Pennsylvania is a — maybe “the” — crucial state in the 2024 presidential election, and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have been here A LOT in the past eight weeks. How much? Meir Rinde did the math. Continue reading …
Election 2024 Reminders
🗳️ Catch up on what to know in this last week before Election Day here, in our Procrastinator’s Guide.
🗳️ Philly has a list of mail ballots that have errors or are undeliverable. As of Monday, it has 3,358 names. Find out if you’re affected and how to fix your ballot.
Dias de los Muertos, a holiday born in Mexico, is a honoring of loved ones who have died that has spread across the Western Hemisphere. Philadelphia will be hosting multiple events this weekend and next. Find one near you. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
•Latino voters are in the spotlight again after insults against Puerto Rico were made during a Trump rally in NYC. [WHYY/PennLive]
• Gwen Walz advocates for public education in an interview with WHYY News. [WHYY]
• Philly canvassers urge voters to consider health issues like HIV prevention, abortion access, and insurance at the polls. [WHYY]
• More funding is on the way to help students facing homelessness in Philadelphia. [NBC10]
• A musical satire about the Obama administration, “44” comes to Philadelphia to be at the election’s inflection point. [WHYY]
• Could the Phillies really sign expensive free agent Juan Soto? [Billy Penn]
• How do you know if your house is haunted? A Pa. ghosthunter has some tips. [Spotlight PA]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
• A La Salle alumna is fighting gun violence in Northwest Philly. [LaSalle University]
• Column: Pennsylvania lawmakers must step up to protect children from gun violence. [Lancaster Online]
• Young Black men across the U.S. who carry guns provide insights into violence prevention, including in Wilmington, Del. [The Trace]
• Gun violence in Philadelphia increased dramatically following the enactment of COVID-19 containment policies in 2020, but murder fell at the fastest pace ever recorded across the U.S. during 2023 and is likely falling faster in 2024, according to data analyst Jeff Asher, who created the Philadelphia Shooting Victims data dashboard.
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 9: Shooting victims recorded last week, including 3 fatalities, vs. 18, with 6 fatalities, the week prior. [Philly Police]
- 911: Shooting victims as of October 27 were down 38% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 211: Year-to-date homicides, down 49% vs. last year’s pace; down 26% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🐈⬛ Thursday, Oct. 31: Halloween in Fairmount
Browse this convenient guide to Halloween activities across Fairmount, Brewerytown and Spring Garden! From trick-or-treating to cat cafe game night, and a pumpkin workout to food/drink specials, “Halloween Starts Here.”
🎃 Thursday, Oct. 31: Halloween at the American Revolution Museum
History and haunted fun collide for frights and fun in Old City, with turnip-carving demonstrations, Revolutionary stencils for your jack-o-lantern, and more. Starts at 11 a.m.
🧙🏽♀️ Thursday, Oct. 31: Sweet and Spooky Spectacular
Carnival games, candy, costume contests, raffles, locally sourced prizes, boo-zy cocktails, music, dancing, and more are on tap along 7th and Catharine Street! FREE/Pay-as-you-go. (5 to 9 p.m.)
🎭 Thursday, Oct. 31: Carrie: A Live Reading
Listen to Theatre Contra bring to life this Stephen King horror classic at whiskey bar Trestle Inn in Callowhill. General admission at the door; $15 VIP tickets. (7 to 8:45 p.m.)
⛳ Through Oct. 31: Spooky Mini Golf
Franklin Square Park’s mini golf course transforms into spooky fun with fog, lights, music, and family-friendly surprises! New this year is a BOO-zy Bar and timed tickets to allow for time to enjoy the carousel and other activities. $15 adults/$12 children.
Catch up on the previous week
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