How the spring freeze is driving up your fall restaurant bill
Crop losses are pushing restaurants to source ingredients from farther away, adding costs and squeezing already thin profit margins.
Latest news
Have a story idea? Meet Billy Penn, WHYY reporters at Parkway Central Library
The Nov. 18 pop-up newsroom and resource fair will also connect Philadelphians with information about foster care and adoption.
Cardboard, community and a cause: West Philly’s Peoplehood Parade in photos
Giant puppets, a homemade trolley and joyful calls for change filled the streets as Spiral Q’s 26th annual parade brought neighbors together.
How to celebrate and commemorate Veterans Day 2026 in Philly
From the Parkway parade to museum programs and community ceremonies, here’s where to mark Veterans Day in Philadelphia.
Dragons, fairies and a play in a day: What kids learn at Philly’s Arden Theatre
With just eight hours to write and perform a play, students practice teamwork, creativity and compromise.
Philly’s rats aren’t going anywhere, but a new strategy could keep them in check
From colonial ships to Clark Park, rats have long made themselves at home in Philly. Now the city has a new plan to fight back.
Fighting Philly’s daylight savings darkness one bike light at a time
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia gave away around 1,000 free bike lights Wednesday to keep riders safe.
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
The Schuylkill Crossing Swing Bridge is ready to open
After a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 13, pedestrians and cyclists will have easy access between Grays Ferry Crescent and Bartram’s Mile.
Philly’s Thanksgiving parade created the blueprint for the U.S.
The Gimbel’s Thanksgiving Day Parade originally aimed to get customers into the department store for holiday sales. It ended up becoming an iconic celebration reaching thousands.
Old City boutique shop Philadelphia Independents is closing its huge door for good
The boutique store showcasing local artists for over 12 years will remain open until Dec. 24.
Art on the menu: A North Philly garden cooks up community
Artist Pedro Ospina’s Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden brings neighbors together through potlucks, recycled art and a space that’s always growing.
Review: ‘I Play Rocky’ is no knockout, but Anthony Ippolito packs a punch
Anthony Ippolito delivers a standout performance as Sylvester Stallone in Peter Farrelly’s “I Play Rocky,” a nostalgic but uneven tribute to the Philly classic.
Philly voters give small businesses a boost and the arts office staying power
Two charter changes open the door to new city contracting preferences and make Creative Philadelphia permanent. Here’s what happens next.
Wedding Wednesdays hits 1,000 ceremonies at Philly’s LOVE Park
Eight couples tied the knot Wednesday beneath the iconic LOVE sculpture, marking a milestone for the city’s affordable wedding program.
You can find art vending machines all over Philly – and track it with a passport
Philly artist Fabiola Lara has expanded her art vending machines throughout the city. Now, you can keep track of all the mini prints from the machines with a “passport”
Headlines of Yore
A 19th century Philly civic leader’s legacy includes this pop culture icon
C.C.A. Baldi was a major figure in Philadelphia’s Italian American community. His family would go on to lead in both politics and pop culture.
Food & Drink Scene
Zitner’s Butter Krak is coming back!
The Philly chocolate company announced that it has resumed production and is scheduling candy shipments this winter.
Neighborhoods
Paws for applause: Pets step out in costume in Chestnut Hill
Mermaids, honey bees, and furry friends strolled and sniffed their way down Germantown Avenue to compete for Cutest, Funniest, Scariest and Most-Look-Alike with their Owners.
Power & Politics
Chris Rabb could bring a new approach to Congress. What does Philly expect?
Community leaders want Rabb to deliver resources, build relationships and stay connected to the neighborhoods he’ll represent.
Philly appoints a ‘rat abatement manager’ to address infestation issues
Adrian Jordan has been tapped to oversee the city department’s rat reduction efforts amid what some in City Hall have called a rat emergency.
Procrastinator’s Guide to the November 2026 election in Philadelphia
Scroll through this article, then bookmark it for easy access when you complete your mail ballot or head to the polls on Nov. 3.
What’s the latest with SNAP for Philadelphians?
New SNAP changes went into effect earlier this week, and states and recipients will be feeling the effects. Here’s what you need to know
Gun violence prevention
Philadelphia wants to curb violence. Can boxing help?
The city’s new Beyond the Bell initiative will put $300,000 into seven recreation center boxing gyms, with funding for equipment and coaches trained to support young people affected by trauma.
Philly ‘Peacekeepers’ to get unique professional development in new program
The 8-week program will help invest in programs that help prevent community violence throughout the city.
Healing Verse Germantown uses poetry and public art to strengthen community bonds
Exhibit organizers hope it serves as a model in Philly and the U.S. for addressing mental health wounds of gun violence through the transformative power of poetry and public art.
From trauma to teaching: Philly gun violence survivors are rewriting how gun violence gets covered
The launch of the Survivor Connection online website and the Association of Gun Violence Reporters both seek to provide training and support.
Education
New report shows struggles, successes of Philly area students
The Children First’s report highlights how mental health, violence, poverty and underfunding affects Philly schools and students.
Inside the unraveling of one of Philadelphia’s most successful charter schools
In 25 years, there’s been mostly public praise for MCS — but its methodology is unusual, and some question the founder’s motives in shutting it down.
How teaching in Philly district schools differs from charters: Three teachers share their stories
They each have their pros and cons, on issues ranging from resources to oversight.
Why a Southwest Philly charter is refusing to close after the school board voted to shut it down
Parents had good things to say about the K-8 academy, which was founded in 2007 and, like its neighborhood, is majority Black.
BP Quizzo
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secrets & Fun
The first whodunit? Poe wrote it in Philly
Iconic author Edgar Allan Poe spent lots of time in Philly – and during his stay, he wrote a short story that is considered the first detective story in the country
Philly to Niagara Falls … in a toy car? Meet the women attempting this world record
Content creators Cassie Aran and Lauren Lee are pushing the limits of their tiny electric cars to fulfill a childhood dream, and raise money for a good cause.
Billy Penn’s DIY Philly Halloween costumes guide: 2026 edition
Left it too late to put together that perfect costume? Here’s some ideas we hastily threw together, pulled from the past year’s headlines.
Sports Culture
President Trump criticizes LeBron James for warmups during the national anthem before the Knicks game
Trump posted that James was a “total disgrace” and should apologize. It’s not the first time he’s called out the Sixers star.
Jalen Hurts’ long-term injury, explained
The Eagles’ quarterback is out indefinitely after doctors diagnosed him with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. Here’s what those mean.
Marsha’s opened to put women’s sports first. A year later, it’s closing
Philly’s first women’s sports bar will serve its final customers Sunday, ending a brief run as a gathering place on South Street.
Philly pups, rise up: How your corgi can race during the Eagles halftime show
Think your pup can make Saquon Barkley’s rushing look sluggish? A group working with the Birds wants to hear from you.
