City Cast Philly

We’re talking about what’s been happening in Harrisburg: Lawmakers banned cell phones in all Pennsylvania schools and preliminarily approved a bill to protect our ears when we’re streaming our shows. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz also talk about the best Philly-related content they saw on the internet this week including a Streets Department worker on TikTok and a festival centered around people with the name Rachel. For our members-only segment, we dive into Philly coffee roasters.  Get that members-only segment, support our show, join us at a bar crawl, and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Laurel Hill Center City Open Streets Fitler Club BalletX 

Where can you get a cheap meal these days? Contributors Fae Ehsan (a community organizer who serves on the board of 5th Square Advocacy) and Conrad Benner (an art curator and storyteller who founded the Streets Dept blog and podcast) joins host Trenae Nuri to chat about their recommendations for budget-friendly meals. Text us about where we should be getting lunch: 215-259-8170 Plus, we’re talking about ways to make Philly streets safer as we inch closer to Vision Zero’s goal. And given federal and local money is being pulled back from the arts, we talk about how organizations, big and small, are keeping the lights on.  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Laurel Hill Center City Open Streets Fitler Club BalletX

Everyone’s talking about the health and wellness of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. This week, the organization announced that their franchise player will be out for the remainder of the season because of life-threatening blood clots. This has left more questions than answers. Contributors Nic Esposito and Lauren Vidas join host Trenae Nuri to discuss. Plus, they talk about what’s at stake for Pennsylvania Democrats as they go for a trifecta of control in the state House, Senate, and governorship in next month’s election. And we say goodbye to World Stage, formerly World Cafe Live. It’s shutting down at the end of this month. Listen back to our conversation with Inquirer music critic, Dan DeLuca, about the turmoil surrounding this West Philly music venue.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Laurel Hill Center City Open Streets Fitler Club GPHCC Sponsored Interview BalletX

With news that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is out for the season, the LeBron James era begins tonight as the 76ers start their season against the New York Knicks. Can he save our city? Contributors Eric Marsh and Conrad Benner also talk with City Cast Philly’s executive producer Matt Katz about a new law that bans most vapes in Pennsylvania and the woman who was arrested for blocking a robot’s path in Center City.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Laurel Hill Center City Open Streets Fitler Club GPHCC Sponsored Interview BalletX 

Earlier this month officials issued a “Do Not Eat” advisory for fish in the Wissahickon Creek after PFOS “forever chemicals” were found in a sample. And last week, a report was released that revealed that forever chemicals are actually present in all of Philly’s waterways. Yet there’s still a lot of activity in our city’s rivers. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Erin Mooney, executive director at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, about how essential the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers are to Philly. For more on this, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold a public meeting on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Penn Live Arts Laurel Hill Center City Open Streets Fitler Club

How much ownership or responsibility do you feel as a resident of Philadelphia? In Salt Lake City, people are being asked to “adopt a storm drain” to help keep city streets free of floods and trash — and to possibly slow the drying and pollution of the Great Salt Lake. City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta says it’s worth a shot. This week, she joins David to discuss how quick, periodic cleaning of a neighborhood sewer grate can be part of a much bigger solution. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form. Mentioned on the show: SLC’s Adopt A Storm Drain map: https://www.slc.gov/utilities/adoptastormdrain/  Ali’s past Your City Could Be Better episode on making a park census: https://yccbb.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-every-region-needs-a-park-map-tool-like-salt-lakes-plus-dry-heat-vs-humidity Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Could last weekend’s shooting death of a Philadelphia police officer have been prevented? We discuss whether police misconduct allowed a killer to go free in a 2019 case that preceded the shooting of the officer. Plus, we chat about colorful and vivid photography in Philadelphia in Color 1950-1990 – a new book that explores life in Philly. And for our members-only segment, there’s several scary and ghostly tours to take in the city right now. To that end, we’re doing our fall membership campaign right now — if you rely on this show to know about all the things that happened in the week (and the things coming up, like Open Studios at Village of Industry & Art and the Philly Coffee Festival), join us as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. And, for a limited time only, get a sweet dad hat. Sign up here.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here.  Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts uTest BalletX  Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

Contributors Conrad Benner and Alisha Miranda join Trenae Nuri to play three rounds of trivia and learn about some interesting Philly inventions and creations. Plus, with food prices continuing to go up, are Philly restaurants kinda mid these days? And we have some ideas of free and cheap places to hang out in the city.  Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. If you sign up now, you can snag an adorable Philly dad hat and come to our next free event – a Philly History Dive Bar Crawl.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts uTest

Contributor Fae Ehsan and Audience Development Manager Spencer Morris join Trenae Nuri to share the circumstances behind the shooting death of a 40-year-old police officer in West Philly last weekend. Plus, City Council is considering opening a city-supported grocery store (cc: Mayor Mamdani). And we have some ideas for how to save some cash and cook at home.  Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. If you sign up now, you can snag an adorable Philly dad hat and come to our next free event – a Philly History Dive Bar Crawl.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts uTest

