Pennsylvania has been operating without a budget for nearly a month, meaning the commonwealth’s nonprofits, school districts and local governments are in a funding limbo. This also affects SEPTA, which will begin to make serious cuts to service unless the finalized state budget comes with more than $200 million for the system. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Stephen Caruso , who covers politics at the state capitol for SpotlightPA, and Megan Harris, host of our sister podcast City Cast Pittsburgh , ...
Jul 24, 2025•18 min
As a result of President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” approved by the Republican-controlled Congress, about 42,000 people in Philadelphia – that includes kids and older people – are slated to be kicked off of SNAP (food stamps). What do these cuts mean for our neighbors, and for kids? George Matysik, executive director of Philly’s Share Food Program , sits down with City Cast Philly’s executive producer Matt Katz to explain how food insecurity affects our city. Get more news & events in your...
Jul 23, 2025•22 min
Need to cool down this summer? How about swimming with horses or running through a Wissahickon-themed sprayground? The Philly region has all kinds of ways to lower your temperature by playing in water. Producers Abby Fritz and Selena Seay-Reynolds take a dip into the best spots to swim, kayak, tube, and get your feet wet. Plus, some water safety tips and findings from the quest for the Famous River Hotdog Man. Also, don't swim in Devil's Pool, here's why . But you can find other recommendations ...
Jul 22, 2025•33 min
The looming threat of a teachers’ strike and upcoming school closures are just two challenges facing the School District of Philadelphia. Host Trenae Nuri sits down with Carly Sitrin , bureau chief of Chalkbeat Philadelphia, to find out which neighborhood schools might close and which might get year-round classes. To attend a district meeting on the closures and get more information, go here: https://www.philasd.org/operations/ Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey ...
Jul 21, 2025•21 min
There’s been continued ICE arrests in Philly and around the region. The Northern Liberties Night Market scheduled for July 23rd is canceled. And provisional ballots get a redesign. Host Trenae Nuri, producer Abby Fritz, and Hey Philly newsletter editor Siani Colon discuss these stories and our readers’ comments on Philly pretzels, run clubs, and queer-friendly sports organizations in the city. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: South Philly block rattled after ICE so...
Jul 18, 2025•37 min
Money is tight these days, but your love life shouldn’t suffer! We’re listening back to a list of creative, fun and cheap date ideas all under $25 that host Trenae Nuri and Abby Fritz, City Cast Philly producer, came up with to impress that special someone. Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We’re also on Instagram: @citycastphilly Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Scribe Video Center ...
Jul 17, 2025•28 min
City Councilmember Mark Squilla’s district stretches from Chinatown to South Philly and up to the River Wards. He’s joining host Trenae Nuri on our weekly politics episode to talk about the latest on the projects and controversies in his district, from Market East to SEPTA funding, from the Chinatown Stitch to a new bus station. There’s more good news here than you might expect. More Philly news & events in your inbox comes in our daily newsletter, Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We...
Jul 16, 2025•43 min
We know some of you listen to City Cast Philly (and other podcasts) while you run. Maybe you’re running right now! Or maybe you want to start running and even try a race? If so, now’s the time to start training for the Philadelphia Marathon (or Half Marathon) later this year. Executive producer Matt Katz sits down with Michelle Quirk – a run coach , podcaster , and primary care doctor at CHOP – to get tips and tricks for moving your running game in Philly to the next level. Get Philly news &...
Jul 15, 2025•25 min
Host Trenae Nuri talks with Marquise Davon Richards – assistant director of Upward Bound Math & Sciences at Temple University and the host of the "Keepin' It a Bean"podcast , and Josh Okyne, a Philadelphia high school student, about why higher education matters and what it takes to support Black boys in college and beyond. Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We’re also on Instagram: @citycastphilly Learn more about the spon...
Jul 14, 2025•28 min
It's the Friday News Roundup! We're talking about how the city is starting to clean-up from the “Parker Piles” of trash that accumulated during the eight-day District Council 33 strike. Our attention now turns to the fate of SEPTA, which is in Harrisburg’s hands. We also take a sobering look at the recent mass shootings in the city. And as always, we dish on what we’re up to this coming weekend. Executive producer Matt Katz is joined by producer Abby Fritz and Hey Philly newsletter editor Siani ...
