RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• Shapiro addresses allegations against ex-aide
When Mike Vereb resigned abruptly in late September as Gov. Shapiro’s secretary of legislative affairs, there was no mention that the Montco Republican (a longtime Shapiro ally) had been accused of sexual harassment. That info only surfaced thanks to reporting from Spotlight PA. Last week the governor addressed the issue for the first time, saying his administration is led by two women and has “an independent, robust process” for dealing with these kinds of serious complaints.
[Spotlight PA/Capital-Star]
• Biker arrested for windshield stomp
After a video went viral of a biker stomping through a car windshield near City Hall and brandishing a gun at the driver — who got out to confront him because her two kids were with her — police arrested a 26-year-old Frankford man for the road rage incident. Authorities tried to make an example of him (the DA requested $5M bail, though a judge reduced it to $250k) to try to reduce mass rideouts of ATVs and dirt bikes, which have long been part of Philly culture but are illegal on city streets.
[Billy Penn/BP 2019]
• Killing of journalist Josh Kruger spurs tributes
The brutal shooting death of Philly journalist and advocate Josh Kruger last Monday brought a stream of emotional tributes and drew notice around the country. Kruger, who contributed to Billy Penn and other media outlets, often wrote about politics and policy related to his experience as an HIV-positive gay man who lived through homelessness and addiction — things with which he continued to struggle. Police have named a suspect in the killing, a 19-year-old they believe Kruger was trying to mentor and help.
[Billy Penn/6ABC]
• OURfest parade marches through Center City
Dancing and cheering filled Center City yesterday as Philadelphia welcomed the inaugural OURfest parade, billed as the country’s first held in honor of National Coming Out Day. Produced by Galaei, the parade and accompanying Sunday festival are intended as more inclusive replacements for OutFest, an autumn event held annually for nearly three decades until the collapse of the organization that hosted it.
[Billy Penn]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Region reacts to violence in Israel
As fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas escalates, and the death toll rises, expect local reaction on both sides. Elected officials around the region condemned the surprise attacks in Gaza, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said it would hold local gatherings about the situation. Meanwhile, the Philly Palestine Coalition hosts a rally today to show support for the resistance movement.
[CBS3/6ABC/Instagram]
• Election coverage ramps up
There’s less than a month till the general election in Philadelphia. In addition to the city’s 100th mayor, voters will decide who among the many City Council at-large candidates will snag those seats, choose among contested district Council contenders, and decide who wins the battle to fill the empty Pa. Supreme Court position. Our guides start publishing this week — and sign up for our election pop-up newsletter, with weekly dispatches containing everything you need to know in advance of Nov. 7.
[BP x 2]
• City releases annual Vision Zero report
Have Philly’s efforts to make city streets more safe had a noticeable effect? Officials will present in-depth figures and statistics at Tuesday’s release of the 2023 Vision Zero Annual Report. Traffic deaths had spiked during the pandemic, but since then the city has installed some red light cameras (with more on the way) and added speed tables on high-crash corridors.
[Jawnt/WHYY]
• Phillies playoff tailgate with Hittin’ Season
Thanks to creative pitching management by Rob Thomson and a solid night from Bryce Harper, the Phillies shut out the Braves in the first NLDS game Saturday. They’ve got one more in Atlanta, then they’re back home for Game 3 on Wednesday, when we’re hosting a tailgate at Citizens Bank Park. Join us and the crew from Hittin’ Season for drinks, snacks, and a chance to be on the show — the nation’s No. 8 Sports News podcast last week, according to Apple.
[Eventbrite/Billy Penn]
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