Labor violations for teens at work; Inside the Insectarium collapse; Permanent supportive housing in Old City

Child labor violation surge? Philly teens often need to work

Pa. officials say they’ve received a “surge” of reports of alleged child labor violations this year, and Philly companies that’ve paid penalties range from a bowling alley to a discount retail chain. But they’re nearly all for minor citations — and when Meir Rinde investigated, business owners pointed to the state’s complex and cumbersome worker tracking system.

They advocate for the system to be modernized, and to take into account some teens’ urgent need to work. In Philadelphia, nearly a third of under-18 residents live below the federal poverty line. Continue reading…

Five Below’s Center City location was one of several Philly businesses to be cited for child labor violations. Most were minor. (Mark Henninger/Imagic Digital)

Permanent shelter + affordable housing coming to 4th and Race

Officials broke ground yesterday on a new mixed-use development in Old City that’ll include 34 units of supportive housing for people facing chronic homelessness. The $20 million project, created in partnership with nonprofit developer Community Ventures, expands and makes permanent the shelter and services already offered by property owner Old First Reformed UCC, one of Philly’s oldest congregations.

Fun side note: Instead of demolishing a 1760 rowhome at the site, the whole thing is being relocated 48 feet south, per the city, and will be renovated and restored.

A rendering of the Old First House mixed-use development planned for 4th and Race streets in Old City. (Old First Reformed UCC)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Pennsylvania comes in 31st of 35 states in academic performance of charter school students, according to a study called the first-ever such national ranking. Pa. also had the largest gap between white and Black charter student scores. [Capital-Star/Education Next]

• The SEPTA Transit Police union pushed back its midnight deadline and are holding off on a threatened strike after agency officials promised a new offer this morning. [6ABC]

• A local Moms for Liberty coordinator was booted as Republican ward leader after party officials learned of his registered sex offender status. Philly M4L chapter head Sheila Armstrong, who participated in the national conference earlier this year, said she was surprised and concerned at the revelation. [Inquirer$/Billy Penn]

• Many were surprised when the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion abruptly shut down over the summer, but turns out trouble had been brewing for years, from lax training to under-resourced animal care. [WHYY]

• In the late 1800s, a Philadelphia inventor gave one of the first demonstrations of a projected moving picture — and that was just part of his legacy. [Billy Penn]

• In maybe the most Philly win of the year, the Eagles came from behind and used the Brotherly Shove for a key touchdown to take out the Chiefs 21-17 in a gritty, rain-soaked game billed as a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl. [Eagles/Billy Penn/AP]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Kenney joins Rebuild officials to break ground on an $8.5 million upgrade to Blanche A. Nixon Library in Cobbs Creek (1 p.m.). He then heads over to the Delaware River waterfront to help kick off the 30th season of the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink (3:45 p.m.).

ON THE CALENDAR

🛍️ Browse the Christmas in Kensington pop-up at Thunderbird Salvage for holiday decor, gifts, and a themed photobooth. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 24-Dec. 29)

🥕 Pick up gifts for all your plant-centric friends at the Vegan Holiday Market, hosted near Logan Square by convenience store V Marks the Shop. (12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25)

✴️ Check out one of Philly’s most impressive collective holiday light displays at the opening night block party for the Miracle on South 13th Street. Expect snacks and hot chocolate, plus balloon art and Santa. (5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25)