SEPTA’s plan to make what it describes as modest fare hikes starting December 1 is drawing pushback from riders who say the agency should consider other ways of addressing its budget woes.
Some customers object to a fare increase for users of SEPTA Key and mobile systems like Apple Pay — their per-trip cost would jump 25%, from $2 to $2.50, ending a longtime Key card discount. Continue reading…
For three years, “The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour” has offered a guided stroll to historic sites — with illusions performed at each stop. Drawing inspiration from Noel Britten in Bath, England, Philly magician Robert Malissa created his own version for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. After some fine tuning, he transferred the show to the streets of Old City. BP’s Nick Kariuki gives us a peek into what to expect on this magical excursion. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Why Philadelphia won’t finish counting mail ballots on Election Day, but Pittsburgh will. [Capital-Star]
• The Philadelphia Water Department shared a public inventory of the city’s lead pipes. The material of service lines connecting hundreds of thousands of properties is unknown. [WHYY]
• The man wanted for allegedly hitting three nurses and a shooting victim outside Penn Presbyterian’s ER in University City over the weekend has turned himself in. [6ABC]
• Penn is named in a lawsuit accusing universities across the U.S. of engaging in a price-fixing scheme targeting divorced parents. [TheDP.com]
• Lincoln Financial Field will temporarily adopt a new name during the FIFA World Cup in 2026: Philadelphia Stadium. [Axios]
• Philly singer Aliyah Khaylyn, 23, performed a cover of Tamar Braxton’s “Love and War” on NBC’s “The Voice” and opted to join team Michael Bublé. [NBC10]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor is out of town and has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🐦⬛ Friday, Oct. 18: Poetober + Movies on the Mall
Learn more about the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, at Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, where there will be fun, Poe-inspired activities like Two-Sentence Horror Stories, a Ranger Program, and games. Then stay for a screening of “The Sixth Sense”! (5 p.m. Poetober, 6:30 p.m. screening)
👻 Saturday, Oct. 19: Oktoberfest Fall Craft Market
Local craft makers and artists will be inside Independence Visitors Center, near Art Star’s shop and the outdoor Liberty Beer Garden. The event is part of the “Halloween in the Historic District” lineup of pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, costume contests, and more. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
🍬 Saturday, Oct. 19: Trunk or Treat & Fall Fest
Support Adaire Elementary while dressed in costumes and enjoying food, games, a magician, the parent band, and Halloween-decorated vehicles, bikes, and tables parked along Palmer Street, full of candy and goodies! (1 to 4 p.m.)
☕ Through Sunday, Oct. 20: The Café Mocha Murders
Pier Players presents a caffeinated whodunit with latte art and the imminent threat of death at Christ Church Neighborhood House. Coffee, pastries, snacks, and 21+ beverages will be served. $16.30 or pay-what-you-can. (7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Fri-Sat; 2 p.m. Sunday)
🎞️ Through Sunday, Oct. 27: 33rd Philadelphia Film Festival
This year’s Festival will offer in-person screenings at all PFS venues (Film Society Center, Film Society Bourse, and Film Society East). Tickets and film details are here.
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