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FedNuts swaps out Martin’s potato rolls after customer concerns

Federal Donuts has found a new potato roll for its signature fried chicken sandwiches, Lizzy McLellan Ravitch reports.

• In place of Pa. bakery Martin’s — the Mastriano-connected brand used by the local mini-chain since 2015 — CookNSolo’s chicken-and-donuts outfit will use the Schmidt Old Tyme Potato Roll.

Who’s behind Schmidt’s? A Baltimore family also known for political donations, who were in the news recently for feeding motorists during a snowstorm.

Amid Philly’s lack of queer Latine spaces, Sammy’s Place shines

Queer Latine Philadelphians have noticed a dearth of welcoming spaces within Philly’s LGBTQ-friendly nightlife.

• It wasn’t always that way, several people said. Latin queer bars dotted the city in the ’70s and ’80s, but when they closed, nothing replaced them, leaving many queer Latines to feel left out.

Sammy’s Place on North 5th Street is one of the only spots still going strong, reports Bibiana Correa, and it has begun serving a new generation.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Jeff Yass is the richest person in Pa. We profiled him last year when his donations were linked to the effort to deny 2020’s election results. A new investigation shows how he’s been gaming the system to benefit from a lower tax rate. [Billy Penn/ProPublica]
• A Tuesday morning Chinatown fire shut down businesses that were just starting to see things getting better after COVID disruption. [WHYY]
• The federal courthouse at 6th and Market was evacuated yesterday because a package reportedly contained an unknown white powder — but it ended up being some “old food that the judge had brought in.” [NBC10]
• Philly is applying for a federal planning grant to cap the Vine Street Expressway between 9th and Broad, where it slices through Chinatown. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Following this year’s successful outdoor edition — with some great art by students — the Philadelphia Flower Show announced it’s tucking back inside the Convention Center next year. [Billy Penn/South Philly Review/PennLive]
• Beer shortage ahead? Workers at beer distributors in the region are striking amid contract negotiations, and union leaders warn it could affect supply ahead of Fourth of July celebrations. [6ABC/KYW]

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting at the Community College of Philadelphia. 

• In her first 60 days as WHYY’s gun violence prevention reporter, Sammy Caiola didn’t publish any stories. Instead she went on a community listening tour. Here’s what she found. [WHYY]
• City Council is poised to move up the curfew for teens from midnight to 10 p.m. Experts say it could take police away from more important tasks — and some teenagers say it wouldn’t make much difference, anyway. [PhillyVoice/Inquirer$/Inquirer$]
• Local apparel brand “Stay Hungry, Stay Humble” organized its first march, bringing young Philadelphians to South Street Monday night for a march against violence. [CBS3/Fox29]
• Listen to a new conversation between two mothers who’ve lost sons to gun violence, and their experience telling their stories. [PCGVR SoundCloud]
• A bill to raise the age for buying assault-style rifles from 18 to 21 in Pennsylvania was blocked by state House Republicans. [AP]
• The PPD is partnering with Pa. State Police to pair state troopers with local police officers while patrolling the “most-challenged communities” in Philadelphia. [NBC10]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

• 34: Shooting victims recorded last week so far, vs. 49 the week prior. [PPD Google Drive]
• 1,083: Shooting victims this year, up 6% from last year [PCGVR]
• 245: Year-to-date homicides, down 6% from last year; up 60% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]

MAYOR WATCH

Busy day for Mayor Kenney. He starts with an address to the national HBCU Administrators conference at the Marriott downtown (9 a.m.), then heads to City Hall to draw teams for the annual Unity Cup, Philly’s summer soccer tournament (10 a.m.).

Afternoon brings Kenney to the virtual biweekly briefing on the city’s gun violence response (1 p.m.). You can listen live on WURD Radio 900 AM / 96.1 FM or watch on Facebook. Evening takes the mayor to the Wells Fargo Center to celebrate the city’s best youth hockey players (5:45 p.m.).

ON THE CALENDAR

🏮 The Chinese Lantern Festival returns to Franklin Square with over 30 life-size displays taking over the park. Admission is $20-$23 for adults, $12 for kids. (June 21 to Aug. 7)

💫 Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse hosts Love Now Media’s Black comics storytelling workshop, for fans and creators alike. (6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 23)

📠 In obscure holidays news: Thursday is National Typewriter Day, and you can celebrate with a free lecture from the founder of Philly Typewriter, Bryan Kravitz, on the antiquated machinery’s impact and subtle resurgence. ( 6 p.m. Thursday, June 23)