday weekend? Our newsletter, Hey Philly has you covered. Subscribe here. Let’s be friends on social media! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @citycastphilly.

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. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri sits down with Dr. Taylor Jones, a linguist who focuses on regional accents in African American English, to share her feelings about the word, and 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.

City Cast Philly is the daily news podcast about the city you love (and maybe sometimes hate?) and the Philadelphians who are working hard every day to make this place better. Each weekday morning, host Trenae Nuri will chat with people all across Philly’s diverse neighborhoods about issues that matter to you. Whether that’s how do I get the bus to actually stop or how is this city going to keep our kids safe and educated? City Cast Philly is here for it all. It’s that energetic, informative conversation you might overhear at your neighborhood coffee shop. But with City Cast Philly, you’re always welcome to join in. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at philly.citycast.fm.