City Cast Philly
🗳️ Could Philly host next DNC?
August 21, 2026 · — Natalia Aldana
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What's CITY Talking About
Mayor’s Cabinet Sees Record Turnover
The Parker administration has seen more than half of its highest-level appointees leave their posts, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer analysis. On today’s City Cast Philly, we discuss why there’s a revolving door of top officials at City Hall. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
- We’re also talking about Gov. Shapiro’s pivot on data center development in Pennsylvania, and how much Philly parents are spending on back-to-school supplies. And what happens to the Indigo bike seats after tomorrow’s Philly Naked Bike Ride?!?
Could the 2028 Democratic Convention Be in Philly?
On Thursday, Philadelphia, Boston, and Denver were named as the finalists to host the Democratic National Convention in 2028. A final decision is expected later this year. Philly last hosted the DNC in 2016. [Associated Press]
Police ID Man in ‘Chucky-Style’ Mask
Philadelphia police have identified 22-year-old Zymire Hughes as the masked man who harassed people near City Hall last week. Hughes was allegedly first spotted on the morning of Aug. 12 running up to people and antagonizing them while holding a cellphone in his hand and wearing a “Chucky doll Halloween-style face mask.” There is a warrant for his arrest, and police believe he may have fled the state; he has ties in California and Nevada. [NBC10]
New Videos & Background on Plane Crash in the Northeast
The National Transportation Safety Board’s new report on the medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia last year that killed eight people was released without a finding on the cause of the incident. There was no flight data recorder on board, the cockpit voice recorder appeared not to have been in operation for years, and neither pilot had ever flown into Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Two new videos of the crash were also released. [NBC 10]
Temporary Market East Pop-Ups to Stay
The “Meantime on Market” pop-up shops will stay open through December after a major boost in visitors and business on the struggling Market East corridor. Four of the original six shops will remain, including Siddiq’s Water Ice and Almost Famous. [WHYY]
How Well Do You Know Philly?
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What To Do
Friday, Aug. 21
- 🎨 Drink (Or Not) & Draw at Indy Hall Clubhouse (Northern Liberties)
- 🦞 Crayfish Party! at American Swedish Historical Museum (South Philly)
- 🫶 Platonic Love Club: Friend Dating (40+) at At My House (Queen Village)
- 🎙️ National Treasure Hunt Live: A Conversation with Director Jon Turteltaub at Independence Visitor Center (Old City)
- 💃 Summer Salsa at Sor Ynez (Norris Square)
Saturday, Aug. 22
- 🍄 Fungadelphia at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education (Roxborough)
- 🕵️ Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt at Philadelphia Museum of Art (Fairmount)
- 🎬 Space Melt Cinema: "VEGAS IN SPACE!" at At My House (Queen Village)
- 🍺 Summer Ale Festival at Philadelphia Zoo (West Philly)
- 📚 Hot Debut Summer Author Panel at The Head & The Hand Books (Fishtown)
- 🎨 Arts and Crafts Material Swap at Parkway Central Library (Logan Square)
- 🎤 Comedy Show at Misconduct Tavern (Rittenhouse)
- 🎷 John Coltrane Listening Session at Fishtown Community Library (Fishtown)
- 📚 The Philly Bookstore Crawl (Citywide)
- 🎉 Sweet Juice Fest at Awbury Arboretum (Germantown)
- 🧬 Pennsylvania Genealogy Workshop at Historic St. George’s (Old City)
Sunday, Aug. 23
- 🎬 The Ritzy Film Festival 2026 at Landmark Ritz Five (Society Hill)
- 🍜 Food Market Tasting Tour at FDR Park (South Philly)
- 🎉 "Marsha P. Johnson Cookout Celebration at the uCity Lawn (University City)
- 🎶 R&B and RIBS Philadelphia at Liberty Point (Penn's Landing)
- 🫖 Cha O'Clock: Tea Hangout at The Random Tea Room (Northern Liberties)
- 🚲 Free Bike Rentals at Bartram's Garden (Kingsessing)
- ✂️ Junk Journaling and Coffee at Grounded Community Center (Overbrook)
- 🍽️ Philly Bakes a Book at the People’s Gallery Project (Gayborhood)
- 🧘 Mama Wellness Circle at One Art Community Center (Carroll Park)
- 👟 Art Deco Tour beginning at Liberty Place (Center City)
- 💿 Physical Media Swap at Almost Famous (Center City)
🤳 It’s the weekend, so take those selfies! In fact, it would be a very Philadelphia thing if you did since the first-ever “selfie” happened here almost 200 years ago. In 1839, Philadelphian Robert Cornelius set up a makeshift camera and stood in complete stillness (for minutes? hours? we’ll never know) until he captured a very grungy but very edgy self-portrait.
To honor Cornelius’ historic act, head to Franklin Square on Saturday for the “Firstival” event as part of the “52 Weeks of Firsts” series.
Free · Daily