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Philadelphia to roll back mask mandate (again)
Four days after implementing it, Philly is planning to rescind the mask mandate, NBC10 reports, with a detailed announcement expected Friday morning.
- The Board of Health made the decision Thursday, 6ABC reports, citing “decreasing hospitalizations and a leveling of case counts.” City data does show the very beginnings of a plateau, per our daily updated charts.
Mayor Kenney had defended the mandate during his Washington Post Q&A yesterday, per WHYY, noting that pre-set metrics triggered the move.
Proposal: Let workers use pre-tax income for SEPTA
Large Philly companies would have to let employees pay for SEPTA passes with pre-tax income under a new law proposed by Councilmember Helen Gym.
- Backers say workers could save a couple hundred dollars each year, while the program would boost SEPTA ridership, improve safety on the system, and increase transit equity.
Some businesses voluntarily offer the commuter tax benefit, Meir Rinde reports, but Philly would be among the first cities to make it required.
SURVEY: Is your recycling actually getting recycled?
With Green Philly, we’re investigating how often the city trash mixes trash and recycling. If you live in Philadelphia, help us by filling out this survey by April 29.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- A former PPD officer faces criminal charges in the assault of a woman and her toddler caught among the protests that happened after Walter Wallace Jr. was killed by police. [WHYY/Billy Penn]
- Councilmember Johnson participated in a legislative session Thursday for the first time after a judge declared a mistrial in his criminal case. He made no mention of his trial or his time away. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/Billy Penn]
- Philly’s new “I Voted” sticker got an honorable mention from the U.S. Election Assistance commission. Residents picked the design, created by a Temple grad. [@PhillyVotes/Billy Penn]
- A local software engineer created @Philly311Photos to tweet out the “very Philly goings-on” residents submit to the city’s non-emergency helpline. [Technical.ly]
- Joel Embiid had some choice words for famed Toronto fan Drake after his buzzer-beater triple against the Raptors Wednesday night in a wild ride of a game. “I’m coming for the sweep too. You better be there.” [@JoshReynolds24/Liberty Ballers]
- Delco Steaks’ first location opened in Broomall two years ago, just as COVID shutdowns were starting. Now it has a stand in the Wells Fargo Center and expects to have six locations around the region by year-end. [Patch/Philly Mag$]
MAYOR WATCH
A full Earth Day for Mayor Kenney. He speaks at a South Philly union breakfast commemorating the 33rd Annual Workers Memorial Day (9:15 a.m.); swings up to MLK Rec Center for a pep rally celebrating “Taking Care of Business” volunteers who help keep commercial corridors clean (10 a.m.); and stops by Love Park to help launch the spring pop-up market (11 a.m.). Last public stop: Cherry Street Pier, to release the city’s annual sustainability report (5 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
?️ Billy Penn Event: Head to our Instagram on Earth Day for an IG Live with CravePhilly about the benefits of buying hyperlocal. She’ll be joined by Rival Bros. co-founder Jonathan Adams and Philly Jerk founder Ben Doar, whose brand of spicy, plant-based jerkies began in his East Passyunk kitchen. (3 p.m. Friday, April 22)
? Billy Penn Philly Quizzo with Newbold Exchange: Our monthly trivia night heads to South Philadelphia this month — and there’s free beer for everyone who registers! Test your local knowledge and win prizes while hanging out at a new coworking space in a former silent motion picture house. Free with RSVP. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28)
? A wine tasting, a silent auction, a dessert table and live music are part of a fundraiser for Ukraine at The Fallser Club in East Falls. Tickets are $50. (6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 23)
? Furness High School class of 2023 hosts a flea market and craft fair in South Philly to raise money for field trips and graduation. (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23)
? The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra performs its spring concert at the Kimmel Center. Tickets are $20-$30. (7 p.m. Sunday, April 24)
? Belt your heart out at the “all you can sing” R&B party at Center City bar Leda & the Swan with Beano French and DJ Ricochet. (6 to 10 p.m. Sunday, April 24)