We’re talking about interesting furniture finds on Facebook Marketplace in Philly. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by contributors Kamal Marell and Claudia Vargas to talk about how to spot quality items over the knockoffs. Plus, City Council unanimously passes a resolution to address the rat infestation in Mayfair. We also discuss the streets we’d never want a Waymo to take us on as the city waits for the rollout of the autonomous driving taxis. And we’re doing our fall membership campaign right now! If you rely on this show to know what’s happening in the city – and what to do in the city – become a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. And get this sweet dad hat. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts uTest

Another Philly school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form. Mentioned on the show: Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

We talk about WHYY’s investigation into Philadelphia Gas Works CEO’s years of free secret trips to Phillies spring training and how that could violate state ethics rules. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz also break down some highlights of the gubernatorial debate between Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger State Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Plus, Wawa debuts a new snack option. And for our members-only segment, we chat about some fall events happening at local farms in our region. To that end, we’re doing our fall membership campaign right now — if you rely on this show to know about all the things that happened in the week, from Wawa sushi to the gubernatorial debate, join us as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. And, for a limited time only, get this sweet dad hat. Sign up here. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here.  Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Learn more about the sponsors of this October 9th episode: Penn Live Arts Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia GPHCC Dine Latino PMA Craft Show   Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

Philly does it big with fall festivals, haunted attractions, and costume contests this time of year. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by contributors Conrad Benner of Streets Dept and Jay Vereen, content creator at Wooder Ice, to talk about alternative Halloween events. Plus, they discuss ways to support the city’s arts and creative community, and the recent theft of beef in the city.  We’re doing our fall membership campaign right now — if you rely on this show to know about all the things, from the beef heist to Halloween happenings, join us as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. And, for a limited time only, get this sweet dad hat. Sign up here. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia GPHCC Dine Latino PMA Craft Show

We’re taking a look at how the city is tackling copper wire theft, which darkens recreation centers and parks. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by creative producer Siani Colon and political contributor Lauren Vidas to also talk about challengers in next year’s council races and how Pennsylvania is at the epicenter for sports betting. Plus, we announce our members-only event on Oct. 28th: A Philly Dive Bar History Crawl! The event is only open to City Cast Philly Neighbors, so join our community and get your hands on some free City Cast Philly swag here.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia GPHCC Dine Latino PMA Craft Show

We’re zooming into Kensington and talking about how the Parker administration has been addressing issues in this neighborhood. Plus, Black Bottom becomes an official Philly neighborhood – is that enough to remember a displaced community? Host Trenae Nuri is joined with Santiago Ortiz, founder of No Shorts Media, and Eric Marsh, director of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. We also discuss the anniversary of HitchBOT’s destruction by Elfed’s Alley.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia GPHCC Dine Latino PMA Craft Show

What might be the future of our streets? We’re listening back to conversations we’ve recently had about a bill that would allow cyclists to treat red lights and stop signs as yields, upgrades coming to Roosevelt Boulevard, and where we’d like to see Center City District’s Open Street initiative replicated in other Philly neighborhoods. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by executive producer Matt Katz, senior creative producer Abby Fritz, independent journalist Claudia Vargas,  and contributors Cassidy Leyendeckers and Nic Esposito. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Penn Live Arts Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia GPHCC Dine Latino PMA Craft Show

When Philly looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketball court. David talks with Katy Burgio from NYCHA and Runit Chhaya of Grain Collective, one of the involved design firms, about the larger infrastructure the court is a part of and how it’s setting up NYC for climate resilience. Mentioned on the show: Water Square and its creative facilitators: https://www.dezeen.com/2025/11/25/grain-collective-basketball-courts-flood-prevention/  Rotterdam’s own “water square”: https://landezine.com/water-square-benthemplein-by-de-urbanisten/  Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Your water bill is increasing, and here’s why. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz dive into how to read your bill and why it’s so hard to get a Philadelphia Water Department customer service rep on the phone. And Kae Lani Palmisano, food editor of Philadelphia Magazine and host behind the podcast game show Everyone’s a Critic in Philadelphia, joins us as we guess the price of dishes served in the city. Plus, for City Cast Philly neighbors only, the best books by Philly authors to get from the library now. The American Library Association, founded in Philly, celebrates its 150th anniversary on October 6th.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here.  Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

Get ready for some seasonal fun because this month is packed with fall festivals, art exhibits — and, of course, haunted adventures. In this episode you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying October, including lots of recommendations you won’t find elsewhere. And if you love Spencer’s pick for margaritas in this episode, don’t miss our list of best new restaurants in Philly. For even more tips [LINK TO NEWSLETTER VERSION] on how to make the most of October in Philly, check out our newsletter. We’re powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show and other perks. Find out more here.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

We’re talking about why this is an exciting time to be a Philadelphia sports fan (other than the Trump administration’s questionable use of Eagles’ highlights in an anti-immigration video. Plus, we take a look at some new changes to tailgating rules down at Lincoln Financial Field and how fans are reacting. Host Trenae Nuri is with creative producer Siani Colón and content creator Jay Vereen. Plus, they talk about a new space opening up in East Passyunk where people can get free dating advice.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  PMA Craft Show