CitizenCast

This Republic was founded on dissent, says Ali Velshi. It has been the catalyst of progress for generations. If they tell you otherwise, they are afraid of the power of your voice.

In the aftermath of the tragic Kada Scott murder, the D.A. has said the buck stops with him. Or was he actually passing it?

On this edition of James Peterson's Citizen-WURD segment, A.J. Adams of The Skills Initiative, joins the show to discuss his workforce development organization that serves as a bridge between local employers and Philadelphia job seekers. The Skills Initiative provides customized training programs to connect residents to meaningful employment, and it's an idea we should steal.

An award-winning MSNBC contributor and author remembers his first mentor, legendary former Daily News Editor Michael Days, who died last weekend

Jason Ray launched Zenith Wealth Partners in Philadelphia with this singular mission. So far, it's generated $100 million for its clients.  

... become unstoppable. Ali Velshi uses the peaceful civil disobedience protests of 1952 South Africa (of which his father took part) as context for the No Kings protests across this country this weekend.

Mudslinging. False advertising. The state's most popular politician. Just what the hell is going on with judicial elections in Pennsylvania?

A Manayunk bar brings back the cutest animal fundraiser in the city, with a Super Bowl-level pressing question: Will long-haired Odie defend his title? The race starts at 5:30 p.m. at 7 Lock Street on Thursday, October 16.  For more information, visit this story on the web.

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, the legendary photographer and chef checks in with a Delco kid-turned-Philly teacher about producing "A Summer In West," which taught kids to speak their truth

On this episode of Evening WURDs, attorney Alex Bomstein joins host James Peterson for an in-depth conversation about hotter summers, more severe allergies and worsening air quality. Bomstein is the Executive Director of the Clean Air Council and he's on a mission to protect everyone's right to a healthy environment.

"If everything from a court decision to a protest sign is insurrection, than any use of force against it -- including military force -- can be justified." This week, Ali Velshi takes on the Trump administration's signals that it may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.

Our guest on this episode of How To Really Run A City: Joe Walsh, a former Representative from Illinois. He was a self-described Tea Party arsonist, right-wing radio provocateur and mentor to Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk. All of that changed when Donald Trump completely captured the Republican Party.  “I helped to divide this country,” Walsh said. “People like me helped put us on this road. I have to live with that.” Listen to this episode for a passionate conversation about a return to civility and the true stakes of our national debate with a public figure who describes himself as a former “political asshole” trying to make amends. As cities go, so goes the nation!

CHOP's renowned immunologist responds to RFK Jr.'s shocking — or maybe not so shocking — untruths about vaccines.

On this episode of Guest Commentary, we hear from a committed Phillies fan ... considering his options

Since the pandemic forced people outside, birding is having a moment. In Philadelphia, it's helping residents see their city anew.

The late senator and presidential candidate John McCain campaigned against "Obamacare." But in the end, he saved it with a single vote in 2017 -- all because his party was bucking the "regular order" of the legislative process. Ali Velshi believes there are lessons to be learned from that dramatic moment that apply to the government shutdown of 2025.

Mayor Cherelle Parker's signature program, H.O.M.E., will build far fewer dwellings than she once promised. Will this solve the problems that actually need solving?

What is it like to be targeted by the nation's highest health official for … trying to keep kids healthy? And what does it mean for America that RFK Jr. is that health official? Citizen staff writer Malcolm Burnley talks with Dr. Paul Offit, Director of CHOP's Vaccine Education Center, about his career in science and public health.

This annual music event presents nine shows over seven days in venues all over town to raise money for music education in schools. Come for the bands you don't yet but will love to discover.

In this episode of Guest Commentary, a Temple professor speaks to the shameful statistic that a third of Philadelphia schools have no play area in place, let alone green spaces that allow students to really thrive.

"In 1983, fifty companies controlled 90% of America's media. Today, five companies control 90%." Ali Velshi points to the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to demonstrate how an oppressive administration uses mergers to control free speech. "But Kimmel is back on the air," he says. Boycotts, sit-ins, petitions -- "these are the tools that break authoritarian power." 

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, the iconic chef, brand marketer and photographer talks with the owner of O'Jung's — a South Philly bar that's changed with the times but also … hasn't

When Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan took office in 2013, his city had just filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.  Today, business is booming, crime has fallen to a 60-year low and it's no understatement to say that Detroit is back. Mayor Duggan, now running for governor of his state as an Independent, joins former Mayors Michael Nutter and Kasim Reed, along with Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt on this episode of How To Really Run A City to roll up their sleeves and lift the hood of Detroit's success. Join us for a powerful conversation about turning an entire city around, despite the challenges and barriers that had entrenched decades of decline.  As cities go, so goes the nation!

