World

Custom cleats; In-depth with Questlove; Weekly gun violence brief

ADMIN 06/27/2024

If you watched the Phillies play in the London Classic Series in early June, you might have noticed the custom cleats worn by Bryson Stott and Orion Kerkering. Red, white, and blue, with several UK-themed icons, the cleats stand out — and were made by a father-son duo in Downingtown.

BP’s Santiago Ortiz talked with Ryan Stevens and his father Ron about their hobby-turned-business, NxtLvl Customs, which has cranked out eye-popping designs for a plethora of Phillies players and others, including Tyrese Maxey. Continue reading…

Ryan Stevens and his father, Ron Stevens. (Santiago Ortiz for Billy Penn)

In a new interview, Questlove reveals why Drake vs. Kendrick was so triggering, how he regained his passion for hip-hop and what to expect from the new Roots album.

Questlove sat down with NPR for a sprawling interview with the book-publishing, documentary-directing, hip-hop ambassador with an Oscar to his credit. Continue reading…

“Do I truly feel like hip-hop is dead? No, I don’t,” Questlove tells NPR. “However, I do believe that the landscape and the rules have changed. And some of its participants don’t know it.” (Christian Germoso)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• A bill that aims to slightly lower credit card “swipe fees” is moving quickly through the Pennsylvania House. But it faces long odds in the state Senate. [SpotlightPA]

• President Joe Biden has made it a mission to win back the voters that helped propel him to the presidency in 2020, but Donald Trump is making his own bid for them. [WHYY]

• A new commission set up by the state of Pennsylvania aims to take on a question facing many rural communities across the country: what can be done about declining populations? [TheDailyYonder]

• A misspelled I-95 sign has been fixed after the “Cenrtal Philadelphia” direction went viral online. [Fox29]

• Training program that’s issued more than $50 million in loans to help new developers renovate vacant single-family homes seeks to increase city’s supply of affordable housing. [WHYY]

• Philly Declaration House exhibit offers ‘a window into understanding’ the struggles for freedom in the United States. [WHYY]

• The Oval returns for summer 2024 transforming the Ben Franklin Parkway into an outdoor oasis. [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.• Gun violence has been declared a national public health crisis by the U.S. surgeon general, in a first-of-its-kind advisory, which contains recommendations that are both enforceable and not enforceable. [NPR]

• Philadelphia banned bump stocks and other devices that enable rapid-fire shooting, just days after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected such a ban. Two local gun owners are already challenging the city’s law. [WHYY/The Trace]

• Community groups are key to gun violence prevention in Philly and need more support and funds from the state, advocates and Pa. Senate Democrats say.

• Schools and the state need to help address gun violence’s impact on teen mental health, according to a new report from Pa. Attorney General Michelle Henry. [NBC10]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

24: Shooting victims recorded last week, including 3 fatalities, vs. 32 the week prior. [Philly Police]
517: Shooting victims as of June 16 were down 43% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
125: Year-to-date homicides, down 40% vs. last year’s pace; down 21% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]

MAYOR WATCH

At 12:15 p.m., Mayor Parker will join other city leaders as she speaks at the start of 2024 Vet Fest, honoring veterans.

At 1 p.m., Parker will make an announcement about housing assistance alongside the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

ON THE CALENDAR

Thursday, June 26: “Our City, Your Orchestra Live” Concert
A free community concert at Temple Performing Arts Center by the Philadelphia Orchestra. (7 p.m.)

Friday, June 28 & Saturday, June 29: Two Worlds
This split bill featuring new works by Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Company & Yu.S.Artistry is being performed at the Performance Garage in Spring Garden. $20 tickets each night. (7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday)

🎤 June 26, 27, 28: StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative
Active service members, veterans, and their loved ones are invited to record a conversation during one of our upcoming recording sessions at WHYY in late June. The initiative is designed to honor their voices, amplify their experiences, and let them know that we—as a nation—are listening. Book an interview online or by phone at 1-800-850-4406.