Scientist on City Council?; Huge James Beard wins; What happened on I-95 | Morning roundup

What Nina Ahmad hopes to bring to Council

Nina Ahmad, a molecular biologist who earned a chemistry PhD at Penn before turning to political advocacy, admits the reason she’s running for City Council might sound “hokey”: to say thank you to the city. The Bangladesh-born scientist is poised to become Philly’s first councilmember of South Asian descent. She spoke with Asha Prihar about her goals if elected. 

Philly’s on top of the food world right now

Philadelphia took the two most prestigious prizes at the James Beard Awards last night. Friday Saturday Sunday was named Outstanding Restaurant (aka best in the country) and Fork’s Ellen Yin won Outstanding Restaurateur. Also scoring for Philly: Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon of Kalaya and Toby Malony of Hop Sing Laundromat. Ali Mohsen has all the details here.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• VP Kamala Harris will be in Philly today to meet with the international executive board of the SEIU, the service employees union. [@OneJerseySchorr]

• The family of the teen shot and killed by state troopers on I-95 near Penn’s Landing is calling for a “transparent” investigation after officials released few details Monday. Meir Rinde has a recap of what we know about that incident and other drag racing around the city. [Inquirer$/Billy Penn]

• Ninety-six-year-old Opal Lee of Fort Worth, Texas, came to Philadelphia to raise the Juneteenth flag and mark the federal holiday she’s credited with creating. [WHYY] 

• Incoming “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker is a Philly native who used to work at NBC10. She’s the show’s first Black journalist and second woman moderator. [PhillyVoice]

• Notice fewer weeds growing out of the sidewalks this spring? May was the driest month on record in Philadelphia, with less than 3/4 inches of rain and zero thunderstorm warnings. [WHYY]

• The new Olympic sport of breakdancing will have its national finals in Philly in August. [NBC10] 

• British pop star Ed Sheeran basically won Philadelphia over the weekend. He broke the Linc’s attendance record and chose Philips for cheesesteaks, even stepping behind the grill. [Billy Penn]

MAYOR WATCH

Nothing today on Mayor Kenney’s public schedule. He was spotted on Sunday catching a Phillies game in D.C.

ON THE CALENDAR

🥕 In Headhouse Square, Philly VegFest returns for a celebration of all things plant-based, with a goal of promoting “sustainable and healthful living.” (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10) 

🙊 The SMS Poetry Summit brings a weekend of panels, performances, workshops, and networking to Philadelphia. Tickets are pay what you can, with a VIP Friday night option. (6 p.m. Saturday, June 10, to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 11)