A summer and fall’s worth of negotiations got it nowhere, and now your favorite regional transit authority is facing up to some ugly truths. SEPTA will be unable to hold the line on costs and service options after the state Senate couldn’t decide put forth a plan to provide crucial funding.
Instead, commuters are looking at a combined 30% fare hike by January and the shuttering of regional rail lines and many bus routes in 2025. Continue reading …
The 76ers and SEPTA have yet to reach an agreement over how the cash-strapped authority will cover the additional operational costs it is expected to incur if the team’s $1.55 billion arena proposal is authorized by City Council.
That fact, and the need to find a financial solution, came up repeatedly Tuesday during the first in a series of daylong Council hearings dedicated to examining the Sixers’ plan to build a new facility on top of Jefferson Station in Center City. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A tropical weather system in the Gulf of Mexico has delayed the departure of the SS United States from Philadelphia this week. [6ABC]
• Some Philadelphia students walked out of their classrooms last week to protest the 2024 presidential election results and the impact President-elect Donald Trump could have on climate change policies. [Chalkbeat]
• Abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who was the first woman to oversee an American military action during a time of war, was posthumously awarded the rank of one-star brigadier general in Maryland’s National Guard on Veteran’s Day. [Tribune]
• PECO will procure energy from what will be the largest utility-based solar project in Pa., to power 3,000 homes, or 1% of the agency’s total energy mix. Climate activists see it as a win and good first step. [WHYY]
• Car-free streets will return to Philly’s Rittenhouse Square in December after a successful September. Here’s what to know. [Billy Penn/WHYY]
• We sent two reporters to the Street Food Festival. They didn’t love the cheesesteaks. [Billy Penn]
• What does Philly smell like? The Philly Visitor Center’s new themed candles give a pleasant take on the scents of six local neighborhoods.
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
• More than 70,000 guns were sold last month in Pennsylvania, down 1% from the previous month and down 2% from the same month last year. [The Trace]
• School-related threats in Pa. are on the rise; homicides and violent crime decline. [WHYY]
• Local groups honor gun violence victims in Philly and its suburbs. [WHYY]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 24: Shooting victims recorded last week, including 4 fatalities, vs. 15, with 1 fatality, the week prior. [Philly Police]
- 956: Shooting victims as of November 4 were down 37% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 223: Year-to-date homicides, down 46% vs. last year’s pace; down 27% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
11 a.m.: The Mayor and City Representative Jazelle Jones will join Welcome America, Inc., Visit Philadelphia partners, sponsors and community members to kick off the Philly Holiday Experience and welcome the city’s holiday tree – an event showcasing the fun, free and family-friendly programming happening throughout the city this holiday season, at City Hall.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎄 Thursday, Nov. 14: Manayunk Tree Lighting
Manayunk’s annual tree lighting ceremony at Canal View Park (4418 Main Street) will host special guests and live performances by The City Belles, John Gilbride, Emily Drinker, and Santa Claus. Activities include letter-writing, ornament decorating, giveaways, and more. The Jolly Trolley, Get Lit! Stroll and decor competition will also be taking place. (5:30 to 7 p.m. ceremony; to midnight for the Stroll)
🛍️ Friday, Nov. 15: Made At Bok Night Market
Come shop Bok with makers from the building all set up in the first floor gym. (5 to 9 p.m.)
🥂 Friday, Nov. 15: Barnes Young Professionals Night
Mix and mingle with the emerging creatives and young professionals who fuel Philly’s vibrant cultural scene while taking cues from the “All About Love” exhibit and dressing in ’70s- and ’80s-inspired outfits. Dance, explore exhibits, socialize, and bring new or gently used accessories or clothing to donate to The Wardrobe to support people preparing for life or work. $35 non-members; $18 members and students. (7 to 11 p.m.)
🚲 Saturday, Nov. 16: Cranksgiving Philly
Join this bicycle-powered scavenger hunt-style food drive, where participants scour the city to purchase food from various “checkpoints.” Meet at Penn Treaty Park to race to compete for prizes, take a leisurely ride toward the finish line, or just bring some donations to drop off at the end! All collected food will be donated to Philabundance. (11 a.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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