? Want this daily digest emailed to you? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter and it’ll land in your inbox every morning.
Philly teens cast doubt on city’s new permanent curfew
City Council is about to make permanent the city’s earlier curfew for minors, in an effort to stem violence involving Philadelphians younger than 18.
- Philly teens find the intended outcome unlikely. We spoke with five local highschoolers, and they echoed what studies have found in other cities — that curfews aren’t an effective deterrent.
Plus, “If we do get stopped, I don’t think our stories would be heard,” one student told Jordan Levy. Check out what else the teens had to say.
Call for Harriet Tubman statue artists — and for officials to depart
Philadelphia has opened bidding for a statue of Harriet Tubman to live outside City Hall, WHYY reports. You can apply here through Jan. 26.
- But controversy has dogged the process. An earlier statue was only temporary, so arts officials commissioned a permanent one from its creator, only to backtrack after outcry over the closed process.
Results of a survey asking if it should be a different historical figure came back in favor of Tubman — but the city initially misreported the results. Advocates told The Inquirer they want arts officials in charge removed from the process.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- The DC Police Dept. has been recruiting officers in Philly with posters and $20K signing bonuses. This is happening as the Philly Police Dept. faces a severe understaffing problem. [WHYY/Billy Penn]
- Many Philadelphia Housing Authority towers have been demolished, but plans call for the West Park public housing complex to be restored and redeveloped into a mixed-rate apartment building. [Inquirer$]
- More than 3,100 older adults spent time in Philadelphia shelters during 2021, and experts expect that number to double within 5 years. [Phila Gov PDF/Axios]
- After years of protests from student groups — including a recent 39-day encampment — the University of Pennsylvania is no longer directly investing in fossil fuels. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/Daily Pennsylvanian]
- It’s lights out for the Neon Museum, which opened in 2021 after decades of searching, but will close Dec. 11 for lack of revenue. The last exhibit highlights art from international artists who reside in Philly. [Billy Penn/WHYY x 2]
- Eagles QB Jalen Hurts makes No. 9 on ESPN’s list of the most promising NFL talent under 25, as “the picture of the modern quarterback.” [ESPN$/Bleeding Green]
MAYOR WATCH
The tree in front of City Hall — which is kind of short and squat this year, but still robust and tastefully decorated — gets lit up for the season tonight, and Mayor Kenney joins the party, which features singer Montell Jordan and the Ukraine Children’s Choir (7 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? Eagles tailgate with Billy Penn + Misconduct Tavern: Join us at the Linc this weekend before the Birds take on the Titans. Answer a sports trivia question, win a prize, with drinks and snacks for all. Free RSVP here.
?? BP Quizzo on the Schuylkill River! Join us at Padelphia, just over City Line Avenue across from Manayunk. We’ll have three rounds of local trivia, drinks, snacks, prizes — and a chance to find out more about the racket sport called Padel. Free RSVP here. (7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15)
? Christmas card pic for dog lovers: Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar lets your pup pose with Santa for free, with treats from canine 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. Tix are $10. (6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8)
