City Cast Philly

Libraries aren’t just about books. They’re a community gathering place. But these institutions are severely understaffed and underfunded in our city. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Adam Feldman, a library coordinator at Parkway Central Library and a chief steward and executive board liaison for District Council 47's Local 2187, about where all the librarians went and what needs to happen to bring them back. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

It’s been a jam-packed news week: Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner was officially impeached, the city will start hiring civilian public safety officers to handle things like traffic control, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. The City Cast Philly team is back behind the mics to break down those stories and give you some rec’s on where to volunteer next week for the holiday! Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: The Inquirer’s reporting on Krasner’s impeachment: https://www.inquirer.com/news/larry-krasner-impeachment-vote-pennsylvania-house-20221116.html CBS News Philadelphia's reporting on Krasner's impeachment: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/larry-krasner-philadelphia-district-attorney-impeachment/ WHYY’s reporting on the city hiring public safety officers: https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-city-council-new-public-safety-officers-ruling/ Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

The Philadelphia School District is getting $5 million to clean up the drinking water at its 200+ schools. But it’s been a journey to get here. And advocates say there’s still a lot more to be done. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with City Council member Helen Gym about what it took to upgrade the water filtering systems in the city’s public schools. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

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

According to a recent report from the Philadelphia Education Research Consortium, just 35% of Philadelphia’s public school students in 2018 and 2019 would have been able to graduate based on their test scores alone. But in 2018, the state enacted new graduation standards for the Class of 2023. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Aubri Juhasz, WHYY education reporter, about why more students need alternative pathways to graduate and what those pathways entail. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

Back in 2019, The Trocadero Theater closed its doors. This historic theater and former concert venue has a really interesting past. Over the years, audiences could see Blackface minstrel shows, burlesque, Kung Fu movies and rock concerts. Now that there’s money to reopen it, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Peter Schmitz, adjunct theater history Professor at Temple University and host of the Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia podcast, about what we can learn from The Troc’s past and predictions for its future. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

It’s the Friday news roundup! A blue wave swept through Pennsylvania on Election Day. Democrats won both the races for governor and U.S. Senate and they even seem poised to take back control of the State House. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody speak with Spotlight PA’s Capitol Reporter Stephen Caruso about what the blue wave means for the future of politics in Pennsylvania. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

In honor of the “Philadelphia chicken man” who ate 40 rotisserie chickens in 40 days, the team discusses the most overrated and underrated chicken spots in the city. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Xandra McMahon, producer Abby Fritz, and newsletter editor Brittany Valentine share their hottest and spiciest takes. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

The midterm election is over and the City Cast Philly team stayed up late watching results trickle in. Hear host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Xandra McMahon, and producer Abby Fritz chat about the races on election night. Our election coverage was powered by great journalism from the Inquirer, Billy Penn, Politico, and WHYY. We’ll have more updates on the election results throughout the week. Sign up for our newsletter, Hey Philly, to follow along. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

Does the midterm election have you feeling nervous or stressed? Well, not to worry. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri gets tips on coping with election anxiety from Dr. Thea Gallagher, a clinical psychologist who specializes in exposure therapy and evidence based practices. Check out Thea’s podcast Mind in View where ever you get City Cast Philly! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for the latest election results tomorrow morning. Subscribe to Hey Philly right here. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

The city is in a crisis. According to city data, as of Nov. 2, more than 2,000 Philadelphians have been, both nonfatal and fatal, victims of gun violence. So, what happens after a shooting? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speaks with Afea Tucker, Philadelphia engagement reporter for The Trace, about connecting Philadelphians to Up The Block, a gun violence resource hub. Take Afea's survey about gun violence here. Disclaimer: Some of the personal stories shared in this episode may be triggering for some who have experienced gun violence. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

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

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

We’re in the final days before the 2022 midterm election. But before you go to the polls or mail in your vote, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and political contributor Denise Clay-Murray discuss some of the less publicized races and questions on your ballot this year. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

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

Philadelphia is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in America. It makes sense, right? This city is old! And there’s a new book that chronicles some of Philly’s haunted past. It’s called “Haunted History of Philadelphia” by Josh Hitchens, an author and longtime tour guide with Ghost Tours of Philadelphia. For Halloween, Hitchens shares some ghost stories with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, including the legend of City Tavern, one of Philadelphia’s oldest haunted restaurants. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

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

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

Pennsylvania is expected to receive more than $1 billion from a major opioid settlement. More than 5,000 Pennsylvanians died from drug overdoses last year, with Philly accounting for 24 percent of those deaths. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri spoke with two people on the frontlines of opioid overdose crisis in the city—Nicole Bixler, from Operation In My Backyard, and Sarah Laurel, from Savage Sisters—who explained what harm reduction is, what they’d do with money from the opioid settlement, and their hopes for the future of harm reduction. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter! We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

We’ve been getting a lot of perspectives on the FDR Park Plan — a $250 million redesign project of the former golf course that would add a welcome center, new soccer fields, playgrounds, and more wetlands. Some people would like to see it remain an open green space, while others see a need for more athletic fields and recreation spots for the city’s youth. Today, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Anthony Meadows, president of the youth sports organization, South Philly Sigma Sharks, about how this master plan could benefit the kids he serves. If you’d like to hear why some folks in South Philly oppose the FDR Park Plan, be sure to check out yesterday’s episode: https://pod.link/city-cast-philly/episode/e190c95d60981436da8c4e13ce1eb4c0 Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

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

Philly sports fans are having a good week, with the Eagles celebrating a major win and the Phillies inching closer to the World Series. In other news, there’s a librarian shortage in city schools. Plus, free avocados! City Cast host Trenae Nuri chats with producers Xandra McMahon and Abby Fritz about the week’s biggest news. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

It’s good to be a Philadelphia sports fan right now. The Eagles are undefeated, the Phillies are inching closer to the World Series, and the Flyers and the Union are racking up some wins, too. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri is joined by sports contributor and co-host of the Bell and the Birdmen podcast John Barchard to discuss the recent wins among the city’s sports teams and what it means to be a fan during this moment. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter! We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.

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

Many former prisons tap into spooky season by holding haunted houses and other types of Halloween fun. But is that ethical given that real horrors took place at these sites? City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri spoke with journalist Hope Corrigan about the ethics of prison tourism and how these institutions could be doing better. Read Hope’s reporting on this for the Marshall Project. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly.

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

There’s a reason Philadelphia is called the mural capital of the world — we have a lot of murals. And every October, the city celebrates its public art through events hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and producer Abby Fritz attended a recent Mural Arts Month event in Kensington where a mural was unveiled on a van that will connect residents with art opportunities and mental health resources. Trenae spoke with Porch Light director Nadia Malik and artist Jose “Busta” Bustamante about how public art is making an impact in Kensington. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly.

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

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

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

Five teenaged football players were leaving a scrimmage Tuesday afternoon when at least two gunmen ambushed them outside of Roxborough High School. Fourteen-year-old Nicholas Elizalde of Havertown was killed. The other four teens suffered injuries and are expected to recover. But after-school activities are meant to keep kids safe. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Kendra Van de Water, co-founder and executive director of Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout (YEAH Philly) and Monet Seidle, a student at Roxborough High School. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly

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

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

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

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.