#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Sunny skies over the Schuylkill
(Photo by @burtonlens)
What’s going on with AI data centers in Philly?
Residents protested outside City Hall this week, and Mayor Parker has set up a task force to report on the pros and cons of hyperscale data centers by June.
Here’s what you should know as data centers continue to be central to community conversations. Continue reading…
Pro-Palestine groups announce protests outside of Ed Sheeran concert in Philly
Sheeran hoped to keep politics out of his shows. Politics are coming to him instead. Local organizations, the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z, are teaming up for a protest outside of Lincoln Financial Field at 4:30 p.m. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Philly health leaders warn of a possible measles exposure reported at CHOP’s NICU, where staff are working to administer a preventative antibody treatment to all infants to help protect them from the deadly disease. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia City Council members are planning public hearings to investigate how the Academy of Natural Sciences museum got to the point of closing and to seek ways to keep it open. [WHYY]
• Mayor Parker wants to renew a contract to burn Philadelphia’s trash in Chester. Several City Council members plan to reject it. [WHYY]
• Overbrook High School celebrates 100 years of shaping Philly stars like Will Smith and Wilt Chamberlain. [Billy Penn]
• Penn State students will imagine new life for the Germantown YWCA; community members hope the adaptive use designs can reignite conversation and advocacy around the long-vacant building. [Germantown Info Hub]
• The president of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is stepping down after three years on the job, during which she clashed with staff. [WHYY]
Celebrate Philly’s finest at the Billies!
Join us for Billy Penn’s 12th annual Billies Awards from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at WHYY Studios!
We’ll honor the people and groups making Philly better — with food, refreshments and plenty of hometown spirit.
Admission is free with an RSVP. Optional donations support WHYY’s community programs. The Billies are supported in part by Every Voice, Every Vote.
Sign up to attend the Billies →
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Friday.
Philly Fringe coverage
- How to Fringe: Your guide to Philly’s massive Fringe Festival
- Philly’s Fringe Festival puts rookie theater makers (including a former state treasurer) in the spotlight
- These Philly Fringe shows focus on veterans stories with parallels to Iran, Vietnam and beyond
- Philly Fringe shows explore joys and trials of fatherhood
- How a clown on a Philly stage is helping audiences find solutions
Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide
- How Philly works: A look at the city’s governance
From the mayor to City Council to the budget process and row offices, Billy Penn explains the wheels of power.
- Some favorite spots for ice cream in Philly
Philly’s ice cream game is made of legends. Here’s some of our tried-and-true favorite ice cream shops, as well as a collection of newbies to check out.
ON THE CALENDAR
Mt. Airy Porchfest (Saturday),
We are the Seeds’ 2026 Powwow (Saturday),
South Philly Sausage Fest (Saturday),
Philly Vegan Market (Sunday)
AND MORE!
See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
✏️ Philly Quizzo guide
🎭 Philly Fringe Fest guide
🍁 Fall festivals guide
🍓 Farmers market guide
✊🏾 Black history in Philly guide
🍦 Vegan ice cream guide
🥕 CSA farmshare guide
☕ Philly coffee guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
