Mother Bethel AME spotlights Black history as ‘52 Weeks of Firsts’ series continues
Organizers see the latest Saturday “Firstival” as an opportunity to highlight African American history while it’s being removed in other parts of Philadelphia and the nation.
Latest news
Years in the making, historic Center City church gets massive makeover
Methodist congregation known for social justice advocacy supports $6.7 million rehab project.
Another Super Bowl bingo card for frustrated Eagles fans (because who cares which team wins?)
Dry your tears, Birds fans. We’re here to help you get through another disappointing Super Bowl game without your team.
Cookie Crisp sundae, anyone? Philly’s bringing fun and flavor to Ice Cream for Breakfast Day this Saturday
Ice cream shops around town are getting inventive, testing new, limited-time, breakfast-themed flavors for the whimsical holiday.
‘It’s the straw that broke my friggin’ back’: Dirty Franks goes 25-and-older after someone tried to get in with a fake Ben Franklin ID
After dealing with a surge of hyperrealistic and scannable fake IDs, the iconic dive bar’s owner felt forced to raise its age limit.
Meet Chick Pea, a Brahma chicken at the Philadelphia Zoo who’s poised to predict this weekend’s Super Bowl winner
The zoo’s ambassador animal will peck her pick on Friday. Will she side with the Seahawks or pray for the Patriots?
A Shakespeare remix for the age of Instagram
In “Rare Accidents,” Quintessence blends two history plays into one look at performing your best self — on stage and off. There are more Bard offerings across the region over the next month, too.
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More Philly news
Winter Olympics: All the local athletes competing at Milano Cortina 2026
Here are the Team USA Olympians and Paralympians that come from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Sharif Street pulls ahead in fundraising for 3rd District congressional race
Candidates Dave Oxman and Ala Stanford loaned to their campaigns ahead of the May 19 primary, which now includes 13 candidates.
End-of-life expenses can sink families; this Philly startup has a unique solution
Friends show up with practical gifts during important life events, so why not after a loved one passes? GiveWillow, a ‘funeral registry’ service, hopes to change that.
A Harvard future reckons with a South Philly past in ‘Gemini’
Philly playwright Albert Innaurato’s classic comedy comes home in a production that finds familiarity, love and tension in the queer reckoning between who you are and who you could have been.
‘Savesies’: In parking-starved, icebound South Philly, debate rages over saving spots
There are many streets in the city still unplowed after last week’s snow storm. Does clearing a spot confer access to it over time?
As deep freeze settles in for weekend, streets remain messy — and lives are disrupted
The extreme cold persists and continues to complicate life in Philly. Here’s what you need to know to get through a frigid next few days.
Where to watch and celebrate Unrivaled’s Philly games if you haven’t gotten tickets
There’s plenty of watch parties and other festivities to welcome women’s professional basketball back to the city.
Beloved Philly journalist Dan McQuade dies at age 43
The local writer known for his quirky and creative reporting passed away after a battle with a rare cancer.
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 weekend blizzard could be a catastrophe for Philly restaurants – but some plan to be there for their customers regardless
Restaurants across the city could lose out on tens of millions of dollars. But each is preparing its own strategy to weather the storm.
Neighborhoods
Snow and ice linger; Which Philly neighborhoods are being ignored?
Parts of Fishtown and South Philly are still unplowed, and school remained virtual Wednesday.
Power & Politics
Supporters of the President’s House slavery exhibit gather ahead of court date on its future
Avenging the Ancestors Coalition held a gathering on Wednesday, and are supporting the city’s lawsuit to get signage explaining the site’s ties to slavery reinstalled.
‘It’s a damn shame’: Park Service crews dismantle President’s House exhibit on slavery
The removal follows a White House directive to reshape how U.S. history is presented at national parks — sparking protest and a lawsuit from the city.
A restaurant scalper tried to sell 11 tables at Mawn. The mayor just signed a bill making the practice illegal
As Philly’s dining scene heats up, the selling of hard-to-get reservations has become a thing. Here’s why it’s a problem — and what’s being done to address it.
Hundreds march in Philly against ICE, U.S. military action in Venezuela, days after deadly Minneapolis shooting
Demonstrators rallied at Center City detention center in cold rain, condemning the ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good.
Gun violence prevention
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.
Krasner supports lawsuit against Trump’s $500 million cut to public safety programs
DA accuses president of wanting more urban violence and crime.
Toll the Bell calls for action, awareness of gun violence
The two day event started with a citywide ringing of bells and set of speeches and performances to call for community action
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
Buggies, boarding and beers: How Philadelphians enjoyed the weekend’s snowstorm
Over nine inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain couldn’t stop many from having a good time in the frigid temperatures.
Ben Franklin’s volunteer fire company next up in ‘52 Weeks of Firsts’
The Philadelphia Historic District’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday brings its next Saturday “Firstival” to the Fireman’s Hall Museum.
Mandy Mango’s Drag Race debut started with a snack aisle epiphany
The Philly nurse and performer turned a pack of dried fruit into a platform for queer joy and Filipino pride.
The Mummers Parade showcased in the Historic District’s 2nd Saturday ‘Firstival’
The festivities were part of the ‘52 Weeks of Firsts,’ celebrating the New Year’s Day staple as the nation’s oldest folk parade.
Sports Culture
‘52 Weeks of Firsts’ celebrates Philly’s professional basketball history in next Saturday ‘Firstival’
The National Basketball League was formed in Philly in 1898, the Historic District and the Sixers have teamed up to commemorate it.
Feds allege another sports-gambling scandal — and it has Philly connections
A local gambler, college team and casino were all mentioned in the wide-ranging indictment unsealed Thursday.
Don Mattingly joins Phillies as bench coach on day of coaching comings and goings
The move checked a box to add experience to the Phils’ dugout. In the NFL, two head coaches with Philly ties were fired Monday.
‘You’re joining a family’: SquashSmarts invests in Philly students long term
The program provides athletic and academic support – and has delivered results for underserved youth in Philadelphia.
