RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• SEPTA transit cops reach deal after three-day strike
The SEPTA officers’ union reached a tentative contract agreement with the transit agency Saturday, ending the strike that began late Wednesday and sending regular patrols back to subway and bus routes. SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards said Gov. Josh Shapiro played a key role in bringing the two sides together. The deal still needs to be approved by FOTP members and the SEPTA Board, but came quicker than the last two FOTP strikes in 2019 and 2012. [Billy Penn x 2]
• Penn leadership shakeup amid campus turmoil
Penn named a new interim president, Dr. J. Larry Jameson, who is also the executive vice president of Penn’s Health System and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. Jameson was tapped for the role days after Liz Magill resigned following months of criticism for her handling of campus safety concerns amid rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. Scott Bok, chair of the board of trustees, also quit and was succeeded by interim chair Julie Platt. [WHYYx2/Penn/BP][BP 2020/Billy Penn]
• Intercity bus stop’s move to Northern Liberties gets mixed reviews
Passengers and NoLib business owners describe increased traffic, lost business, and lack of adequate signage and shelter at the latest incarnation of Philadelphia’s intercity bus stop for Greyhound, Flixbus, Megabus, and other carriers. City officials say the “chaos” described by locals is temporary and will improve as lighting upgrades and more bathrooms are rolled out. [Billy Penn]
• Behind the scenes of the animated Eagles Christmas special
The 8-minute short by local firm unPOP dropped last month and the Mt. Airy-based couple behind the stop-motion magic took Billy Penn behind the scenes of the four-and-a-half month animation process, which brought stars such as Patti LaBelle to nostalgic cartoon life. [YouTube/unPOP/Billy Penn]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• DA Larry Krasner faces restrictions
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill that requires the state Attorney General to assign a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute crimes that occur on SEPTA property in Philly through 2026. Part of a budget deal, Shapiro’s move effectively strips Krasner of some of his prosecutorial authority, and follows the Pa. House voting one year ago to impeach him. [Inquirer$/Billy Penn]
• Voter roll upgrades won’t come after all
A planned upgrade to the state’s system for managing voter rolls will be postponed, saving $10.7 million for now, but leaving an outdated and problematic system in place for upcoming elections. A new request for proposals from voting system vendors is set to go out in April 2024. [Spotlight PA]
• Kinara coming to City Hall for Kwanzaa
Philly’s first kinara sculpture will go up outside City Hall in observance of Kwanzaa, the secular holiday that celebrates pan-African and African culture. The Dec. 26 candle-lighting ceremony will kick off a week of celebrations across the city.The seven-branched candleholder will join the city Christmas tree and menorah. [PhillyVoice]
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