Temple University’s newest class is its most diverse ever
Temple’s latest group of undergraduates is its most diverse ever, per new stats from the school: 57% of students in the class of 2027 identify as people of color. The demographics still don’t mirror its home city, and administration officials acknowledge there’s more work to be done at an institution that styles itself as “Philly’s public university.”
Plans include expanding recruiting, outreach, and partnerships at local K-12 schools, a Temple vice provost told BP intern Julia Merola. Continue reading…
Explore how the Philly Tree Plan might help cool neighborhoods
As Philadelphia plants thousands of trees to help cool heat-stricken sections of the city, residents can use a new tool to see how the decade-long project might help their neighborhoods. Last summer, as part of an NOAA project, the Nature Conservancy coordinated volunteers to physically go around and take temperature readings.
The result is a block-by-block look at how temps fluctuate throughout the day, and how tree cover could change that, Meir Rinde reports. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Philly’s Office of Innovation and Technology is gearing up to focus on security and data protection, digital equity, and community partnerships, per a new strategic plan meant to align with Cherelle Parker’s goals. [Technical.ly/Phila Gov]
• The “court doulas” announced back in July are now embedded with the Defenders Association, helping people caught in the justice system address root problems and avoid a spiral into recidivism. [Billy Penn/Citizen]
• Are coffee shops a cause or symptom of gentrification? A Temple sociology professor recaps findings from interviews with 61 Philly baristas about how they view their role in the city. [Conversation]
• If Bradley Cooper had to choose, would he rather win Oscars for his latest movie or see another Eagles Super Bowl victory? The latter, no question, he told Howard Stern. [Philly Mag$]
• The Phillies are rumored to be interested in 25-year-old Japanese phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto — a signing that could provide the team with a welcome shot of adrenaline. [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.• A first-of-its-kind $450k federal grant will support work by Temple trauma surgeon and PCGVR research director to better define how news reports can be harmful to gun violence survivors, and evaluate disparities in coverage based on race and location. [Temple/Billy Penn]
• How might Mayor Parker reduce gun violence? Advocates and officials offer suggestions, including investing in “sustainable Black manhood” and creating a “prison-to-community” pipeline. [Trace]
• Psychiatric disorders spike for young survivors of gun violence, per a new study that analyzed health care costs to show the correlation. [SciAm]
• Catch the premiere of the PGCVR-Logan Center documentary “The Second Trauma” at the 2024 Crime Coverage Summit in early January. Registration is $25. [YouTube/RTDNA]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 19: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 23 the week prior. [PCGVR]
- 1,564: Shooting victims as of last week were down 27% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 380: Year-to-date homicides, down 19% vs. last year’s pace; up 24% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Nada on the public schedule for Philly’s 99th mayor. Will he be there in person at Thursday evening’s City Hall tree lighting? We’ll find out tomorrow.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎄American Idol winner Jordin Sparks provides music for this year’s holiday tree lighting at City Hall, joining Zeek Burse, DJ Diamond Kuts, Felicia Ponzo, and the cast of Broadway’s Disney musical “Frozen.” (6:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30)
📚 Local YA authors converge at American Grammar in Fishtown for a book drive and reading, from fantasy to romcom and memoir in verse. Book donations go to Tree House Books. (1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2)
🚎 Holiday happenings at Lemon Hill return with celebrations for Ukraine and Mexico, plus a family-friendly Trolley Trail hike. (10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2-3)
Catch up on the previous week
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