Billy Penn 2023, a look back
1,085 articles and counting
5,139 new Instagram followers
6,790 new Threads followers
7,072 new email subscribers
7 BP Quizzo nights
2 new pop-up newsletter series
We made it to the end of 2023, thanks to you and your readership. And we are ready to take on 2024 and whatever it brings Philadelphia — together. Thank you for making the Billy Penn community as vibrant as it is!
Most read, by month:
JANUARY
- Pressure is mounting for the judge who jailed Meek Mill to resign. She’s already been stripped of criminal cases. (by Ben Seal)
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
- How a Philly hoagie maker’s daughter became the ‘world’s first supermodel’ (by Avi Wolfman-Arent)
MAY
JUNE
Most read, by month, continued:
JULY
- What’s living in the giant West Philly sinkhole? (by Asha Prihar)
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
- Teacher with bright classroom experience hopes to work in Philly public schools, but hasn’t heard back (by Julia Merola)
NOVEMBER
- South Philly songwriter goes semi-viral for performance on piano left in the trash (by Heather Chin)
DECEMBER
- Germantown, a centuries-old woolen yarn variety, is a best-seller for Mt. Airy business (by Asha Prihar)
Most read, by category:
We’ve included some fun and fascinating behind-the-scenes memories from our reporters about these stories.
SECRETS & FUN
FOOD AND DRINK
- Dropped by suppliers, denied insurance, shunned by trash collectors: Kensington restaurants are struggling to improve their neighborhood in the face of ubiquitous encampments (by Ali Mohsen)
- Did you know: This was also one of our most impactful stories of the year. The themes were not new, with an opioid crisis that continues to afflict the neighborhood.
But Ali’s article highlighted a new angle, describing how Cantina La Martina was being denied essential business services due to an encampment across the street. And it immediately generated new action.
The day after it published, SEPTA cleanup crews showed up, the restaurateurs told Billy Penn. Then Cherelle Parker’s campaign manager reached out, saying the mayoral nominee had read the story and wanted to meet with the owners.
That’s the kind of community journalism and connection Billy Penn brings.
TRANSPORTATION
- SEPTA and Amtrak are reconnecting their train stations at 30th Street – Essie Haverkamp, Nicholas Pompey, and Vinella Jill Vinca
EDUCATION
- Teacher with bright classroom experience hopes to work in Philly public schools, but hasn’t heard back – Julia Merola
- Did you know: This story was pitched by a BP reader.
HISTORY
- How a Philly hoagie makers daughter became the worlds first supermodel – Avi Wolfman-Arent
POLITICS/POWER
- Philadelphia developer on trial for faulty construction that left homes vulnerable to water damage – Meir Rinde
- Did you know: Meir first wrote about that developer, Streamline, back in 2020 in a long story for PlanPhilly. After a group of cases finally made it to trial this past June, Streamline’s CEO reached out and was quite angry; for years, the PlanPhilly article detailing complaints against his firm was the top result when you searched for ‘Streamline Philly.’ “My understanding is that the company now owes millions in legal judgments and (apparently for other reasons) has shut down,” Meir says.
SPORTS CULTURE
- A track-by-track review of the new Eagles Christmas album, which should have enough vinyl for everyone (by Asha Prihar)
- Did you know: Asha’s song reviews, much like the album’s tracks, were so catchy and memorable, they were quoted several times in the official press releases.
Bonus sub-categories:
Most surprising
- Curby Bucket to Phred the Panda: A look at Philly’s most amusing government mascots (by Asha Prihar)
- Did you know: A local writer who read this story was inspired to write fascinatingly in-depth faux profile on Curby Bucket.
Most hilarious on stage
- Hundreds cheer the red carpet eating of 40th rotisserie chicken, ‘a part of Philly history’ (by Asha Prihar)
- Did you know: This story was adapted for the stage at Philly Story Fest, where an audience could hear the voices of some of the chicken-eating witnesses for the first time.
Most relevant in 2024
- Cherelle Parker’s to-do list: 10 immediate issues Philly’s historic 100th mayor will have to tackle (by Jordan Levy)
