It’s Wednesday, so we’re talking politics and the peculiar Philly political practice known as  “councilmanic prerogative.” It’s an unwritten rule here in Philly that basically gives district councilmembers a lot of power. They can greenlight new developments or bring projects to a complete stop. Over in North Philly, there’s tension between Councilmember Jeffrey “Jay” Young, Jr. and some community members over his use of councilmanic prerogative to block the long-planned reconstruction of the Cecil B. Moore Library. Daniel Pearson, columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, joins us to discuss both the library issue and this nuance in city politics. 

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What can we expect for Philly in 2026? Will council members end their honeymoon with the mayor? Where will an AI data center open? And how many cheesesteak shops will open? Host Trenae Nuri is joined by the City Cast Philly team, executive producer Matt Katz, senior producer Abby Fritz, and newsletter editor Siani Colón to drop our predictions for politics, food, and city life.  

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Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026’s biggest local stories. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers.

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Happy New Year! We’re excited to welcome 2026 as the city begins to light up with so many big events. In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying January, plus where to swing in a heated golf bay, eat a cheap "girl dinner," and learn about Philly's long list of firsts. And if you love Siani’s idea for swapping out your clothes, don’t miss our recent episode about the best thrift stores in Philly.

For even more tips on how to make the most of January in Philly, check out our newsletter's take on what to do this month.

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Philly community.

City Cast Philly is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like Simply Eloped. And we’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Philly.

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In the mood for dessert? We’ve got the best spots for cinnamon rolls, cannolis, cookies, cakes, and more. Join host Trenae Nuri in conversation with food journalists for The Infatuation Philadelphia, Candis McLean and Alison Kessler. 

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Planning a trip to Philly or have guests visiting from out of town? Look no further for recommendations than this episode as the City Cast Philly team (host Trenae Nuri, producer Abby Fritz, newsletter editor Siani Colón, and executive producer Matt Katz) give nothing but the best recommendations for must-do experiences, restaurants, and hidden gems in the city.

What do you recommend visitors see and eat in Philly? Call or text us: 215-259-8170

To listen to our series on South Street that Trenae mentioned, our four episodes are here, here, here, and here. And here is our show on Carpenters’ Hall.

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What happened to burgers in this town? You used to be able to get a great burger for $10,  maybe $15. Now we’ve got $25-plus burgers everywhere. So host Trenae Nuri talks with food contributor Alisha Miranda about 11 spots in Philly where we can still find great burgers (and fries, of course) for $20 or less.  

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Philly has a big 2026 with major events such as the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game, and celebrations for America’s semiquincentennial. And big events mean more tourists coming through Philly, especially through our airport. But Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) was just ranked dead last for the fifth year in a row in customer satisfaction. Host Trenae Nuri chats with Siani Colon, our newsletter editor, about whether that ranking rings true to Philadelphians and what PHL is doing to fix itself up before a big year of tourism. 

Your thoughts on PHL? Call or text us: 215-259-8170

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It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about wrapping up 2025 with the fewest homicides in decades. There’s a new drug on our streets that’s overwhelming our hospitals. And we’re going to laugh off some of the biggest stories of the year. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz also dish about their favorite City Cast episodes of 2025. 

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Hotels aren’t just a place for your friends and family to stay during the holidays. In Philly they’re also places to start toasting the new year, right now. Back in September host Trenae Nuri sat down with City Cast Philly food contributor Alisha Miranda to talk about the best hotel bars in our city. 

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