As Philly officials probe Academy of Natural Sciences museum’s closure, here’s what we know so far
Philadelphia officials are probing the Academy’s closure as supporters push Drexel to reopen the museum.
Latest news
When dementia changes a scientist into an artist, a Philly play tells her story
‘UnRavelled’ comes to Penn, exploring Anne Adams’ life, Ravel’s ‘Bolero’ and the connections between dementia and creativity.
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
‘One-shot Mar’ crowned Philadelphia’s best parallel parker
The Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association’s inaugural competition drew a large crowd to South Street, raising funds for safer streets.
Rare books, a pub crawl and a stuffed raven: Charles Dickens’ descendant traverses Philly
Ian Dickens, Charles Dickens’ great-great grandson, explores his ancestor’s Philly connection as the Pickwick Club celebrates 45 years.
America’s first penitentiary is right here in Philly
This week’s Philly “Firstival” highlights Eastern State Penitentiary – America’s first penitentiary that now serves as a space for prison reform and education
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
Philly coffee shops making a case for the pumpkin spice latte
PSLs are the Taylor Swift of the coffee world: overexposed, weirdly divisive, but when they’re good, they hit.
Elfreth’s Alley Museum is remembering hitchBOT again. Could it grow into a festival?
Last year’s First Friday celebration of the 10th anniversary of the hitchhiking robot’s visit to Philly drew around 550 visitors.
They’re too young to vote. These are the issues on their minds
Philly teens at WHYY’s Youth Town Hall talked about war, gun violence, AI, the environment and what they want elected leaders to address.
Philly is embracing its ‘analog’ activities
Some Philly spaces are celebrating an “analog” experience – or those that are centered around physical media. We talked to a few.
Finding the Forgotten Bottom of Grays Ferry
Once cut off from the Schuylkill by industry, railroads and highways, this secluded corner of Grays Ferry is opening up to the river—even as residents grapple with who gets to shape what comes next.
Meet some of the contestants in Saturday’s parallel parking competition on South Street
Fifteen pros and amateurs will test their parking skills in the inaugural edition of the Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association’s competition.
Indego’s e-bike boom comes with a cost for Philly riders
About 70% of Indego’s fleet is electric, leaving some riders frustrated by extra fees and fewer traditional bikes at the dock.
In West Philly, Karen refugees put down roots in a community garden of their own
The niche Southeast Asian community broke ground at the Lee Cultural Center on Saturday.
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
Are Gen Z Philadelphians drinking less?
Here’s what bar owners and twenty-somethings have to say.
Neighborhoods
In Hawthorne, S. Philly life unfolds one sidewalk at a time
A plant table, a woodcarver and an Ethiopian cafe reveal a neighborhood shaped by its residents and its history.
Power & Politics
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.
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.
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
💌Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter and get a daily roundup of Philly news delivered to your inbox
secrets & Fun
Here’s everything that’s happening for ‘Rocky Season’ in Philly
The Philadelphia Visitor Center is celebrating 50 years of Rocky Balboa from Sept. 29 to Dec. 3.
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.
Sports Culture
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.
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.
