Immigration advocates say Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity has increased at the Philadelphia International Airport. Meanwhile, package theft continues to hit the city – specifically these neighborhoods. Host Trenae Nuri, creative producer Siani Colón, and  DJ/artist/filmmaker Kamal Marell talk about these stories and which films and workshops they’re planning to see at the 15th annual BlackStar Film Festival.  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

SEPTA gets us around the city, to the airport, to the stadiums, and to the surrounding suburbs. And later this month, the transit agency is overhauling its network of buses. Host Trenae Nuri and creative producer Siani Colón chat about all the changes you need to know, perks you can get with your SEPTA Key Card, and tips to make you a pro at riding public transit.   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: Visit Delco PA

The nationwide cyclospora outbreak has found its way to Philly. We’ve got what you need to know to stay safe. Meanwhile a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday over allegations of aggressive policing in the Gayborhood during this year’s Pride celebrations. Host Trenae Nuri, creative producer Siani Colón, and Jacen Bowman, president of Philly’s Black Pride, also talk about the new speed cameras in the city and if speed bumps are slowing drivers down.   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: Visit Delco PA

What do you do when you want your voice heard on great ideas you have to support your neighborhood? Let's say you want to organize a block party, or have a seat at the table for zoning decisions about that vacant lot in your neighborhood. In this episode, we’re listening back to host Trenae Nuri talk with Violet Comber-Wilen, a reporter at Billy Penn, about getting involved in your neighborhood and learning about the inner workings of very local civic engagement. 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: Visit Delco PA

Do you know how zoning laws affect Philly’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it physically impossible to build tall buildings downtown, even for housing — that is, until the local government finally aligned to overturn it. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with Eli Sabin, a New Haven native and one of the alders (aka city council members) responsible for passing this change in recent months. Eli spent years working toward this goal, and he talks with David about what now needs to happen to fully realize its potential and increase affordability for locals. 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.

For the fourth year in a row, Philadelphia has been crowned the nation's most walkable city. Yet for most locals, walking to work or even the grocery store isn't realistic. So why does Philly keep earning the top spot? Host Trenae Nuri joins senior producer Abby Fritz and newsletter editor Siani Colón to break down what "walkability" really means, where Philly gets it right, and what still needs to change.  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: Visit Delco PA

While some Philadelphians are still down the shore this summer, there’s plenty of fun events happening in the city in August. We recommend attending the 15th annual Black Star Film Fest, Ennoble Care Philly Open, and The Philadelphia Cycling Classic. In this episode, you’ll also hear about a pierogi fest in Port Richmond, bug walk along the Parkway, and an “ecstatic dance party” in Germantown. And if you need more recommendations, check out our picks for the city’s best vinyl listening rooms, local hardware stores for your summer DIY projects, and rooftop bars.    For even more tips on how to make the most of August in Philly, check out our newsletter, which has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. City Cast Philly made possible by our awesome sponsors, like VisitDelco.com.   We’re powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show and other perks. Find out more here.  Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

Missed trash pick-up, abandoned car, fallen tree, and a pothole — what do these all have in common? You call 311 if you want the city to help you with these concerns. But depending on which neighborhoods you live in, you could be waiting longer than other neighborhoods to get a pothole filled or an abandoned car towed. Why is that? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Nick Jain, a Fairmount resident who analyzed over a million 311 data points, to try and answer this question.   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. If you enjoyed this interview with Bob Jaeger, President of Partners for Sacred Spaces learn more here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

Ever since LeBron James announced he’s going to wear the red, white, and blue Philadelphia 76ers uniform, the Philly and regional impact has been huge. And if the buzz wasn’t enough, some pages on social media are creating AI generated content about James and his new teammates on the Sixers. So, how can you spot a fake? Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Siani Colón, our newsletter editor, Santiago Ortiz, founder of No Shorts Media, to talk about all things LeBron – and also an idea to help taxi cabs survive in Philly.  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

Summer 2026 has been a historic summer for the city. Reports show 1.4 million people poured into Philly this summer to attend FIFA World Cup matches, the free Lemon Hill Fan Fest, America's 250th anniversary on July 4 weekend, and the MLB All-Star Weekend. Visitors also traveled on SEPTA, drank at bars, and ran up the art museum steps. So how did Philadelphia do with these major events? And were the city’s investments worth it? Host Trenae Nuri sat down with Mayor Cherelle Parker in City Hall to debrief the busy summer season, some criticisms, and the other policy issues she’s focused on this year.  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