City Cast Philly

Generations of Philadelphia children have walked through The Franklin Institute’s 18-foot-high Giant Heart. The heart was recently renovated as the centerpiece of a new $8.5 million Body Odyssey exhibit featuring three rooms of high-tech interactive activities. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and four kids who they both know very well. Sadie and Reuben are Matt’s kids. Nabi and Yahara are Trenae’s kids. And each has an opinion about the exhibit.   Have a question or just want to share some thoughts about the Giant Heart or anything else? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Want some more Philly news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X & Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocky is a beloved character in Philly and beyond. Millions of people come to visit the Rocky statue and run up the steps at the Art Museum each year. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Kathryn Ott Lovell, president & CEO of Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, who’s behind the first-ever RockyFest. This festival is eight days of fun, from a bus tour, yappy hour to date night ideas and a movie marathon!  Read more about RockyFest here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hottest Christmas album in America is as Philly as it comes. “A Philly Special Christmas Party” from the group known as The Philly Specials features Eagles greats Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and the recently retired Jason Kelce, plus guest tracks from Boyz II Men and Stevie Nicks. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with album producer Charlie Hall, the drummer from Philly's own War on Drugs. They talk about why Philly is the perfect inspiration for Christmas music and how a song about a stoned Santa driving down Broad and Pattison is both climbing the holiday charts AND raising money for Philly kids. Need more Philly news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. Have thoughts about The Philly Specials or why Philly in so special? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. We’re also on X & Instagram: Follow us @citycastphilly. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about the hearings on the proposed Center City basketball arena, the deal that averted a SEPTA strike, and the questions surrounding the shooting death of Robert Jones by an off-duty cop. We also have news on behind-the-scenes drama with the Sixers and a loud karaoke taxi driving around town that’s bringing both joy and distress. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and producer Abby Fritz.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Chinatown advocates tell City Council 76ers arena would push neighborhood 'toward the precipice' City Council needs to take the Sixers arena proposal seriously | Editorial Man shot and killed by off-duty Philly homicide detective was unarmed, sources and family’s lawyer say A karaoke taxi has come to town but some want the plug pulled on the Center City attraction SEPTA strike averted in last-minute deal with transit workers union How is SEPTA funded? Inside the Philadelphia transit agency's budget – and what's behind the "death spiral" Shapiro says he won’t let SEPTA ‘fail’ as struggling transit agency warns of looming cuts Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has the weather been throwing you off lately? Between the historic lack of rain and mild fall temperatures, it’s hard to imagine what the climate will look like in the coming months. So Host Trenae Nuri sat down with Tony Wood, a reporter for the Inquirer who focuses on weather, to get a breakdown of what’s causing these conditions and what to expect next.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns  If you enjoyed today's interview with Luray Caverns Director of Marketing and PR, Bill Huffman, learn more here." Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week we talked about criticisms of the city’s ambitious initiative to clean every block in every neighborhood. Today we sit down with Casey Kuklick, deputy director of the office that runs the citywide clean-up, about the trash-clearing efforts now and going forward. Kuklick reveals that some of us are getting twice-weekly trash pick-ups! Have complaints or concerns (or compliments) about trash in the city? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Want some more Philly news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X & Instagram. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s up with all the dog poop around the city? Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Shaunice Ajiwe, associate editor at Philadelphia Magazine, about her article: "How Did Philly Dog Culture Get So Out of Control?" They wonder why dogs are now in the grocery stores, and they ask how pooches, pups, and dog owners can live together in harmony in the City of Brotherly Love.  We expect you probably have some thoughts one way or another about today's show. Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Let us know if we can use your name on the air. Want some more Philly news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re on X & Instagram. Follow us @citycastphilly. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanksgiving dinner is delicious, sure, but it can be a hassle to prep and cook. So if you’re prioritizing ease this Thanksgiving, and therefore you want someone else to do the cooking, there are plenty of Philly restaurants where you can make a reservation. Host Trenae Nuri spoke with Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé, a local food reporter and founder of Tiny Table Tours, about the best places to dine on the 28th. Pro tip: Get those reservations ASAP! Restaurants mentioned in the episode:  Dim Sum House The Twisted Tail Bridget Foy's  Fork Parc  a. kitchen Le Cavalier  Sapori Trattoria Italiana Assembly Rooftop Lounge Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about the recount that’s been ordered in the Pennsylvania Senate race between Dave McCormick and Sen. Bob Casey. We also cover what came out of this week’s City Council hearings on the proposed Sixers arena and why Philly is smelling smoke from New Jersey. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and producer Abby Fritz.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  City Council hears testimony from Parker administration on proposed Sixers arena Philly City Council kicks off series of hearings devoted to Sixers’ arena proposal Pennsylvania Senate race headed to recount as Casey trails McCormick by less than half a point Bob Brady’s feud with the Harris campaign reignited long-held criticisms of the city party. But he says he’s not going anywhere. N.J. declares drought warning as conditions worsen; state’s biggest water supplier orders mandatory conservation South Jersey wildfires create hazy conditions in Philadelphia on Sunday 14-year-old charged with aggravated arson for allegedly starting 52-acre wildfire in South Jersey What does ‘John Wick’ have to do with the N.J. wildfires? See tips for how to conserve water during this dry spell here.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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.  Learn more about the sponsor of this episode:  Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SEPTA says it’s in a financial death spiral. The transit agency is about to increase fares on everything, across the board, by 25%. And cuts to service are on the way. Meanwhile, SEPTA’s CEO just quit, and in the backdrop of all of that, workers are threatening to strike. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Tom Fitzgerald, transportation reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. They break down what this all could mean for your ride to work and school.  