Editorial cartoons
Editorial cartoon: Philly school fundraiser
Cartoonist Dre Reed on the local education budget gap.
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With five-year projections showing an estimated deficit of more than $700 million, the School District of Philadelphia is scrambling to make ends meet. The district cannot levy taxes, and instead must depend on city, state and federal governments, which have been hit hard by economic depression connected to the pandemic.
School layoffs are on the list of possibilities to help close this year’s $57 million budget gap, according to district officials. Last decade, the state-run School Reform Commission raised money by selling off school buildings. That practice didn’t completely end when Philly schools returned to local control — it happened as recently as 2019.
Día de los Muertos: Where the holiday came from and how to celebrate in Philadelphia
The Day of the Dead is about finding beauty and honoring loved ones — and everyone can join in.
Philadelphia’s eviction diversion program is a national model — let it continue | Opinion
The program could abruptly end if the Pa. Supreme Court doesn’t extend its waiver.
Philly Cider Week is back, with two dozen apple-filled events around the city
Find cider paired with donuts, cider from Pennsylvania growers, and cider Halloween with costumes and tarot.
Kenney administration hired no high-level Hispanic staff and fewer Black executives last year, city controller analysis finds
The mayor’s office said he’s committed to diversity, but recognizes “more work remains to be done.”
Radiant return for Feastival, Philly’s renowned food and dance fundraiser for FringeArts
Here’s everything that went down at the Budd Plant party.
Philly’s holding mail ballot drop-off events for the November election
You can also use one of the 24/7 drop boxes located around the city.
‘Simmo the Savage’: Everything we know about Ben Simmons’ neon gaming sign
The not-yet-former Sixer has been using the nickname since he was a teen.
Indigenous skeleton discovered at Philly school, will be repatriated with help from Temple
The district says it’s conducting a search for any other potentially forgotten remains.
Philly teens drank less soda after the beverage tax took effect, new study finds
The research from CHOP and UPenn showed a significant drop compared to other cities.
All Philly schools are supposed to have a gender neutral bathroom, but they’re often hard to access
Some buildings place them in the nurse’s office, or down a locked hallway.
Temple University student diversity is increasing, but the proportion of Black undergraduates is down 40% since 2002
Hispanic and AAPI enrollment is up.
Remembering Temple education prof Trudy Moskowitz, who pioneered interactive learning
Over her 35-year career, the teacher of teachers helped shape education in Philadelphia and beyond.
Krupa’s Tavern celebrates (probably) 100 years serving Fairmount
There’s no doubt the local favorite is one of Philly’s oldest woman-run bars.
Gen. Colin Powell was the voice of Philly’s first talking pedestrian traffic signal
The country’s first African American secretary of state died Monday at 84.
With protected bike lanes, sidewalks, and solar lighting, the Delaware River Trail is close — but won’t finish till spring
Some work is still ongoing, but people are already taking advantage of the waterfront path.
Should Philly mandate an annual cash infusion to the Housing Trust Fund? (Ballot question)
If this was in already in effect, an additional $25 million in taxpayer dollars would have gone to affordable housing this year.
Should Philly have more flexibility when hiring city employees? (Ballot question)
Council members and others say eliminating the "Rule of Two" would widen the pool of candidates, and provide equitable access to top jobs.
Should the city charter call for marijuana legalization in Pa.? (Ballot question)
There's already a slew of state legislation this year around this issue, backed by both Democrats and Republicans.
Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2021 November election in Philadelphia
A cheat sheet for being informed when you vote.
Should Philly create a new department dedicated to managing city-owned vehicles? (Ballot question)
The current Office of Fleet Management oversees more than 6,000 cars and trucks, but could theoretically be dissolved by the mayor.