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Voting rights at issue in Pa. Supreme Court case over mail ballots
Will anyone who wants to be able to vote by mail ballot in the May 17 primary? As of now, the answer is yes, but the Pa. Supreme Court will soon weigh in.
- Republicans who originally voted for no-excuse mail voting are behind the lawsuit against it. In questioning last week, some justices hinted they see the suit as little more than an effort to undermine voter confidence, Spotlight PA reports.
Voting rights have been a hot button issue for decades. In his latest edition of “Headlines of Yore,” Avi Wolfman-Arent highlights a former Penn Law prof whose federal nomination was derailed because of her activism on the issue.
A return for St. Paddy’s Parade — and the infamous Erin Express
For the first time in two years, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade marched through Philadelphia this weekend, 6ABC reports.
- Another tradition also returned: the Erin Express bar crawl, bringing crowds of green-clad fun seekers who stood in long lines on the sidewalk for a rare chance to…get a beer.
Some bars ducked out this year for fear the shenanigans could get their streetery licenses pulled, reports Beatrice Forman, who braved the wintry mix to explore the St. Paddy’s experience in person.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Philly state Rep. Joanna McClinton — Harrisburg’s first Black woman leader — is one of 40 people named to Politico’s Recast Power List. [Billy Penn/Politico]
- ICYMI, the Philadelphia Board of Ed has chosen three finalists for school superintendent, and there’s a chance to meet them at in-person or virtual gatherings this week. [Chalkbeat/Phila SD]
- A new gov accountability project called Shake the Table will entail “secret shoppers” to test city systems like litter removal or getting L&I permits. [Resolve Philly]
- Philly’s political ward system is different from many cities in America — but what are the 66 wards for, and how do they work? [Citizen]
- Frontier just launched six new routes from PHL, with intro fares ranging from $29 (Boston) to $99 (San Antonio). It’s now the airport’s second largest carrier, behind American Airlines. [Frontier/Biz Journal$]
- In town for a Democrat strategy session, U.S. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez stopped by South Street’s Magic Gardens, and posted about the mosaics as a metaphor for community resilience. [KYW/@aoc]
- With the lockout over, the Phillies are reportedly working on a deal to bring back center fielder Odúbel Herrera. When here in 2019, he was arrested on domestic violence charges and suspended for 85 games. [CBS Sports/Billy Penn]
- Following Villanova Men’s Basketball’s Big East title win last week, the team snagged the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament — same as in 2016, when they won it all. The year’s journey starts Friday against 15-seed Delaware. [VU Hoops/Bucks Courier Times/Billy Penn/NBC10]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney is on a personal/non-governmental international trip this week, according to his office. He left over the weekend and returns on Saturday, when he’ll attend the 10th annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball at the Marriott Center City.
ON THE CALENDAR
? Billy Penn event: Join us for news and history trivia about the city you love! Our monthly Philly Quizzo night is back at Jose Pistola’s in Center City. Free RSVP, happy hour specials, win a $50 gift card if you get the top score. Don’t miss the bonus music trivia round. (6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23)
⛓️ Get your goth on at Tattooed Mom as the South Street tavern hosts a vendor showcase and social with local artists and crafters. (5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 15)
? The old Dollar Tree at Front and Girard gets crafty at the N+T Blooming Buds Pop-Up, featuring stands from local artists, artisans, makers, and other vendors. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19)
