Kenyatta Johnson takes office as City Council president
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson is taking over the role of City Council president from Darrell Clarke, who held the position for 12 years and didn’t seek reelection last year. Johnson’s ascent follows nearly career-ending federal bribery charges that he was acquitted on in 2022.
The mayor may be Philadelphia’s most powerful political figure, but to get almost anything significant done, they need the cooperation of the City Council president. BP investigative reporter Meir Rinde takes a look at Johnson’s career and what his council presidency might look like.
A look at the 2024 Mummers Parade
Each year on Jan. 1, the century-old Mummers Parade brings marchers to the streets of Philadelphia for what is considered the oldest folk parade in the country and has survived evolving music and themes and recent complaints about racism and sexism.
Mummers derive their name and mission from Momus, a character from Greek mythology known for satire and mockery. Despite a controversial past, thousands show up to catch a glimpse of the troupes dancing their way along the route with colorful costumes and floats. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• New state health laws on insurance coverage for donated breast milk, patient consent, birth control prescriptions, hospital drug testing, and more go into effect this year. [WHYY]
• Higher minimum wages, criminal justice reform, harsher porch pirating penalties, automatic voter registration, dog license requirements, and more are among the new laws now in effect in the Philly region. [KYW/6ABC]
• Prepare for a toll hike of 5% on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, beginning Sunday, Jan. 7. [6ABC]
• Sen. John Fetterman reflected on his mental health struggles and the impact of social media as he begins a new year in Congress. [Capital-Star]
• One year after the New Year’s Day rowhome explosion in Port Richmond, neighbors are still searching for answers. [CBS3]
• Philly’s arts scene is facing a bumpy post-pandemic recovery, a new report says. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Cherelle Parker was sworn in as the city’s 100th mayor in a ceremony on New Year’s Day, ahead of her public inauguration today.
ON THE CALENDAR
💜 Discuss emotions and build community through music at Attic Youth Center. Free for ages 14-23. (4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3)
🔪 Red Rūm Theater celebrates their anniversary with a cocktail hour premiere of “Murder at the Perk,” a murder mystery parody based on the TV show, “Friends.” Tickets start at $35. (3:30 p.m. cocktails and 5 p.m. showing Saturday, Jan. 6, then shows through Feb. 25)
🖼️ Art, music, and new traditions abound at free First Sunday at the Barnes Foundation. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7)
Catch up on the previous week
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