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Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
This was a week for some bombshell news in Philadelphia. The level of anxiety for the upcoming pope visit went up a few notches with the release of a map detailing all the closures, followed by a press conference from an irritated Mayor Michael Nutter. Then on Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah got indicted. Billy Penn recaps those stories and more and pairs them with music in the #BillyPennPlaylist.
“Real Thing,” Alice In Chains
Last weekend, a map of the street closures for the pope’s visit circulated around the Internet. We came out with one on Monday, with information from a city source.
“Brain Stew,” Green Day
That map didn’t exactly please Mayor Michael Nutter. He basically told Philadelphians to relax that the city has things under control and would release information when it was official. He came across sounding, as Philly Mag put it, a little pissy. Patrick Kerkstra wrote that it could be because the city has to sit back and watch while the Secret Service and Vatican make all the choices.
“Finally,” CeCe Peniston
The Feds finally came after Fattah. After years of rumor and charges against Fattah’s associates, Fattah himself was charged with 29 counts of corruption Wednesday. He says he’ll plead not guilty.
“Lost Ones,” Lauryn Hill
After months of speculation, the Phillies traded ace Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers for a few highly-rated prospects. Hamels left the Phillies on as high of a note as possible, throwing a no-hitter on Saturday in his last Phillies appearance. Gone too is Jonathan Papelbon. The Phillies sent him to the Nationals this week.
“Get Lucky,” Daft Punk
Incredibly lucky people were the only ones who got a papal rail pass when they first went on sale last week. For round two of the sales, SEPTA announced Wednesday it would be hosting a lottery Monday in which people will be selected to buy the limited number of passes. You’ll have to get lucky again.
“Cooler Than Me,” Mike Posner
Scott Walker didn’t quite pull off the average joe look when he visited Geno’s and Pat’s Wednesday. He cut the line, ordered American cheese and didn’t finish his meal.
“So Appalled,” Kanye West
Last Friday, some naked dude walked around Rocket Cat Cafe for an hour — and the owner of the place let him do it. He was there to advertise the upcoming Philly Naked Bike Ride. Most people weren’t happy.
“It Wasn’t Me,” Shaggy
Thursday night, the Secret Service sent out a release saying it was not the agency ordering that SEPTA service had to be limited or Philadelphia businesses would have to be closed. Nobody really wants to accept the responsibility for all the headaches associated with papal planning.
