austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Test City

Emily Mack

Last week, the Federal Transit Administration demanded the CTA enhance its security by adding cops — or it would pull federal funding. (The CTA’s 

The ultimatum came weeks after a woman was set on fire by a man on the Blue Line. 

But what is the CTA’s current system for public safety?

 was budgeted for security services on the CTA. This covers off-duty Chicago Police Department officers who supplement the 

It also covers private security companies, which make up the bulk of CTA security. Surely you’ve noticed the roving German shepherds alongside handlers in tactical gear — these are part of the private firm Action K-9 Security.

 with Action K-9 to deploy 100 unarmed guards and 50 canines per day (two guards for every one dog). In 2024, 

Rather than respond directly, the hope is the mere presence of these K-9 teams will deter crime. If someone continues to break a law or CTA rule, 

you can expect a K-9 to call for police backup

The dogs, which are muzzled, can only be sicced in a life-or-death scenario 

Meanwhile, I’ve reached out to the CTA asking whether the dogs are trained to sniff out drugs or bombs — if they answer, I’ll let you know in Hey Chicago.

Also in 2022, CTA signed multi-year contracts worth $71 million with Inter-Con Security and Monterrey Security, a local company with 

. Together, the firms provided 300 unarmed guards.

A year later, data showed crime on the transit system had 

funding for the Inter-Con and Monterrey contracts increased

 by $26 million. Those unarmed guards are still present on the train — you might notice them 

Despite November’s Blue Line attack, CTA crime rates remained relatively flat this past year with 902 violent crimes so far this year. That’s 20 fewer than in 2024, according to a police spokesperson.

Still, Friday remains the federal deadline for CTA to implement a new 

“verifiable security enhancement plan.”

CTA Security

What do you think? Email us 📥

After a woman was set on fire by a man on the Blue Line, we’re asking, what is the CTA’s current system for public safety? 

Who Actually Does Security on the Chicago Transit Authority?

Who Actually Does Security on the CTA?

Local Civics

Unionized employees at King Soopers locations across the state are only one week into their 

two-week strike against the grocery giant

 as they protest for better working conditions — and 

. Whether you’re aiming to avoid crossing the picket line, or you’re generally just looking for a more local way to spend your money, there are plenty of independently owned markets and small chain grocers across the Mile High to shop from instead! Here are just a few of our favorites.

Touting a motto of “Local, Natural, and Fresh,” this Northside staple specializes in gourmet market offerings including produce, meats, cheese, wine, and beer. Aiming to be more than just a place to shop, Leevers also invites the community to gather for live music, a hot cup of coffee, and wine pairing events.

Located in Denver’s historic Sakura Square, this family-owned Asian marketplace has been a local landmark for 80 years. The shop primarily offers hard-to-find Asian products and ingredients, as well as traditional Asian cookware, cutlery, gifts, and trinkets.

Sun Market has just about everything your nearest grocery giant sells, 

Colorado-sourced produce and ingredients and other gifts and goodies handmade by local artists and vendors.

For more than a decade the Park Hill Supermarket has brought obscure and elusive international flavors to the Denver community, specializing most notably in seafood, produce, and meats. Some of its signature offerings include live eel, tilapia, crabs, and lobsters.

From locally raised meats and imported pastas to old fashioned sodas and artisan cheeses, Marczyk Fine Foods is a family affair that’s been bringing fresh, quality ingredients to Denver for more than 20 years. On top of all that, their hot sandwich offerings are not to be missed!

This Westwood carnicería not only specializes in traditional Mexican flavors and ingredients, but is also proud to offer fresh produce, meats, baked goods, 

Looking for some options out in the ‘burbs? Check out this 

roundup of metro Denver international markets

You can find locations for all our top picks (and several others!) on our 

A Denverite’s Guide to Shopping Small and Local Grocers

up to $7 billion to build six to 10 hydrogen hubs

 across the country — and Pennsylvania lawmakers want in.

 was on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast explaining 

. Here’s what we learned from that conversation:

Hydrogen is a clean alternative to natural gas.

 Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element, but it’s very scarce as a gas. More than 95% of hydrogen currently produced in the U.S. results in significant emissions.

 generated by wind, solar, geothermal, and nuclear. Hydrogen hubs would be regional clusters or facilities that would produce the hydrogen, regulate its distribution, and store it. The Biden Administration sees the advancement of producing clean hydrogen through these hubs as a way to reach climate goals.

State lawmakers are excited about bringing billions of dollars to Pennsylvania, and with it 

, political clout, and short- and longer-term jobs for locals.

