RECAP: Looking back on the week that was

• New Harrisburg leadership takes shape (or tries to)

Alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, the commonwealth’s first Black deputy exec, Gov. Shapiro took the oath of office. His first act eliminated the college degree requirement for 65k+ state jobs (search them here). In Harrisburg’s other branches, Justice Debra Todd was installed as the first woman chief of the Pa. Supreme Court, and state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti is preparing to be the chamber’s first to give birth while in office. In the Pa. House, “Independent” Speaker Mark Rozzi is launching a statewide listening tour he says will help move past the partisan gridlock. [Post-Gazette/Yahoo/PA Gov/Capital-Star/Inquirer$/ABC27]

• School district sues city over safety inspection board

The Philly School Board is suing the city over a law adopted last spring that created a public oversight board. No one has yet been appointed, but the board has the power to inspect schools for safety issues — including asbestos, lead, and water quality — and recommend closings if they don’t meet standards, with the city managing director having final say. In the suit, the Board of Ed says the law is vague and jeopardizes important in-person learning. City officials counter that the district’s facility management has been lacking for too many years. [WHYY/KYW/Inquirer$/Chalkbeat]

• RIP Jerry Blavat, the ‘Geator with the Heater’

After charming his way onto the set of “Bandstand” as a teen, Jerry Blavat — aka “The Boss with the Hot Sauce” (among many nicknames) — launched a career that charmed generations with his DJ and entertainment skills. The 82-year-old was reportedly booking himself for daily gigs as recently as last month. He died Thursday morning due to complications with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease, spurring tributes and mourning across the region. A funeral is set for this Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica, and all are invited. [NBC10/WHYY/Facebook]

• Jim’s Steaks buys Eyes Gallery, plans expansion

Jim’s Steaks has purchased the building that for 55 years was home to Eyes Gallery, after both South Street businesses were devastated by a July 2022 fire. The move is a “silver lining” that could revitalize the block, gallery owner Julia Zagar told Billy Penn. She’s reopening in a different space across the street, while Jim’s plans to add more seating next door — while keeping the iconic mosaic murals on the facade. [Billy Penn]

VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead

• PHA voucher waitlist reopens

Philadelphians who need help paying rent will be able to apply for a federal voucher for the first time in 12 years. PHA’s lottery program will accept new applications online from 6 a.m. Monday through Sunday, Feb. 5 (you can also apply by calling 215-999-3102 during business hours). In March, about 10,000 people will be notified that they were randomly selected to join the waitlist, and about 2,000 are expected to receive housing vouchers this year. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/PHA]

• Council examines SEPTA’s Bus Revolution plan

The meandering system of buses run by SEPTA hasn’t ever been overhauled, and most riders agree faster and more frequent vehicles would be a game-changer. But not everyone is thrilled about the latest draft of the authority’s Bus Revolution plan, which would eliminate some routes in favor of more streamlined service on many others. City Council’s transportation committee is holding a Monday morning hearing on the topic, and if you RSVP to brett.nedelkoff@phila.gov by 3 p.m. today with your full name and callback number, you could have a chance to testify. [Billy Penn/WHYY/SEPTA/Inquirer$]

• Details on Roosevelt Boulevard improvements

With 12 lanes in some places and few safe options for pedestrians to cross, the main artery connecting Northeast Philly with Center City is one of the most dangerous roads in Philadelphia. A $78 million federal grant aims to change that, and this week officials plan to detail what that money will bring. The early word is traffic signal upgrades, intersection reconfigurations, median barriers, pedestrian islands, realigned crosswalks, and designated bus lanes. PennDOT is also working on a separate set of improvements; there’s an open house on these set for Wednesday, Feb. 1. [BP 2017/Al Día/PennDOT]

• Eagles are one win from the Super Bowl

Oh hey, did you hear the Eagles beat the Giants? Ran through, crushed, blew out, careened past might be better descriptors for Saturday’s division championship game. Played five years to the day after the Birds beat the Vikings on their way to the Super Bowl, it ended up with the exact same score: 38-7. QB Jalen Hurts was in MVP form — he reiterated love for the fans, and his “It’s a Philly thing” quote — and coach Nick Siriani was so hype he donned a blinged out Dreamchasers chain in the locker room. Tickets for the NFC Championship game next Sunday go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday; we find out today if it’s versus Dallas or San Francisco.  [Eagles/@NFL/@JeffKerrCBS/NBC Sports]