Penn trustees back university president amid controversy
Calls for resignation have surrounded University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, who apologized this week for not “mov[ing] faster” in denouncing speakers with antisemitic history at last month’s Penn-hosted Palestine Writes festival. Wharton grad Ronald Lauder threatened to cease all donations to the school, and Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan called for donors to “close their checkbooks.” Students, meanwhile, have criticized her for not acknowledging ongoing violence against Palestinians.
Yesterday, however, Penn Alumni President Michael Barrett said the board of trustees backs Magill unanimously, and does not think she should resign.
‘Wawa has pizza’ and Philly taste-testers have opinions
NJ.com called it “trash,” Philly Mag christened it the “most hated thing about Wawa right now,” and Eater Philly told its readers to “eat super local instead.” The Washington Post even weighed in, labeling Wawa’s pizza a “generic doormat with cheese.”
But what does the average Philadelphian think of Wawa’s pizza option, available daily after 4 p.m.? Asha Prihar embarked on a sidewalk survey in Center City to find out. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A resident of the Philly metro area has to make $75k a year to afford a median-priced home, per the latest data, a 16% jump from last year. The numbers — and increase — are even higher in the Montco suburbs. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• After months of controversy, the Mütter Museum hosted its first public meeting about how it should handle human remains. Around 60 people shared thoughts, but museum staff and administration did not participate in the discussion. [WHYY]
• Who was behind the disappearance of Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the Diesel engine? Philly author Douglas Brunt spent six years digging into the mystery, uncovering new info previously lost to history. [Billy Penn]
• Hot Fitler Square restaurant Ambrosia is expanding into an adjoining townhome, with plans to add 40 seats, garden and upstairs banquet space, bathrooms, offices, and an expanded kitchen by early 2024. [Fitler Focus]
• The Sixers unveiled new City Edition uniforms paying homage to Reading Terminal Market and its many small businesses. In advance of next week’s season opener, the franchise is dealing with turbulence — and it has nothing to do with some future arena. Embiid hasn’t played in preseason, and James Harden is still demanding a trade. [NBA/USA Today/WHYY]
• The Phillies dropped NLCS Game 3 to the Dbacks, though it was a contest till the 9th inning. Philly fans still have faith, and are showing support in various ways — including the pro ultimate team temporarily changing its name from the Phoenix to the Gators. [6ABC/Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Nothing public on Mayor Kenney’s schedule today. His office released a list of local resources in response to the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza, highlighting hotlines and services for mental health, trauma, grief, and hate crimes reporting.
The Philadelphia WARMline is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 844-PHL-HOPE, and non-emergency hate crimes and bias incidents can be reported at 215-686-4670 or 215-686-2856.
ON THE CALENDAR
🏠 Brush up on all things housing in Philly, from renting to buying and home maintenance to legal and financing programs at the PHDC 2023 Housing Fair at Temple University. Free with RSVP. (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21)
🌳 Discover Strawberry Mansion and East Park on this 2.5-mile neighborhood walking tour with the Fairmount Park Conservancy. $10-20 donations recommended. (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22)
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