City Cast Philly

From Peanut Chews and Tastykake to pretzels and water ice, Philly has some great treats. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz taste and grade their favorite snacks. City Cast Philly’s Grading System A - Free Wawa coffee B - Finding a parking spot on Broad Street on a Saturday C - A bike ride on MLK Drive, but it’s a cloudy day D - Your kid is on the waitlist for a school F - You’re stuck in traffic on I-95, I-76, Walt or Benny Bridges If you’re looking for a great outdoor spring activity, check out Wissahickon Park. Read the Hey Philly newsletter’s Urban Almanac to learn more about the beautiful trails. Read more about the history of Peanut Chews here. Discover more on Philly's version of soft pretzels with these articles from Billy Penn, Serious Eats, and Philadelphia Magazine. To learn more about Tastykake, check out Philadelphia Magazine, Thrillist, and Penn State University. For more on the origins of water ice, Rita's and Pop's Italian Ice have descriptions on their websites. If you need to know more about Peeps, check out their website and this Vox article. 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.

The past few days have been pretty chaotic and unsettling over the chemical spill in Bucks County that raised concerns about Philly’s tap water. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Frank Kummer, environmental reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, about how this all happened and how the region’s infrastructure keeps the city’s drinking water safe. Check here for live updates on Philly’s water. 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.

Not all roads in Pennsylvania lead to getting a vanity plate green lit. Host Trenae Nuri joins City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Elizabeth Kauma to break down what phrases, acronyms, or combination of up to seven letters and numbers get rejected by the state when it comes to personalized license plates. Did the episode inspire you to get a vanity plate? You can apply for a personal licensed plate using this Penndot form, and you can find more information on the process here. Make sure to check the state’s Do Not Issue list before you apply, so you don’t waste time and money on a plate that will get rejected. Philly’s Water Resources Update on Philly's water as of 7:30am Tuesday, Mar. 28th: Officials say tap water is safe to fill bottles and pitchers with until at least 11:59 pm Wednesday, March 29. No contaminants from the spill have been found in the city’s drinking water, according to officials. Residents can find out if they live or have a business in a potentially impacted area by looking at this Delaware River Latex Spill Impact Map. Sign up for free alerts from the City by texting READYPHILA to 888-777 or by visiting the ReadyPhiladelphia signup page. Follow @PhillyH2O, @PhiladelphiaGov, and @PhilaOEM on Twitter. 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.

Imagine this. You’re sitting outside in what you think is your backyard. Until the city says that your whole backyard isn’t technically yours; it’s apart of a public golf course. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Bernard Brown, writer for Grid Philly, about how property lines got crossed in Overbrook Park. Read Bernard’s full story here. To reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use, the city offers PrEP for free. You don’t need insurance. Schedule a televisit with a doctor. You can text 215-709-7826 or check out https://phillykeeponloving.com/teleprep Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Thomas Fitzgerald, transportation reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Aaron Moselle, housing and community development reporter for WHYY’s PlanPhilly. We talk about how SEPTA’s updating its bus plan, an investigation over asbestos in Philly schools, and when street sweeping is coming back. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: SEPTA’s revised bus network redesign keeps some routes that had been slated to disappear ‘It shouldn’t be this hard’: Council committee explores pervasive form of housing discrimination in Philadelphia Investigation underway over asbestos issues as Philly schools superintendent warns more discoveries are likely Philly to resume street sweeping this spring in neighborhoods most impacted by litter Mechanical Cleaning Virtual Community Meetings to Discuss Phase III of the Mechanical Cleaning Program You’re invited to attend the Street Department Zoom meetings. Use Meeting ID: 873 1719 3203 and passcode: 996285 or connect via phone at 267-831-0333. You can attend Monday, March 27 at 5p.m., Tuesday, March 28 at 9a.m., and Wednesday, March 29 at 12p.m. 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.

