Philadelphia boasts dozens of clubs, civic organizations, and communities that can help denizens get connected and stay engaged. But finding those groups, especially as a busy adult, can be a real challenge. That’s why Brian Adoff started Join Philly, an organization that helps people join groups that matter to them – everything from volunteering at the Free Library to connecting with fellow succulent lovers at Cactus Club. Host Trenae Nuri sat down with Brian to talk about the second annual activities fair, a free event where Philadelphians can meet representatives from more than 40 clubs and sign up for something new. Think of it like club day at school – but for grown-ups!

City Cast Philly is proud to be the official host and media partner of the Philadelphia Activities Fair. Join us this Sunday, April 12, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Philadelphia Ethical Society.

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As the weather warms up, it’s time to ditch winter clothes for shorts and skirts. But how can you build the perfect summer wardrobe without breaking the bank, and find places to donate things you no longer need? Host Trenae Nuri, senior producer Abby Fritz, and newsletter editor Siani Colón have you covered. We’ll let you in on all our favorite thrift stores in Philly, from warehouse-sized outlets to hidden gems; pay-by-the-pound bargains to discerning vintage finds.

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While Philly will be getting a WNBA team in 2030 and Denver will not, Denver is the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has invested so much into having sports downtown, how Denver has capitalized on repurposing old industrial spaces, and how bad traffic gets when all your sports are downtown. Plus, is it better to have a Mayor with or without aims for a greater political office?

Mentioned on the show:

The $tadium Game: Inside the lucrative world of Colorado’s pro sports stadiums [⁠The Denver Pos⁠t]

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? ⁠Email David now! ⁠

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While Philly will be getting a WNBA team in 2030 and Denver will not, Denver is the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has invested so much into having sports downtown, how Denver has capitalized on repurposing old industrial spaces, and how bad traffic gets when all your sports are downtown. Plus, is it better to have a Mayor with or without aims for a greater political office?

Mentioned on the show:

The $tadium Game: Inside the lucrative world of Colorado’s pro sports stadiums [The Denver Post]

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

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It’s the Friday news roundup! PECO says it wants to raise prices again – here’s how it could affect your bill, and where the money would go. Northeast Philly just saw its second small plane crash in as many years – here’s what happened. What’s behind the semiquincentennial-branded benches and planters popping up around the city. And, pour one out for Philly’s lacrosse team, the Wings, who announced that this season will be their last.

See host Trenae Nuri speak at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4 during the 2026 WHYY News Civic News Summit.  

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This fall, Philadelphia voters will send a new lawmaker to D.C. to represent Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District. For the first time in decades, there’s a tight primary. Three major candidates are dominating this phase of the race: public health expert Dr. Ala Stanford, three-term State Senator Sharif Street, and progressive State Rep. Chris Rabb.

Host Trenae Nuri talks with our political correspondent Lauren Vidas about how these candidates pulled ahead of the crowded field, and how voters can learn more about them.

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Spring is now in full bloom, and so is the city. There are so many events, places to eat, and free things to do in Philly this April. Make sure to join us at the Philadelphia Activities Fair with Join Philly on Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Philadelphia Ethical Society. And if you liked Trenae and Siani’s picks for coffee shops in this episode, here are some other coffee shops in the city. If you’re looking to sip on something after work, but want alcohol-free spaces, we have an episode for that. 

For even more tips on how to make the most of April in Philly, check out our newsletter.

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While students and families wait for the School Board to vote on the Facilities Master Plan, a plan that could close 18 public schools and merge others, they have voiced concerns about what this means for students' safety during the transition.  While the timeline for the decision is uncertain, city officials and the school district are thinking about how to mitigate any tension that could come from these big changes. Senior producer Abby Fritz talks with Sammy Caiola, a gun violence solutions reporter for Chalkbeat Philadelphia, about what our city officials and the school district are doing, and could be doing better, to prepare for school closures.

Read more of Sammy's reporting on safety during this transition here and here. 

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For residents of Port Richmond in the Northeast, the Franklin Slag Pile is a familiar sight. It's a huge black mound at the corner of Castor and Delaware Avenues, covered in a tarp, fenced off behind chain link. The pile may not look like much, but the Environmental Protection Agency has deemed it one of the most hazardous sites in Philadelphia. Now, more than 20 years after declaring the Franklin Slag Pile a Superfund site, the EPA says it's going to start cleanup in the coming months. Reporter Jordan Gass-Poore joins senior producer Abby Fritz to talk about why this effort has taken so long and how climate change is making toxic sites in Philadelphia even more dangerous.

Read Jordan’s full report about the Franklin Slag Pile here. 

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More affordable housing is needed in places like Philadelphia. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, this fast-growing city is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lower-income residents can afford. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Austin podcast host Nikki DaVaughn about this paradox, the city’s affordable housing successes, and where Austin’s still falling short. Plus, how far is too far to walk to a neighbor’s house?

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