Read more of Tom’s reporting here. SEPTA is holding an upcoming public hearing about fare increases. Find out more here.   Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This summer the city embarked on an initiative to clean every block in every neighborhood. And last month the city announced results: Workers cleaned more than 18,000 blocks, cleared over 5,000 lots, towed about 2,000 vehicles, and removed 2,078 instances of graffiti. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Nic Esposito, director of policy and engagement at Circular Philadelphia, who says those numbers don’t tell the full story – because the citywide cleanup actually failed.  Read Nic’s opinion article in Grid Magazine and check out Glitter, the street-cleaning service he mentioned. You can also read The Inquirer’s coverage of the issue. To find out where and when trash gets picked up by the city, go here and scroll to PickupPHL. And to find out when your block is due to get cleaned under the citywide cleaning program, go here. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s list of the 76 essential places to eat in Philly is here, and host Trenae Nuri is talking to the two editors who put it all together – Margaret Eby and Matt Buchanan.  Here’s all of the restaurants referenced in this episode, in order of their mention: Doro Bet Villa di Roma Scannicchio’s Parc Barclay Prime  Alpen Rose Borromini Suraya Kalaya Saad’s Zeppoli Li Beirut Fond Gabriella’s Vietnam Friday Saturday Sunday Little Walter Dinner House John’s Roast Pork Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's been a lot of national political news filling our feeds this past week. Let's zoom into what's happening on the ground here in Philly and revisit a conversation host Trenae Nuri had with Shawna Smith, founder and owner of A Chance at Life, and Prentice Boone, founder of the Junior Barber Academy. They discuss how to create spaces for young people in our city. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about how it feels now that this election is over and what a Trump presidency will mean for Philadelphians. We also cover the latest on the Jason Kelce and Joel Embiid incidents. Plus, how we’re decompressing from the election. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and producer Abby Fritz.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  To win Pennsylvania, Donald Trump did exactly what he needed to in Philly: Improve slightly. Philadelphia City Commissioners Unofficial 2024 Election Results  Donald Trump’s growing support among Latino voters helped him clinch battleground Pennsylvania Kamala Harris campaign lashes out at Bob Brady for his lack of leadership after he claims no responsibility for Tuesday’s red wave Common Wealth of Pennsylvania Unofficial Election Results Jason Kelce on phone-throwing incident: ‘The thing that I regret the most is saying that word’ Joel Embiid suspended 3 games for shoving media member Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Philadelphia Citizen Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is now president-elect. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Brian Rosenwald, political and media historian at the University of Pennsylvania, who writes about politics on Substack at The World According to Brian. They discuss how Trump did far better than previous Republican candidates in overwhelmingly Democratic Philly, and what his victory means for American democracy.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Philadelphia Citizen  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sun is rising in Philadelphia, and we’re here with the latest results in the presidential, senate and local elections. Host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Matt Katz, and producer Abby Fritz have reports from polling places and the most up-to-date results.  Follow the latest vote in tally in Philly:  Philadelphia City Commissioners Office  Want some more Philly election news? Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  The Philadelphia Citizen Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As America white-knuckles its way into one of the closest presidential elections in modern history, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with the hosts of our shows in swing state cities. Our host, Trenae Nuri, joins a panel discussion with the hosts from Las Vegas, Madison, and Pittsburgh. In this special episode, our crew of hosts gives you a locals’ look inside how their cities are preparing for the presidential election and its aftermath. From a peek inside the Pennsylvania election warehouse where mail-in ballots will be counted, to a glimpse at how Dane County, Wisconsin’s early voting is going, you’re invited to hear what the swing states are talking about…with each other. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this November 5th episode: The Philadelphia Citizen Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tomorrow is the big day. And the Philadelphia City Commissioners – the three elected officials in charge of voting – have been busy preparing. So whether you voted by mail or plan to do so in-person tomorrow, what really happens after you vote? Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, a Republican, about how voting works, whether voter fraud really happens, and why Philly hasn’t started counting mail ballots just yet.   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. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 4th episode: The Philadelphia Citizen Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! All eyes have been on Pennsylvania – perhaps the most important swing state in the presidential election. Here in Philly, we haven’t had this much influence since the Founding Fathers met up in Independence Hall. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Matt Katz, executive producer of City Cast Philly, and Julia Terruso, political reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, to break down the last days of this polarizing election and how Philly may hold the deciding votes. They discuss how Harris and Trump are basically tied, which celebrities are coming to town, and what’s happening on the campaign trail this weekend.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great journalism:  Vice President Kamala Harris will hold an election eve rally in front of Philadelphia Museum of Art Harris and Trump are navigating Pennsylvania’s gender gap with bro podcasts and ladies’ room Post-its Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama exhort Philly supporters to get out and vote for Kamala Harris The Interview: John Fetterman Fears Trump is Stronger Than Ever Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on X 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Luray Caverns Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tis’ the season for the return of the Giant Heart, a fake living room on fire, and lots of food!  In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying November in Philly, where to find the kale Caesar hoagie that’s breaking TikTok, how to cheer on runners during the Philadelphia Marathon and Rocky Run, and where to take the family to celebrate the holidays. For even more tips on how to make the most of November in Philly, sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly and read our picks for what to do this month. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Philly community. 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 enjoyed today's interview with Luray Caverns Director of Marketing and PR, Bill Huffman, learn more here. And for more about the other sponsor of this episode: BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices