City Cast Philly

A Philadelphia Police Department pilot program, that refers people to social services instead of jail, is set to expand to the entire city this summer. The Police Assisted Diversion (PAD) started in Kensington in 2017 and has been successful, with only 8.5% of people who get into the program committing another crime after going through it. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Christina Griffith, contributing editor for the Philadelphia Citizen, about who qualifies for this program and if the city is ready for the expansion of PAD. Read Christina’s full story here.  Here’s a list of Neighborhood Energy Centers.  Center City District SIPS kicks off tonight.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Philly Beer Week is happening! Many of the top craft brewers in the country are right here in Pennsylvania. Host Trenae Nuri joins City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris to talk and sample the best beers in the Commonwealth.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. One more thing… we’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Philly an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new analysis by the online real estate brokerage company Redfin found buying a home is slightly cheaper than renting in four U.S. metro areas: Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland and Houston. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Michaelle Bond, residential real estate reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about the pros and cons of buying or renting a home in Philly.  Read Michaelle’s full story here.  First time home buyers can check out the the Philly First Home Program.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by City Cast Philly arts & culture contributor, Charles Tyson, Jr., and PhillyVoice staff writer Maggie Mancini. They discuss Philly Pride festivities, Temple University’s new public safety plan, and a free sunscreen program now at Pennsylvania's state parks. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Temple University should include North Philly community in its new safety plan, proposed City Council resolution says Philly Pride, a contentious event in recent years, is scheduled for June 4, 2023 Philly Pride March and Festival: Here's the parade route, road closures and other event details Odunde Festival  Philly Pride 365 Galaei. The Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade and Festival To prevent skin cancer, free sunscreen is available at 46 Pennsylvania state parks this summer When all the campaign signs in Philly will come down Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. One more thing... We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Philly an even better show. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. You’ll be doing us a big favor, so anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. Thanks so much! We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six school buildings have closed due to asbestos this year, and the School District of Philadelphia is scrambling to inspect more before the next school year. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Dale Mezzacappa, senior reporter at Chalkbeat Philadelphia, about what the risk is for students and staff, and why this keeps happening in Philly. Read more of Dale’s reporting here.  And, please take our audience survey! It's at citycast.fm/survey, and only takes about five minutes to complete. You’ll be doing us a big favor, so everyone who finishes it will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card! Thank you for helping us grow. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SEPTA is updating the Key system. Those are the electronic “smart cards” that replaced tokens and paper passes. But, that initial rollout took years and ran into tons of problems along the way. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Jordan Levy, general assignment reporter for Billy Penn, about what we can learn from past transit mistakes and what riders want. Read Jordan’s full story here.  And, please take our audience survey! It's at citycast.fm/survey, and takes about five minutes to complete. You’ll be doing us a big favor, so everyone who finishes it will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card! Thank you for helping us grow. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you grew up in Philly, you probably took a field trip to the Liberty Bell, City Hall or even the Betsy Ross house. This is American history that gets talked about a lot. But there are other important local figures you may have never heard about. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Samip Mallick, executive director of South Asian American Digital Archive, about how he documents and shares the stories of South Asian Americans who lived in Philly and changed the world.  To learn more about the "Revolution Remix" walking tours, visit: https://www.saada.org/walkingtour Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ali Mohsen, food and drink reporter at Billy Penn, and Sophia Schmidt, environment reporter at WHYY. They discuss how the city is trying to clean up dirty air from factories, how to cool off at Philly’s 90 sprinkler parks, and where to eat this Memorial Day weekend. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Philadelphia changed how it regulates toxic air pollution. Here are 3 things to know 90 spraygrounds open this weekend to keep Philadelphians cool Top picks for Memorial Day weekend food and fun if you’re staying in Philly Want some more Philly news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! You can find us at @citycastphilly  Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do the Grays Ferry, Fairmount, and Tioga neighborhoods have in common? Taney Street, named for the author of one of the most racist U.S. Supreme Court decisions in history. Neighbors have voted to rename the street after Caroline LeCount, known as “Philly’s Rosa Parks,” for her work to integrate streetcars here in the 1860s. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Samaya Brown, a member of the Rename Taney Coalition, about the years-long fight to get the street renamed, and what's holding up the change. This episode originally aired February 6th.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Philly has more than 4,000 murals, and claims the title “Mural Capital of the World.” But these public art pieces are being destroyed without warning, whether it’s South Philly’s famous Isaiah Zagar mosaics or murals representing the communities they’re located in. Lead producer Laura Benshoff talks with muralist, Shira Walinsky, and Streets Dept lead contributor, Eric Dale, about why this is happening more frequently and ways Philly could change the conversation around mural ownership. To support the work Streets Dept does, donate to patreon.com/streetsdept. To find some of Shira Walinsky’s more recent work, there’s an event on June 10 to launch a new partnership between Mural Arts, SEPTA, and local parks. