West Philly school gives internships to entire junior class
Boys’ Latin Charter High School launched a new program this year, offering all 87 juniors internships during the spring semester.
- Classes ended early so students could travel to their part-time jobs at places ranging from institutions like CHOP to independent photo studios. Only about 2% of high schoolers nationwide complete internships.
The idea was to level the playing field, Frank Festa reports for Billy Penn, and help teens further future careers with IRL experience and networking.
There’s a ton of festivals and food events in Philly this weekend
The forecast calls for perfect spring weather, and there’s a frankly irresponsible number of events coming up in Philadelphia.
- Between Star Wars Day, the Kentucky Derby, and the real start to block party season, it’ll be hard to choose from all the fun food happenings you can hit up this weekend.
BP food and drink reporter Ali Mohsen has your back with a roundup of top picks from North Philly to South Philly and everywhere in between — plus a separate rundown of great Cinco de Mayo options.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The trial has started for former PPD SWAT officer Richard Nicoletti, who is charged with simple assault and reckless endangerment for pepper-spraying protestors on I-676 in 2020. [CBS News/BP 2020]
• Southwest Philly residents are suing an auto body shop over its alleged noise, debris, and fumes that lead to health concerns. It’s a type of business common to the neighborhood. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Thousands of cars blocking street sweeping actually got tickets Monday as the city started enforcement, and car owners seemed pretty surprised it actually happened. [6ABC]
• The 9th Street Italian Market Festival — famous for the grease pole competition — is adding something new this year: A Cheesesteak of the Year competition. Nominate your favorite here. [BP 2022/Italian Market Fest]
• After years as a runner-up, Joel Embiid was officially named NBA MVP last night, and cameras caught the moment it was announced. How’d a kid from Cameroon end up in this position? Here’s a great recap. [@sixers/@YaronWeitzman]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. • Both L.A. and NYC spend 4x more than Philadelphia on group violence intervention initiatives, aka focused engagement on high-risk individuals, which has been successful in curbing the shooting epidemic in cities across the U.S. Local officials recently said they plan to expand Philly’s limited GVI program. [WHYY/Axios]
• Families of shooting victims say PPD homicide detectives are often difficult to reach, which can cause anguish and lead some to take matters into their own hands [Inquirer$]
• After years of standstill in Harrisburg, four bills advanced to the floor of the Democrat-controlled Pa. House. They would require trigger locks, mandate reporting of lost or stolen guns, expand background checks, and add “red flag” rules. [AP/ABC27]
• The District Attorney’s Office is calling out by name specific gangs it believes are responsible for a lot of gun violence in Southwest Philly, describing escalating feuds that go on for years. [NBC10]
• A TV crew spotlighted the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network (PAAN), which maintains a presence in shooting hotspots and offers trauma care to victim’s families. [6ABC]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 27: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 35 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 572: Shooting victims this year so far, down 17% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
- 137: Year-to-date homicides, down 13% vs. last year’s pace; up 51% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney, whose father was a firefighter, speaks at the Living Flame Memorial in Franklin Square at an annual ceremony to honor fallen heroes and first responders (12 p.m.). He’ll then be at the Pa. Convention Center to announce details of this Saturday’s free Parent & Youth Resource Fair, which will offer info on summer camps, mentoring, food support and more (3 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
⚾ Billy Penn Phillies tailgate! Join us and the crew from the Hittin’ Season podcast at Citizens Bank Park for an afternoon tailgate with free hoagies from Nipotina, pizza from Slice, and beer from Evil Genius, plus a chance to be on the pod. We’ll be in M-N, aka the Jetro lot. RSVP to let us know you’ll be there. (3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6)
🏞️ Want to help clean up Graffiti Pier? DJs will be spinning as groups converge on the pseudo-public park to pick up trash and litter. BYO gloves and bags. (2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 6)
⚖️ Heads up on a forum to get to know Pa.’s appellate judge candidates: Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts hosts a free virtual event where you can submit questions and hear the judicial contenders talk. (6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9)
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