💡 Get Philly smart 💡
with BP’s free daily newsletter
Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
? Want this daily digest emailed to you? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter and it’ll land in your inbox every morning.
2023 mayoral race starts cooking as Green and Parker resign
Philadelphia City Council is now down four members, all of whom resigned with declared or expected intent to run for mayor next year.
- Northwest Philly is home to both of the latest lawmakers to make the move. Jordan Levy has the 411 on Derek Green, a lawyer and business booster, and on Cherelle Parker, a self-made power player.
Will the empty Council seats get filled before the 2023 election, over a year from now? That’s up to Darrell Clarke, Lizzy McLellan Ravitch explains.
Unity Cup: Liberia heads for title during historic anniversary
Philly’s citywide soccer tournament is peddling through its knockout rounds, and one team could be on the way to becoming five-time champs.
- Team Liberia has won four Unity Cup PHL championships in the competition’s 7-year history. This year’s matches have extra meaning, as they coincide with the African nation’s bicentennial celebration.
Coach Jayson Waylee spoke with contributor Rashaad Jorden about what the tournament and games mean to the city’s Liberian community.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Reformulated COVID-19 vaccine boosters, which tackle more contagious strains, are hitting local pharmacies soon — some people in Philly say they snagged appointments this week. [WHYY]
- Long COVID is disproportionately burdening Kensington and Fairhill’s Black and Latine communities, where residents have some of the worst health outcomes in Philly. [Kensington Voice]
- Over a year after remnants of Hurricane Ida caused severe flooding at the East Falls post office, the building is set to reopen at the end of this month. [WHYY]
- Philly-based tahini company Soom Foods is going national at Whole Foods nearly a decade after chef extraordinaire Michael Solomonov started using the brand in his restaurants. [Biz Journal$/Billy Penn]
- This deep dive into Philly’s food influencers takes you into the world of messy contracts, forced positivity, and the occasional thousand dollar payout. [Philly Mag$]
- Fresh off elbow surgery, Eagles center Jason Kelce will play Sunday in the season opener, marking his 123rd consecutive start. Taking a family of four to a game at the Linc (with parking + food) costs about $725 this season, 7th highest in the NFL. [NBC Sports Philly/Axios]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney is in Quebec for a conference this week. On his social media accounts, he shared an opportunity for community orgs to apply for $16,000 in grants to provide outreach and education on Philadelphia’s municipal labor laws.
ON THE CALENDAR
? Frankford’s colorful Pause Park is kicking off over a month of free community events this week, starting with free bachata lessons hosted by Controla Dance Company. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9)
? The “Misconduct Mile” ~ race ~ stops at each of Misconduct Tavern’s three locations, where runners get a boost from a complimentary beer. Entry is $30, and proceeds benefit CHOP. (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10)
