City Cast Philly
⚖️ City Council votes to keep ‘ICE Out’
April 24, 2026 · — Siani Colón
Woohoo! We made it — today is the final day of our City Cast Philly Neighbors spring membership campaign.
Over the past two weeks we've welcomed so many new Neighbors into our community, and we’re so grateful for the support. Seeing you show up for this work reminds us exactly why we do what we do.
If you haven't joined yet, today is the day. We have a bonus segment just for our members in today’s Friday News Roundup – we play a game, and we have some laughs, so join us. And if you become a Neighbor, you can listen to exclusive content at the end of our Friday episodes.
Don't wait. Today is also your last chance to get the Oxford Pennant — a custom American-made wool felt pennant designed specifically for people who love this city.
What's CITY Talking About
Anti-Ice Legislation Overwhelmingly Approved by City Council
City Council chambers erupted in cheers and song Thursday as a series of bills aimed at ICE passed. The legislation restricts collaboration between Philadelphia and ICE, prevents ICE from using city property, and bans law enforcement officers from wearing masks. Will Mayor Parker sign the bills? [🎧 City Cast Philly]
Vote on School Closures Postponed Amid Council Criticism
The Board of Education delayed a vote on the school district’s master facilities plan, which would shutter 17 schools and modernize nearly 170 others. The controversial plan drew the ire of City Council earlier this week, with members threatening to withhold funding due to concerns about how closures will affect students and questions about the district’s transparency in developing the plan. The vote is now scheduled for next Thursday. [Chalkbeat]
Filbert Street Bus Terminal To Reopen May 1
The renovated bus terminal includes 189 new chairs, a lactation pod for nursing mothers, and brand new plumbing. Over 200 buses are expected to use the station daily. The reopened terminal will be a relief for commuters and residents alike, who are fed up with curbside service in Northern Liberties. [🔒 The Inquirer, 🎧 City Cast Philly]
Transgender Athlete Ban Moves Forward in Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania State Senate advanced a bill that would restrict transgender athletes’ participation in school sports by barring them from playing for a team aligned with their gender identity. The bill would require teams to be designated as male, female, or co-ed, only allowing biological females to participate in women’s sports. The legislation now moves to the House. [Politics PA]
Neighbor’s Cat Colony Sparks $40K Dispute
An East Passyunk couple has spent thousands to resolve a smelly situation next door. Despite 40 cats already being removed from their neighbor's home, several are still unaccounted for while an ammonia scent wafts through their walls and hundreds of flies plague the block. [🔒 Philly Mag]
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How Well Do You Know Philly?
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What To Do
Friday, April 24
- 🎭 Theater Performance: “Last Train to Hollywood” through May 3 at Deep End Studios (Grays Ferry)
- 🎞️ Under the Stars Festival Preview Party at Clark Park (Spruce Hill)
- 🩸 “Carrie: The Musical” through May 10 at Old Academy Players (East Falls)
- 🪩 Young Professionals Night: Freedom Dreams at the Barnes Foundation (Logan Square)
- 🖼️ Exhibition Opening Reception: “Mi isla y yo” at Taller Puertorriqueño (Fairhill)
- 🎉 Radiant Ball at Mϋtter Museum (Center City)
Saturday, April 25
- 🎨Streets Dept Guided Art Tour at Manayunk Canal (Manayunk)
- ☕ Coffee Pop-up Party at Greek from Greece (University City)
- 🎉 Taste of Tech: 100 Years of Nordic Innovation & Impact at American Swedish Museum (South Philly)
- 🔭 Astronomy Day at the Franklin Institute (Logan Square)
- 🌟 Once Upon a Glow: Stories in Blacklight at Plays & Players Theatre (Rittenhouse Square)
- 🎶 Philly Pops: Mandy Gonzalez Sings Lin-Manuel Miranda at Marian Anderson Hall (Center City)
- 🎞️ Screening: “The Fullest Moon of Sonia Sanchez” at the Rotunda (University City)
- 💐 Floral Design Workshop at Creations by Coppola (East Passyunk)
- 🛍️ West Craft Fest at the Woodlands (West Philly)
- 🐤 Birds of a Feather Art & Nature Festival at Tacony Creek Park (Feltonville)
- 🍎 Free Food Distribution at Start of Hope Baptist Church (Tacony)
Sunday, April 26
- 💃 Art of Mas Workshop at the Mummers Museum (Pennsport)
- 🎤 Soultri Sundays: Live Music at Two Locals Brewing (University City)
- 🎨 Arts Crawl at 23rd Street & Fairmount Avenue (Fairmount)
- 🎶 Sankofa Chamber Collective at Church of St. William (Lawncrest)
- 🪴 Penn State Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale at Fairmount Park Horticulture Center (West Fairmount Park)
- 🐝 Spring Garden Festival at Dornside Center (University City)
- 🌸 Botanical Wall Hanging Workshop at Cherry Street Pier (Old City)
- 🍽️ Flavors on the Avenue from Wharton to Broad Streets along Passyunk Avenue (East Passyunk)
- 👩🍳 Philly Cooks a Book at The People’s Gallery Project (Washington Square West)
- ♻️ Earth Day Organizational Fair at the Philadelphia Ethical Society (Rittenhouse Square)
🧡 Thank you to Emily M., Valerie F., and Amy G. for becoming City Cast Philly Neighbors! Don’t forget to listen to our bonus segment on your ad-free podcast feed.
Members can also skip the ads on the pod, attend members-only events, and shout out their favorite businesses on the podcast and newsletter. Become a member today.
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