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Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
Philly schools to start teaching a unit on MOVE
The School District of Philadelphia is revamping its African American history curriculum for the first time since it was officially added in 2005.
- Educators are crafting a new unit as part of the refresh: one that teaches the story of MOVE. It’s being developed with the help of group member Mike Africa Jr., and will also incorporate community feedback.
A whole course dedicated to the Black Philadelphia story will be offered, Jordan Levy reports, which may also be adopted by charter schools around the city.
Philly’s new tourism campaign features icons old and new
How do you explain what Philadelphia is really like to people who don’t live here? Maybe by spotlighting Harriett’s Bookstore and citywide specials.
- With tourism expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by next year, and the spotlight coming as the country celebrates its 250th birthday, the city’s two destination marketing agencies are teaming up to try.
“Come for Philadelphia. Stay for Philly.” is the tagline rolled out Monday by Visit Philly and the PHLCVB — the first time the two have collabed on a campaign.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Surprise Pa. House Speaker Mark Rozzi, who gained the seat as a compromise between parties, said he won’t necessarily step aside if Dems win back the majority as expected after next week’s special elections. [AP]
- Philadelphia rolled out a new campaign finance dashboard, where you can see how much money candidates and committees have raised, and who made the donations. Stay tuned for a breakdown and some takeaways. [Arcgis/Phila Gov]
- School District officials asked for $315 million in new funding from the city at a tense meeting with City Council. A request for free teacher parking illustrated the vibe — “God bless you on that one,” said Council President Clarke. [Inquirer$/Metro]
- Temple graduate students are on strike, with the TUGSA union saying its 750 members have negotiated for a year for better wages and benefits. The average grad student makes $19.5k a year, per the union. [6ABC/TUGSA]
- Sixers coach Doc Rivers and star James Harden play themselves in a promo for M Night Shyamalan’s “Knock at the Cabin,” which was filmed in South Jersey and comes out in theaters Friday. [@MNightShyamalan/PhillyVoice]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Four of Philadelphia’s 21 police districts account for 43% of all shootings. PPD just deployed 100 additional officers to the area, which stretches across North Philly from Kensington to Allegheny West. [Trace]
- Would declaring a gun violence emergency help? Mayor Kenney has resisted, arguing it could bring legal complications and Philly already does many of the actions it’d entail, but all candidates vying to succeed him say they’d declare one — in different ways. [BP 2021/Inquirer$]
- Antiviolence advocate Tyrique Glasgow, a CNN Hero nominee, suggested turning “stop and frisk” searches into “public safety checks” that connect people with services. [CNN/WHYY]
- Spring is the target release date for filmmaker Kyra Knox’s “Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia,” an Allen Iverson-backed documentary about gun violence from a teen’s perspective. [Tribune$/Vimeo/Deadline]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 25: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 37 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 135: Shooting victims this year so far, down 29% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
- 29: Year-to-date homicides, down 33% vs. last year’s pace and but up 53% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH: Feb. 1, 2023
Nothing on the public schedule for Philly’s 99th mayor, who said he’d spare no expense on a potential Eagles Super Bowl parade: “We’ll blow the doors off.”
ON THE CALENDAR
🎨 Four former Philly art students put on a “Language of Color” show at Space 1026 gallery on North Broad, and their First Friday opening reception features refreshments. (6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3)
💃 Swifties can lip sync, take pics at a photo wall, and win prizes in a costume contest at “Long Live,” a Taylor Swift inspired dance party at City Winery. Advance tickets are $15. (10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4)