Jul 11, 2025•35 min
The strike is over, Philly, and now the clean-up begins. The District Council 33 strike – the Great Garbage Strike of 2025 – lasted eight days and led to a work stoppage that resulted in closed libraries, a shortage of 911 operators, and, most noticeably, no residential trash pick-up. Those piles of trash – dubbed “Parker Piles” for Mayor Cherelle Parker – will now get picked up, eventually. Executive producer Matt Katz and producer Abby Fritz tell you everything you need to know about how the a...
Jul 10, 2025•16 min
As the strike by District Council 33 stretches into a second week, the garbage situation in the city is only getting worse. Since residential garbage pick-up is suspended while sanitation and other city workers hit the picket lines, the city has set up dozens of dumpsters around the city. But does taking your own trash to a city dumpster make you a scab? That’s an argument union supporters are making. Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, sits down with Danny Bauder, president of Ph...
Jul 09, 2025•22 min
Summer in Philly means your neighbors or co-workers are down the Shore. Whether it’s for the beaches, boardwalks, or one of those parties that Jason Kelce has been drinking at, Philadelphians young and old look forward to any excuse to get down to Shore. So it’s the perfect time to listen back to a conversation between host Trenae Nuri and Jen Miller, a Jersey Shore expert, about where and how to vacation by the salty ocean waters. What’s your Jersey Shore town? Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Get...
Jul 08, 2025•24 min
We're taking a hike! The team is trying out a Philadelphia Inquirer tool that helps you figure out which Philly-area hikes fit your needs. Host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Matt Katz, and Hey Philly newsletter editor Siani Colón get recommendations from two Inquirer reporters who have hiked all over our region – Frank Kummer and Jason Nark . Listen for recommendations for your next hiking adventures. Check out the Inquirer's Take A Hike tool here . Get Philly news & events in your inbox w...
Jul 07, 2025•20 min
Trenae Nuri and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farmers market,’ pickle festivals to Elvis impersonators driving pink convertibles, our hosts are bri...
Jul 03, 2025•48 min
More than 9,000 city workers from the District Council 33 union went on strike Tuesday — and that means there’s no residential trash pick-up until the union comes to terms on a contract with Mayor Cherelle Parker. Striking city workers keep the city running in a variety of ways, so in addition to sanitation the work stoppage means longer wait times for 9-1-1, earlier closing times for rec centers, and so much more. Host Trenae Nuri talks the latest on the strikers’ demands with executive produce...
Jul 02, 2025•31 min
Philly’s bringing the heat, so we’ve curated a list of ways to have fun and beat these sizzling summer temperatures. In this episode you’ll hear about a new casual outdoor eating experience in Fishtown, the fairy festival in Roxborough, dancing on the Delaware River, and a burlesque cabaret show in Callowhill. For even more tips on how to make the most of July in Philly, check out Hey Philly’s take on what to do this month. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, ...
Jul 01, 2025•33 min
We all have been feeling the sweltering heat and humidity. The average summer temperatures in Philly have creeped up over the last few years, and that affects our health in surprising ways. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Tony Wood, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s weather reporter, about his new book, “Something in the Air: A Four-Season Guide to Weather and Health,” about Philly’s role in the history of climate science research. Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly...
Jun 30, 2025•24 min
It’s the Friday News Roundup. This week, we’re talking about the city agreeing to pay $3 million to the family of Thomas “TJ” Siderio, the 12-year-old boy fatally shot in the back by a Philly cop, why artists canceled their performances at World Cafe Live and several Center City bars pull out of SIPS. Plus, after two years, there still isn’t a Greyhound bus station. Host Trenae Nuri, producer Abby Fritz and Hey Philly newsletter editor Siani Colon dish about these topics, the happiest places in ...
Jun 27, 2025•33 min
We head over to Sharswood—just off Ridge Avenue and Master Street—to explore a new affordable housing development prioritizing its youngest neighbors. Play is no longer limited to parks and playgrounds. That’s because of a collaboration between community members and the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network to design interactive spaces that are opportunities for learning. Host Trenae Nuri joined the celebration on the International Day of Play to meet the people behind this innovative proje...
