#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
PAFA posterity
(Photo by @jim50tim)
Market Street gets a $16 million glow-up in time for America 250
The pedestrian-focused project in Old City includes a new plaza, shorter crosswalks, raised bike lanes, bus bumpouts and trees.
The completion of the project comes as a relief to businesses along Market Street, some of whom struggled with reduced foot traffic at times over the past year and a half. Continue reading…
City responds to backlash against heavy police involvement at Philly Pride
Councilmember Rue Landau encouraged anyone who had an incident or story they would like to bring to her attention to reach out to her office. ““Police brutality has no place at Pride,” Landau said.
“That is not us,” police commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said, rejecting claims that the department is hostile to Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania Democrats rally in support of ‘ICE Out’ bills in state Senate. [WHYY]
• ‘Swarthmore 9’ appear in court to face trespassing charges tied to Gaza protest encampment. [WHYY]
• Temple study finds adults who got gender-affirming surgeries happy with results, not the process. [WHYY]
• World Cup fans can take a hike — literally. Soccer enthusiasts in Philly can access Lemon Hill fan fest and other sites via trails. [Billy Penn]
• PATCO unveiled a commemorative train for America’s 250th anniversary, designed to symbolize the ‘enduring connection’ between Philadelphia and South Jersey. [PhillyVoice]
• Moore College of Art and Design plans to expand enrollment to students of all genders in 2027-2028. [NBC10]
• City officials and community celebrate $4.5M revitalization of West Mill Creek playground and plaza. [West Philly Local]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker had no events listed in her public schedule for Wednesday.
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Shootings often rise in Philly when school’s out. Violence prevention groups have plans to change that. [Chalkbeat]
- Community coalition urges Philadelphia officials to halt planned school closures, warning closures could increase the risk of gun violence. [6ABC]
- June is Gun Violence Awareness Month: Here’s what’s happening in Philly. [Department of Public Health]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 15: Shooting victims recorded from May 31 to June 6 with 4 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 12 shooting victims were recorded, including 3 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 63: Year-to-date homicides, down 34% vs. last year’s pace; down 73% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
ON THE CALENDAR
June 8 to 14 is chock full of events across Philly!
This week includes The Love Lab’s social singing night + a Save the Cecil B. Moore Library Town Hall (both Tonight),
+ Cedar Park Jazz Series kickoff (Friday),
+ East Passyunk Opera Project’s Memoirs of a Gaysian (Friday),
and more!
See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
🌈 Pride Month events guide
🥳 World Cup events guide
🛝 Kid-friendly summer guide
☕ Philly coffee guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🎤 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
