Three Philly-area polluters impacted by new EPA restrictions
New EPA rules aim to restrict cancer-causing emissions that create hazardous air pollution. Over 200 facilities across the U.S. are impacted—including a petroleum refinery and two chemical plants in the Philadelphia region.
These are the AdvanSix chemical plant in Philly’s Bridesburg neighborhood, the Delaware City Refinery, and a chemical manufacturer known as the Delaware River Plant in Bridgeport, N.J. Continue reading…
Philly remains a city of homeowners amid sharp drop in sales
Home sales in Philadelphia declined nearly 40% last year compared to the prior year, according to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
In 2023, a total of 15,617 homes were sold — nearly 10,000 fewer than 2022, a banner year for home sales in Philadelphia.
The report attributes the “exceptional” uptick in 2022 to low interest rates and other “pandemic-related” trends, including the increase in people working from home. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The Republican National Committee’s plans to monitor the polls for illegal voting this fall includes working with a loose network of extremists who have been found to routinely spread election lies. [Capital-Star]
• Philly’s Office of Homeless Services officials denied allegations that they stole funds during a Council hearing into how they overspent its budget by nearly $15 million and why they are requesting a funding increase. [Inquirer$]
• Mayor Parker’s public safety plan includes increasing police presence in and around schools and social media surveillance. [Chalkbeat]
• A biotech hub is rising at Philadelphia’s shuttered Hahnemann Hospital campus, where affordable lab space is aplenty and an inaugural tenant just moved in. [Technical.ly]
• Philly DA sets up new unit focusing on repeat gun offenders with the goal of collaborating with other law enforcement agencies involved in this work as well. [WHYY]
• It seems to be a yearly right of passage for Phillies fans – getting through the month of April without losing our minds. [BP’s Hittin’ Season]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker signed an executive order Monday designed to make it easier for small businesses to navigate city permitting and other requirements.
The “PHL: Open for Business” initiative also renames the Office of Business Services to the Mayor’s Business Action Team.
ON THE CALENDAR
🪴 Learn how to turn your household garbage and yard waste into soil and fertilizer for your garden and houseplants at this PHS workshop on composting. $20 tickets. (6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16)
🍻 Parks on Tap returns for another season of roving outdoor beer gardens at 19 parks in 26 weeks. First up is at Azalea Garden in East Fairmount Park. (Kicks off Wednesday, April 17, through Sept. 29)
🔮 Sip liquid spirits while getting a tarot reading and shopping unique and spooky vendors at the Tipsy Tarot: Tarot Readings, Cocktails, and Shopping event with Red Rum Theater. $30 tickets. (8 p.m. Friday, April 19)
Catch up on the previous week
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