Terminated accountant describes fear at purged Philly IRS office
In Philadelphia last week, around 400 probationary IRS employees were fired, most of them from the large office at 30th and Market streets in University City and others from the office at 6th and Arch streets. Distraught managers, told with little notice to go into work and oversee the firings, watched as their employees packed up and left, said one of the fired employees.
Outside the University City office on Thursday, some fired employees said losing so many people during tax season could impact services and even invite fraud, a sentiment echoed by their representatives at the National Treasury Employees Union. Continue reading…
A sobering report on Philly students’ mental health
One in five students in the School District of Philadelphia has considered suicide, according to the district’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which also found that firearm access quadruples the risk.
That statistic reflects a broader national concern: More youth, particularly those in Generation Z, are struggling with mental health issues and gun ownership rates are rising among their peers. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The city is providing updates and resource deadlines for those affected by the plane crash in Northeast Philly. [Billy Penn]
• The Delaware River is named Pa’s River of the Year, but it was close. [Billy Penn]
• A food hall with local vendors, a bar and social programming is coming to Philly’s historic Bulletin Building across from the 30th Street Station. [WHYY]
• A Philly cemetery in residential Roxborough is now poised for historic designation. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Take Control Philly and Community College of Phila. partner to provide safer-sex resources, including a condom-dispensing vending machine — call it the Health Jawn. [Billy Penn]
• No injuries were reported from a fire that has temporarily closed the acclaimed Kampar restaurant in Bella Vista. A GoFundMe drive has been launched for employees. [Inquirer$]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public appearances scheduled for Monday.
ON THE CALENDAR
🧨 Lunar New Year events and activities
🫶🏾 Black History Month events
🎤 Monday, Feb. 24: Punk Rock Karaoke
Karaoke at Tattooed Mom, hosted by Mike Yak in the Upstairs back room. Free. (8 to 10 p.m.)
🍳 Tuesday, Feb. 25: Cookin’ | Black Legacy Pop-up
Stop by the Charles Durham Library to enjoy recipes inspired by foods in literature, from the short story, “The Ones Who Stay and Fight,” from “How Long ’til Black Future Month?” by N.K. Jemisin, and from books like “Parable of the Sower,” “For the Culture” and “In Bibi’s Kitchen.” FREE. (3 to 4 p.m.)
📚 Tuesday, Feb. 25: Reading Rhythms Philly Chapter
Indy Hall hosts the latest reading party designed to make it easy for people to gather and read socially. Bring any book you want for silent reading periods and/or 1-on-1 breakouts and group discussions of shared themes. $20 tickets. (6:30 to 9 p.m.)
🕺🏼 Tuesday, Feb. 25: FREE Line Dancing with Nate Golden
Cut a rug in South Philly/Point Breeze while topping up your liquid courage with some award-winning Dock Street Brewery beer and dining on wood-fired, hand-tossed pizza. (7 to 10 p.m.)
🎨 Wednesday, Feb. 26: Paint Your Pet Night
Learn how to paint your pet using acrylics on canvas. Bring a photo of your pet for inspiration, your favorite drink, your creativity and a few friends! Opportunity Barks will supply snacks and all of the art supplies. $45 tickets. (6 p.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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