Mayor Parker optimistic after Biden State of the Union
Parker said the speech “filled me with optimism for Philadelphia and our country’s future,” after joining Rep. Dwight Evans at the address. City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke got some national attenion as he delivered the official Working Families Party response to the SOTU.
Biden will be at Strath Haven Middle School in Delaware County this afternoon to follow up after delivering a defiant argument for a second term in his State of the Union speech. Continue reading…
This Philly woman was a pioneering voice in Black literature
Jessie Redmon Fauset was a pioneering voice in Black America’s literary scene and helped champion and publish the work of writers like Langston Hughes. So why doesn’t her name resonate today in the same way?
In this week’s Headlines of Yore, WHYY’s Avi Wolfman-Arent dives into the Philadelphian’s life, work, and legacy. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• As Pa. prepares for the 2024 election, a new piece of technology is rolling out: electronic pollbooks. Here’s why they’re becoming common, how they work, and what security measures are taken to keep them from being hacked. [Spotlight PA]
• The spate of fatal shootings near SEPTA buses isn’t stopping Philly commuters from riding public transit to and from work and school. [Inquirer$]
• A look at Fairhill community efforts to bring new life to a former open air drug market. [Temple Logan Center]
• Boathouse Row is lit anew after a year-long upgrade. [6ABC]
• Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia suffered damage and multiple people were injured after a car crashed into other cars before eventually ramming into the eatery. [West Philly Local]
• The legend of Jason Kelce can now be found on cans of Campbell’s Chunky Classic Chicken Noodle soup, which feature his bearded face in silhouette along with his autograph. [NBC10]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker yesterday named her picks to lead Parks & Rec, Labor, Water, and more departments before heading to Washington, D.C. for President Biden’s State of the Union address.
Today, Parker will speak at a celebration of International Women’s Day. (5:15 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🍄 Make crafts out of mushrooms at this mycology class in FDR Park’s Community Clubhouse. Free; donations recommended. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9)
🛍️ Shop all women-owned small businesses at the 3rd annual Sister Sunday Market in Logan Square, celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10)
☘️ The Philly St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off the festivities a week in advance, welcoming all things green and lucky to Center City. (11 a.m. Sunday, March 10)
📜 Celebrate Pennsylvania’s birthday at the home of founder William Penn in Bucks County, where Charter Day is marked with a tour, demonstrations of blacksmithing and woodworking, and living history theater performances. Free. (1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 10)
Catch up on the previous week
Receive Billy Penn’s free daily roundup in your inbox every morning. Sign up here!
