Bells galore: Manayunk couple celebrates son’s Philadelphia Cycling Classic return with dozens of cowbells
John Carpenter and Julie Heberle have collected over 70 cowbells following Robin Carpenter’s cycling career. They’ll use them to make some noise near the Manayunk Wall.
Latest news
These Philly burlesque performers put on a Tim Curry tribute weeks before his death
On August 2, Dr. Frank N. Furter, Wadsworth, Pennywise and more put on a special one-night show.
With the Philadelphia Cycling Classic’s return almost here, its organizers can almost see the finish line
Sunday’s race aims to bring out tens of thousands of spectators along the 14.4-mile course through Philly, capping off 2026’s sporting summer.
Billy Penn City Guide: University City and The Woodlands
Formerly a 600-acre estate on the west banks of the Schuylkill, The Woodlands has remained an important horticultural site for over 200 years.
How you can still get involved in the Philadelphia Cycling Classic’s weekend events
Top professional riders will take on the Manayunk Wall on Sunday, but there are also ways you can get your bike out for the return of the festivities.
The first Slinky was made in Philly, and its legacy lives on through the inventor’s children
Richard and Betty James created the Slinky by accident. It was Betty who popularized the toy and ultimately made it one of the more popular creations.
How Dolly Parton made her mark on Philadelphia
A look at some of the late country star’s most notable Philly appearances.
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
The Ritz Five movie theater in Old City is closed indefinitely
The city says the theater has violated Philadelphia’s fire code and needs to make appropriate changes before it can reopen.
Philly celebrates John Coltrane’s 100th birthday with $27,000 in grant funding for artists
Artists with a “soul-tie” to Coltrane’s music have the opportunity to showcase new ideas with Coltrane 100 Philly.
Can Philly Art Map replace Instagram for your latest local art news?
The new social media app shows you where to explore creative spaces around the city.
How to Fringe: Your guide to Philly’s massive Fringe Festival
With more than 300 shows on the calendar, Fringe Festival has something for everyone. Here’s how to discover what’s up your alley.
The struggle to fill South Street’s glut of vacant storefronts
A city proposal to encourage redevelopment and ease business creation has stalled.
New Philly spot combines reality show and restaurant under one roof
Recipe Philly hosted a reality show competition across the region, aiming to highlight local culinary talent. Its opening gives emerging chefs the spotlight
Slavery commiseration planned at Philly’s President’s House site
The annual remembrance event takes on new fervor this year following the fight over the Independence Mall exhibit documenting the lives of nine enslaved people in Philly.
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
A citywide guide to Philadelphia’s farmer’s markets
Philly might be a concrete jungle, but you can still find locally-grown produce and fresh goods that are kind to your body and wallet.
Neighborhoods
Philly’s Pride Visitor Center seeks long-term funding, continues community outreach
After a historic summer for Philadelphia, the Philly Pride Visitor Center plans to keep engagement high in the city throughout the rest of the year.
Power & Politics
Philly’s Fringe Festival puts rookie theater makers (including a former state treasurer) in the spotlight
Former Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella and other newcomers join a massive field of producing nearly 100 shows for Fringe.
How renaming one Philly street sets the precedent for change
Caroline LeCount was an educator, activist and transit advocate. One Philly group spent almost six years getting her name on a Philly street.
Judge grants partial victory in Philadelphia write-in votes lawsuit
Four Republican write-in candidates must be seated, but the fate of many others remains unclear.
New Market East engagement center is one more step toward corridor redevelopment
The city is touting over 50 new businesses in Center City this year alone. Here’s how Market East’s development will contribute.
Gun violence prevention
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.
How Philly became ground zero for rethinking gun violence reporting
An effort led by local researchers and survivors is reshaping how journalists tell stories of trauma, healing, and prevention.
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 Philly Naked Bike Ride is back this Saturday. Here’s the route
The 17th edition of the race begins at 5 p.m. at the Dragon Boat Dock off of Martin Luther King Jr Drive and ends by the Iroquois Statue in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
‘Shroom boom’: Gear up for fun and fungi at Philly’s Fungadelphia Festival this Saturday
The event in Upper Roxborough will have mycology talks, walks, art, music and more.
The first-ever ‘selfie’ happened right here in Philadelphia
Nearly 200 years ago, a Philadelphian turned the lens on himself. This Saturday, Franklin Square is celebrating with a selfie party.
Sports Culture
Miss the World Cup? Here’s the latest Philly guide to watching the English Premier League
If you’re still craving more soccer after the World Cup, the English Premier League returns this weekend. Here are the local fan groups and bars to catch all of the action with.
Sixers release season schedule with a nod to Philly’s art
The 76ers enlisted LJ Rader’s of ArtButMakeItSports to pair team photos with artwork from the city’s museums and artists.
Here’s how Philly street artists are embracing LeBron James
New murals, billboards and merchandise celebrating the NBA legend are already here.
LeBron James Day officially declared in Pennsylvania as Sixers land four-time NBA champ
The 41-year-old James is set to sign a modest $8-million, two-year contract with the Sixers, according to ESPN.
