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Protesters serve Kenney ‘subpoena’ for blocking public bank
Mayor Kenney has earned the ire of public banking advocates for refusing to staff a board that could make Philly the first U.S. city with a public bank.
- The Philadelphia Public Financial Authority was approved by City Council in March, and advocates say it could boost Black and brown entrepreneurs’ access to credit after decades of lending discrimination.
But Kenney doesn’t want it to happen. Why? Jordan Levy explains the policy beef.

Quizzo quiz: How well do you know Philly?
Cheers to everyone who came out for BP Quizzo at The Sidecar Bar & Grille, a Graduate Hospital favorite now run by the folks behind Mike’s BBQ.
- The second floor was packed for three rounds of questions on Philly’s past, present, and future. Team “Jedi Masters” walked away a $100 gift card for top score, getting 19 out of 24 correct.
Think you can match it? Take a shot at the exact same trivia quiz — and no, it doesn’t count if you have to phone a friend.

RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- The U.S. Supreme Court threw out a ruling that said Pa. election boards have to count undated mail ballots. Here’s how to make sure yours is counted — you can apply for one online — and where to drop it off. [Reuters/BP/Pa. Gov/BP]
- President Biden will be in Philly on Oct. 20 for a Fetterman fundraiser. Turnout among Black voters is expected to be a deciding factor in the Senate race. [Inquirer$/AP]
- The retrial of Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson on federal bribery charges has been postponed a week because of COVID in the courtroom. [WHYY/@denisethewriter]
- Want your name on the Walnut Street Theater? The 213-year-old arts org is considering selling naming rights to fund an expansion. [BizJournal$]
- Former Flyers player Ville Leino has a new fashion boutique in the Wells Fargo Center. selling streetwear with a players’ lounge vibe. The arena’s new club level has celeb chef concepts from Marc Vetri, Jose Garces, and Stephen Starr. [Philly Mag$/NBC10]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good articles few people clicked on ?
- Asha Prihar went behind the scenes of the Lincoln Mill Haunted House, a Hurricane Ida-themed fright fest taking over the former home of Manayunk bar Mad River.
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- The week after broadcast journalists in Philly examined how sensationalist crime reporting can do more harm than good at a PCGVR workshop, John Oliver covered the topic on “Last Week Tonight.” [Billy Penn/YouTube]
- Anti-violence groups in Philadelphia may have an easier time getting projects off the ground after the city simplified its process for grant money, which had previously been delayed. [WHYY x 2]
- “Trigger” is a new film featuring Philadelphians sharing their “shared search for hope with a vengeance.” First Person Arts hosts a free screening next Monday at the Parkway Central Library. [YouTube/First Person Arts]
- Roxborough High School is getting $500k in state money for security enhancements after a deadly shooting on campus last month prompted calls to action. [CBS3]
- An editorial in respected academic journal “Science” argues the U.S. won’t be able to fix the “escalating problem of firearm violence” without measuring it — which in many cases federal law forbids. [Science]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 1,850: Shooting victims this year, same pace as last year [PCGVR]
- 424: Year-to-date homicides, 2% fewer than last year’s pace but up 77% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins PPD and other officials for a briefing at City Hall on the city’s anti-violence efforts (1:15 p.m.). You can watch a livestream on Facebook.
ON THE CALENDAR
? BP Quizzo is sponsored by Mighty Writers this month! Join us for a night of Philly trivia at Hawthornes in Bella Vista. Win prizes and enjoy happy hour specials as we welcome the literacy nonprofit and its NEA Big Read program. RSVP to play Quizzo for free. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18)
? At Al Día News in Center City, author Anthony Christian Ocampo talks about his book “The Latinos of Asia,” discussing the lost stories of solidarity between Filipinos and Latino groups. Light refreshments served, free RSVP. (6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13)
? The 22nd annual Peoplehood Parade wraps around Clark Park with puppets, drumlines, and performances helmed by puppet theater group Spiral Q. (1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15)
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