Philly orgs on Macklemore; Spring Garden Connector update; Weekly gun violence brief

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Robot army
(Photo by @_mtkrupka)

The status of the Spring Garden Connector project

For nearly 16 years, many Philadelphians are still waiting for the promised improvements for bikers and pedestrians along the heavily-trafficked corridor. The project will connect the Schuylkill and Delaware River trails as part of a larger, nationwide trail.

The city says preliminary design began this year thanks to some new funding. BP’s Violet Comber-Wilen recaps what the project’s status currently is. Continue reading…

The Spring Garden Connector planned design with parking protected bike lanes and other safety features. (Renderings courtesy of the Philadelphia Planning Commission)

Should Macklemore have been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour’ at the Linc?

When does political expression onstage cross a line? Philly organizations weigh in after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour, sparking an exodus of other musical acts from the tour in protest. Continue reading…

Macklemore performs at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater during the South by Southwest Music Festival on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• A federal judge referred Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner to the U.S. Attorney’s Office over possible crimes. [WHYY]

• Two more measles-associated deaths have been reported in Pennsylvania as the statewide outbreak grows to nearly 700 cases. [WHYY]

• Protesters called on Philadelphia Parking Authority to end parking contract with DHS. [WHYY]

• A year of cleaning up illegal dumpsites cost Philly taxpayers nearly $9 million, a report from the city controller says. [PhillyVoice]

• The viral international “Hunger Games” ad campaign has arrived in Philly with images reminiscent of Cold War-era propaganda posters. [Billy Penn]

• Inside a Philadelphia barbershop, Black men debate their political past and future. [AP]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled 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.

Fights and weapons confiscations are down in Philly schools. The safety chief aims to continue the trend. [Chalkbeat]
For more than a decade, Penn researchers have found that greener neighborhoods are less violent. Now, Pew is helping PHS double down on this confirmed hypothesis. [The Philadelphia Citizen]
New Jersey just lost its assault weapons ban. Here’s why that matters for the rest of the country. [The Trace]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

13: Shooting victims recorded from Sept. 4 to 10 with 1 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 14 shooting victims were recorded, including 1 fatality. [Source: nickhand.dev]
124: Year-to-date homicides, down 21% vs. last year’s pace; down 67% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]

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

A citywide guide to Philadelphia’s farmer’s markets
Farmer’s market season is still alive and fruitful!
The gold standard of 20th and Olney: La Salle University’s best basketball players
A definitive look at the icons who built one of Philadelphia’s most storied basketball traditions.

ON THE CALENDAR

Blue Stoop happy hour (today),
Puppet karaoke fundraiser for Spiral Q (Thursday),
Fall Fling Market at the former Old Pine Community Center (Saturday)
AND MORE!

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