#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Standing out at the barbershop
(Photo by @karenbenson.eyeful)
Philly’s Ride of Silence mourns the 13 cyclists killed over the past year
Hundreds rode quietly from City Hall to the Museum of Art, including a family member of the most recent bicyclist killed by a motor vehicle. The 22nd annual event is part of a global movement across the U.S. and seven other countries that aims to honor those killed, survivors and family while educating people on road safety.
At Philly’s event, organizers also read out the names of all 13 victims, including the ones that have yet to be identified. Continue reading…
All aboard! America’s first steamboat for passengers and freight left from Philadelphia
Lots of history has set sail from Philly – including America’s first steamboat that transported passengers and freight.
John Fitch created the first functioning American steamboat. His first invention, a 45-foot steam-powered boat, was launched on the Delaware River in August of 1787. Following its success, Fitch created a larger boat that carried passengers and freight for several months in the summer of 1790. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania lawmakers push federal bill to boost clean energy, reinstate tax incentives and speed the development of new clean energy projects. [WHYY]
• “Modern-day concentration camp”: Tensions rise at Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, with reports of escalating violence. [WHYY]
• PECO bills will rise by about $5 on average starting June 1. [WHYY]
• A long-planned redesign of SEPTA’s bus network won final approval Thursday, launching new routes and more frequent service — which will also cause some people to make multiple route changes to replace what was once a one-vehicle ride.[WHYY]
• The School District of Philadelphia has adopted a $4.6 billion operating budget for the 2026-2027 school year amid a $300 million structural deficit, plans to close schools, freeze hiring and cut counselors, teachers and substitutes. [WHYY/Chalkbeat]
• Plan to ‘fix’ gridlock at Sports Complex includes AI-powered traffic signals. [PhillyVoice]
• Sixers All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey adds “girl dad” to accomplishments after birth of first child. [CBS3]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled Friday.
BILLY PENN GUIDES
☕ Philly coffee guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🌱 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
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
ON THE CALENDAR
🗓️ For the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar, visit BillyPenn.com!
The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival (6 weeks!) and ArtPhilly Festival (5 weeks!) kick off this weekend, which also features lots of neighborhood events like tours of East Passyunk and Healing Verse Germantown’s public art installation, as well as a Kensington Community Field Day and more!