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s prime time to eat outdoors! During the pandemic, more than 800 Philly restaurants set up spaces to serve guests outside. Now, it’s a little harder to find a place to enjoy a meal in the sunshine. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Ben Fileccia from the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association about how city regulations closed down many of these dining patios. Plus, he shares tons of recommendations for where you can still eat and drink outside this summer. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The remains of 50 unhoused Philadelphians will be laid to rest at Mount Peace Cemetery in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 23rd. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Michele Wexler, program manager of homeless services at the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, and Quibila Divine, Chief Program Officer at SELF, Inc, about providing dignity for the remains of citizens who may been neglected during their lifetimes. Donate to the Lester Ross Memorial Fund here.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Chris Palmer, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Lauren Cristella, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at The Committee of 70. We discuss how two men broke out of the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, this week's historic primary election, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Love Your Park Week. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  The second man who escaped from a Philadelphia jail last week was captured Wednesday morning, police say How did two prisoners escape from a Philly jail? As the search continues, an investigation is looking for answers. How Cherelle Parker won the primary: Black voters, a boost from labor, and a personal story of Philly grit After a Race Centered on Gun Violence, Cherelle Parker Wins Philadelphia Democratic Mayoral Primary Everything you need to know about Love Your Park Week 2023 Here’s your guide to all the fun activities you can get into this season at Fairmount Park.  Pizza Places mentioned in this episode:  Down Norf Joe’s Pizza Philly Pizza Shackamaxon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it a sweet riesling type of night? Or a boxed wine brunch Sunday? With Philly’s 300+ BYOB restaurants, you can pick the best alcoholic beverage to pair with some great food. To help break down the options, host Trenae Nuri chatted with Arindam Basu, molecular scientist and educator at Wine & Spirit Education Trust, about the city’s best restaurants to bring-your-own-beverage to and what drink he would pair with their menu. This episode originally aired in February. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

City Cast Philly is in your feed a little later this morning to bring you the most up-to-date results of the 2023 primary election. Host Trenae Nuri, lead producer Laura Benshoff, and producer Abby Fritz break down the winners, turnout and what we can expect for the general election in November. Want to check out the returns yourself? You can look at Philadelphia races at vote.phila.gov, and statewide contests at electionreturns.pa.gov. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Philly may lose more than 10,000 federally-backed affordable housing units in the next decade. To try to slow that trend, Philadelphia City Council has passed a package of bills aimed at making it harder to convert them into more profitable, market-rate homes. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Aaron Moselle, housing and community development reporter for WHYY’s PlanPhilly, about the battle between affordable housing and rising rents. Find your polling place on Atlas.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday is the big primary election in Philadelphia we’ve all been gearing up for. If you haven’t been paying much attention until now, we got you. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Asha Prihar, general assignment reporter at Billy Penn, and Katie Meyer, government editor and reporter at Spotlight PA, to break down your ballot.  Want more information to make your picks? Here are some resources that Asha and Katie mention in the episode: Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2023 primary election in Philly MEET YOUR MAYOR: A political matchmaking quiz for Philly voters Pa. primary election 2023: How to vote, where to vote, and everything you need to know for May 16 League of Women Voters guide Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Alan Yu, science reporter at WHYY’s The Pulse, and Jeff Gammage, immigration reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. We discuss why more immigrants arrived by bus from Texas to Philly, why the Mütter Museum takes down all its online exhibits, and how to get $25 concert tickets. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Philly receives first bus of immigrants from Texas in four months, readies for more arrivals Why did the Mütter Museum take down all their YouTube videos and online exhibits? Penn Medicine residents voted to unionize, creating the biggest new union in Philadelphia in more than 50 years Where Philly's mayoral candidates stand on "Savesies": Pro/con Live Nation Concert Week: How to Get $25 Tickets to Philly-Area Concerts Apply for a PlayStreet here.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mother’s Day is a national celebration, but it was founded by Anna Jarvis in Philadelphia. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Patricia Madej, senior digital editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, about the history of this special day and why Anna might have hated your brunch plans.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new report by the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania says Black girls in local public schools experience an oppressive school culture that holds them back and hurts their mental health. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Paige Joki, staff attorney at the Education Law Center and author of “We Need Supportive Spaces That Celebrate Us,” and Amaiyah, a 12th grade student from Philadelphia, about what needs to change. Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Follow us @citycastphilly. Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 215-259-8170. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices