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USciences to pull birth control from student health centers
Students at the University of the Sciences are upset about the 200-year-old school’s plan to drop birth control from its health centers on June 1.
- A merger with St. Joseph’s University is behind the policy shift, but USciences students say they never signed up to be part of a Catholic institution, and worry the change could lead to health and equity issues.
Many are also concerned the changes might affect curriculum, Asha Prihar and Lizzy McLellah-Ravitch report, with some even considering a transfer.
Are you a Philly trivia whiz? Test your knowledge with our quiz
This April, our monthly IRL quizzo took over Newbold Exchange, a former silent motion picture house-turned-coworking space (with free Ultimo coffee on tap!).
- Ten teams battled for trivia street cred, with the winners getting 18 out of 24 correct, earning each team member a free month-long coworking membership.
Think you can beat their high score? Test your local knowledge with our online quiz. We trust you — no Googling allowed.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- The former PPD officer who was fired after he fatally shot 12-year-old TJ Siderio during a sting in South Philly has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and voluntary manslaughter. [CBS3]
- Two-thirds of Philly teachers are white while three-quarters of students are Black or Hispanic, per a new report. And last year Philadelphia had nearly 1,200 fewer Black teachers than 20 years ago. [Research for Action/Axios]
- Looking to buy a home in the Philly area? You’ll need to earn around $49k a year to afford the typical mortgage, per a Redfin report. That’s 17% more than you would’ve needed last year, which is actually the second-lowest increase among major U.S. cities. [Biz Journal$/Redfin]
- Harriett’s Bookshop owner Jeannine Cook has collected over 7,800 signatures on a petition to establish a federal holiday that honors Harriet Tubman. U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle introduced a bill in March to create that holiday, though it hasn’t yet gone anywhere. [NBC News/congress.gov]
- Mt. Airy-based nonprofit No More Secrets has started a “Mobile Menstrual Health Unit” that will bring menstrual resources, wellness checks, and other services to community pop-up events throughout the Philly region. [Billy Penn/Philly Mag$]
- Consider a bike ride to N.J.: Camden is planning a 34-mile trail that connects to the Ben Franklin Bridge. It’s slated to be finished by 2025. [PhillyVoice]
- The Big Clean Up is a nonprofit in its third year of coordinating volunteer cleanups in underserved Philly neighborhoods. [Green Philly]
MAYOR WATCH
No public events today on Mayor Kenney’s schedule. Yesterday his office announced events for Bicycle Safety Month, including a couple walk/bike to school days, a “Slow Zone” ribbon cutting, a Ride of Silence, and a “Bike to Work or Wherever” day.
ON THE CALENDAR
?️ Billy Penn event: Voting is hard if you don’t know what you’re voting on. Ahead of the May 17 primary, reporter Jordan Levy will be taking over our Instagram to answer questions about the first ballot question: Should the board that helps enforce Philly’s fair housing laws be made permanent? Submit your Qs here. (12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 6)
? Billy Penn Quizzo alert: Our monthly trivia event is back, this time with Fishtown Iced Teas. Hosts Danya and Sakeenah are kicking it at the new outdoor patio at Interstate Drafthouse, so start assembling a team. Registration is free. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18).
? Wind down from the work week with puppy yoga at Philadelphia Brewing Company this Thursday, sponsored by Morris Animal Refuge. Each ticket includes a post-workout pint of beer, though we won’t blame you for trying to adopt a pup too. Tickets are $30. (6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5).
? Commonweal Gallery in Center City hosts “Handmade Jamboree,” a free workshop that teaches you how to make instruments you can actually use to create music. (3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7)
