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RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• High turnout in Philly, more young voters nationwide
Despite warnings from officials that the counts might drag on, everything went smoothly and most Pa. races were called on election night. In Philadelphia, 46% of registered voters cast a ballot, making it the city’s second-best showing for midterms in several decades. Across the nation, more young voters (aged 18-29) came out than usual for off-year elections, though the estimated 27% turnout isn’t as high as four years ago. [BP/Spotlight PA/BP/NPR]
• Fetterman outperforms Biden across Pa.
Never trust polls. That mantra held true for Democratic Senator-elect John Fetterman, who beat Republican Mehmet Oz 51%-47% despite the latter polling ahead just before Election Day. Fetterman had a better showing than Biden in most of Pa.’s 67 counties — the Inky says all but three; the Post says all but six. Unrelatedly, DYK Fetterman and Taylor Swift were born in the same hospital? [BP/Pa. Gov/Inquirer$/Wash Post$/BP]
• Philly chickenman goes worldwide
Philadelphians had the excuse of trying to get over a double sports loss, but why was the rest of the world so fascinated with the man who ate 40 consecutive rotisserie chickens? After Billy Penn kicked things off with our initial interview — and live event coverage — Alexander Tominsky’s antics showed up everywhere from the BBC to Yahoo News to “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me.” He’s now using his platform to address hunger in his neighborhood. [BP x 2/BBC/Yahoo/NPR/Billy Penn]
• Local illustrator provides Instagram’s ‘Vote’ stickers
Instagram’s official “stickers” for election-related posts — used by everyone from Selena Gomez to Joe Biden — were drawn by Philadelphia illustrator Fabiola Lara. “I once had a professor tell me it wasn’t really worth it to post illustrated GIFs in my portfolio,” tweeted the freelance designer, whom we profiled last spring. [Inquirer$/Al Día/@fabiolitadraws/Billy Penn]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Texas sending a bus of people seeking asylum
Philadelphia is reportedly the next destination for Texas Gov. Abbott’s effort to send immigrants to East Coast cities, which has cost the Lone Star State at least $12 million. Local officials noted they’ve been preparing since summer, so are ready to handle Monday’s expected arrival of 52 people seeking asylum. Philadelphia has had “sanctuary city” policies since Mayor Nutter was in charge. [CBS3/Texas Gov/Texas Tribune/@K_Hua/BP 2018]
• Final three days of Pa. Legislature
This week the Pa. House and Senate are scheduled to convene for the final three days of their legislative session. It’s unclear whether they’ll take up the articles to impeach DA Krasner. If not, the resolution would have to be reintroduced again next year, when Republicans might not hold both chambers. With two races still undecided and a 101 to 100 D-to-R balance, Democrats have a good chance of gaining control of the House. [BP/NBC News/BP]
• Franklin Square lights twinkle to Mariah Carey
The annual “Electrical Spectacle” holiday light show returns to Franklin Square starting Wednesday, with the carousel and mini golf open for business as 200k lights sparkle to the music. New this year to the 30-minute soundtrack is none other than Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” [Historic Philadelphia/Visit Philly]
• Runners take over for marathon weekend
More than 30,000 racers are expected to line up next Sunday on the Ben Franklin Parkway for the Philadelphia Marathon, which dates back to the 1920s but wasn’t formalized with all 26.2 miles inside the city limits until 1994. That’s not to be confused with this weekend’s Rocky Run, or the following weekend’s Rocky 50k — yes, Philly has two different Rocky-themed races. [Phila Marathon/VisitPhilly/Fox29/Daily Penn/BP 2017]
