PATCO Franklin Square reactions; NTSB I-95 collapse report; Summer youth jobs open | Morning roundup

Riders are all aboard for the renovated Franklin Square PATCO station

For the first time in nearly half a century, the PATCO train station below Franklin Square park, dubbed Philly’s “ghost station,” has been brought back to life and riders are commuting again after a $29.3 million renovation. 

Riders’ first impressions were a mix of excitement at shorter commutes, awe at the bright and vintage detailing, and relief that “it doesn’t smell like pee.” Continue reading… 

Philly touts summer kids programs, says more pool staff needed

City leaders this week rolled out “It’s a Summer Thing,” a city-sponsored initiative to keep young people entertained and out of trouble during the summer months. It includes around 8,000 paid summer jobs through a public/private partnership to applicants ages 12 to 24.

Parks & Rec is also expanding youth sports and still needs about 400 more lifeguards and even more maintenance staff to work the city’s roughly 60 public swimming pools. Lifeguard applicants before April 15 are also eligible for a $1,000 bonus. Continue reading…

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Records reveal that the Shapiro admin stopped tracking why older adults die during abuse and neglect investigations. [Spotlight PA] 

• NTSB releases final report on deadly I-95 collapse in Philadelphia. [6ABC] 

• An unnamed Temple student had their student visa revoked by the Secretary of State for unknown reasons, the university discovered in a routine review of visa records. [Temple News]

• The EPA rescinded a competitive $500,000 grant awarded last year to Bartram’s Garden for 50 paid youth internships and the planting of 200 trees and 120 home gardens in Southwest Philadelphia. [Inquirer$] 

• Opera Philadelphia is bringing back its $11 ticket program, available beginning May 15, or sooner for those with an Opera Pass. [PhillyVoice] 

• The Philadelphia Zoo welcomes four critically endangered Galapagos tortoises with more hatchlings possibly on the way. [WHYY] 

• Several Philly chefs and restaurants are finalists for a James Beard award, including Mawn’s Phila Lorn, Royal Sushi & Izakaya’s Jesse Ito, Her Place Supper Club’s Amanda Shulman, and the Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday. [Eater]

Philly DA Race 

• Philadelphia DA election:
  What you need to know about the Democratic primary candidates
• Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 20

Candidate appearances: 

• Recap of Larry Krasner and Pat Dugan’s first town hall on March 11. 
• Billy Penn’s recap of Krasner-Dugan debate on March 20. 
• Dugan was interviewed in a mock “job interview.”

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker attends the ceremony to welcome John A. Fry as Temple University’s 15th president. (1:40 p.m.)

ON THE CALENDAR

🙌🏽 WHYY Civic News Conference – April 4-5
🎭 College theater productions this spring
🎞️ WHYY/Indie Lens Pop-Up Community Screenings – April 6-12

Friday, April 4: Poetry at the Pier 
An evening of poetry, community, and creative expression at Cherry Street Pier. After the reading, the mic is yours—step up and share your words, whether raw or refined. The open mic portion is first come, first serve. (5 to 7 p.m.)

Friday-Sunday, April 4-6: Punk Rock Flea Market 
A Friday night market kicks off the weekend activities at the 23rd Street Armory (4 to 10 p.m.). Then the shopping continues all weekend with a daily rotating cast of vendors Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). $10 entry all weekend + $5 entry after 1 p.m. Sunday. 

Saturday-Sunday, April 5-6: 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival 
Enjoy this annual spring celebration of Japanese arts and culture organized by Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, with events across the city. $15 tickets; free for children under 12. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days) 

Saturday, April 5: Philly-Style High Tea featuring Dandelion Bakes
A Philly-style high tea featuring an appetizer soup, a tea tower from Bloomsday and a treat from special guest star Dandelion Bakes. Tickets are $68.25 plus tax. (2:30 p.m.) 

Saturday, April 5: Time And Space: A Pinhole Photography Exhibit Opening Reception
Meet and view the work of talented photographers from the NJ Pinhole Club and global pinhole photography community. Learn about this art form from creators themselves, in Old City. (6 to 8 p.m.)

Sunday, April 6: Bird Walk at Awbury Arboretum 
Join Philly Queer Birders for an outing at Awbury Arboretum. Free and no registration required. (8:30 a.m.)

Sunday, April 6: Secret Sounds of Ponds
FDR Park (9 to 11 a.m.) and West Fairmount Park (5 to 7 p.m.) participate in this unique out-of-doors performance by musician-naturalist-philosopher David Rothenberg. Join an afternoon of aquatic vibrations, bug solos, and inter-species jamming via hydrophones (underwater microphones) and improvisational duet featuring a clarinet. All ages welcome. The morning concert will be more oriented towards kids and will have hands-on activities. 

Sunday, April 6: Philly Maker Faire 2025
Local makers and innovators are on display for a fifth year at Cherry Street Pier, with groundbreaking projects, hands-on activities, and interactive experiences. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Sunday, April 6: NCAA WBB Championship Game Watch Party + Afterparty/Birthday Party
WatchPartyPHL celebrates its first anniversary with a Championship Game Watch Party at Lucy’s, plus after party at Stir Lounge. Drink specials, raffles, giveaways, cupcakes, a photo booth, DJ, and more. $15 for the watch party + after party. $5 for just the after party. (3 to 8 p.m.)