Jun 26, 2025•21 min
In our weekly politics episode, we discuss how with major funding sources like the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities facing cuts, many cultural organizations around the region are feeling the strain. City Council recently approved $5 million for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund in the 2026 fiscal year budget – a big win for the arts and cultural sector. In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania state lawmakers are going through budget negotiations; will they support our region’s creative community?...
Jun 25, 2025•32 min
Summer in Philly brings some of the best weekly deals on your favorite cocktails. SIPS in Center City is a popular Wednesday happy hour. There's also Passyunk Passegiata on Thursdays in East Passyunk, and Fishtown Taps offers drink discounts on Tuesdays. But you don’t have to drink alcohol to have fun. We’re bringing back this conversation with Nikki Graziano, Bar Palmina 's owner and bartender, about the drinks she’s shaking up and why she opened a nonalcoholic bar in Philly. This episode menti...
Jun 24, 2025•24 min
Philly loves its dogs, but there’s a plan to make some parks, playgrounds and rec centers “animal-free zones.” City Council passed a bill that would fine owners $2,000 if their dog is in a public park – whether on a leash or not. Host Trenae Nuri, who isn’t a dog owner, speaks with Johnny Goodtimes, a Philly dog owner and City Cast Philly contributor, about city canines, dog parks, and whether politicians are barking up the wrong tree. Check out these eight dog parks . Get Philly news & even...
Jun 23, 2025•21 min
City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Trenae Nuri and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Jeff D'Ambrosio Auto Group Learn more about your ad ch...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In our weekly politics episode, we’re talking about the near unanimous passing of the $6.8 billion city budget that includes eliminating a tax break for small businesses and green-lighting new housing initiatives. Host Trenae Nuri and City Cast Philly political contributor Lauren Vidas break down the winners and losers in this budget and the political relationships that Mayor Cherelle Parker is navigating. Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us...
Jun 18, 2025•30 min
When you think of ice cream innovation, 19th-century Philadelphians might not come to mind—but they should. We listen back to the sweet and surprising history of Philadelphia-style ice cream with host Trenae Nuri and food historian Sarah Lohman, who is host of City Cast Las Vegas. They dig into how women and Black culinary professionals revolutionized the ice cream-making process—and why their contributions have been largely overlooked. Get ready to rethink what you know about America’s favorite...
Jun 17, 2025•26 min
SEPTA is in trouble. The transit agency faces a $213 million budget deficit, and without an infusion of funds from the state in the next two weeks, service will be cut by 45% and fares will increase more than 20%. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz break down what’s at stake for our region if SEPTA has massive cuts, what lawmakers are saying, and what you can do right now to make your voices heard about this. For more information on SEPTA’s fiscal history and what you can do to vo...
Jun 16, 2025•19 min
It's the Friday news roundup! We’re talking about the $6.8 billion city budget approved by Council, the anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rally this weekend, a new poll taking the pulse of Philly, and a slumlord’s vacant West Philly apartment building that was deliberately set on fire. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz dig into all this (and into our weekend plans, of course). Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Final Budget, HOME Bills, Ready for Final Passage Pe...
Jun 13, 2025•27 min
Happy Father’s Day, Philadelphia! On today’s show we have a roundtable with three Philly dads talking about fatherhood in 2025 and how to be a great dad in Philadelphia. City Cast Philly Executive Producer Matt Katz, father of two and creator of the Inconceivable Truth podcast, is joined by Joel Austin, father of seven and founder of Daddy University , and Joe Gidjunis, father of one and host of Grown Up Dad on PBS. For information about Daddy’s University 13th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Jun...
Jun 12, 2025•37 min
City council will vote tomorrow on Mayor Cherelle Parker’s plan to borrow $800 million to create and preserve housing in Philly. This is one of her biggest priorities for the city. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz break down a conversation with Jon Geeting, the engagement director at the political action committee Philadelphia 3.0 , about the challenges of maintaining and building homes — and the price tag that comes with it. Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our n...
Jun 11, 2025•19 min
