City Hall
Mayor Charelle Parker’s Street Cleaning Initiative Kicks Off
Philadelphia’s Department of Sanitation claimed that it has cleaned 3,000 of the total 18,000 city blocks promised in Mayor Parker’s citywide clean-up program. With 13,000 blocks remaining before the end-of-summer deadline, the Department will focus on discarding street litter, filling potholes, and eliminating graffiti.
City Workers’ Union Sues to Halt Return-to-Office Mandate
A union representing thousands of Philadelphia City employees is suing Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration to halt a return-to-office mandate scheduled to take effect on July 15, citing potential contract violations and significant impacts on City workers and services.
Councilmember Gauthier Cites Vienna’s Affordable Housing as Gold Standard
In an effort to lower housing prices and enhance optionality for low-income residents, City Councilmember and Housing Committee Chair Jamie Gauthier (District 3) is advocating for Philadelphia to model Vienna’s socialized housing program.
Around Town
Nation’s Oldest Zoo Turns 150
The Philadelphia Zoo celebrated its 150th birthday on Monday with a special event including music, food, performances, and crafts. Mayor Parker declared Monday "Philadelphia Zoo Day."
PPA Engages in Mass Ticketing Crackdown
The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) launched a mass ticketing campaign, issuing thousands of tickets to drivers violating parking regulations. The campaign has focused its efforts primarily on illegal sidewalk parking and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations.
Market Street Office Building Sells for Lowest Price Since 2006
The fifteen-story building at 1760 Market Street that hosts roughly 127,000 square feet of office space, sold for $11.5 million last week. Its 2024 selling price dropped below its figures in 2006, 2015, and 2018.
WHYY News Hosts Pride Brunch
Journalists and LGBTQIA+ advocates engaged in dynamic conversations regarding equality and LGBTQIA+ press coverage at WHYY’s Pride Brunch event. The conversation centered around a primary goal of cultivating a broader conversation about fair representation and the fight for equality.
Delaware Valley Small Businesses Express Financial Anxiety for Second Consecutive Year
A 2022 Philadelphia Federal Reserve survey found that 56% of small businesses in the region exhibited financial instability. One year later, 57% of small businesses in the metropolitan area still reported poor or fair financial status.
Philadelphia Remembers Former City Councilmember Reed
Philadelphia mourns the loss of former City Councilmember Donna Reed, who served the 8th District from 1996 to 2012. She was best known for her coordinated efforts to improve city residents’ quality of life during her time in office.
Suburban Spotlight
Bucks County Revitalizes 17th-Century Cemetery
Slate Hill Cemetery hosts the oldest headstone in Bucks County, dating back to 1698. Like at many historic landmarks in Pennsylvania, preservationists grapple with balancing renovations and efforts to retain the cemetery’s historical value.