#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
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(Photo by @jason_zyx)
DA candidate Dugan to run as a Republican, enraging Dems
Democrats are responding with fury and Republicans with delight to Pat Dugan’s announcement that he’ll switch parties and run as a Republican in the November election for District Attorney.
Dugan, a retired municipal judge, lost the May Democratic primary to incumbent Larry Krasner by a 29-point margin. Continue reading …
‘Comedy … in question marks’: Gen Z standup acts draw a crowd in Philly
Three TikTok comedians brought their unpolished, unpredictable humor to The Performance Garage, drawing a full house of Gen Z fans over the weekend. It’s a new trend: Online influencers seeing if their audiences translate into live venues. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Justice Department widens its request for Pennsylvania election information, the scope of which raises privacy issues. [Capital-Star]
• Pennsylvania House members have approved SEPTA funding for a fifth time. Now the Senate holds the power to stave off major transit cuts. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia’s biggest overtime earners triple their base salary through working extra hours, with some earning more than the mayor. [WHYY]
• Some of Philadelphia’s biotechnology companies that specialize in cell therapy shed employees in recent weeks as the industry faces headwinds. [WHYY]
• In HBO’s hit series The Gilded Age, the actor LisaGay Hamilton plays Philadelphia poet, abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. [Inq$]
• The movie theater at South Philly’s Riverview Plaza will reopen in 2026 with a new IMAX screen, the only one in the city. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Dog Days of Summer Market
Featuring pet-centered vendors, a bandana-making station, photo booth and more. Dogs must be leashed and be dog/child-friendly. PAWS will be on site with a pet pantry dropoff to collect donations, such as food or cat litter (up to 30 lb. bags). (5 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Go Mt. Airy Supper Sessions
Mt Airy CDC’s signature outdoor event returns with four events this summer. Support community and small businesses across the 7100 and 7200 blocks of Germantown Avenue. Monthly every 2nd Wednesday through Sept. (5 to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Cobbs Creek Art Club
Join the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center for a new season of creative workshops. Explore the nature of Cobbs Creek, meet new friends and let your creativity flow with drawing, painting and clay sculpture. All ages welcome. (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Street Movies! with One Art Community Center
A live performance and a screening of five short films from local filmmakers, followed by a community discussion. (7:45 to 9:45 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: 2nd Thursday Maker Night!
Every second Thursday of the month, The Resource Exchange is open late until 8 p.m. for after-hours access to their shop and gallery, plus rotating events and activities! This month, check out the reCreate exhibit, BYO craft supplies or experiment with on-site supplies, get feedback on your current projects, and shop! (5 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Public Space: Public Good
What does it look like to invest in public space and the surrounding neighborhood? As the Friends of the Rail Park (FRP) embark on the beginning stages of their Community First Plan, they are looking to other parks and partners that challenge the status quo of what benefits parks provide to their communities. At the Center for Design Philadelphia. (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Inside/Outside Letter Writing
Join the Abolitionist Law Center, Human Rights Coalition and Philadelphia Muslim Freedom Fund at Writers Room for in-person letter writing to incarcerated people in Pennsylvania. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Street Movies! with Friends of Mifflin Square Park & Cambodian Association
Join a live performance and a screening of five short films, followed by a community discussion. 7:45 p.m. live Performance by CAGE (Cambodian American Girls Empowering), 8:15 p.m. films and discussion. (7:45 through 9:45 p.m.)
Friday-Sunday, Aug. 15 to 17: Philadelphia Folk Festival
Returns to the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township with music discovery in a safe and family-friendly setting with camping, food trucks, educational workshops, a variety of vendors and activities for all ages. $5 to $250 tickets.
