Headlines of Yore
One century ago, Philadelphia was ground zero in the battle to define free speech
As World War I raged, the local Socialist Party came under fire — and sparked a challenge to the Espionage Act.

💌 Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day.
In 1917, a Philly police officer who’d infiltrated a Socialist Party meeting set off a string of events that would bring about a landmark civil liberties decision.
The famous metaphor about the potential danger posed by shouting “fire” in a crowded theater came from a case stemming from those events, in the opinion written by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes — who eventually became an unlikely champion of free speech.
Here’s the thread explaining how it all went down.

Monkeypox cases vs. vaccines; Get ready for unionized cafes; Battle over Coltrane house | Morning roundup
Golf range swapped for wetlands at FDR Park 🏞️

Introducing Local 80, a new Philly union focused on organizing coffee shop floors
A slew of new cafe unionization efforts are expected to roll out across the city.

Dashboard confirms Philly’s monkeypox vaccine disparity: Most cases affect people of color, while most doses are going to white people
The limited vaccine supply will make it difficult to correct the inequity, but organizations are trying.


You can sign up now to pay for SEPTA rides with your phone, with a fuller rollout expected by October
Want to ditch your Key card? Android and iPhone users can apply to be part of the mobile ticketing pilot.

Pa. took a step toward limiting ‘conversion therapy’ — but the traumatic practice isn’t actually banned
What Gov. Wolf’s decree means for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians.

New book by Philly doctors offers tips on how to ‘weave wellness’ into your life
The field of integrative medicine is taking off, and Philadelphia is on the leading edge.

We’re compiling a list of Philly’s proactive addiction resources. Help us find them.
Who’s fighting the opioid crisis in your neighborhood?

Inflation Reduction Act money for Philly; Meet the Gun Violence Archive; Cult-favorite chicken fingers | Morning roundup
Where to get the best crudité (tequila optional) 🥕

5 projects moving forward in Philly thanks to new federal infrastructure funding
The IRA and BIL mean the city’s in line to get hundreds of millions in improvements.

Where to get excellent crudité in Philly (tequila optional)
Almost all of them are cheaper than whatever Oz tried to buy at “Wegners.”

The Ultimate Made in America Philly Weekend Giveaway
Presented by Visit Philadelphia and Billy Penn

Off to the mayor’s races; How to deal with bus detours; Are gun buybacks effective? | Morning roundup
All hail hip hop icon Lady B 🎙️

What to know about Allan Domb, first Philly councilmember to resign ahead of the 2023 mayoral race
The real estate mogul-turned-public servant announced his resignation Monday.


Vinyl is flying off the shelves at Philly record stores, with Gen Z fueling the trend
Demand is so heavy the industry is struggling with supply chain issues.

How to ride the bus in Philly, and how to deal with dastardly detours
Tips and tricks for using SEPTA’s 125 bus lines.

Raising Cane’s stands out among North Philly’s considerable collection of chicken chains
Specializing in just one thing has produced notable results.

A look inside the PHS Pop Up on South Street, with ‘Gritty Margs,’ mojitos, and more plants than you can count
The weathered wood helps give the beer garden a country feel.

Stretching monkeypox vaccines; NYT spotlights Philly violence; RIP chef Jim Burke | Sunday roundup
Could Northeast Philly get a subway? 🚇