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Pa. loses 40,000 people as Southern states gain
Pennsylvania lost around 40k residents between July 2021 and July 2022, according to newly released Census data.
- It’s only around 0.3% of the population (just under 13M), and Pa. is still the fifth-largest state, but only three states lost more people. Philly’s population also dropped 0.3%, though Center City grew.
The U.S. population increased by 0.4% overall. States that gained the most were all in the South: Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona.
Test your local knowledge with the latest BP Quizzo quiz
Our most recent BP Quizzo was hosted at Hawthornes Beer Cafe in Bella Vista, and sponsored by Mighty Writers.
- The literacy nonprofit teaches thousands of kids to read and write. Its NEA Big Read grant focused on “Infinite Country” by Patricia Engel, and everyone who answered a bonus Q got a copy.
After regular play — three rounds of trivia questions about Philly’s past, present, and future -Team Guacadelphia came out on top with 21/24 correct. Now it’s your turn. Without using Google, can you beat the high score?
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- The developer of the former PES Refinery, Hilco, will stop monitoring the South Philly site for benzene, saying levels have steadily fallen since the 2019 explosion and fire. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/BP 2019]
- After a controversy sidelined the Philly NAACP chapter in 2020, the national organization has postponed elections for local leadership without much explanation. [BP 2020/Tribune$]
- North Broad is getting another supermarket: German discount chain Lidl will be the anchor tenant of the planned mixed-use development at Girard Avenue. [PhillyVoice]
- Headlines of Yore: How cross-Atlantic correspondence ties together a trio of 18th century abolitionists, and helped shape the anti-slavery movement. [Billy Penn]
- Rising chef Amanda Shulman, of the acclaimed Her Place Supper Club, is opening a second restaurant down the block in the former Tria Taproom. [Eater/Esquire/Inquirer$]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Co-victims are often the last to be considered in gun violence response efforts, say activists like Zarinah Lomax, who advocates for women and others left behind when loved ones are shot and killed. [WHYY]
- A new study shows some young adult men from Philly zip codes with the most violence had a higher risk of firearm-related death than U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan or Iraq. [US News/JAMA]
- Overbrook High School will receive a $500,000 state grant for safety improvements after stray bullets wounded four students a block away. A similar grant was awarded to Roxborough High this fall. The district also plans to expand its “safe path” program and add police patrols. [6ABC/Pa. House/WHYY/Chalkbeat]
- To help combat violence and solve more cases, PPD has been trying to address the department’s staffing shortage. Initiatives include a $250k boost for recruitment, and lowering the police academy enrollment age to 20. [WHYY]
- Seven years in the works, “Trigger” will begin screening around Philadelphia next month. The film tells stories of people impacted by gun violence, and how they’re surviving and thriving. [Metro/First Person Arts]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 33: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 20 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 2,264: Shooting victims this year, 2% down from last year’s pace. [PCGVR]
- 510: Year-to-date homicides, 7% down from last year’s pace; up 64% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
No indication what Mayor Kenney’s up to on the last Wednesday of 2022. He did a year-end interview with a couple of news outlets, including WHYY. Maintaining he won’t resign and will keep trying hard every day, the mayor pointed to positive press from national outlets as proof the city is rising again under his watch.
ON THE CALENDAR
? To celebrate Kwanzaa, Lucien Blackwell Library hosts a “Taste of Africa” pop-up with free food and reflections on the meaning of Ujima — collective work and responsibility. (2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28)
?? Franky Bradley’s dance floor features a burlesque show billed as “A Celebration of Nerds.” Tickets are $15. (8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28)
