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Calls to reform police LGBTQ+ liaison committee
When the police LGBTQ Liaison Committee was created three decades ago, it was hailed as groundbreaking.
- After serving 4 years with the group, former memberRizzo Erno resigned in protest earlier this year, describing the committee as powerless and little more than a PR stunt.
Current members say recent leadership changes stalled progress, Josh Kruger reports, and in an email to Billy Penn, the PPD agreed it needs to do better.
Power outage at Reading Terminal Market shuts down 17 stands
Roughly a quarter of the shops in Reading Terminal were hit with a power outage Wednesday that could last for up to two days.
- It was most disruptive for Downtown Cheese and OK Produce, per a market spokesperson, who lamented the refrigeration shutoff affecting “all that delicious cheese.”
Altogether, the outage affected 17 shops in the southwest corner, Meir Rinde reports. PECO says the issue is internal; officials hope it’s fixed by Friday.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Mayoral endorsement tracker: Angry about Jeff Brown’s litter trash talk, sanitation workers split from union DC33 to back Cherelle Parker. Allan Domb broke Rebecca Rhynhart’s streak by garnering former Mayor Bill Green’s nod. Helen Gym snagged two high-profile backers from out of town: Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. [KYW/YouTube/NBC10]
• Philip Nordo, the disgraced former Philly detective convicted last year of sexually assaulting or exploiting witnesses, has cost the city $260,000 in victim settlements so far. [Axios]
• Following a 2-months shutdown for asbestos remediation, West Oak Lane’s Building 21 school closed again after one day, this time after water damage caused falling plaster. [6ABC]
• City Council is planning small reductions in the BIRT and wage taxes for the coming year, but the Chamber of Commerce is lobbying for much bigger cuts over the next decade. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• At a contentious community meeting, Germantown neighbors opposed a proposed five-story, 148-unit apartment project on Church Lane near Market Square. [Chestnut Hill Local$]
• “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is teasing Season 16 with a new trailer featuring a cameo from the “Breaking Bad” stars. There’s also a new themed Monopoly edition, where you can play as Charlie’s rat stick, Mac’s duster, or Frank’s tragically lost Rum Ham. [AV Club/USAopoly/Philly Mag$]
MAYOR WATCH
After a $4.3 million renovation, Heitzman Rec Center in Harrowgate is reopening, and Mayor Kenney joins Rebuild officials for the ribbon cutting (3:45 p.m.). Evening brings Kenney to the Water Works for the annual Black Hat Bash fundraiser for nonprofit children’s charity Variety (7:15 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)
📽️ Eraserhood gallery Vox Populi hosts a free opening reception for “Echoes,” featuring the photo and video work of Algerian-American artist Kenza Bousseloub. (6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 5)
🪩 RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Luxx Noir London does a brunch show at Fishtown’s Fabrika. With a celeb in the house, tickets are pricey: $50 for admission or $70 for a meet and greet. (12 p.m. Sunday, May 7)
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