SEPTA warns of potential service disruption due to strike
SEPTA’s largest union, which represents more than 5,000 workers, has threatened to strike at midnight next Wednesday if contract negotiations fail. A strike would mean service shutdowns on city bus, trolley, and subway lines, though Regional Rail would continue operation.
We’ve got the details about what would happen, along with a history of work stoppages at SEPTA, called the nation’s most strike-prone transit agency. Continue reading…
The themed dance party biz is booming (Taylor’s Version)
Themed dance parties have been around for a long time, but they’ve rarely been so consistently popular and profitable as those based on the work of Taylor Swift. Party promoters and DJs have hosted four Swift-focused events at various Philly venues this month alone.
The trend doesn’t show signs of stopping, so Asha Prihar went to one of the parties to find out more about the craze. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Across Pennsylvania, Democrats hold a slight voter registration lead of 45% to 40%, per the latest figures, but the base continues to be highly concentrated in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton. [Politics PA]
• Rich Negrin, a former Philly deputy mayor whom Shapiro appointed Dept. of Environmental Protection secretary, has resigned due to health reasons. He was the first Latino in the role. [StateImpact]
• Mayoral candidates Cherelle Parker and David Oh had their first and only debate yesterday morning, which you can listen to here. There were no surprising bombshells, but Parker did elaborate on her plan to use the National Guard in Kensington. [KYW/WHYY]
• Thousands of people gathered last Saturday in Center City, waving Palestinian flags and chanting for a ceasefire. It came a week after a large March for Israel rally, one of several related demonstrations Philadelphia has seen this month. [Billy Penn/WHYY]
• You could soon snag an Amtrak Philly-to-NYC trip for as low as $5, thanks to a new fare model that separates tickets into “Value” (low prices but no date changes) and “Flex,” 30% more expensive but open for rescheduling. [TheStreet/Amtrak]
• Considering the Sixers didn’t have James Harden — who apparently wanted to come but was denied after skipping practices — their 1-point loss to the Bucks in last night’s season opener was totally respectable. [Bleacher Report/Liberty Ballers]
MAYOR WATCH
Nothing on the public schedule for Mayor Kenney today. He posted yesterday on social media that he was appalled by the recent shooting death of a SEPTA bus driver.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍺 Longtime Rittenhouse dive bar Doobies celebrates an impressive 45 years in business with a party featuring drink deals and lots of memories. (Saturday, Oct. 28)
🛍️ South Street Art Mart and Worm’s Emporium host their second annual Haunted Art Fair in Society Hill, with a costume contest, 40+ vendors and food and drink. Free with donations welcome. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29)
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