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Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
Pressure mounts for judge who jailed Meek Mill to resign
A week after Meek Mill got a pardon for the old charge that famously landed him in jail, pressure is mounting for the judge who put him there to resign.
- Judge Genece Brinkley was recently stripped of criminal cases and reassigned to civil court after judicial leadership found “startling non-compliance” in her rulings and actions.
As Brinkley petitions the Pa. Supreme Court for reinstatement, activists are staging weekly protests calling for her resignation, Ben Seal reports.
Temple Hospital first in Philly to pilot ‘Yelp for OB-GYNs’
Temple University Hospital patients can now give immediate feedback on prenatal and postpartum care, thanks to a new app.
- Aimed at improving care for families of color, the app is called Irth — as in “birth without the B” for bias. Black women have an unusually high maternal mortality rate, in Philly and elsewhere.
“It’s not just a Yelp review,” a Temple medical director told Courtenay Harris Bond. “We can look at the data ourselves and can make changes.”
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Alongside Gov. Shapiro, who celebrated with a big party, Lt. Gov. Davis was sworn into office, making him Pa.’s first Black lieutenant governor. At 33, he’s also tied for second-youngest in history. [Capital-Star/CBS3/PoliticsPA]
- Last weekend’s mayoral forum contained the race’s first major campaign moment, when Cherelle Parker responded to Jeff Brown’s claim Black people have been his “life’s work” by asking about the hourly rate he pays grocery store workers. [Inquirer$/BP 2021]
- Former Mayor Michael Nutter quashed rumors he’s looking to enter this year’s race, saying he won’t run now “or in any other year.” [@floodthedrummer/Inquirer$]
- After years of protests over horse-drawn carriage rides in Philly, the city’s sole remaining operator closed up shop — but told reporters it plans to return in the spring. [WHYY]
- Mac McClung, who plays for Sixers farm team the Delaware Blue Coats, will be the first G League player in the NBA slam dunk contest. [NBCS/@ShamsCharania]
- What is “vibe dining”? You can find out this fall when SIN — for “steak, Italian, nightlife” — opens in Northern Liberties. [PhillyVoice]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- The trauma surgeon behind the recent study showing episodic coverage of gun violence causes victims harm disputes the notion it’s an essential public service, because she also contributed to research showing only half of Philly shootings make the news. [Billy Penn/Citizen/PubMed]
- One of Pa.’s first Black state troopers says solving Philly’s gun violence epidemic is not about arrests, but “how to come together as a community. It’s 1% Rambo and 99% Mr. Rogers.” [Inquirer]
- A new partnership called the Philadelphia Gaming Initiative is using video game nights to engage at-risk teens, slipping in mentoring and life skills along with group play. [6ABC]
- Estelle Richman, the first executive director of the new Coalition to Save Lives, felt an “obligation to step up” after being 10 years retired. [Tribune$]
- Interested in helping people impacted by gun violence produce reporting from their perspective — or want to share your own stories? PCGVR’s Credible Messenger Reporting Project is now accepting applications. [YouTube/PCGVR]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 29: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 36 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 63: Shooting victims this year so far, vs. 128 at this time last year. [PCGVR]
- 17: Year-to-date homicides, vs. 30 at this time last year and 7 five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney is still in DC for the United States Conference of Mayors.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍝 Center City Restaurant Week is underway, with 90 venues offering $40 multicourse dinners and $25 lunches. Reservations recommended, and don’t forget to tip. (Daily through Saturday, Jan. 28)
🌇 Wharton hosts its annual Future of Cities Conference, this year focused on “transformations through equity, technology, and infrastructure.” Tickets start at $35 for virtual attendance. (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20)
❄️ If you know a princess-obsessed young one, this is the weekend to hit up Franklin Square, which hosts Disney favorites waltzing through special ice sculptures at a free exhibition. (5 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20-21)