Latest addition to 2026 festivities: TED Democracy
Philadelphia has played host to more than its fair share of history-making speeches and debates.
Now, a new series of conversations is slated to join the already-crowded calendar of 2026 events in the city marking the Semiquincentennial anniversary of the nation’s founding. Continue reading…
Inside the century-long effort to protect the Wissahickon
For 100 years, the Friends of the Wissahickon have worked to safeguard the creek from pollution and now, climate change.
The mostly volunteer group dedicated to protecting and maintaining the Philly landmark. This year marks a century since the organization was first founded in 1924. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Information about race that’s been collected during state police traffic stops will not be available under Pa.’s public records law expected to be signed by Gov. Shapiro. [SpotlightPA]
• Vice President Kamala Harris was in Philadelphia Tuesday to talk up the Biden administration’s support for unions and the power that unions have in front of the Service Employees International Union convention. [NBC10]
• Federal officials announced more than $300 million to remediate dozens of brownfield sites across the country, including a former oil terminal near Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philly. [WHYY]
• Spruce Street Harbor Park, known for its hammock-swinging, neon-lit, and carnival-like summer evening social hour, is reopening for the season. [Inquirer$]
• Bryce Harper goes viral — not for his performance at the plate — but for playing the role of wingman for a New Jersey high school “prom-posal.” [NBC10]
• Philly’s own Victoria Walters gets her shot on “The Great American Baking Show.” [Axios]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.• Guns are now the leading cause of death among children. CHOP’s new gun lock program aims to reverse the trend. [Inquirer$]
• Over $400,000 in violence prevention microgrants were awarded to 18 community-based organizations in Philly. [Philadelphia Tribune]
• A school conflict resolution tour of five schools aims to teach Philadelphia kids about dealing with violence. [6ABC]
• Data shows Philadelphia police sold nearly 900 used guns. [CBS3]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 13: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 16 the week prior. [Philly Police]
- 371: Shooting victims as of May 19 were down 45% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 98: Year-to-date homicides, down 38% vs. last year’s pace; down 21% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will host the eighth ‘One Philly’ budget town hall in Northeast Philadelphia at Lincoln High School, 3201 Ryan Ave., at 6 p.m.
Earlier in the day, Parker will attend the United Way’s 2024 OpportUNITY Summit at 8:45 a.m. at Vie.
At noon, she’ll be at the 43rd Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the Bellevue Hotel Ballroom.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎨 Thursday, May 23: Fairy Tales and Folklore: 2024 Art Education Exhibition
Mural Arts students investigate themes of fantasy, cultural and personal history, myth-making, and more in this exhibit that reimagines classic tales and envisions new worlds across culture, place and time. Free. (4 to 6:30 p.m.)
📚 Friday, May 24: ‘Butterfly in the Sky’ *Philly Premiere* + ‘The ABCs of Book Banning’
Reading Rainbow alums can gather at Clark Park for this double feature, starting with the negative impact of book bans on kids and closing with the documentary about the iconic PBS series that instilled a love of reading. Free with RSVP. (6:30 to 11 p.m.)
🍺 Saturday, May 25-Monday, May 27: Philadelphia Renaissance Faire
Grab tickets (from $0-$20) for the three-day festivities at Historic Fort Mifflin filled with live performances, stories, birds of prey, magic, food, costumes, and more for the whole family. (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily)
Catch up on the previous week
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