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Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
You need a heavier coat, Lynne Abraham needs a link to the Urban Dictionary and Kathleen Kane needs a hug (and a really good lawyer). These stories and the others that defined Philadelphia this week are much easier and more fun to understand with music, so Billy Penn matched a song for 10 of the biggest. Here is the Billy Penn Playlist (scroll to the bottom for Spotify).
“Stay,” Dave Matthews Band
Philly is still a rising hotspot for millennials, at least according to Forbes. The magazine is bringing back its Forbes Under 30 Summit this October (the week after the pope visits) and has made a verbal commitment to keep it here in future years.
“Follow Your Arrow” Kacey Musgraves
T. Milton Street is giving the mayor’s race exactly what it needs: an interesting personality. The brother of former Mayor John Street is running for mayor again (he snagged 24 percent of the vote in the 2011 primary). With a background that includes state office, prison and work as a hot dog vendor, he’s known for doing things his own way, like the time he slept in a tent outside the state Capitol. Street plans on formally announcing his candidacy at (where else?) a funeral parlor.
“Underground,” Ben Folds Five
Forget this city life. We can be happy underground. Or anywhere except outside here right now. It was so cold this week, too cold. At least the dusting of snow made the zoo animals happy.
“Billionaire,” Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars
Kenyatta Johnson has to be wishing his pockets were a little deeper right now. His opponent in the 2nd District City Council race, Ori Feibush, dumped $250K plus of his own money into his campaign coffers. As a result, contribution limits get doubled for their race. Money is going to matter in this one.
“Liar, Liar,” Avicii
Talk about holes in the resume. This dude who might be running for City Council says he has a master’s and a doctorate and a position close to the White House. This would be great experience if it were true.
“Wanna Be A Baller,” Lil’ Troy
One word for Philadelphia Free Library president and director Siobhan A. Reardon: baller. She won the Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year award for innovating and improving the Free Library despite massive cuts the last few years. Congratulations!
“Livin’ La Vida Loca,” Ricky Martin
Lynne Abraham is the mayoral candidate really believes in living life on the wild side. In an interview with PhillyMag published this week she disparaged “the kids” several times, probably because “the kids” aren’t as wild as her. You’re cray, Lynne. Or in the old-fashioned language you’d be more likely to use: You’re the cat’s meow.
“Butter,” A Tribe Called Quest
The Pennsylvania Farm Show begins Saturday. Yay for dairy!
“Losing A Whole Year,” Third Eye Blind
It’s was a rough 2014 for AG Kathleen Kane, and this year’s not looking much better. A grand jury recommended Kane be criminally charged for her office leaking stories to the media that would embarrass political opponents. The story about her charges was, uh, leaked to the Inquirer.
“You’re So Vain,” Carly Simon
Just stop with the manspreading, guys.
