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Sheriff’s deputy arrested for selling black market firearms
How are guns ending up on Philadelphia streets? It appears in some cases, from law enforcement officers reselling firearms confiscated from crimes.
- The FBI charged a sheriff’s deputy with selling guns and meth on the street. Now fired, he’d spent 4 years in the Sheriff’s Office before getting caught in an informant sting, per The Inquirer.
According to a trace, two of the guns he recently sold were used in the deadly Roxborough High School shooting, WHYY News reports. An Instagram account that appears to be the former deputy’s includes a boast of “giving back to my community one step at a time.”
World Series Phillies ball girls are having the time of their life
For most diehard fans, the idea of being on the field during a Phillies game is a fantasy. For ball girls, it’s reality — and right now, a dream come true
- The squad of 19 young women do the work as a side gig, less for the pay (just $50 per game) than the experience. Most grew up playing softball and rooting for the Fightins.
They’ve watched the trip to the World Series up close, and couldn’t be more excited, they told Lizzy McLellan Ravitch: “It’s just an amazing experience.”
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. Read the guide in Spanish here.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Pennsylvania’s new legislative districts have created fewer competitive races ahead of Nov. 8’s general election, but could help the Democrats gain ground in the state House. [Spotlight PA]
- A Q&A with the candidates running for at-large seats on City Council in November’s special election. [Axios Philly]
- The Philly school board is holding off on approving the $5 million plan to lock up students’ phones with magnetic pouches during the school day. Superintendent Watlington said he wants to consult with principals before the decision is made. [Inquirer$/WHYY]
- A new study that collected samples from the 50 waterways considered the cleanest across the commonwealth found microplastics in each body of water. [KYW]
- For the first time since 1950, there are no US-born Black players on either World Series roster. It’s a downward league-wide trend; Black players made up 7.2% of opening day roster this year, vs. 18% in 1991. [NBC10/AP]
- Philadelphia councilmembers took a moment to officially wave red rally towels during session in City Hall yesterday. Most of the country is rooting for the Phillies, per BetOnline geotagged data. [@sbcmw/@duciswild]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good BP articles few people clicked on ?
- Houston may have NASA, but Philly has Wawa. Houston has shorter commute times, but Philly is more walkable. From demographics to art institutions to rent, Asha Prihar ran the numbers on how the World Series cities stack up.
MAYOR WATCH: Oct. 28, 2022
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia hosts its 222nd annual meeting at the Pa. Convention Center and Mayor Kenney will be there (12 p.m.). Today is National Vote Early Day, so the mayor then joins a mini GOTV party with the Committee of 70 on the north apron of City Hall (2 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
?If you’re a Swiftie — like half the Billy Penn staff — take note of Underground Arts’ Swemo Experience dance party, featuring TS songs mixed with emo tunes. Tickets are $13. (9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29)
? What’s it like to be adopted into and grow up with a Philly family, then travel back to your native Korea? That’s the subject of a new show at the Adrienne Theatre in West Philly. Tickets are $15. (7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4)
