Election Day is here; Skill games ban reaction; Drexel students protest

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

All eyes on Election Day
(Photo by @bookczuk)

Philly businesses and advocates react to skill games removal

After a state Supreme Court ruling forced gambling machines out of neighborhood businesses across Philly, store owners say they’re losing revenue. But advocates point to the machines’ risks.

Meanwhile, online gambling and prediction markets’ impact on young Pennsylvanians is is troubling researchers and clinicians. Continue reading…

Westside Tavern in West Philly. The tavern previously had a skill games machine but the machine the tavern pictured above is not a skill games machine. (Davis Cuffe/Billy Penn)

Chris Rabb could bring a new approach to Congress. What does Philly expect?

Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District race started out with nearly a dozen primary contenders, whittled down to one Democratic Party nominee, State Sen. Chris Rabb, who has no Republican challenger and only one Independent Party challenger in today’s election.

A democratic socialist backed by grassroots progressive organizations, Rabb campaigned on ambitious proposals, including Medicare for All, affordable housing and challenging the Democratic Party establishment. While retiring U.S. Rep Dwight Evans has emphasized delivering resources through established political relationships, Rabb has made confronting entrenched political power central to his campaign.

What do constituents hope for from Rabb? Continue reading…

Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb spoke at the Netroots Nation conference in Philadelphia. June 4, 2026. (Courtesy of Netroots Nation)

BP Quizzo Question of the Day

It’s been a while since Philadelphia had a Republican mayor. Name either the last Republican mayor…or the final year a Republican held the city’s highest office.

A voter shows off their election sticker in Philadelphia on November 4, 2025. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

BP Procrastinator’s Guide 2026
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Election 2026 live updates

Pa. law doesn’t regulate AI-generated candidates in election ads, but some hope to change that. [Capital-Star]
Election 2026: Where do Philly-area congressional candidates stand on the arts? [WHYY]
Election 2026: What Philly voters should know about the city’s 2 ballot questions [WHYY]
Sorting fact from fear: ICE at the polls, DOJ election monitors in Pa. and other Election Day concerns [WHYY]

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians say they paid out of pocket for an annual checkup. [Capital-Star]

• Philly plans to double its number of speed cameras in the city in effort to cut down on pedestrian deaths. [WHYY]

• Students and alumni are pushing back against Drexel University’s decision to pause its in-person elementary education major, saying the decision will worsen teacher shortages and undermine community partnerships. [WHYY]

• Philadelphia releases a toolkit to help neighbors talk about climate change. [WHYY]

• In North Philly, an architect’s love letter to Puerto Rican culture has a permanent home. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]

• Where to recycle pumpkins and leaves in Philly this fall. [PhillyVoice]

• Tots, treats and trash: A West Philly Halloween. [Billy Penn]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today, Election Day.

Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide

How to shop your values in Philly
In this city, “shop small, shop local” is a way of life. Here are some ideas for where to do it, now and throughout the year.
Where can you enjoy film and movies in Philly?
Philly’s movie scene is extensive – but for many theaters, it has been a rough year.

ON THE CALENDAR

A decolonial walking tour (Wednesday and Friday),
Intercity bus terminal feedback meeting (Wednesday),
Black magazine club (Friday),
AND MORE!

See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!