? Want this daily digest emailed to you? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter and it’ll land in your inbox every morning.
Pa. candidates for Senate face off in lone TV debate
Moderators at last night’s debate between Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Mehmet Oz asked about dozens of issues, from minimum wage to fracking to abortion to immigration.
- With 60 seconds or less to answer, both candidates favored attacking their opponent instead of going deep on policy vision. Were the claims true? WHYY and WITF fact-checked all the answers.
Some people didn’t get to watch at all — a lapsed retransmission agreement between Verizon and Nexstar means it was blocked on live TV for FIOS users. Here’s an audio stream if you want to listen.
Ranking Mitchell & Ness Phillies gear, because World Series
It’s been 13 years since the last time the Phils went to the World Championships, so it’s understandable if your MLB apparel needs an update.
- Modern Phillies merch is selling out across the region, and at Walnut Street’s Mitchell & Ness flagship, they’re already having a hard time maintaining inventory of their nostalgic goods.
Beatrice Forman visited the store to rate what’s left of the throwback Phillies apparel, from $400 athletic shorts to Mike Schmidt tributes.
Procrastinator’s Guide to the November election in Philly
The midterm elections are upon us, and the Billy Penn Procrastinator’s Guide is here to help. Scroll through this cheat sheet to all the candidates and charter change questions, then bookmark it for easy access when you complete your mail ballot or head to the polls on Nov. 8.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama are coming to Pa. on Nov. 5 to campaign for Fetterman and Shapiro. Meanwhile, Mastriano is continuing to avoid the press, a tactic becoming popular in Republican circles. [Axios/WHYY]
- Rebecca Rhynhart yesterday resigned as city controller and is now officially running for mayor. Here’s what to know about Philly’s former fiscal watchdog. [Billy Penn]
- Camden nonprofit Hopeworks, which provides tech job training to people from underrepresented backgrounds, is expanding into Philadelphia. [Technically]
- Solar Myth is the name of the new cafe and wine bar opening in the former Boot & Saddle, the distinctively-signed South Broad music venue that closed two years ago. [Ars Nova/Billy Penn]
- Phillies fans could pay more to see a World Series game at home than it would cost to fly to Houston. While you crunch the numbers and search flights, play this mashup of all the homers Phillies hit in the NLCS. [PhillyVoice/@JeffMcDev]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good BP articles few people clicked on ?
- After Temple students petitioned to make Election Day a university-wide holiday, and garnered nearly 5,000 signatures, the university will ultimately not cancel classes on Nov. 8 — but will form a working group to explore future options.
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 Philadelphia School District got a new $1 million federal grant, which will go towards starting a Youth Violence Reduction Initiative at Southwest Philly’s John Bartram High School. [WHYY]
- After a group of City Council members visited Trenton, which has successfully reduced shooting homicides, Council President Clarke came away with this conclusion: Philly leaders need to “figure out a way to like each other.” [PHL Council/Inquirer$]
- CNN named South Philly native Tyrique Glasgow of the Young Chances Foundation one of its “heroes” for his work to stop violence on the streets where he grew up. [Young Chances/CNN]
- As part of The Bout Mine – I Matter youth video production program, a group of teens made a documentary short about their experiences with gun violence. [YouTube]
- Love Now Media’s “Heart of the Story” project brought together Black boys and men to connect, process, and heal together in the wake of gun violence. The finale event Sunday afternoon features storytelling, performances, food, and fun. [Love Now/Eventbrite]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 35: Shooting victims recorded last week so far, vs. 59 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 1,970: Shooting victims this year, 2% ahead of last year’s pace. [PCGVR]
- 438: Year-to-date homicides, 3% down from last year’s pace but up 70% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH: Oct. 26, 2022
Busy day of engagements for Mayor Kenney. He starts with a speech at the graduation ceremony for the latest class of paramedics joining the Philly Fire Department (10 a.m.), then heads to the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building for a PHLCVB luncheon honoring local athletes and sports organizations (12 p.m.). Afternoon sees him at the Linc for the African-American Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and award ceremony (3:30 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? Head to indoor mini golf emporium Libertee Grounds for a special screening of “Hocus Pocus 2” in the beer garden. Food and drinks are PAYG, and it’s an all ages affair. (7 p.m. Wednesday, 10/26)
? Callowhill’s Trestle Inn is getting into the holiday with the “Trestle Chainsaw Massacre Halloween Dance Party,” which is exactly what it sounds like. There’ll be a DJ, plus go-go dancers and drink specials. Tix are $15. (10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29).
