Temple is raising tuition, as are most other Philly universities
No matter what school they attend in the Philadelphia region, full-time undergraduate students are likely to see tuition rise next year. Under extra pressure because of Harrisburg’s budget impasse, Temple yesterday approved tuition hikes of 4.2% and 4.4%. Even the highest rate at the state-related university is still about half what it costs to attend Penn, which in turn is less than Villanova.
BP intern Fallon Roth looks at the price of college in the Philly area, where students can expect increases of 3% or higher across the board.
Beyoncé’s first movie role was as an aspiring actress from Philly
The city is going all out for Beyoncé’s show tonight at the Linc — Xfinity Live is hosting a big pregame party, and SEPTA is adding extra BSL service — but turns out the megastar’s connection to Philly goes back more than two decades.
In 2001, Asha Prihar reports, the future Queen Bey played the leading role in “Carmen: A Hip Hopera,” a so-bad-it’s-good MTV film with a storyline set in Philadelphia.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Who will succeed Council President Clarke after his four-decade career? It’s still up in the air. Curtis Jones Jr. and Kenyatta Johnson are both frontrunners, but if neither can line up the votes, Mark Squilla is considered a potential compromise solution. [Inquirer$]
• The city’s new public restrooms are officially called Philly Phlush, the overwhelming winner in a public naming poll. Two of the “Portland Loo” designed stalls (with handwashing and bottle-filling stations) opened yesterday to thrilled reviews — before they promptly got clogged. [Phila Gov/Billy Penn/@FarrFarrAway]
• Weekend pedestrian foot traffic continues its rebound in Center City, with May seeing 94% of what it had been in 2019. Workday numbers still lag, at 68%. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• If you’re interested in turning a patch of asphalt in your neighborhood into a green space, StreetBoxPHL wants to hear from you. The nonprofit is armed with new funding to help groups navigate the complex process of creating parklets. [Billy Penn]
• Outfielder Nick Castellanos had a rough first year in Philadelphia, but his turnaround this season has been the highlight of the Phillies’ first half. [Billy Penn]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. • Philadelphia is suing two ghost gun manufacturers, alleging they “intentionally undermine” federal and state law by designing, manufacturing, and selling gun kits and parts to buyers without background checks. In the meantime, there remains an impossible-to-calculate number of these weapons on the city’s streets. [WHYY/Phila Gov/PhillyVoice]
• Maleek Jackson Boxing Gym, the Northern Liberties fitness center that gives kids and teens a place to escape from the streets, gets a national spotlight for its anti-violence work. [BP 2021/ABC News]
• After more than two decades, Mothers in Charge is still helping families of loved ones lost to gun violence. Founder Dorothy Johnson-Speight held a Saturday rally at a North Philly church to help mothers process their grief. [NBC10/KYW]
• PCGVR’s second annual Credible Messenger Film Festival is set for July 29 at Temple. Register for a free lunch and screening of several short documentaries, followed by panel discussions and conversation. [Eventbrite]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 39: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 29 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 966: Shooting victims this year so far, down 23% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
- 227: Year-to-date homicides, down 21% vs. last year’s pace; up 39% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
No public agenda for Mayor Kenney today. Earlier this week he toured the new Amazon distribution center in Southwest Philly’s Eastwick neighborhood.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍺 BP Quizzo is tonight! Join us for a night of Philly news and history trivia at Punch Buggy Brewing Co. Expect $5 pours, discounted nachos from Puerco Loco, and a $50 gift card for the winning team. Free with RSVP, see you there. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 12)
🎷 The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival in West Philly returns for its 17th year with music, food trucks, vendors, children’s story time, and a bounce house. (12 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 15)
🎭 The Wilma hosts a book launch for James Ijames’ Tony-nominated, Pulitzer-winning “Fat Ham,” which first debuted at the there in 2021. Tickets start at $20, including a short performance, talkback, and copy of the work. (7-9 p.m. Monday, July 17)
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