Spring Fling Week is on a roll. The weather has been pretty nice this week — especially for roller skating. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Stevi Lukacz and Dirt Hutchinson of Philly Quad Fund, a community of skaters making skating more financially accessible. Plus, they talk about the best places and surfaces to find your skating flow in the city. Philly-based skate groups and spots mentioned in this episode: Great on Skates Rollin’ With the Homos Skate the Foundry Skateadelphia Philly Roller Derby Penn Jersey Roller Derby Zembo Temple of Skate & Design FDR Skate Park Rolling Thunder Skating Rizzo Rink Front Street Park Fishtown Recreation Center Cione Recreation Center Millennium Skate World Remember, driving or parking is not allowed on the grass along Kelly Drive. If you do get caught, there’s a $101 fine. Find public parking options along the Schylkill River using this 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 or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

We’re continuing our Spring Fling Week. From the meadows of FDR Park to the Belmont Plateau, Philly has some amazing green space. There’s more than 10,000 acres of park land and lots to do there. Host Trenae Nuri talks with John Sigmund, public programs manager at the Fairmount Park Conservancy about the variety of programming happening at city parks. When the Boathouse Row lights resume later this year, non-profit organizations, corporations, and institutions can request a special lighting for their cause 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.

We live in a city full of interesting people, historic landmarks, and a wide variety of birds. Host Trenae Nuri and Elise Greenberg, founder of Philly Queer Birders, chat about some of the best places in the city to see our feathered neighbors. Elise’s favorite places to spot birds in Philly: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum FDR Park Penny Pack Park 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 spring! And it’s time to do some cleaning. But before you throw out your old junk and take it to the curb, there are businesses in our city that are recycling and repurposing used goods in a more meaningful and sustainable way. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Nic Esposito, director of policy and engagement at Circular Philadelphia, about how his organization is advocating for policy changes to build a circular economy in the city. Check out the Zero Waste At Home Resource Directory and participate in the Circular Scavenger Hunt. Find a sanitation center near you. Here are the other companies, organizations, programs, and resources mentioned in this episode: Rego (furniture) Habitat for Humanity ReStore Retrievr (clothes/electronics) Pennsylvania Horticulture Society (gardening/composting resources) PennState Extension (composting resources) Community Compost sites Bennett Compost Circle Compost Community Cans program Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) Glitter (block litter-cleaning service) Neighborhood Gardens Trust Apply now for SEPTA’s Key Advantage 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 Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, and Cherri Gregg, afternoon drive anchor for WHYY-90.9 FM and co-host of Studio 2. We talk about the old coffee can that’s used to select the mayoral ballot, top issues on voters' minds, crime reporting, potholes, and an AI poetry slam. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Coffee can helps relatively unknown candidate nab top ballot spot in Philly mayoral race New public opinion poll sheds light on the issues and solutions that matter most to Philadelphians 65% of Philadelphians think the city is ‘on the wrong track,’ Lenfest survey finds These Philadelphia Researchers Want Journalists to Tell Better Stories About Gun Violence Lights. Camera. Crime Citing worsening teenage mental health, Bucks County officials file lawsuit against major social media companies Philadelphia's pothole problems An AI poetry slam with Philly's street poet Tiger Woods to open education center at renovated Cobbs Creek Golf Course ‘Game-changing’ loan fund in Philly celebrates first affordable housing project 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.

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. This interview originally aired on November 30, 2022. 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, Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Governor Josh Shapiro is a huge sports fan. He recently sat courtside at a Sixers game, and was cheering for the Eagles at the Super Bowl. But who paid for those tickets? City Cast Pittsburgh Lead Producer Megan Harris chats with Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA, about the rules around gifts and campaign contributions to elected officials. Check out Stephen's article on this story for Spotlight PA. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Things are getting tight. Because of a federal reduction in SNAP benefits, 1.9 million Pennsylvanians lost additional money to buy groceries. These changes mean some families are losing an average of $181 per month food. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Chelsea Short, communications and marketing director at Philabundance, about how their group is filling the gap and keeping up with demand of food resources for families. 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.

Be honest, what colors are on Philly’s municipal flag? Could you identify any symbols on it? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Alison McCook, assistant editor of the opinion page at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about what makes a flag “good” and memorable. You can design your own Philly flag and read Alison’s full story. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Vanessa Maria Graber, News Voices Director at Free Press and President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Philadelphia Chapter, and Lawrence McGlynn, co-host and producer of The Philadelphia Hall Monitor. We talk about ballot deadlines, toxic materials in Philadelphia school buildings, and the food and drink specials from 7am to 9am at for Philly medical workers at CO-OP Restaurant & Bar. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Why Philly Residents Want to Rename Taney Street More than 90 candidates filed to be on Philly’s May 16 primary ballot for mayor, City Council, and row offices Kenney Presents Proposed Budget to Council Philly schools knew of damaged asbestos at Building 21 for at least two years before closure Asbestos closes Simon Gratz Mastery Charter, the second district building this month Amy’s Pizzeria in Hatboro overwhelmed with local, global support after viral video of racist attack University City bar offering 'Sips and Scrubs' happy hour for medical workers If you want to learn more about how elections work in Pennsylvania, read Title 25: Election Code. 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.

