Philly school admission gets another revamp
The Philadelphia school district is revising its selective admissions lottery process yet again by giving students the ability to rank several choices, adjusting waitlists, and employing a widely used algorithm.
The new application process kicks off Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. and comes after a survey found widespread dissatisfaction among students and families. [Chalkbeat/WHYY via Philly Tribune]
SEPTA announces it’ll start charging again for parking
After four years of free parking, SEPTA announced Tuesday that it will start charging to park at 96 surface lots and three garages, starting Sept. 23. The fees, which were suspended in 2020 as part of a post-pandemic program to lure riders back, are needed as the regional transport agency struggles to make ends meet after its funding requests went unmet in the summer’s state budget deal. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Starting next year, Pa. will return some unclaimed money directly to the people it belongs to, instead of requiring them to first file a claim with the state Treasury. [Spotlight PA]
• Working from home allowed this Philly dad to be a more engaged father and husband. Mayor Parker’s in-office mandate put an end to that. Now he and other city workers wonder whether their jobs are worth the personal cost. [WHYY/NPR]
• The Philly region is claiming millions in home energy tax credits. Here’s how taxpayers saved on everything from heat pumps and air conditioners to home insulation and solar panels. [WHYY]
• Oscar-nominated West Philly native Colman Domingo has been pulled into Marvel’s web, set to voice the infamous Green Goblin in the upcoming animated “Spider-Man” series. [PhillyVoice]
• Men vying for the attention of ABC’s “Golden Bachelorette” includes Charles L., 66, a retired financial analyst from Philly and father of two, who is looking for a second chance at love. [Inquirer$]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
• Teens from West Philly-based violence prevention group YEAH Philly won $5,000 for their social media campaign to reduce gun violence, which may go national after they stood out during a pitch contest. [Inquirer$/Axios]
• The majority of states that enacted permitless carry between 2015 and 2022 saw higher shooting death rates after implementation. [The Trace]
• Gun violence intervention took center stage at Monday’s House Majority Policy Committee hearing, as community groups testified to the need for support amid the negative health and economic impacts of gun violence in Pa. [PAHouse.com/policy]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 21: Shooting victims recorded last week, including 6 fatalities, vs. 16 with 3 fatalities the week prior. [Philly Police]
- 689: Shooting victims as of August 11 were down 39% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 167: Year-to-date homicides, down 37% vs. last year’s pace; down 17% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no events in her public schedule today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🖌️ Thursday, August 15: En Plein Air
Spend the day painting, sketching, and making on the grounds of Laurel Hill Mansion in East Fairmount Park. Bring your own picnic basket! Free with advance registration. (10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
🦀 Friday, August 16: Crayfish Party
Experience the Swedish crayfish tradition at the American Swedish Historical Museum with a buffet of crayfish, Swedish meatballs, potatoes, cheese pie, cucumber and beet salads, desserts, and a glass of aquavit, all outside under a beautifully decorated tent. $70 tickets. (6 p.m.)
🥕 Saturday, August 17: Vegandale
Vegan food and live music at the Philadelphia Navy Yard! $30 tickets. (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
🎷 Saturday, August 17: Beech “Jazz on the Ave” Music Fest
A free community festival at N. Broad and Cecil B. Moore Ave. hosted by radio personalities Patty Jackson, Dyana Williams and Mina Say What. Enjoy live music, food vendor menus, and an array of merch, along with a Kid Zone with rides and a moon bounce. (12 to 8 p.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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