#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Stop, in the name of love
(Photo by @jtaflinphotography)
Educational extensions that are part of SNAP, the federal food-purchasing program, are in jeopardy as federal funding is slated to end on Oct. 1.
The programs have been identified by critics as sources of waste and fraud, but providers say the programs provide important information and have decades of data to show their worth. We spoke to two such vendors. Continue reading …
Eagles great Jason Kelce has shared some big moments with this city. Now he’s playing a huge role in the reveal of Taylor Swift’s next album — dropping the announcement for it with Swift herself (not to mention his brother, co-host and Swift boyfriend Travis Kelce) very early Tuesday in a teaser for the New Heights podcast.
The three will discuss and unveil the new album in a New Heights episode that drops 7 p.m. Wednesday. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• State Senate Republicans offered a transportation budget amendment, but it seemed unlikely to break the current stalemate. SEPTA has said it needs to know about funding by Aug. 14 or it will enact cuts later in the month. [WHYY/Billy Penn]
• As Trump threatens to send federal troops to U.S. cities, Philly District Attorney Krasner, religious leaders push back. [WHYY]
• UPenn, where mRNA vaccine tech was pioneered, will not lose funding as feds cut $500M in mRNA grants. [Inq$]
• How Philly is preparing to support its older population as temperatures rise and heat emergencies become more common. [WHYY]
• Vine Street construction will cause delays from next week to January along 8th and Broad Streets, as improvements are made for pedestrian and bicycle safety. [PhillyVoice]
• FIFA is looking for 2026 World Cup volunteers, and will make tournament tickets next month. [Billy Penn]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 11: Shooting victims recorded from Aug. 3 to 9, including 2 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 22 shooting victims were recorded, including 1 fatality. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 138: Year-to-date homicides, down 17% vs. last year’s pace; down 47% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Screening of “Pygmalion”
This 1938 classic stars Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller as Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle in this Academy Award–winning inspiration for Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady. $5 to $10 tickets. (2 p.m.)
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Make Felted Soap at Summerfest
Workshop participants will learn wet felting techniques using farm sourced wool, organic almond soap, and dried wildflower. Create an original felted soap that is usable and decorative. $39.19 tickets include a drink ticket. At the air-conditioned Lodge at Summerfest at Penn’s Landing. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Magic Manayunk Mural Tours
Join Mural Arts to experience spectacular murals and public art installations along Main Street, the historic Towpath, and the surrounding Manayunk area. Learn the stories behind each mural and about the artists. Then stick around for more fun along Main Street for Stroll After Hours. $30 tickets. (5:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Public Space: Public Good
What does it look like to invest in public space and the surrounding neighborhood? As the Friends of the Rail Park (FRP) embark on the beginning stages of their Community First Plan, they are looking to other parks and partners that challenge the status quo of what benefits parks provide to their communities. At the Center for Design Philadelphia. (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Fishtown Community Dinner
Join an alcohol-free potluck-style community dinner, open to all Philly community members. A chance to connect and build an inclusive space. Bring your favorite dish to share and add it to their Google doc. $5 donations are appreciated. (6 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Live and Local Music Series
The live concerts return to Spruce Street Harbor Park, where you can relax on the barge or in the hammock with a refreshing drink and meal, and enjoy performances by local, up-and-coming bands, DJs, and musicians. Tonight, Gladie performs. (6 to 10 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Street Movies! with Friends of Mifflin Square Park & Cambodian Association
Join a live performance and a screening of five short films, followed by a community discussion. 7:45 p.m. live Performance by CAGE (Cambodian American Girls Empowering) + 8:15 p.m. films and discussion. (7:45 through 9:45 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 14: Outdoor Movie: “The Jungle Book”
BYO blanket and picnic on Schuylkill Banks along the Grays Ferry Crescent Esplanade near the trail entrance at Wharton Street and Schuylkill Avenue. The movie will start at sunset, which is around 8:15pm. Free snacks!
Friday, Aug. 15: Las Mariposas Galácticas at Eakins Oval
Las Mariposas Galácticas is a 8-piece Cumbia Klezmer Punk band based in Philadelphia. Drawing on the members’ South American and Jewish roots, the band creates a unique diasporic sound that gets audiences dancing with rebellious joy. FREE. (6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Three Mile Vision Tour for the Rail Park
A historic walking tour that explores the past, present, and future of the Rail Park, highlighting the potential for this project to connect thousands of Philadelphia residents and visitors to green space and each other. Around 3 miles, beginning at 2700 Pennsylvania Ave. and ending at Phase One of the Rail Park at 1100 Callowhill Street. $9 to $20 tickets. (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