Culturefest! happens this weekend at The Penn Museum. This month celebrates diverse women artists and creatives in our region. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly Arts and Culture Contributor Charles Tyson, Jr. talk about the work of Madhusmita Bora from Sattriya Dance Company, who’s carrying a 600-year-old traditional Indian prayer dance forward and performing at Culturefest! 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.

The city landed a huge honor. We’re officially “certified welcoming” — a title given by Welcoming America — a national nonprofit that promotes economic opportunities for immigrants. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Amy Eusebio, executive director of the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, about what this certification means for Philadelphia and our immigrant communities. 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.

Have you ever gone down a Philly sidewalk and suddenly there was a giant construction barrier — and you had to risk your life moving around it? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Inga Saffron, Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic at the Philadelphia Inquirer, about why our sidewalks are such a mess. 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.

Last week, Mayor Jim Kenney gave his final budget address. The budget proposal doesn’t raise taxes, gives city employees and low-income Philadelphians free SEPTA rides, and includes more funding for the Police Department. Host Trenae Nuri and Mike D’Onofrio, reporter for Axios Philadelphia, discuss other big ticket items in Kenney’s $6.1 billion proposal. Did you hear our Tip of the Day and want to find out if you’re owed any unclaimed money? Check out the Pennsylvania Treasury’s Unclaimed Property website. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by city editor at the Philadelphia Tribune, Sharyn Flanagan, and senior reporter for Philadelphia Magazine, Victor Fiorillo, to discuss Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton’s historic rise, former Councilmember Bobby Henon’s sentencing, sit-ins happening at Drexel University, and Peeps-flavored Pepsi. Plus, the group has some recommendations from performances at City Winery to the 2023 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show and Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut of Creed III. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: McClinton voted Pa. speaker; first Black woman to win post 5 things to know about Joanna McClinton, Pa.’s first Black woman House speaker Ex-Philly Councilmember Bobby Henon sentenced to 3½ years in union bribery case Philadelphia's cherry blossoms are threatened by climate change Drexel Community for Justice holds indefinite sit-in Philly’s Exciting I-95 Capping Project Is Finally Underway Philly native named 2023 regional youth poet laureate Does the World Really Need Peeps Pepsi? 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Cannabis law in the Keystone state is different depending on where you live. And while it's hard to say whether Pennsylvania will fully legalize cannabis this year, lawmakers could make other important changes to our cannabis laws. Host Trenae Nuri, City Cast Pittsburgh Lead Producer Megan Harris and Ed Mahon, investigative reporter for Spotlight PA, discuss proposals for decriminalization, DUI protections, and more. You can read Ed's reporting on the state's cannabis laws here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’ve been talking on the show about the crowded mayor’s race. After all, voters will determine the city’s 100th mayor. In recent weeks, some candidates have picked up support from influential political groups. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly political contributor Denise Clay-Murray discuss if endorsements matter in this political race. Watch Denise tonight on The Philadelphia Hall Monitor at 6:00pm on WPPM 106.5FM and PhillyCAM TV. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In Pennsylvania, public school teachers can’t legally wear religious garb while working. PA's the only state that still has such a ban. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Aubri Juhasz, WHYY’s education reporter, about a push to get rid of the ban this legislative 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Each week this month, we’ve been highlighting stories of Black Philadelphians doing incredible work in our city. And in the final week, host Trenae Nuri talks with Ajoa Abrokwa, founder of She is Focused, about how her healing journey lead her to having a renewed spirit in the great outdoors. Plus, she’s building a community of other women and girls to share a passion for cycling. 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! In today’s episode, host Trenae Nuri is joined by Mensah Dean, staff writer for The Trace, and Ellie Rushing, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, to discuss the recent killing of Temple University officer Christopher Fitzgerald, how residents are responding to increased police presence in the city’s 39th, 25th, 24th and 22nd districts, and what mayoral candidates have to say about reducing gun violence. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Slain Temple officer Christopher Fitzgerald’s death an ‘extraordinary loss,’ officials say Hope and Disenchantment as Police Flood Philly’s Most Violent Areas ‘Culmination of chaos’: Temple students react to death of slain police officer Philly mayoral candidates say they’ll declare a crime emergency. What would that really do? 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 new drug called Xylazine has saturated Philly’s drug supply. It’s also known as Tranq, short for animal tranquilizer. The drug is leaving users with gaping wounds. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Kathleen Lalli, CEO of Kensington Hospital, about their wound van that has been treating the effects of this drug and why they are expanding their services now. The wound van is parked on 2755 Kensington Ave. 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.

