City Council Approves Budget, Gritty's New Song, Verizon Hall Renamed
It’s another midweek news roundup! The team talks about Mayor Cherelle Parker’s first city budget, which got the green light from City Council last week. Plus, a Philly sports mascot has a new song, and we have a Philly news quiz that you can play along with. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Anna Orso, City Hall reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Asha Prihar, Hey Philly newsletter editor.
Our news roundups are powered by great local journalism:
- Winners and losers from the first city budget in Philly’s Parker-Johnson era
- Council green-lights Mayor Cherelle Parker’s budget plans, including $100 million for a Northeast Philly drug rehab center
- Philly’s next city budget will fund University City affordable housing, library upgrades, and Mural Arts
- A glorious choral hymn about Gritty premieres this weekend
Read more about our news quiz (spoilers ahead):
- Kimmel Center’s historic tribute: Marian Anderson Hall unveiled
- UArts had explored a possible merger with Drexel two years ago — but it didn’t materialize
- Pa. House passes bill to provide free pads and tampons for students
Listen to our interview with Aaron Moselle to learn more about the affordable housing project in University City.
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.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Hidden Cash in Philly, AI Answering 911 Calls & Preserving Murals
When’s the last time a Philadelphian showed you a random act of kindness? We’re asking because the Philly Money Hunt Instagram account de...

What's Actually in Smoke Shop Psychedelics?
Earlier this month Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said he wants Congress to put into effect a ban on hemp-derived products. Th...

Blocking Broad Street With Trees. Plus: Questionable QR Codes & Real Estate Roulette
The view down South Broad Street from Washington Avenue to City Hall is iconic. But an op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer criticizing the...

Who Gets to Call Themselves a Philadelphian?
Today’s episode asks an age-old question here in the city that continues to get debated on social media. Given the discourse about what r...

July 4th Concert Scrutiny, Olney Home Mystery & Speeding E-Bikes Ruin Dog Walks
It’s the Friday News Roundup, and we’re talking about questions over the city’s hiring of ESM Productions to put on the July 4th concert...

Abandoned Cars, Rogue E-Bikes & LeBron vs. New York
Why does Philly still have an abandoned car problem? Host Trenae Nuri poses this question to executive producer Matt Katz and Nic Esposit...

Data Centers Bigger Than PHL Airport? What This Means for Philly
Data centers are making the news across the country, facing protests, complaints about energy usage, and worries about the effect on loca...

A New Walk in Old City, 'Smart' Loading Zones in Center City & Must-See Fall Shows
Independence Day is officially behind us, but Philly is continuing to explore 250 years of American democracy with a new walking tour. Me...

No PPA, Luxury Living & Jobs: Philly's New Perfect Neighborhood?
Philly’s newest booming neighborhood has tons of jobs, amenity-filled luxury apartment buildings, plenty of green space – and no PPA rest...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Philly
As much as you love Philly, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have compla...

