City Cast Philly – Details, episodes & analysis

First Fridays are a big deal in Philly, because it’s a chance for the city’s art scene to shine. Art lovers and deal seekers alike can enjoy extended hours and/or pay-what-you-wish admission at some art museums, and free wine and snacks at local galleries. We’re revisiting an episode with host Trenae Nuri and Chelsey Luster, a Philadelphia-based curator, educator, and visual artist, about how to make the most of First Fridays. Follow Chelsey’s work here. Check out our September events guide for more things happening around the region.  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 episode: Tecovas Babbel Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s another midweek news roundup! We’re talking about the latest twist in the shooting death of Eddie Irizarry, and SEPTA’s crackdown on riders who don’t pay up. Plus, we’ve got a Philly news quiz that you can play along with. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, and Asha Prihar, Hey Philly newsletter editor.   Our news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Former Philly officer Mark Dial's first-degree murder charge dropped SEPTA is treating fare evasion as a criminal offense for the first time in five years SEPTA is upping penalties for smoking, urinating, drunkenness and other bad behavior on transit Read more about our news quiz (spoilers ahead): Sixers invited to move to Wilmington  Mayor Parker supported Josh Shapiro for VP. Now she’s urging Democrats to get behind Walz ‘Philly Special’ QB Nick Foles is officially retiring as an Eagle 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.

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Today's topics include the nine nominees for the Philadelphia Board of Education, and which neighborhood is getting a new public restroom pod, known as a Philly Phlush. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Dale Mezzacappa, senior reporter at Chalkbeat Philadelphia, and Mike D’Onofrio, reporter for Axios Philadelphia. They also discuss plans to see Monday’s solar eclipse.  Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  Some area schools are dismissing early, or keeping kids longer, for the upcoming solar eclipse Philadelphia's next public bathroom will soon open in City Park Parker’s picks for Philly school board back her vision for year-round school, longer days Learn more about the 2024 Philly Spring Cleanup 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.

At the beginning of each month, Philly’s art scene gets some extra love with a citywide celebration called First Friday. Art lovers and deal seekers alike can enjoy extended hours and/or pay-what-you-wish admission at some art museums, and free wine and snacks at local galleries. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Chelsey Luster, a Philadelphia-based curator, educator, and visual artist, about how to make the most of First Fridays. Follow Chelsey’s work here. For more information on First Friday celebrations, check out @phillyfirstfriday on Instagram. 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.

A disclaimer: this episode contains descriptions of violence and mentions sexual assault. In gas stations, bars and shops in the city, it’s not uncommon to see private security guards, some openly carrying large firearms. But a recent investigation by The Philadelphia Inquirer found that Pennsylvania has some of the most archaic laws in the country governing the private security industry. Guards may receive little training or oversight, leading to injuries, lawsuits, and even deaths. Executive producer Laura Benshoff speaks with Samantha Melamed, investigative reporter with the Inquirer, about this wild west scenario and what needs to change to make the public—and guards—safer. Read Samantha’s full story 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 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.

We’re back with another midweek news roundup. Today’s topics include a new lawsuit attempting to stop the $250+ million renovations at FDR Park and SEPTA’s latest campaign to get people to stop smoking on the train. Plus, we’ve got a news quiz for you, featuring even more recent headlines! Executive producer Laura Benshoff is filling in for host Trenae Nuri and recaps these news stories and more with producer Abby Fritz and Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar. Our news roundups are powered by great local journalism:  “This isn’t route 420”: Smoke-Free SEPTA works to curb smoking on public transit ‘Smoke-free SEPTA’ marks the latest effort to discourage Philly riders from lighting up on the subway Tree clearing in FDR Park gets approval from Philly zoning board South Philly residents sue city, demand injunction on FDR Park makeover For more information on the stories in our news quiz (and some spoilers), check out these links: Question 1, Question 2, Question 3 and Question 4. Check out our episodes from 2022 about the FDR Park Plan here and here.  Want some more Philly news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Philly. We’re also 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.

We’ve got your guide for the best things to do in Philly this month, no foolin’. Tune in to learn about upcoming street festivals, new restaurants to try, and free events from salsa classes to board game rentals. Host Trenae Nuri, executive producer Laura Benshoff, producer Abby Fritz, and Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar each share their recommendations for things to do, and then vote for their favorites. Our recommendations for April: Snatcherella 3000 Battle of the Seasons: Dueling Diva Smackdown Kampar  2024 Philly Theatre Week Flavors on the Avenue National Board Game Day at Thirsty Dice WWE WrestleMania 40 The Chef Conference 2024 Philadelphia Recreation Centers Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at the Franklin Institute Manayunk StrEAt Food Festival ¡Bailar en FDR! Salsa Class and Social Dance For even more things to do this month, check out our website. 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. 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! Topics this week include a NE Philly state house primary that pits two politically-connected families against each other and a new program to help public school students manage trauma. Executive Producer Laura Benshoff is joined by Gillian McGoldrick, Harrisburg reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Dale Mezzacappa, senior reporter at Chalkbeat Philadelphia.  Our Friday News Roundups are powered by great local journalism:   This Northeast Philly race pits the Doughertys against the Boyles — and the GOP thinks it can flip the seat Philly police will notify schools about students found at traumatic events under pilot program Chaddsford Winery and event space up for sale after 42 years PHS Pop Up Gardens open for the season on Friday For more information on the PHS Pop Up Gardens, check out their website. 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.

There’s nothing like a fresh bagel with cream cheese, or a bagel sandwich, to kick off your morning. Luckily, Philly has an abundance of homegrown bagel places to satisfy all of your carb-y cravings. A few months ago, City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, and food contributor Dave Wez (@feedingtimetv), debated the pros and cons of the different styles, toppings, and shmears you can find at Philly’s best bagel shops. The spots mentioned in this episode are: Bart's Bagels Essen Bakery The Kettle Black K'Far Cafe Kismet Bagels Knead Bagels  New York Bagel Bakery Philly Style Bagels Schmear It Spread Bagelry Vanilya Bakery 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Germantown is going through a transformation. Since 2019, at least 400 new housing units have come online, with another 400 expected in 2025, according to WHYY. This investment is coming to a Philly neighborhood with a deep sense of pride and a history of being overlooked by developers. Some residents hope these new projects will attract more businesses, while others fear changes to the neighborhood could price out longtime residents. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Aaron Moselle, reporter with WHYY’s PlanPhilly, about the likelihood of rapid gentrification here. Read Aaron’s full story 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 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