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Fewer than 100 newsstands remain in Philadelphia

The number of newsstand licenses in Philly has dropped 40% over the past decade, and just 96 active ones remain.

• The rise of digital news combined with COVID to decimate a once thriving industry. Survivors are pivoting to snacks and lottery — or looking to sell, though buyers are scarce.

BP summer intern Jacob Smollen spoke with some of the veterans of the biz. “Everything is gone,” one newsstand owner said. “Nobody buys nothing.”

An Eagles cheat sheet for the casual Philly sports fan

The Eagles kick off their season against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, bringing a return to football talk in nearly all corners of Philadelphia.

• Is the team good this season? Yes! At least they should be, based on promising draft picks, talented wide-receivers, and maybe Nick Sirianni. A former Cowboy even has Philly as his sleeper Super Bowl team.

Looking to catch up before the season opener? Contributor Ray Dunne breaks it all down in this handy guide for the casual Birds fan.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Senate candidate John Fetterman agreed to a late October debate with Mehmet Oz after weeks of taunts about his health. Fetterman, who has had some speech pauses since returning to the campaign trail in late August, maintained there’s “no precedent” for an early September debate. [WHYY/WESA]
• City Council will resume in-person meetings next week, ending Philly’s run as the only top-10 U.S. city still meeting remotely. Hearings will still be virtual because of what officials called “continuing public health concerns.” [Tribune$/Inquirer$]
• After the property owner got a 1-month extension from HUD, residents of the UC Townhomes and hundreds of supporters rallied outside of City Hall to call for new ownership — and even presented a plan to buy the West Philly affordable housing complex themselves. [WHYY x 2/6ABC]
• Of course there’s a local connection: RIP to Queen Elizabeth, the British monarch whose 1976 visit to Philadelphia helped commemorate the bicentennial of U.S. independence from her empire’s rule. [PhillyVoice]
• Looking for zero-proof spirits? Old City boutique Art in the Age sells a hemp-based amaro with a flavor like a citrusy version of cola. [Axios]
• Three Philly spots made Bon Appetit’s list of 50 best new restaurants this year: South Philly cafe Korshak Bagels, Rittenhouse supper club Her Place, and Bok rooftop fine dining room Irwin’s. [Bon Appetit]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Kenney is still in Quebec at 16th Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. His social media accounts highlighted the new $10,000 reward for info leading to arrest of anyone who fires a gun near schools, rec centers, or libraries.

ON THE CALENDAR