Philly ranks worst for driving; First women's animal shelter; Weekly gun violence brief

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Nostalgia in Queen Village
(Photo by @karenbenson.eyeful)

Going nowhere fast: Philly ranks worst city for driving again

Philadelphia was named the worst city in America to drive in for the second consecutive year, according to WalletHub’s 2026 Best and Worst Cities to Drive In report, released Oct. 6.

Why? The city ranked 96th for traffic and infrastructure, 95th for safety, 76th for ownership and maintenance costs and 77th for access to vehicles and maintenance. Also measured was car theft rates, parking rates and annual hours spent in congestion per automobile per commuter. Continue reading…

Morning traffic moves along Interstate 76 in Philadelphia, Monday, March 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

This female-led story deserves a spot in city’s 52 Weeks of Firsts

It turns out 52 weeks in the year aren’t actually enough to celebrate every amazing milestone that’s happened in our city.

“Women’s Animal Center has the distinction as America’s first animal shelter,” said Cathy Malkemes, CEO of Women’s Animal Center. “We were founded in 1869, by 30 Philadelphia women, led by a Philadelphia woman named Caroline Earle White, and Caroline was very instrumental in the founding of Pennsylvania SPCA as well.” Continue reading…

The shelter on Lamb Tavern Road circa 1897 (Photo courtesy of Women’s Animal Center)

BP Quizzo Question of the Day

Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is regarded as a masterpiece of poetry. But in the 19th century, many considered it obscene, and libraries across the country would not buy it or were afraid to.

Only one is known to have purchased it and put it proudly on its shelves. That institution is in Philadelphia. What is its name?

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Pa. election 2026: These state House and Senate races could change the balance of power in Harrisburg. Here’s what to know. [WHYY]

• Port of Philadelphia will see $837 million investment for expansion that leaders say will create 6,000 new jobs. [WHYY]

• DA Krasner: Philadelphia Water Department employee charged with killing a police officer has been accused of murder before. [WHYY]

• In Philadelphia’s Eastwick neighborhood, plans for a temporary solution to flooding hit a snag. [WHYY]

• Clergy gathered at City Hall to set an agenda for election-year assistance for the needy, establishing a new set of 10 commandments urging city leaders to help constituents in need. [WHYY]

• Find out how your corgi can race like Saquon on the Linc field at the Eagles’ Dec. 13 halftime show. Apply by Nov. 1. [Billy Penn]

When you donate to Billy Penn, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a pair of 76ers tickets to the Monday, Nov. 23 home game against the Portland Trail Blazers!

No donation is necessary, though. For details on how to enter and the eligibility requirements, see the official rules online here.

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker joins Chobani and La Colombe Coffee Roasters’ Let’s Eat Week, an annual initiative addressing food insecurity by providing nutritious food to local families. This year’s Philadelphia event will pack and distribute 2,200 food boxes. (9 a.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.

Philadelphia expands program that flags students who witness violence outside school for more support. [Chalkbeat]
The Trump administration’s campaign to loosen gun regulations is getting pushback from an unlikely source. [The Trace]
What could help formerly incarcerated students return to school? Join Chalkbeat’s virtual event on Oct. 26. [Chalkbeat]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

10: Shooting victims recorded from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11 with 2 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 10 shooting victims were recorded, including 1 fatality. [Source: nickhand.dev]
136: Year-to-date homicides, down 23% vs. last year’s pace; down 69% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]

Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide

At Scribe Video Center, Philadelphians learn to tell their own stories
From first-time filmmakers to seasoned storytellers, Scribe has spent decades helping Philadelphia get behind the camera.
Increasing resilience in Eastwick
Philly’s southwesternmost community has added new protections designed to reduce the frequent flooding that has plagued the area for decades.

ON THE CALENDAR

The 35th Philadelphia Film Festival begins,
this weekend’s Neighborhood Jawnts: North Philly Black Artists, Culture & Resistance Tour (Fri-Sun),
check out Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue 2: An International Wheatpaste Art Show (Opening Night Party).
AND MORE!

See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!