A Texas teacher drove to Philly for 28 typewriters. His students are putting them to work.
At a West Mount Airy shop, he found a way to get students writing without laptops or AI.
Latest news
Light the Baraat-Signal: How the Batmobile got on Market Street for a wedding
Remember when social media was abuzz with a Batmobile on Market Street? Here’s the story behind the wedding where that happened.
A guide to Philly’s specialty books, arts, vintage, toy stores and beyond
Philly has many stores that are very “Philly” – here is your guide.
When life hurts, can you laugh? Fringe artists explore trauma through comedy
When life is a tragedy, where is the punchline? These Philadelphia Fringe Festival shows use humor to survive the darkest days.
How the Eagles, CHOP and the Shamrock Shake created the first Ronald McDonald House
The latest ‘52 Weeks of Firsts’ celebrates Philly’s role in bringing family-centered care to the world, with the help of the Shamrock Shake.
This eclectic concert has been taking place in a Philly living room for the last 40 years
Andrea Clearfield’s music ‘Szalon’ celebrates its 40th birthday this Sunday.
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
At this Philly karaoke night, the puppets steal the show
Spiral Q mixed giant puppets and karaoke to raise money for its annual Peoplehood Parade in West Philadelphia.
Are Gen Z Philadelphians drinking less?
Here’s what bar owners and twenty-somethings have to say.
At Scribe Video Center, Philadelphians learn to tell their own stories
From first-time filmmakers to seasoned storytellers, Scribe has spent decades helping Philadelphia get behind the camera.
Philadelphia’s ‘house of horrors’ investigation: All that we know
With only about 30% of the material from the Olney house reviewed by investigators, here is what authorities know — and what remains unclear.
Union youngsters Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield called up to U.S. men’s national team
Sullivan could become the second youngest player in USMNT history if he takes the field against Peru, Chile, Mexico or Canada.
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.
What’s going on with AI data centers in Philly?
Residents protested outside City Hall this week, and Mayor Parker has set up a task force to report on the pros and cons of hyperscale data centers by June.
Pro-Palestine groups announce protests outside of Ed Sheeran concert in Philly
Sheeran hoped to keep politics out of his shows. Politics are coming to him instead.
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
Dîner en Blanc Philly cancellation aftermath
The annual “end-of-summer” white party draws thousands of attendees each year. This year, severe weather forced its cancellation.
Neighborhoods
Here’s what we know about the Academy of Natural Sciences museum’s closure
Public outcry over the Academy of Natural Science’s closure has led many to call for leadership changes. Here’s what we know.
Power & Politics
Should Macklemore have been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour’ at the Linc?
Philly organizations respond to the decision to remove the rapper for chanting ‘Free Palestine.’
‘Hunger Games’ trucks roll through Philly with cryptic message
Five trucks displaying cryptic “Peace is preserved not promised” messages and images of a soldier-like figure are rolling through Philadelphia as part of marketing for the upcoming “Hunger Games” prequel.
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.
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.
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
This Philly fountain has a typo. Should anyone fix it?
A typo carved into Philadelphia’s Eli Kirk Price Fountain went unnoticed for decades. Now, monument experts say it may be there to stay.
This new museum is all about Philadelphians
The Museum of the Philadelphian will focus on the attitude of Philadelphians, iconic objects Philadelphians use and how the public perceives Philadelphians
Fall in love with our list of Philly autumn festivals
From Oktoberfests to apple picking parties, the city is brimming with fall celebrations.
Sports Culture
The Rocky statue will be closed off this month, for its final switch out of the year
The sculpture of Sylvester Stallone’s iconic fictional boxer Rocky Balboa will be moved out from the top of the museum’s steps, to be replaced by the original version that’s been on exhibit inside since April.
10 things to know about the new Sixers and Flyers arena
The yet-to-be-named new building is scheduled to replace the Xfinity Mobile Arena in 2030. It will be home to the two teams, plus Philly’s future WNBA team.
Philly runs on medals: The race bling runners can’t resist
Medal designer Rita Carroll shows creativity with finisher hardware, giving participants another reason to go the distance.
Philadelphia Cycling Classic returns to the city’s streets after 10-year absence
Italian cyclist Chiara Consonni was crowned the women’s champion and Tim Torn Teutenberg won the men’s title.
