The state just passed a $47.6 billion dollar budget. It was only two weeks late this time — not bad, by Pennsylvania standards — and set a bunch of new priorities. Spotlight PA’s capitol reporter Stephen Caruso joins City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris and City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri to talk about where the state is putting its money and what got left on the cutting room floor.

We also mentioned this episode from last year about why school funding in PA isn’t fair. You can also check out City Cast Pittsburgh’s episode on school vouchers.

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 sponsor of this July 16th episode:

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s been super hot this summer, with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees and humidity making it feel even hotter. What’s the deal with these heat waves, and is weather like this going to be the new normal in Philly? Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz, award-winning meteorologist, about why it’s so hot, the urban heat island effect, and what Philadelphians can do to mitigate climate change. 

See which neighborhoods in Philly are most affected by the urban heat island effect (you’ll need to select Philadelphia from the list of cities) — and how we compare to other urban areas — in these maps from Climate Central.

Check out our guides on how the urban heat island effect impacts Philly, and ways to stay cool this summer.

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 sponsor of this July 15th episode:

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re talking about Mayor Cherelle Parker defending her return-to-office policy, and a lawsuit trying to block it. Plus, Pennsylvania’s license plate redesign, how to stay cool in Philly’s extreme heat, and some of the most Philly things we saw on social media this week. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Mike D’Onofrio, reporter at Axios Philadelphia, and Alex Hillman, co-founder of Indy Hall Clubhouse. 

Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: 

Listen to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s press conference on her return-to-office policy on the city’s Facebook page.

You can find out more about SEPTA’s trolley maintenance blitz 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. 

Learn more about the sponsor of this July 12th episode:

• Babbel

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The Philadelphia Zoo — aka America’s first zoo — is celebrating its 150th anniversary this month. And, there’s been lots of hype, from a new celebratory zoo key design to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s announcement that July 1st is now “Philadelphia Zoo Day.” So, we took a trip to the zoo and host Trenae Nuri sat down with President and CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman to talk about notable milestones and her favorite things to see and do at Philly’s historical zoo. 

Check out the zoo’s upcoming events.

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 sponsor of this July 11th episode:

• Babbel

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Ice cream was invented more than two thousand years ago, but 19th-century Philadelphians played a significant role in revolutionizing the process. So how come we don’t know about them? Host Trenae Nuri talks with food historian and co-host of the City Cast Las Vegas podcast Sarah Lohman about Philadelphia-style ice cream, and the women and Black culinary professionals whose innovations made it what it is today.

Check out Sarah’s latest book, “Endangered Eating: America's Vanishing Foods.”

We also mentioned the Netflix series “High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America” based on the book by Jessica B. Harris.

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 sponsor of this July 10th episode:

• Babbel

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

What comes to your mind when you think of Pennsylvania? Over the years, we have adopted all sorts of plants, animals, and even a drink to represent our Commonwealth, but not all of these symbols and the stories behind them are common knowledge. Hey Philly newsletter editor Asha Prihar is putting the City Cast Philly team to the test. Come play along with us! (And special thanks to Sophia Lo, City Cast Pittsburgh producer, for sharing their research and putting together many of these questions.)

Here's the ruffed grouse recipe we mentioned in the episode.

The Cheesesteak Quest is sponsored by Tecovas.

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 July 9th episode:

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

This summer, host Trenae Nuri is going on a mission to figure out who makes the best cheesesteak in Philly. To kick things off, we’re revisiting a conversation we had this spring with Dave Wez, City Cast Philly’s food contributor and creator of Feeding Time TV, and Carolyn Wyman, author of “The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book,” about what makes the perfect cheesesteak, and how to order one. They discuss their top cheesesteak spots, which places are overrated, and what the biggest red flags are when picking a cheesesteak spot.

The spots mentioned in this episode: 

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 sponsor of this July 8th episode:

• Babbel

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from all 13 City Cast daily local podcast hubs to talk about what stories they’re watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Listen in for how Trenae Nuri's story stacks up against the rest.

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 sponsor of this July 5th episode:

• Babbel

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The nation’s 250th anniversary, also known as its semiquincentennial, is coming up in two years, and preparations have already begun. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Stephanie Farr, Philly culture columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about why Philly is “woefully behind” on this front, and if Independence Park will be ready in 2026.

Check out Stephanie’s piece about Boston’s Freedom Trail, and how Philly could benefit from something similar.

Still figuring out what to do for this year’s 4th of July? There’s always the Wawa Welcome America Festival!

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 sponsor of this July 3rd episode:

• Babbel

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In our midweek news roundup, we discuss why state lawmakers missed the budget deadline, the Little League scandal in Springfield, and the new tech coming to some ShopRites. Plus, the Sixers are getting some new players. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by O.J. Spivey, sports correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune, and Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia.

Our news roundups are powered by great local journalism: 

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. 

Learn more about the sponsor of this July 2nd episode:

• Babbel

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.