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Doug Mastriano’s Confederacy ties go beyond that one photo
The Republican candidate for governor of Pa. is facing backlash for wearing a Confederate uniform in an old faculty photo at the Army War College.
- Mastriano has mingled with Confederate sympathizers before, and he tried to make a law to curb the removal of monuments. His social media posts are often flooded with comments on the topic.
The candidate, a former Army colonel who has the Gettysburg Battlefield in his district, seems to be fixated on the Civil War, Lizzy McLellan Ravitch reports.

DF Nigeria brings West African cuisine to Roosevelt Blvd.
A new Nigerian food truck came to Philly from New York City, where Godshelter Oluwalogbon — aka Chef Divine — set up shop outside the Nigerian Embassy.
- On the menu are Nigerian staples, like spicy jollof rice with goat and plantains, and egusi stew. Oluwalogbon even visits his suppliers in West Africa, where he directs them on how to grow the raw ingredients.
BP contributor Walden Green spoke with Oluwalogbon about the family-run truck — and his journey from security guard to Zabar’s chef to entrepreneur.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Citing his continued recovery from a stroke, John Fetterman declined a televised debate next week with Senate opponent Mehmet Oz. [Capital-Star]
- It’s going to take until 2027 to install air conditioners in all Philly schools. The district installed 530 A/C units this summer, but there are still 58 schools in need of upgrades. The issue is less about the cost of installation, and more about the electrical capacity of the old buildings. [Inquirer$/Billy Penn/NPR]
- Is Helen Gym gonna run for mayor? “All possibilities are open,” the councilmember said, joining former colleague Alan Domb and a slew of other potential candidates as likely contenders in the 2023 mayoral race. [Philly Mag$/BP x 2]
- A Philadelphia jury convicted a man of third-degree murder in the killing of Philadelphia trans woman Mia Green. He’s set to be sentenced in November. [PGN/Billy Penn]
- Philly Black radio station WURD hosted a Founder’s Day celebration to honor its creator, Walter P. Lomax Jr. — an entrepreneur, philanthropist and physician who treated Martin Luther King Jr. [WURD]
- Inside one of Comcast’s 11 internet control centers, 4,500 square feet of transmitters and color-coded wires, all kept at 68 degrees. [Technically]
- Local coffee company Bean2Bean created a PAWS Roast with all proceeds benefiting the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. You can buy the medium roast beans online. [6ABC/Bean2Bean]
MAYOR WATCH
The North American Festival of Wales is back in Philly for the first time since 1976 this week, and Mayor Kenney presents a proclamation at City Hall to official welcome celebrants (11 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? Banksyland, a touring art exhibit featuring 80 pieces by world famous street artist Banksy, is landing in Philadelphia. Tickets are $29, or $60 for the VIP experience with a poster. (Friday to Monday, Sept. 2-5)
? Philly is getting a new winery with Kensington’s Gritty City, which is celebrating their grand opening this weekend with tours and the launch of a retail line. (Friday to Saturday, Sept. 2-3)
? Say farewell to summer and hello to Oktoberfest season at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein’s 150th annual Labor Day weekend festival, with music, games, food, and lots to drink. (Saturday to Monday, Sept. 3-5)
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