Some environmental advocates worry that without the right state regulations in place, these hydrogen hubs won’t be as environmentally friendly as they seem. Many advocates say it’s not a guarantee that zero methane emissions or carbon dioxide emissions will be released during these processes.

➕ For more on this, check out Kate’s 

listen to her conversation with City Cast Pittsburgh

🎧 But how clean is it, really?

Hydrogen Hubs and Why Pennsylvania Wants Them

A nurdle is a tiny plastic pellet — about the size of a lentil — that’s produced at petrochemical plants, like 

Shell Chemical Appalachia in Beaver County

. These small pieces of plastic, used to make everything from car parts to grocery store bags, are the second-largest source of micropollutants in the ocean, according to 

For reference, it takes more than a thousand nurdles to make a soda — err, I mean, pop — bottle. According to 

, the local ethane cracker plant is expected to make 1.6 million metric tons of plastic pellets a year. Many could end up in the Ohio River Valley.

Nurdles are so tiny that they’re often mistaken for fish eggs and pebbles and wildlife can die after accidentally consuming them. The Guardian calls them “rafts” for harmful bacteria.

surveyed the Ohio River for nurdles to establish a baseline in order to measure how much is coming from the plant. Their findings revealed that there were already nurdles in the Ohio River, but by 2022, there was a 

. The organizations determined that the nurdles were coming from Raccoon Creek, an Ohio River tributary about a half-mile downstream from the Shell cracker plant’s main outfall.

 says that outfalls can’t release solids or garbage, the Department of Environmental Protection has yet to penalize these companies. James Cato, regional organizer for the Mountain Watershed Association, and Evan Clark, waterkeeper for Three Rivers Waterkeeper, wrote about this 

“DEP’s lack of environmental enforcement here does not bode well for those concerned about the Shell cracker plant just upriver. The plant is the largest plastic producer in the eastern United States — the potential for more plastics pollution in our future is enormous. Local residents deserve to know that they will be held accountable.”

Why Pittsburgh Should Worry About Nurdles

Since the federal government ended the pandemic-era expansion of SNAP benefits, many Coloradans are facing food insecurity issues. Food Bank of the Rockies says it’s 

 of families and individuals seeking free, accessible food. If you’re struggling with food insecurity or want to help out your community, here are some nutrition resources:

 is not only an arts and socially-focused community hub, it also hosts its own “food box day” every Monday at 3 p.m. at Globeville Center, offering boxes of fresh produce and other staples.

is a sustainability-focused food hub, providing boxes of healthy (and often organic) “rescued” food to households in the Denver and Lakewood area.

offers a market-style food bank, where guests can “shop” for their own groceries. Be sure to 

 is a completely volunteer-run mutual aid organization that regularly stocks refrigerators located across the city where anyone can come and take what they need.

 operates a mobile food market with rotating locations throughout the city several days a week; some locations are walk-up, some are drive-thru. See the organization’s website for more details.

 has been serving the Westside community for more than five decades, and has recently launched a mobile food pantry with varying locations and times.

 is a faith-based food pantry serving the Southwest Denver area; be sure to check the website in advance for specific hours of operation and instruction on receiving food.

Since the federal government ended the pandemic-era expansion of SNAP benefits, many Coloradans are facing food insecurity issues. 

Where to Find Free Food in Denver

, the city swore in its first new mayor since 2011. With Mayor Mike officially at the helm of a new Denver era, you might find yourself wondering, “What exactly does a mayor 

?” Here are some key points (you can learn more in 

 from our friend and Denverite reporter Kyle Harris):

Where does the mayor stand in the hierarchy of city government?

Pretty darn high. The mayor is the chief executive of the city, which means they’re in charge of all administrative and executive functions. Yes, that includes overseeing the Chief of Police and the Sheriff.

No. While the mayor is in charge of enforcing municipal laws and can make recommendations for new legislation, the business of making new laws is up to the 13-member City Council.

What power does the mayor have over City Council?

The mayor can veto anything that is passed by City Council, but council can override a veto with a minimum of nine out of 13 members’ votes. The mayor works closely with City Council, so veto power is not often used.

Yes — and it’s a looong list of appointments. Aside from the folks that work directly within the mayor’s office, the top dog is responsible for nominating many positions within different city offices. Here are just a handful:

Department of Transportation & Infrastructure

Department of Community Planning & Development

Local Civics

Who Actually Does Security on the CTA?

A Denverite’s Guide to Shopping Small and Local Grocers

Hydrogen Hubs and Why Pennsylvania Wants Them

Latest articles

Why Pittsburgh Should Worry About Nurdles

Where to Find Free Food in Denver

What Does a Mayor Actually Do?