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In retrial, Philly councilmember acquitted of bribery charges
A federal jury yesterday acquitted Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson and his wife Dawn Chavous, clearing them of bribery charges brought 3 years ago.
- Little new evidence was presented at the retrial. The case revolved around a consulting contract from Universal, which the government alleged was given to Chavous in return for political favors.
Philly’s rep as a hotbed of corruption is exaggerated — it’s not in the top 5 cities — and Johnson’s constituents maintained support for their councilmember.
No, Philadelphia restaurants didn’t purposely diss the Astros
Angelo’s Pizzeria and Mike’s BBQ went viral earlier this week for refusing to fill a catering order from the Houston Astros, but that’s not the full story.
- A sports rivalry gone too far? Fans on both sides were disappointed by news articles claiming that, but both restaurants say catering orders were turned down because they landed outside operating hours.
“People don’t actually read articles, they just read the headline,” the chef-owner of Mike’s BBQ explained to Asha Prihar.
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
- At-large City Councilmember David Oh, the body’s only sitting Republican, says he’s exploring a mayoral campaign. Others are thinking about the implications of a woman taking over the office. [Northeast Times/34th Street]
- Temple’s graduate student union, seeking increased pay and longer parental leave, is holding a strike authorization vote as contract negotiations languish. [Temple News]
- Meet PA Youth Vote, the nonpartisan offshoot of a Philly org that pays high school students to help their older classmates register to vote. [WHYY]
- Philadelphia Zoo President Vikram Dewan is stepping down next year. His 16-year tenure brought a free community access program and the Zoo360 animal trail network. [Inquirer$/Philly Zoo]
- The internet is shipping a local woman with a man she hoisted on her shoulders during the NLCS celebrations on Broad. Will they become a couple? Unclear, but someone did donate tickets for them to attend the World Series last night. [Wash Post$]
- The no-hitter was rough, but watch out tonight: the Phils are breaking out throwback powder blue uniforms for Game 5.Trying to watch both Phillies and Eagles? Thursday Night Football, on Amazon Prime in most of the country, airs locally on PHL17. [@MrUram/PhillyVoice/@Eagles]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good BP articles few people clicked on ?
- BP contributor Denali Sagner spoke with Adrianna Jones-Alston, the daughter of Holmesburg prison experiments survivor Leodus Jones, about what the city’s recent apology means for her father and the legacy of his activism.
MAYOR WATCH
Selling Thanksgiving pies is the big annual fundraiser for 30-year “food as medicine” nonprofit MANNA. Mayor Kenney pops up at Lincoln Financial Field to help announce the Nov. 22 event and officially declare Pie Day in Philadelphia (1:20 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
☕ Elixir Coffee launches its “Heart on Your Sleeve” poetry project with a party, and will print poems on to-go coffee sleeves throughout the winter and spring. (7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5)
? Taller Puertorriqueño hosts a BYOB Bad Bunny brunch with eats from La Chingonita and El Merurky and pumpkin coquito for sale. Tickets are $50, with proceeds to Hurricane Fiona relief. [11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6)
