#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
The early birds
(Photo by kslouf)
Permanent intercity bus terminal down to three possible sites
As work continues to temporarily reopen the city’s old Greyhound station on Filbert Street, officials are also moving ahead with long-term planning for a new, permanent, intercity bus terminal.
After reviewing over 280 locations, the Department of Planning and Development has narrowed them down to three options for a new “world-class travel hub” and possible multi-use development. Continue reading…
Trump admin to appeal ruling restoring President’s House signs
The Interior Department will appeal a federal judge’s ruling to restore the slavery exhibit at the President’s House Site on Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit filed by the National Parks Conservation Association and several other groups hopes to block the administration from removing or altering historical sites across the country. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• City Council members raised concerns over plans to close 20 schools. They say the proposed closures will disproportionately affect Black students. [WHYY]
• In Philly, “every day is Black History Month.” Here’s how the city is celebrating in 2026 [WHYY]
• Cameras watching for speeders are now active near five Philly schools with the highest number of nearby crashes. Warnings will be issued through late April. [6ABC]
• Penn officials and graduate student workers reach a tentative deal that grants raises and workplace protections after nearly two years of negotiations. [PhillyVoice/TheDP.com]
• Liz Magill, former Penn president, will be the new dean of Georgetown University’s law school. [Politico]
• Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson shared a powerful connection to Philadelphia over decades of activism. Jackson died Tuesday at age 84. [CBS3]
• “Les Éléphants” are coming. Ivory Coast’s national soccer team will use Chester’s Subaru as its FIFA World Cup base camp. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will be at Stinger Square Park at 10 a.m. to unveil the Breathe Philly network, a group of 76 air quality monitors that will deliver “real-time, neighborhood-level air quality data” across the city.
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- 45 Philly nonprofits received violence prevention microgrants to target food and housing insecurity. [Philly DA’s Office]
- “The hallways are quiet”: Trauma-informed school model uses calm — longer breakfast, “brain breaks” — to prevent conflict in Philly. [Chalkbeat]
- 3 data-backed strategies to reduce gun violence against youth. [ChildrensHospitals.org]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 15: Shooting victims recorded from Feb. 8 to 14, with 2 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 7 shooting victims were recorded, including 1 fatality. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 15: Year-to-date homicides, down 46% vs. last year’s pace; down 79% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
ON THE CALENDAR
🧨 Lunar New Year events guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic options
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Wednesday, Feb. 18: AAI Lunar New Year Karaoke Happy Hour
The Asian Arts Initiative welcomes everyone to celebrate the new year with music, light refreshments and special LNY cocktails. $15 tickets. (5 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 18: Love is in the Air: Through the Arts
An immersive wedding experience, reimagined through art at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. Highlights the latest trends and features passed bites, interactive dinner stations, small plates, and desserts, specialty cocktails & zero-proof libations. $65 tickets. (5:30 to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 18: Tofu: A Culinary History
Trace tofu’s remarkable journey from its ancient origins in East Asia to its global rise as a staple of modern plant-based cuisine. See how a humble soybean product became a symbol of tradition, innovation, and identity across continents. This global history of bean curd stretches from ancient creation myths and tomb paintings, via Chinese poetry and Japanese Buddhist cuisine, to deportations in Soviet Russia and struggles for power on the African continent. At the Science History Museum. Free to register. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 18: Circle Jawn Singers
You’re invited to join your Philly neighbors in circle singing at Mishana Yoga in honor of our greatest loves: community building, music, play, improv, and harmony. (7:30 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 19: Chinese New Year – Calligraphy Workshop
This interactive workshop explores one of the oldest and most respected art forms in China. Chinese calligraphy’s history stretches back more than 3,000 years. At the Crane Community Center. $5 registration. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 19: Sideworld Video Festival
See what’s new in Philly’s video and short film scene at this event in the tasting room at Philadelphia Brewing. Free. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 19: Bitty and Friends: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Cabaret
Join Bitty Fitzleapord as she and her closest friends lament the glory of unrequited love. This is a cabaret event to celebrate lost loves, found loves who left, and loves so lost they ended up found again. At the Trestle Inn in Callowhill. $17.85 tickets. (7 to 8:30 p.m.)
Friday, Feb. 20: Philly Bike Party
Meet at the Art Museum steps for a 10 mile run at party pace while collecting supplies for a handful of local community fridges and pantries. Mutual aid for introverts/Solidarity, not charity! Bring non-perishable food, personal care items and first aid. (8 p.m. meetup, 8:30 p.m. start)
Saturday, Feb. 21: HISTORY MATTERS: Free Talks by Tour Guides
A teach-in at various sites within Independence National Historic Park. Featuring the history of Black and other marginalized Americans. Pop in and out for brief snippets. Feel free to join longer free tours at 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15 leaving from the Independence Visitor Center, hosted by tours at the APT table. Free. (Anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: Fishtails Retro Prom
Fishtails Animal Rescue is rolling out the disco ball for their Retro Prom Fundraiser at Star|Bolt. $35 tickets include live DJ spinning throwback hits, snacks, silent auction and raffle, votes for adoptable Prom King & Queen. (7 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: From PhilHarmonia with Love: Between Us
Annual choral concert and cabaret, chocolate fountain and drinks included. Featuring music inspired by the supportive bonds of friendship and shared among friends — from the salons of Paris and Queenly courts to Motown and Spice Girls. At Trinity Memorial Church in Fitler Square. $42 tickets. (7:30 to 10 p.m.)
