#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Feline behind one [non-]fern
(Photo by @bookczuk)
City Council clashes with superintendent over school closures
The Philadelphia School District’s struggle to address its decades-old funding and facilities challenges erupted into shouting and angry accusations on Tuesday.
City Council berated district officials for planning a vote this Thursday on Superintendent Tony Watlington’s plan to close 17 schools. Continue reading…
‘Peacekeepers’ to get unique professional development through city program
Community violence prevention leaders could expand their reach even further thanks to a new city training.
The Peacekeepers Institute is an 8-week professional development program designed to strengthen the skills and wellness of local community violence intervention practitioners. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• This Earth Day, take a look at how climate change is threatening vulnerable species in Pennsylvania. [WHYY]
• How dubious high school credentials like ladder safety are boosting Pennsylvania’s graduation rate. [Chalkbeat]
• Beginning Jan. 1, the city will prohibit discrimination on the basis of menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause, and will require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for related needs. [Inq$$]
• Reported crime on SEPTA continues to drop in 2026 after decade lows last year. [WHYY]
• PECO announces new leadership following controversial rate hike and stalled union negotiations. [WHYY]
• Philly holds neighborhood budget town halls and an online survey to get feedback on the city’s proposed FY2027 budget. [West Philly Local]
• MLB’s All-Star festivities roll into town in and around Citizen’s Bank Park from Friday, July 10 to Tuesday, July 14. Here’s all that’s planned for Philly’s All-Star week. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker speaks at the biannual City Council Education Hearing (10 a.m.) before attending an event at Reading Terminal Market (12 p.m.).
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- The soundtrack to Philly’s waning gun violence: Teenagers in Philadelphia say music is key to helping them process the anger, grief, and loneliness that come with growing up around gunfire. [Chalkbeat/NYT]
- Near Philadelphia’s new green spaces, a dramatic reduction in crime. [Reasons to be Cheerful]
- Cobbs Creek students are making gun violence prevention a priority in their West Philly neighborhood. [WHYY]
- Sign up for a free virtual seminar today Wednesday, 4/22, on the making of “All the Empty Rooms” and the lessons it holds for confronting grief, finding common ground, and keeping kids safe. Moderated by Association for Gun Violence Reporters chapter leader Jennifer Mascia. [The Trace]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 10: Shooting victims recorded from April 12 to April 18, with 3 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 16 shooting victims were recorded, including 3 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 34: Year-to-date homicides, down 43% vs. last year’s pace; down 78% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
ON THE CALENDAR
For the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar, visit BillyPenn.com!
A film screening about the impact of censorship on librarians across the U.S. (today, 4/22 at 5:30 p.m.), a live theatrical reading of the cult classic “Heathers” (today, 4/22 at 7 p.m.), and a workshop on No Arena protest art (Thursday, 4/23 at 6 p.m.) are just some of the events coming up in Philly!
