CitizenCast

Local debates around Gaza, school closings, and ICE all raise the same question: Does anyone care about actual governing, or has Philly fully entered the age of the political grandstand?

When Republican Stephen Goldsmith was Mayor of Indianapolis, IN, he ran his city by "devolving" decisions down to the grassroots level. He created partnerships with the movers and shakers of local areas – community-based organizations, small businesses, faith leaders — to decide together how best to spend money in their neighborhoods.

"Government had neglected those neighborhoods," he told our podcast hosts, former Mayors Kasim Reed of Atlanta and Michael Nutter of Philly. "And no amount of expenditures would have been sufficient if we couldn't lift up the civic infrastructure of the neighborhoods themselves."

This, said Goldsmith, who was a deputy mayor under Mike Bloomberg in New York and is now a professor of urban policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School, is the true power of mayors: the ability to convene and inspire a city to greatness. Despite the circus coming from Washington, D.C., Goldsmith told our hosts that he has great hope for cities. "This is the time to be mayor, because if you want to lead, you can really make a difference."

Goldsmith also garnered some unexpected praise from our hosts. "I was struck by your book, Putting Faith in Neighborhoods: Making Cities Work through Grassroots Citizenship," Citizen Co-Founder Larry Platt told him. "I remember thinking it was a model for cities to follow."

"This is exciting," Goldsmith replied, "You're one of five people who read that book. What sort of life do you live?"

"We're working on it, Mayor Goldsmith," laughed Nutter and Reed. "We're trying to help him!"

As cities go, so goes the nation!

There are only two options for generating more money to fund schools and city services, writes former City Councilmember Allan Domb. One way is clearly better than the other.

When the world is a lonely mess around you, sometimes you need to step out and build bridges.

If you have a question for Kimberly, fill out this form and we'll do our best to feature it in an upcoming episode.

Spain's capital may be centuries older than Philadelphia, but the vibrant city offers a forward-thinking, growth mindset idea that our comparatively smaller (and younger) hometown should steal

In the wake of another scene of politically-motivated gun violence, the Trump administration points the finger unequivocally at the opposition party. Ali Velshi clarifies who is actually responsible for overt calls to violence.

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley takes deputy editor Lauren McCutcheon on a Gordon Parks-style journey through the streets of Philadelphia using his most iconic photographs of neighborhood life.

To see the photographs behind the conversation, visit this story on the web.

In the fourth installment of the Ultimate Job Interview, three candidates vying to represent the 3rd Congressional District (Center City, North and South Philly and a large area of West Philly) sit with 6abc's Matt O'Donnell and a panel of interviewers to answer some of the most pressing questions of the race as the May 19 primary draws closer.

In order of appearance:

(2:30) Dr. Ala Stanford

(23:30) State Representative Chris Rabb

(43:30) State Senator Sharif Street

This Mother's Day, one West Philly woman wants to help the suffering of mothers and children through "grief weaving."

During this semiquincentennial season, Dr. James Peterson looks at the story of a woman enslaved at Stenton in 1776, which brings up more questions than answers. And that is as it should be.