Jet dryer from NASCAR racing will help speed I-95 opening
When Gov. Shapiro announced I-95 would reopen to traffic this weekend, there was a caveat: the earlier-than-expected schedule was dependent on weather. Then arrived a Philadelphia forecast full of rain. But never fear: the commonwealth has enlisted the help of the Pocono Raceway, Fallon Roth reports, which is sending its NASCAR jet dryer to help keep plans on schedule.
Philadelphia Bookstore Map showcases the city’s thriving scene
How many brick-and-mortar bookstores do you think are still operating in Philly? Artist Henry Crane would have guessed a couple dozen. The real number is almost double that — and they’re all showcased in the new Philadelphia Bookstore Map. With 25,000 copies available for free as of yesterday, Asha Prihar reports, the map features 46 illustrations by Crane along with tips and info about each establishment.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Keir Bradford-Grey, former chief defender for Philadelphia, is running for Pa. attorney general. The 48-year-old would become the commonwealth’s first Black AG, and the first whose legal experience was primarily as a public defender. [WHYY/AP]
• Philadelphia is really bad at responding to open records requests, per a new analysis of RTK response, with a practice of “habitualized delays.” [Billy Penn]
• A penicillin shortage that could last for the rest of the year has doctors across the U.S. changing policies and seeking alternatives to make sure patients in need have access. Here’s how Philly clinics are coping. [WHYY]
• Half a century ago, radical group the Black Panthers pioneered the idea of giving free breakfast to schoolchildren, and Philly-born Regina Jennings was there. In advance of a Free Library event tonight, she told her story to BP’s Jordan Levy. [Billy Penn]
• Some of Philadelphia’s community gardens will have a better chance at survival than others, after the city struck a deal to gain control over whether and when the lots are sold at sheriff sale. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Ahead of her World Cafe Live debut, Saleka Shyamalan talks about songwriting, her famous dad M. Night, growing up on the Main Line, and what’s next. [Philly Mag$]
• After the phone incident in NYC, Bebe Rexha addressed the Philly crowd Tuesday, saying “I can’t get another bruise. Are we going to have a good show tonight? Yes, we (expletive) are… Just no phones on my face tonight, please I beg of you.” [6ABC]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at City Hall to announce Philly’s new Racial Equity Strategy Dashboard, which will provide regular updates on city departments’ equity strategies (1 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🏎️ Car collectors across the tri-state area, it’s that time of year again: the return of the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance. This year’s title is “Porsche-delphia,” and in addition to the concours in SW Philly, there is a rally and preview gala dinner. $25 tickets. (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 24)
🎨 Mark your calendars for the two-day Manayunk Arts Festival, back for its 34th year of outdoor art on display for both the public and juried competition. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 25)
Catch up on the previous week
Receive Billy Penn’s free daily roundup in your inbox every morning
