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Helen Gym resigns in advance of mayoral run
Turns out yesterday’s full, 17-member complement of City Council members was destined to last fewer than 24 hours.
- Activist-turned-lawmaker Helen Gym announced her resignation yesterday ahead of a likely mayoral bid — a long-expected move for the politician, who was the first Asian American woman on Council.
In advance of Gym joining the crowded mayoral race, Asha Prihar recaps how she became one of Philly’s most prominent progressive voices.
We’re tailgating an Eagles game with Misconduct Tavern
Test your Philly sports knowledge at a BP Quizzo tailgate before the NFL-leading Eagles take on the Titans at Lincoln Financial Field at 1 p.m..
- We’ll be setting up in Lot K with a big WHYY tent. Swing by to answer trivia questions about your favorite teams’ past, present, and future — you’ll win prizes and bragging rights.
The trivia contest will be running all morning through kickoff, with drinks courtesy of Misconduct Tavern. Free RSVP here. Go Birds, and see you there.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Whose votes were tossed because of Pa.’s rule that undated or incorrectly dated ballots can’t be counted? Communities with large nonwhite populations were more likely to be affected. [Spotlight PA]
- Attn Philly homeowners: the deadline to apply for property tax relief via the Homestead Exemption is tomorrow — and everyone who owns a home is eligible to save around $1,100. You can apply online here, even if you don’t have a password yet. [Metro Philly/Inquirer$/Phila Gov]
- People who frequent Tacony Creek Park say dumping is a persistent problem, and the city isn’t doing a lot to solve it. [Grid]
- BP investigative reporter Lizzy McLellan Ravitch went on Fox Good Day yesterday morning to talk about the best places to donate items you no longer need. [Fox 29/Billy Penn]
- Questlove teamed up with author friend S.A. Cosby to write a children’s novel set in 1990s Philadelphia. Titled “Rhythm of Time,” it comes out in April. [PhillyVoice/Rhythm of Time]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Neighborhoods with more tree cover have fewer shootings, per a new study out of the University of Pennsylvania — even after accounting for economic disparities. [UPenn]
- A group of men incarcerated at SCI-Phoenix raised thousands to pay for funeral expenses and help the friends and family of a Philadelphia 8th grader shot and killed in October. [Capital-Star]
- Public-private org “Stop the Bleed” held a trauma first aid class at the Nicetown-Tioga Library, offering neighbors training on how to be a stop-gap between victims and emergency services. [WHYY]
- In one of her last moves as a councilmember, Helen Gym announced $300k for support services for people exiting the city’s Juvenile Justice Services Center. [PHL Council]
- Episode 3 of the “Stop and Frisk” podcast is out. Get a summary of the debate over the policing tactic by examining the five charts in this thread. [WHYY/@WHYYNews]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 27: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 27 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 2,152: Shooting victims this year, 1% ahead of last year’s pace. [PCGVR]
- 472: Year-to-date homicides, 7% down from last year’s pace; up 61% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney attends funeral services for the late Firefighter John Flood, who died from occupational cancer earlier this month after 28 years in the department (11 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
?? BP Quizzo is back! Join us at Padelphia on the Schuylkill River across from Manayunk. We’ll have three rounds of local trivia, drinks, snacks, prizes — and a chance to find out more about the apparently trendy racket sport called Padel. Free RSVP here. (7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15)
? Need a last minute Christmas card photo? Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar is letting your pup pose with Santa for free, with treats from dog-friendly confectionary Salty Paws. (1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3)
? Check out the treasures of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania at the Young Friends’ open house, where you can get exclusive access to pieces of state history for just $10. (6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8)