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The state of abortion rights in Pa., and who’s trying to change it

People from nearby states that have criminalized abortion are already flocking to doctors and clinics in Western Pa., per the Pittsburg Post-Gazette.

• Pennsylvania will not cooperate with attempts to arrest people seeking the procedure, per a new order by Gov. Wolf, but a statewide referendum combined with a new governor could easily make it illegal here, too.

We’re tracking all the moving parts in Lizzy McLellan Ravitch’s explainer on where the law is, where it may be going, and how voters’ choices factor in.

Amalgam Comics to close after 7 years on Frankford Avenue

When Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse opened in 2015, it garnered national attention because of the rarity of comic stores run by Black women.

• Founder Ariell Johnson leaned into that mantle, working to create a space that welcomed all kinds of geeks. But “the cumulative effects” of the pandemic mean it’s coming to an end, she announced last week.

Johnson is planning several special events as Amalgam wraps up its tenure, Jordan Levy reports, leading to a last day of business on Oct. 15.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• The City of Philadelphia has 4,000 open jobs — 1 in 7 budgeted municipal positions — as nearly every department struggles to hire workers. [Inquirer$]
• A letter from Penn Law’s dean asks for sanctions against Amy Wax, the professor known for racist and xenophobic commentary, saying her “escalating” behavior could lead to “increased harm” and damage. [FIRE/WHYY]
• The new playground at FDR Park will be named after Anna C. Verna, Philly’s first and only woman City Council president. It’s being designed and built with the kids who’ll use it. [BP 2021/WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• A new movie set in Philly called “Audrey’s Children” will star Natalie Dormer as the title character, a CHOP oncologist who revolutionized pediatric cancer treatment and cofounded the Ronald McDonald House. [Deadline/BP 2016]
• RIP William ‘Poogie’ Hart, who as lead singer of The Delfonics helped put Philly soul on the map and shaped what became known as the Philadelphia sound. He was 77. [Rolling Stone/XPN]
• By next season, Citizens Bank Park will have a new 4k HDR scoreboard that’s 77% larger — big enough to fit “516 life-size Phillie Phanatics.” [PhillyVoice]

MAYOR WATCH

Nothing public on the schedule for Mayor Kenney today. Over the weekend, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline he helped announce last week became active, so Philadelphians can call 9-8-8 at any time of day or night and be connected with trained mental health counselors.

ON THE CALENDAR