Citizen writer Courtney Duchene joins Dr. James Peterson for his regular Citizen WURD segment to discuss her Ideas We Should Steal article about Richmond's dramatic success in cutting the city's poverty rates. Can Philly follow suit?

A Philadelphia-born mentor and longtime engineer wanted to see more young people of color enter STEM fields. He started a program in his garage — and ended up with a generation of confident scholars.

Ali Velshi takes on the web of mergers and federal threats that led to Jimmy Kimmel's show being pulled from the air.

A Temple Law professor who studies comedy and democracy explains why both are imperiled in the wake of Kimmel's suspension

This is the message from two-time Super Bowl Champ Lane Johnson -- one passed on to him by his friend, trainer and fellow mental health advocate, Jay Glazer

Or at least, that's the Republicans hope. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity received the most votes of any PA candidate ever during her reelection bid last year. She may already be the Commonwealth's most successful female politician. But is that enough?

A Germantown nonprofit offers Philadelphia students who've experienced gun violence the chance to tell their stories on the big screen. The result: healing.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons." Ali Velshi explains that American colonists lived in a world where the British crown policed every aspect of their lives. The Fourth Amendment was the Founders answer to those abuses. Last week, the Supreme Court undermined that constitutional answer. "Once the Fourth Amendment is considered negotiable for one group," Velshi says, "it becomes weaker for all of us."

A local vet, former U.S. Rep and Undersecretary of the Army, reveals what 9/11 and Charlie Kirk's assassination tell us about the America we live in. Could this become a roadmap to unity?

As the Birds head to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Sunday, the Eagles' five-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler shares the city's innovative approach to get children the mental healthcare they deserve

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley visits Kevin Gregg, Phillies' Vice President of Communications to discuss his day-to-day secrets for success and how the Phillies are helping local kids through "baseball clinics."

The Citizen just turned 10! Here are 10 ways you have helped us make an impact in the last decade.

"The danger isn't in losing, the danger is in doing nothing." Ali Velshi highlights ways that citizens across the country are taking a stand for American democracy. 

... Philly could do it, too. In 2011, Richmond, VA's mayor set an ambitious citywide goal to reduce its dismal poverty rate. Two successors later, the city is showing remarkable success. Here in Philly, mayors are more likely to dismantle their predecessors' programs. Perhaps that should change.

On this episode of Citizen WURD, former state Rep. Donna Bullock joins James Peterson. Bullock is now the President and CEO of Project HOME, which is working to move Philadelphians from the streets to shelters to stable living.

"The world had counted us out. But like in 2017, we shocked them all."

"Democratic leaders are simply not rising to this moment," says Ali Velshi in this passionate rebuke. "If you are a political leader in this country and you're not prepared to fight with both hands? Then perhaps you should step aside."

The Trump Administration will be ending the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this year. In some classrooms, educational programing like PBS Kids is being replaced with videos from PragerU, an unaccredited media organization that "promotes American values" to children. Ali Velshi breaks down the replacement and plays a few of their disturbing clips.

Compromise may finally be in the air. Some thoughts on the politics behind our budgetary fiasco — and why a win/win has been so elusive

On this episode of Guest Commentary, a Penn alumna and Philadelphia City Councilmember urges the Ivy to take a stand and restore its focus on DEI

President Trump is rescinding loan forgiveness for people who he thinks flout his politics — including possibly Philly public school teachers. A longtime university president takes a stand.

It takes a village to raise a child. On this episode of Guest Commentary, a Southwest Philly school principal urges people to stop asking Philly schools to take on every role of that village.

Donald Trump thinks Smithsonian museums focus too much on "how bad slavery was," so he sicced his attorneys on the Smithsonian Institution in the same way he targeted universities. Ali Velshi breaks the controversy down.

The debate over SEPTA funding has led at least one local legislator to suggest a radical approach to state governance - give our money back

On this episode of The New Urban Order, Diana Lind says Center City residents who object to designated paths for cyclists aren't seeing the full picture

A City-run coalition of lenders has distributed $2 million in grants to microbusinesses in Philly. It's a game changer for entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

The Mayor has been silent. The Governor is rallying the already converted. Whatever happened to preventing a crisis before it starts?

"Foreign companies are paying zero tariffs." It's the American companies, and soon, the American consumers who will pay the taxes. Ali Velshi breaks down the latest inflation numbers and explains what lies ahead for tariffs and the American pocketbook.