Newsletter for Tuesday, Dec. 16

INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY

The lights show at Macy’s has started — it’s real, and it’s spectacular. Possibly more fun: This mash-up with Li’l John’s “Turn Down For What.” Photo via Instagram user @awelton917.

2 MORE FACE CHARGES IN STING KANE DROPPED

Philly D.A. Seth Williams is apparently just fine prosecuting the case that Kathleen Kane refused to touch. Williams is set to bring charges against two Democratic state lawmakers who hail from Philly, Vanessa Lowery Brown and Ronald G. Waters, according to the Inquirer. Waters is set to plead guilty, in a bid to keep his near-$100K/year state pension, while Lowery’s in more of a fightin’ mood. In May, the Inq broke the news that Kane was abandoning the probe, which then moved to Williams’ office. These are the second and third prosecutions in the sting.

SEPTA KEY: IT’S 10 PERCENT DONE, AND LINES ARE GROWING

It’s happened every day around rush hour for the last several weeks: Backlogs at the turnstiles to get on the El or the Broad Street Line. As SEPTA prepares for the very near digital future, the analog present is rearing its ugly head — it can get pretty hard to get a token accepted. Why? The Key. It’s 10 percent done, Billy Penn has learned — here’s what’s next.

CENTER CITY GAY ATTACK SUSPECTS DUE IN COURT

The three Bucks County residents accused of assaulting a gay couple in Center City will be in court today — and defense attorneys for Kathryn Knott, Phillip Williams and Kevin Harrigan are reportedly ready to fight. The attack left one of the victims hospitalized with a broken jaw; the suburban trio’s lawyers are apparently going to argue that both sides contributed to the fight… which only left one side in a hospital bed. (Good luck with that.) Philly Mag has a rundown of who’s charged with what.

TO DO: WATCH BILL NYE, THE SCIENCE GUY

WHO: Bill Nye, The Science Guy
WHAT: A talk about the “P, B & J” of science — the passion, beauty and joy, of course.
WHERE: The Merriam Theater
WHEN: 7:30 PM
HOW MUCH: $35-$49
DETAILS HERE

BILLY PENN LIKES

CHASE UTLEY IS THE MAN, STOPS BY ‘ELLEN’

Phillies fans love Chase Utley, and Julie Kramer is no exception. The Phillies fan, who’s battling cancer, told Ellen Degeneres that the 2nd baseman is her favorite on the team. Whereupon Utley walked out from backstage and invited Kramer to any game this season. Cue the “awwwww.”

THE ULTIMATE PHILLY THINGS BRACKET: CAST YOUR VOTE NOW

ICYMI, we’re trying something new at Billy Penn: We picked the most Philly things we could think of in four categories: the most Philly person, the most Philly food and drink, the most Philly thing from the outside and the most Philly pastime. Then we seeded them, and we’re letting you vote to crown a winner. Round One is open: Get thee to our totally important, completely scientific ranked bracket to name The Ultimate Philly Thing.