A new city task force is investigating whether and how Philadelphia should provide reparations, such as direct payments, targeted social services, or political and economic reforms that benefit Black residents descended from enslaved ancestors.
The Philadelphia Reparations Task Force formally launched last week and held its first public listening session. BP’s Meir Rinde takes a look at the long journey to get to this point. Continue reading…
Veteran journalist and media executive Kevin Donahue is named as the next editor of Billy Penn at WHYY today.
Donahue is a former senior managing editor at Men’s Health. He has held news manager or editor roles at the Philadelphia Business Journal, Rodale, Philly.com and Philadelphia Daily News.
He will take on the Billy Penn editor role as well as Senior Director of News Specialty Products, a newly created initiative to build capacity around WHYY News digital news content, products and programs. In addition to editing Billy Penn, Donahue will manage The Pulse and PlanPhilly teams. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Sen. John Fetterman has lost support from former allies on the left, but gained praise from those on the right who once mocked him. [Inquirer$]
• A newly acquired piece of property on the edge of Philadelphia’s Somerton section will become Pennsylvania’s latest hunting grounds later this year, open to deer hunting. [WHYY]
• Philly’s new L&I commissioner aims to get the agency “back on track” by hiring more staff to “step up enforcement on problematic contractors.” [BizJournal$]
• Lil Pop Shop’s former West Philly location is reopening as a multi-business operation, featuring popsicles, Schmear It’s bagels, and Weckerly’s Ice Cream sandwiches. [West Philly Local]
• The city of Malmö in Sweden used original blueprints and materials salvaged from Philly to re-create LOVE Park in its pre-2016 state. [PhillyVoice]
• Jason Kelce responded to commenters calling wife Kylie a “homemaker” after he discussed his thoughts on football player Harrison Butker’s views on women’s roles. [NBC10]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.• Nonprofit Need In Deed is helping Philly students discuss Israel, gun violence, and other tough topics with a focus on building peace in their own communities. [Chalkbeat]
• The 7th annual Pull Flags Not Guns flag football tournament in Olney encouraged kids to recover from their fumbles in healthy ways. [FOX29]
• There is one public option for seeking funding for crime scene cleanup, embedded in Pa.’s victims compensation program. The $500 maximum did not change in 22 years. [The Trace]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 24: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 13 the week prior. [Philly Police]
- 388: Shooting victims as of May 23 were down 47% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 105: Year-to-date homicides, down 38% vs. last year’s pace; down 20% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will greet President Biden this afternoon as he arrives in Philadelphia for the day.
ON THE CALENDAR
🌎 Wednesday, May 29: Philly History Pop-Up
This free pop-up at Corinthian Gardens will talk about the event that drew 10 million people to Fairmount Park in 1876 and how it all fit! Free with RSVP. (6 to 7 p.m.)
😶🌫️ Thursday, May 30: AAPI Community Healing & Mental Health Discussion
Everyone is welcome at this discussion about mental health, identity, and healing-centered engagement, led by Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting and the Free Library. Snacks will be provided. Free with RSVP; a virtual option is available. (5 p.m.)
❤️ Saturday, June 1: Love Is Love Block Party
This annual family-friendly party at Evil Genius Beer Company in Fishtown will feature food rucks, live music, vendors, and libations. (12 to 6 p.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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