Elected officials’ mayoral pick; Future of the Roundhouse; New food at Phillies games | Morning roundup

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Elected officials have been lining up behind Cherelle Parker

Six weeks out from the primary, mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker is racking up endorsements from the region’s current elected officials. 

• Five candidates have garnered most of theunion, ward leader, and political support so far — including Gym, Rhynhart, Domb, and Jeff Brown — though endorsements don’t necessarily translate into votes.

The Parker bandwagon is increasingly full of Democratic party officials, Jordan Levy reports, with U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans the latest to climb aboard.

→ What the backing could mean

All the new food at Phillies games this season

Fans heading to Thursday’s home opener might notice a few changes at Citizens Bank Park — including the giant, 13,000-sq.-ft. Phanavision board.

• Also new are lots of food offerings, from chicken tenders at Federal Donuts to fresh-made burgers to more Manco & Manco to cheesesteaks backed by Charlie Manuel. There’s also a fully vegan stand.

What else will you eat at Phillies games this year? Ali Mohsen has a preview of everything new in ballpark fare at CBP.

→ Top gameday bites

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• After a tumultuous year at Temple, a trio of Philly state reps introduced a bill to add more oversight to its board. The “state-related” university — which receives some government funding — said it’s still reviewing the legislation. [@malcolmkenyatta/Temple News]
   
• What vision do mayoral candidates have for Philly’s small business community? 10k Independents is releasing video answers from seven contenders. [Technichal.ly] 
   
• After months of engagement, the city released a report on the future of the former Philly Police HQ known as the Roundhouse. People generally said it’s worth preserving, turned into some kind of community space. [Phila Gov/WHYY’s PlanPhilly/Axios]
   
• Ashley Jordan, CEO of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, was named to serve on a national board that advises and supports museums and libraries around the U.S. [Tribune$/White House]
   
• Vinyl fans, get ready: For Record Store Day on April 22, WXPN is releasing a free EP of Philly music called “Homegrown Originals.” [XPN]
   
• Over 1,000 people have signed a petition to create a Dawn Staley mural at Ben Franklin/SLA High School on North Broad. [change.org]

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. 

• Philly Reps. Cephas and Kenyatta reintroduced a Pa. House bill to outlaw making, selling, or possessing ghost guns and gun parts without serial numbers. [PhillyVoice]
   
• Shootings have started to decline in Philly, except for a crucial demographic: children. The count is still rising among people under 18. [Trace]
   
• Local youth organizer Bre Stoves says instead of “tough on crime” talk, mayoral candidates should prioritize “treating children like children, supporting them with mental health services, and investing in alternatives to incarceration.” [WHYY]
   
• Removing blight and fixing up houses has been shown to reduce violence. That’s part of the reason Rebuilding Together Philadelphia helps revitalize 100+ homes each year. [WHYY/WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
   
• The Black Clergy of Philadelphia is hosting a violence prevention summit and day of action on April 15 at Zion Baptist Church. [KYW/Facebook]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

• 44: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 35 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
• 420: Shooting victims this year so far, down 20% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
• 108: Year-to-date homicides, down 12% vs. last year’s pace; up 44% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]

MAYOR WATCH

No public events for Mayor Kenney today. Details are now available for yesterday’s announcement of city summer camps, jobs, and programs for kids and teens.

ON THE CALENDAR

💰 How would you spend Philly taxpayer money? As City Council budget hearings continue, Mural Arts opens the “People’s Budget Office” in Love Park, where you can add a line item and learn more. (5 p.m. Friday, April 7 — and ongoing)

🍱 Kiki Aranita of Poi Dog fame pops up at Stargazy on East Passyunk for a one-night collab, featuring her famed Mochi Nori fried chicken, poke, bibingka, and other Hawaiian-inspired dishes to go. (4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 6)

🏈 Take the kids to FDR Park for Youth Football Day, where they can meet Eagles players, participate in clinics, get their faces painted and take kayak tours. (10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15)