#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Voices and collages of diversity at City Hall
(Photo by @barbhmphilly)
Krasner prevails in marquee primary race
Primary election day in Philly went off without a hitch. In the biggest race, incumbent Larry Krasner defeated Pat Dugan to be the Democratic nominee for DA in November. Earlier in the day, BP’s Violet Comer-Wilen reported on independents rallying to be able to participate in primaries. (Full results here.) Continue reading …
The day in Philly fake news … fake TV shows and fake book lists
Sometimes news comes out that’s stranger than fiction … or, in this case, “faker” than fiction.
There were a couple local media stories circulating Tuesday, with the Inquirer publishing a 2025 summer reading list and Amy Poehler teasing a Philly-based legal drama starring actors from “Parks and Recreation.” Unfortunately, both are a bunch of baloney. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Celebrity doctor and new head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz toured Philly to defend proposed cuts to Medicaid and promote healthy eating. [Inquirer$/CBS3]
• Members of the public lobbied SEPTA to maintain service, whatever it takes. [Billy Penn]
• The Eagles rewarded Nick Sirianni with a multi-year contract extension to pair with that championship ring. [AP]
• Meet Stanley, the Philadelphia Flyers’ newest (and furriest) team member, a service dog in training, named after the Stanley Cup. [NBC10]
• The Kensington Peacemakers won the Cure Violence Basketball Championship. [Kensington Voice]
• Meet the man behind Fitler’s famous corner: Texas transplant Bobby Espinosa transforms his home into a colorful community space, one seasonal decoration at a time. [Fitler Focus]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Can a greener Philly reduce crime? [The Trace]
- Youth shootings will be the focus of Philly’s gun violence prevention committee’s new members. [The Philadelphia Tribune]
- ATF officers in Philadelphia say they’re seeing more switches to make guns fully automatic: “Keeps me up at night” [CBS News]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 27: Shooting victims recorded from May 11 through 17, including 7 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 29 shooting victims were recorded, including 7 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 81: Year-to-date homicides, down 16.5% vs. last year’s pace; down 43% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker attends the launch of Penn’s new Applied Criminology and Police Leadership Master’s Program. (11:45 a.m.)
Then she joins former Mayor Nutter at the ceremonial street renaming in honor of business leader Judith “Judee” M. von Seldeneck at the corner of South Broad and Sansom streets. (3 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
❤️ Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month events
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Wednesday, May 21: Historic Preservation Night
Learn more about what it takes to preserve the nearly 200-year-old Eastern State Penitentiary, including behind-the-scenes tours of rarely seen areas. $17 in advance; $20 at the door. (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 21: 21st Philadelphia Ride of Silence
Hundreds of riders from the bicycle community will ride silently and at a pace of 10 mph through Center City, starting at City Hall. at 6:30 p.m. as part of a global ride to honor cyclists killed or injured by motorists, to promote Vision Zero, and to raise awareness of safe road sharing.
Thursday, May 22: Guac Off
All-you-can-eat guacamole and chips, plus help decide who takes home the People’s Choice title, while a panel of judges crown the Judge’s Choice Guac Master. At Morgan’s Pier. $35 under 40yo; $40 general admission. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, May 22: Liberty, Freedom, and Social Justice Printmaking Workshop
Discuss the words “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” to create a dialogue of what freedom and social justice mean in relation to the Declaration of Independence. Then express those ideas through prints using Gelli plates. In Tacony. Free with RSVP. Part of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Printmaking by the People project. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, May 22: Public Meeting about Chemical Contamination
Get an update on the contamination concerns near Bartram’s Garden at this public meeting at Richard Allen Prep Charter School. Free. Find the contamination report here. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
Friday to Monday, May 23-26: 2025 Philadelphia Tango Festival
Walk-ins are still welcome at many of the various workshops (beginner through advanced), live music lectures, practicas, milongas, social activities, a concert, and more.
Friday to Monday, May 23-26: Memorial Day Weekend on the Philadelphia Waterfront
Kick-start the ‘unofficial start of summer’ with an action-packed lineup of events, activities, and more on Philadelphia’s Delaware River Waterfront all weekend long. From markets to bandana and botanical workshops, see the schedule of events here.
