Remember Wawa’s iconic Hoagiefest jingles? This is the guy who made them
Emmy-winning songwriter, internet pioneer and Nerf Herder frontman Parry Gripp reflects on those years writing Hoagiefest songs.
Latest news
Chinatown artist designs ‘Circle of Unity’ murals to celebrate World Cup and Philly
The mural series provides a scavenger hunt for soccer, geography and art fans alike.
A ginormous gluten-free expo is headed to the Philly suburbs this weekend
Pasta, pizza, fried chicken, soft pretzels, pierogi, pancakes and more will all be for sale at the Wicked Gluten-Free Expo and Food Festival.
Westbound I-76 in West Philly to close at night for bridge construction
Nighttime highway shutdown will run Monday through Thursday, and a 14-month closure of the Market Street bridge begins next month.
$24 million investment in Philly shipbuilding as Trump presses for defense buildup
JPMorgan Chase will loan $13 million to Navy Yard’s Rhoads Industries and give grants for worker-training programs.
Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park devastated by ‘microburst’ storm
The South Philly market is soliciting donations to help vendors who “watched their businesses get destroyed in real time.”
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
As small businesses beg for tax relief, Philadelphia sees a $100 million windfall
Mayor Parker’s push for Uber and Amazon taxes failed, but local businesses are paying more nonetheless.
Where to find vegan ice cream in Philadelphia
There’s no sorbet on this list — just rich, plant-based scoops so creamy you’ll wonder how dairy stayed out of the mix.
The nation’s first organized baseball team gets celebrated during MLB All-Star weekend in Philly
The Olympic Ball Club of Philadelphia’s formed in the 1830s and played a gloveless form of the game that made for a more frantic battle between batters and fielders.
Taking a cue from Boston’s Freedom Trail, Philly launches Path to Democracy self-guided walking tour
The Path to Democracy guides walkers through Old City historical sites with a series of installations and QR codes
‘He’s built to bounce back.’ USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese’s youth coach sees Monday’s World Cup loss as a coachable moment
Jamie Scott, a director at Penn Fusion Soccer Academy, said Freese’s gaffe against Belgium doesn’t diminish his World Cup achievements, or his example as a role model.
Sweltering summer: what activities can Philadelphians do indoors?
Summer has brought scorching temps to Philly – and may make you reconsider how much time you’re spending outside. We have a guide on what you can do indoors this summer
Friendly faces & third places: Mt. Airy is a close community
Community is the foundation for businesses in Mt. Airy, as seen at a popular coffee shop and co-op grocery store.
The Philadelphia Zoo’s bears got a dream home makeover
A $25 million renovation to Carey Bear Country lets endangered bears swim, play and walk overhead of guests.
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
From cheesesteaks to ‘quirky, artsy shops,’ Philly’s Old City offers a taste of old and new
Philly is full of food and dessert joints – and Old City is no exception. We spoke with some of the neighborhood’s iconic spots.
Neighborhoods
South Philly’s Italian bakeries offer sweet treats and century-old heritage
Hoagie rolls, tomato pie, ricotta-filled cannolis and pignoli cookies are among the many offerings at Isgro, Termini, and several other shops.
Power & Politics
‘ICE Out’ protest art in Philly ramps up amid World Cup spotlight
Anti-ICE protest art in the city embraces Philly’s long tradition of blending art, activism and community-building.
Philadelphia expands Wellness Court for people in addiction
Few complete the program but hundreds get help, officials say.
City officials respond to backlash against heavy police involvement at Philly Pride
“That is not us,” police commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said, rejecting claims that the department is hostile to Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community.
Philly water bills could rise to cut rates for low-income residents
Council, administration spar over the cost of expanding the Tiered Assistance Program.
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 oddest America 250 events that took place in Philly and across the U.S.
From potatoes named “Spudjamin Franklin” to a George Washington trampoline, here’s ten of the weirdest homages for the U.S.’ big birthday.
The Night of 250 Ben Franklins: A multiverse of variants at the Liberty Bell
Sweltering temps can’t stop a celebration of Ben Franklin look-alikes competing to be crowned most Ben-like.
Sports Culture
France and Paraguay prepare for Philly’s final World Cup game — and it’s going to be a hot one
The soaring French return to Philly to face a Paraguay side that has already pulled off a giant-killing win over Germany.
‘Smokin’’ Joe Frazier finally gets his due with a statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Friends and family gathered to celebrate the boxing heavyweight’s new prime real estate where the Rocky statue once stood.
Meet the Philly couple who had their wedding photos crashed by Croatian World Cup fans
Ashton and Zach Smith just wanted the quintessential photos outside City Hall. Now the newlyweds are one of the viral fan moments of soccer’s biggest celebration.
Côte d’Ivoire advances for the first time in history after Philly World Cup win over Curaçao
Curaçao fans showed lots of underdog spirit as the smallest nation ever to compete in World Cup play.
