#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
The rainbow connection
(Photo by @kslouf)
Philly travelers cheer reopening of intercity bus station, mostly
Thanks to extensive renovations by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which now operates the station, one rider said the facility on Filbert Street near Chinatown no longer feels “torn down,” as it did before Greyhound vacated the building in 2023.
Others praised the new chairs, clean bathrooms, “calming” atmosphere. Continue reading…
Philly was the birthplace of the American-made piano and sousaphone
As the birthplace of Patti LaBelle, Meek Mill, The Roots and other musical legends, Philly is a musical city. And with those accolades comes one more – the birthplace of the American-made piano and sousaphone. The piano came first in 1775, and the sousaphone in the late 1800s. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania traffic fatalities fell to an all-time low in 2025, but bicyclist fatalities increased, PennDOT data shows. [PhillyVoice]
• “I’m devastated:” Students react to the news that Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School in Northwest Philadelphia will close as early as 2027. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia unions and labor activists used May Day rallies to outline a vision for the future: “workers over billionaires.” [WHYY]
• Why stomach pain, ‘scromiting,’ and compulsive hot showering are sending cannabis users to Philly-area ERs. [Inq$$]
• Enter the lottery to play the world’s largest video game — on the Cira Centre skyscraper during Philly Tech Week. [Technical.ly]
• The 4th annual Sing Us Home Festival in Manayunk had its strongest ticket sales yet with nearly 3,000 people attending. [WHYY]
• The new Flyers and Sixers arena will be built at the old Spectrum location. [Crossing Broad]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker attends the city Department of Prisons’ opening ceremony marking the start of Correctional Employees Week and will present a City of Philadelphia proclamation. (10 a.m.)
Parker then heads to the Dell Music Center to unveil their season lineup and atalk about planned capital investments for the venue. (11:30 a.m.)
BILLY PENN GUIDES
⚔️ May the 4th Be With You guide
🌱 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!
Philly Tech Week returns (through Friday), Cinco de Mayo festivities (Tuesday) and Star Wars Trivia Night: Revenge of the Sith (Tuesday) kick off this week full of fun community evens!
