Going deep with Wawa’s mega-viral superfan
‘I got food poisoning from Sheetz once, haven’t been back since.’
Latest news
A Shark Week reminder: You have little to worry about in Philly
The last shark spotted in the Delaware River was in 1960.
Dorothy, the I-76 pig, was the latest of many animals to wander local roads
Chickens, cows, horses, even monkeys, have been sighted in recent years.
Shakespeare in Clark Park brings updated classics with local flavor
‘The Comedy of Errors’ finishes its run Saturday, with ‘As You Like It’ coming July 24-28.
John Dougherty gets 6 years for corruption and embezzlement convictions
The former IBEW Local 98 leader and political powerhouse must report to prison by Sept. 4.
The Icarus Cup returns to Philly for weekend-long soccer festival
The 7-vs-7 tournament, co-run by Icarus Football and CASA, has competition and events all around the city from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.
Old City preschool parents protest proposed 2nd Street bus terminal
Councilmember Squilla says the move won’t happen anytime soon.
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
Sorellina brings Neapolitan pizza and neighborhood vibe to the Divine Lorraine
Chef-owners Joe and Angela Ranalli-Cicala are aiming for a casual counterpart to their fine dining restaurant Cicala, located across the lobby.
Icarus Football’s custom kits take center stage this weekend
The Kensington-based kit designer has created designs for all 80 teams at the upcoming Icarus Cup.
A 19th century Philly civic leader’s legacy includes this pop culture icon
C.C.A. Baldi was a major figure in Philadelphia’s Italian American community. His family would go on to lead in both politics and pop culture.
8 facts you might not have known about Paul George
Meet the Sixers’ biggest free agent acquisition this offseason who is hailed as one of the final pieces of their championship puzzle.
Some fast facts about Philly’s worst heat waves
The 20th century came in hot when it comes to Philly’s most intense and deadliest warm weather.
Herr’s latest ‘Flavored by Philly’ finalists each have merits, taste-testers say
As sure as fireworks on the Fourth, Herr’s has brought out a new trio of Philly-themed chip flavors for us to vote on.
Cast, recast, licked and poked – the Liberty Bell has been through a lot
One of the nation’s most accessible symbols has taken its lumps through the years
A Procrastinator’s Guide to Fourth of July in Philly
If you’re only beginning to plan your to-do list (or want to know what roads and locations to avoid), we’ve got you: Keep scrolling, and Happy Fourth!
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
Manny’s Peruvian pop-up brings traditional flavors to South Philly breweries this summer
Ceviche, aji de gallina, rice dishes and sandwiches are part of the rotating menu available on select nights in July and August.
Neighborhoods
Inside the century-long effort to protect the Wissahickon
Since 1924, Friends of the Wissahickon have worked to safeguard the creek from pollution and now, climate change.
Power & Politics
No disruptions and few signs of protest at University of Pennsylvania’s commencement
Security was tight; several students sported keffiyehs and pro-Palestinian signs.
“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
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
Reflecting on the Philly roots of Black Music Month
As one of the greatest music cities in the county, “The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection” was instrumental in the launch of the annual celebration.
“Bolt of Lightning” sculpture marks anniversary of Ben Franklin kite experiment
Nearly three centuries since Ben Franklin’s famous kite experiment, here’s the story behind the massive sculpture commemorating that event.
Queen & Rook levels up with retro arcade and larger South Street location
The new space adds video gaming and an expanded menu of drinks and food to its already extensive board game collection.
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.
Sports Culture
7 All-Stars is great, the Phillies’ season has been even better
The team is riding strong start, fans’ enthusiasm into Dodgers series.
Phillies’ first Independence Day Game was one for the books
In 1883, July 4 brought a loss, a win, and the start of something that would become very familiar – a string of losses.
The odds on every Phillie to make the All Star team
Just how well represented will the Phillies be at this year’s All Star Game? Very.
Jared McCain is only the beginning of this new generation of pro athletes
The Sixers’ draft pick is as savvy about TikTok as he is about passing, cutting and shooting.
