The Pope in Philly
Pope Francis issues video message to Philadelphia (in English): ‘I’ll be there!’
Who knew the pontiff was so media savvy?

Who knew Pope Francis was so media savvy?
In advance of his upcoming visit to the World Meeting of Families, the pontiff recorded an unprecedented video address to Philadelphia. In English, he says “I look forward to greeting the pilgrims and the people of Philadelphia.”
He then plays right along with the WMOF promotional campaign for the visit: “I will be there,” he says, getting the inflection slightly wrong, “because you will be there.”
“See you in Philadelphia!” he finishes triumphantly.

Philly trans leaders burst with pride over Biden’s historic pick of Pa.’s Rachel Levine
The Pa. health secretary would be the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Philly teen’s music video, a year in the making, carries Dr. King’s message into the future
Jehmir Nixon’s “Things That Matter” urges people to speak out against racial injustice.

VIDEO: Martin Luther King Jr. at Girard College in Philadelphia, 1965
The civil rights leader spoke to a crowd protesting segregation at Girard Collge.

Royal Izakaya’s $1,000 nigiri plate is basically art
Chef Jesse Ito usually turns down requests because the dish is so time intensive.

These daily updated charts track COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Philly and Pa.
How many people have been inoculated so far — and how close is herd immunity?

Flying into Philly from abroad? You’ll need to prove you don’t have COVID
The airlines are running point on the new CDC requirement, which will be enforced at PHL Airport.

Someone tore down the new tribute to LGBTQ activist Gloria Casarez within 48 hours
The building owner said they expected the artwork to remain up until at least the end of the month.

Philly DA vows to refile charges against fired police inspector after judge clears him of protester assault
Joseph Bologna was arrested in June after a baton-beating video went viral.

New Philly mural shouts out Black and queer organizers’ role in getting Biden elected
"We Did That" is up near the Pa. Convention Center, at the spot that felt like the center of the universe during ballot counting.

Down the block from the whitewashed mural, a colorful new Gloria Casarez tribute
Queer artist Tiff Urquhart eased her pain by installing a wheatpaste of the LGBTQ icon.

How UPenn could revoke Trump’s Wharton degree
The bylaws don’t have a clause for incitement of insurrection, but there’s always the question of cheating on the SAT.

These are the 90+ elected officials from Pa. who supported challenges to Biden’s win
Several major corporations are stopping donations to lawmakers on this list, which includes eight congressional reps and more than 80 state reps.

‘Draw to Action’ coloring book features Philly artists and supports Philly nonprofits
When you buy a copy, you can choose which org gets the proceeds.

Know a City of Philadelphia employee who took part in the insurrection? Kenney asks for tips
The mayor emphasized he supports the First Amendment right to free speech.

Temple alum’s martial arts program aims to pull kids away from gun violence
“You never see a Black man or Black kids do jiu jitsu,” said Jeff Whittingham, who is trying to change that.

Philly has a ton of worker protection laws. But do workers actually know they exist?
It's not easy to spread the word about employee rights, so the city is looking to community partners.

South Philly was jealous, so film buffs opened the city’s third Free Blockbuster
The Delco native who came up with the idea is hoping no corporate buzzkills shut them down.

Say hello to Black Philadelphia Magazine, a new publication covering culture and community
The first issue of the glossy mag is out now, from the same publisher as the Uptown Standard newspaper.

City’s Hall’s evacuation plan: How Philly government has responded to past breaches
The most dangerous situation in recent history was a 1990 pipe bomb in the basement.

After Capitol breach, Philly terrorism expert warns of coming ‘paramilitary’ insurgency — led by Trump
The first step to quelling an insurrection is installing a competent government, said author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance.