No disruptions and few signs of protest at University of Pennsylvania’s commencement
Security was tight; several students sported keffiyehs and pro-Palestinian signs.
Latest news
Phillies farm system success: Alec Bohm & Bryson Stott
While the Phils have purchased a number of their top producers, the farm system has produced some gems to supplement the star-laden roster.
To boost growth, Philly pours cash into English classes for immigrants
Making the city a “welcoming place” is essential to attract new arrivals, advocates say.
Running, walking, or biking, Eagles Autism Challenge participants have raised millions
The seventh annual event this Saturday will break a record for participants with more than 5,000 people taking part.
Whenever an NL East rival announces how bad the Phillies are, they pay for it
After taking 3 out of 4 from the Mets, the Phillies welcome the Nats to town as they continue to dominate the league.
How to climb a grease pole (or just watch), from an Italian Market Festival champion
South Philly native Frankie Longo offers tips on how to fully enjoy the competition for prizes and South Philly bragging rights.
New Chinatown supermarket mixes nostalgia with the latest pop culture fun
The dual toy store and basement market/cafeteria brightens the old Asia Supermarket space on North 11th Street.
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
Hundreds sign a petition calling for a halt to Fairmount drug treatment center plan
Residents say they were blindsided by the city’s proposal to house Kensington drug users.
Making Philly streets safer shouldn’t be such an enormous chore, planners say
‘Right-of-way’ advocates call for quick permitting of street-narrowing and public benches
After a 2-week encampment, Philly police arrest 33 protesters on Penn’s campus
Protesters who’ve been camped out on Penn’s campus for weeks were arrested after refusing orders early Friday to leave.
What to know about the Philadelphia Union’s newest — and youngest — player
Philly-born and Norristown-raised, 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan signed the biggest homegrown player deal in Major League Soccer history.
Philly’s first Beerathon brings 5K run and festival to the Navy Yard
Runners receive a beer at each mile marker during Saturday’s event, with food trucks, music, and tastings from over a dozen breweries.
Philly selected to host ultimate frisbee Championship Weekend
The Philadelphia Surge hope to be in the PUL finals when it’s hosted at Drexel’s Vidas Field in late June.
After city clears out Kensington encampment, reactions are deeply split
Is this the start of a transformation, or just one more of the many cleanups the neighborhood has seen over the years?
The Philadelphia Phoenix asked the internet to name its new mascot, and you can guess what happened
Birdy McBirdface joins the likes of Swoop, Gritty and the Phanatic in Philly’s sports mascot pantheon.
Headlines of Yore
The 18th-century instrument founded by a Founding Father
The armonica was invented in London, but its founder called Philadelphia home.
Food & Drink Scene
Living the Cheesy Life: Ride along with Philly’s most prolific cheesesteak taste-tester
Jim Pappas has visited more than 1,000 cheesesteak shops throughout the region, finding love, community and lots of good food along the way.
Neighborhoods
A crackdown on Kensington’s open-air drug market is coming, but will it work?
Mayor Parker’s plan to revive the neighborhood follows decades of failed efforts.
Power & Politics
“Disappointing” Philly primary turnout could be omen for repeat in November
Only 17.7% of registered voters cast a ballot in Tuesday’s election, or just 183,538 of the city’s more than one million eligible voters.
Election observers report only minor hiccups in primary election voting
But they say scheduling an election during Passover was a bad idea.
Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2024 primary election in Philly
Primary Day is Tuesday, April 23
Philly primary voters will see one ballot question. Here’s what it means.
The question centers on whether the city should provide legal backing for Registered Community Orgs for their work on zoning matters.
Gun violence prevention
“Zooman and the Sign” at Penn Live Arts takes a theatrical look at gun violence in Philly
Director, and former Philadelphian, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney hopes the play can build a bridge over fear.
Amid gun violence crisis, Philadelphia may be safer than people think
Comparing a recent Gallup poll to crime statistics shows perception is not reality.
What we know about the pre-Fourth of July mass shooting in Philadelphia
Five people were killed and several others injured by someone shooting an AR-style rifle “aimlessly,” police said.
How Philly’s gun violence crisis fluctuated across 30 years of police commissioners
A look at how the city has fared under its most recent top cops.
Education
Inside the unraveling of one of Philadelphia’s most successful charter schools
In 25 years, there’s been mostly public praise for MCS — but its methodology is unusual, and some question the founder’s motives in shutting it down.
How teaching in Philly district schools differs from charters: Three teachers share their stories
They each have their pros and cons, on issues ranging from resources to oversight.
Why a Southwest Philly charter is refusing to close after the school board voted to shut it down
Parents had good things to say about the K-8 academy, which was founded in 2007 and, like its neighborhood, is majority Black.
Philly’s premier high school requires 8th grade algebra for admission, but many kids can’t take it
The lower a neighborhood’s median income, the less likely the course is available to district eighth graders.
BP Quizzo
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secrets & Fun
New map offers transit-based guide to Philly green spaces
The guide, being distributed at the Green Philly EcoFair this weekend, helps passengers connect to city parks with illustrations and information about each destination.
Earthquake reax light up across social media in the Philly region
The shared experience of some mild shaking brought out both useful and entertaining posts online.
These are the coolest things made in Philly
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is hosting its second-annual “Coolest Thing Made in PA” competition. Here’s our picks for the best “Made in Philly.”
Irish-centric Philly theaters highlight works from across the pond this month
The performances “echo the American concerns around immigration” in “brave and exciting ways.”
Sports Culture
Anatomy of the Phillies’ best win of the season
The first place Phils have won plenty so far in 2024, but the Hittin’ Season podcast says none compares to Monday’s come-from-behind win over the Mets.
The Phillies haven’t played many good teams because there aren’t many good teams
Critics of the Phillies hot start point to their soft schedule, but things will get much tougher in August and September.
Hittin’ Season: What’s in an extra day of rest for Phillies pitchers?
The Phils are in the enviable position of having the option of going to a six-man rotation.
Philly Girls Jump celebrate ‘Double Dutch Day’ with an Awbury Park bash Saturday
Philadelphia City Council declared every first Saturday in May a day to commemorate the recreational skipping activity.