Philly has some amazing restaurants. From great crispy tacos, to cheesy pizza, and even that Szechuan restaurant where a robot serves you. Another thing Philly’s got is a lot of BYOBs. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Arindam Basu, molecular scientist and educator at Wine & Spirit Education Trust, about the city’s best places to eat, drink, and bring-your-own-beverage. 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.

For a decade, Theatre in the X has provided opportunities to theater professionals of color. Their mission is to make high-quality theatrical arts accessible to Philadelphians. Now, they’re teaming up with Painted Bride, a long-running performance space, for their 10-year anniversary. Host Trenae Nuri chats with our City Cast Philly arts and culture contributor, Charles Tyson, Jr., about the creativity and importance of this West Philly theater company. Grab tickets to Theater In The X’s 10th year anniversary fundraiser 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 Jay Arzu, Ph.D. student studying City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia Inquirer reporter, Jake Blumgart, to discuss public transportation and safety. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: SEPTA to deploy more police officers on trains in response to safety concerns Meet the Man Who Brought the Boulevard Subway Back From the Dead Progressive Cities Have a Public Order Problem on Mass Transit Speeding tickets and crashes fell after enforcement cameras came to Roosevelt Blvd. 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.

Democrats won three special elections this month, ending a two-month debate over which party would control the Pennsylvania House. Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Cast Philly political contributor Denise Clay-Murray about what Democrats could accomplish this session and what this could mean for 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 or send us a text at 215-259-8170.

If you’re down at Cherry Street Pier, you’ll see work by local painters, illustrators, and other artists. You’ll also see one-of-a-kind Black figurines made by a local sculptor. Host Trenae Nuri chats with published multimedia artist Acori Honzo about how his figurines spark cross-generational conversations and focus on representation. To follow Honzo’s work, you can check out his Instagram. 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.

Philly is known as “The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.” So it seems only right that we hold the actually LOVE statue. It’s iconic. Host Trenae Nuri and Marguerite Anglin, public art director for the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, talk about how Philly got the LOVE statue and why it became so recognizable. 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.

A Commonwealth Court judge recently ruled that the way Pennsylvania funds school districts is unconstitutional. The School District of Philadelphia was not a plaintiff in this case, but a few of their officials testified. City Cast Philly’s Trenae Nuri and City Cast Pittsburgh’s Mallory Falk are joined by senior reporter for Chalkbeat Philadelphia, Dale Mezzacappa, to talk about how Philly schools could be affected by the ruling and what happens next. You can read Dale’s reporting on the landmark court decision here, and all of her school funding trial coverage 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 our sports contributor John Barchard and Philadelphia Tribune sports writer O.J. Spivey to discuss the Philadelphia Eagles 2022-2023 season, the historical significance of Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes becoming the first Black starting quarterbacks at the Super Bowl and the differences and similarities to the 2017-2018 season which was the last time the Eagles were at the big game. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: All District schools and offices will be open with a two-hour delay on Monday, February 13, 2023 – the day after the Super Bowl. Go Birds! Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will make history on Sunday, becoming the first Black QBs to start against each other in the Super Bowl. Autumn Lockwood to be first Black woman to coach in Super Bowl. Andy Reid’s Eagles tenure was a success even if he never delivered a Super Bowl win. 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 getting closer to game day! But where are you going to be watching the game? Host Trenae Nuri chats with Cass Foley about the best sports bars in town to cheer on the birds and where to get great wings. 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.

Philly’s sports fans weren’t the first to climb greased poles in our city. They’ve just gotten the most hate for it. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Isa Segalovich, educator, art historian, and TikToker about the historical roots of climbing poles in Philly. Check out Segalovich’s original social media post about this tradition. You can also follow her for more art history content on TikTok. To read more about Albero della Cuccagna check out this Philadelphia Inquirer article. 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.

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.