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Axios Philadelphia
Descendants of slaves watch from Declaration House in new exhibit
Large eyes now fill the windows of the Declaration House — belonging to descendants of the enslaved people of Monticello.Why it matters: It's part of a new art exhibit reframing the story of Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia by spotlighting his enslaved valet, Robert Hemmings, who watched him write the document about freedom.State of play: Renowned artist Sonya Clark's installation, unveiled at the National Independence Historic Park on Monday, projects blinking images of the eyes of Hemmings' descendants and relatives of other slaves held in bondage at Monticello, Jefferson's sprawling plantation in Virginia.Those eyes peer down on...
Philadelphia indie bookstores double as social justice hubs
Philly's brick-and-mortar booksellers are no longer merely peddling pages alone.Why it matters: Indie bookstores have become hubs for social justice movements and diverse communities — as the related activism that defined the 2010s has seen some of its key initiatives unravel.State of play: The missions of bookstores have "radically changed" after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Rachel Gilman, The Feminist Press' sales and marketing coordinator.Counterculture and indie bookstores across the country have provided food, menstrual products and contraceptives to community members, the New York Times reported. Mutual aid efforts have also sprung out of bookstores.Zoom in:...
SEPTA cracks down on public nuisances
SEPTA is increasing fines for smoking, drinking alcohol, littering and committing other "quality-of-life" offenses on the public transit system.Why it matters: The new rule change for these low-level crimes comes with ramped-up enforcement to go after violators, who will have to pay penalties or fight them in court.How it works: Under the new policy, enforced by the city's Office of Administrative Review, fines for "quality-of-life" offenses range from $25-$150.People face enhanced penalties for not paying their fines and can have their cases bumped up to municipal court, per the Inquirer.The city will track individuals who don't pay and can ban...
Heat wave to peak in Philadelphia this weekend
The heat wave is forecast to peak in Philadelphia this weekend, sending temperatures soaring to dangerous levels.Why it matters: It's the season's first extreme heat dome, heightening risks to those without access to cooling, the very young and elderly, and those with chronic health conditions.State of play: Philadelphia extended a heat health emergency through Sunday, activating special services like cooling centers.The city's Water Department has also suspended shut-offs during the emergency.The latest: The lingering heat wave will push temps to the mid-90s Friday and a related advisory remains in effect through Saturday morning, per the National Weather Service (NWS).The heat...
"House of the Dragon'' stars stumped about hoagies
After the Phillies took London, you'd think our friends across the pond would know more about our cuisine.Why it matters: Philadelphia foodies consider it high treason if you're clueless about cheesesteaks.Driving the news: Cast members from HBO's popular series "House of the Dragon'' are going viral after they struggled mightily to describe our city's favorite sammy during an episode of BuzzFeed's Puppy Interview.Fabien Frankel, who plays knight Criston Cole and is filming another HBO series in town, cited cheesesteaks — specifically, Angelo's — as his favorite American food, flabbergasting his fellow Brits.Their reaction: Emma D'Arcy, who leads as Queen Rhaenyra, couldn't wrap their mind around the concept, prompting a discussion on the differences between a baguette and a hoagie roll.Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower, helpfully chimed in that it's "like a hot dog." (It's not.)The bottom line: Emma, you can get cheesesteaks in London.Sign up for Axios Philadelphia for free.
Philly's new police watchdog Tonya McClary: "I gotta walk the walk"
Philadelphia's new police watchdog Tonya McClary has been making the rounds since taking the helm of the civilian oversight agency a month ago.Why it matters: McClary, a veteran of police reform, takes over a police watchdog group racked by infighting and battling an openly hostile police union.Driving the news: McClary held her first town hall as the Citizens Police Oversight Commission's new leader this week.For an hour, she listened as some residents shared harrowing moments with police, including a mother whose son was killed by an officer and a young girl nearly tased by police after being sex trafficked.McClary tells...
What to do this weekend in Philly: Chinese Lantern Festival, Kidchella
🍽️ African Restaurant Week kicks off Thursday in Philly. Participating city restaurants include Abyssinia Bar & Restaurant and Youma African Cuisine. Runs through June 30.🍔 Grab some grub at the Old City Eats Block Party Thursday from 5-9pm on 2nd between Market and Chestnut streets. More than a dozen businesses in the historic district are participating.🍧 Stop by North Philly's Cherashore Playground for Community Day Thursday from 4-7pm. The event, part of the Wawa Welcome America Festival's slate of events, includes free food (including water ice), lawn games, vendors and info on health care services.🎻 Watch the 1989 blockbuster "Batman"...
Police ramp up enforcement in Kensington
Police are ramping up enforcement on open drug use and quality-of-life crimes in Kensington Tuesday.Why it matters: High levels of drug sales have been a precursor for gun violence and homicides in the neighborhood that's the epicenter of the city's opioid crisis.The big picture: The stricter enforcement follows a big encampment clearing operation in the neighborhood — part of Mayor Cherelle Parker's multi-phase plan to shut down Kensington's entrenched open-air drug markets, blight and homelessness.It also comes as Philadelphia issues new summer curfews for businesses in pockets of the city.State of play: The police department will boost the number of...
Philadelphia heat wave won't relent for awhile
Note: Forecast as of June 17, 3pm ET; Data: National Weather Service; Map: Jared Whalen/AxiosIf you thought Monday hot, temperatures are forecast to climb to dangerously high levels the rest of the week.Why it matters: Extreme heat can cause serious illness or death, and trigger utility disruptions knocking out air conditioning.State of play: A heat dome shifting toward the Philly region will bring temps of about 94 on Tuesday and Wednesday, per the National Weather Service.A heat advisory is in effect through Thursday 6am when the heat index could make it feel near 100.Then, Thursday is forecast to reach 97 before...
Red Bull is bringing a greased-pole competition to Philly
Red Bull is testing out Philadelphia's dominance in this town's ultimate sport: greased poles.Why it matters: The sports drink and sports events company better pack the extra greasy grease because Philadelphians have wings in this contest.Driving the news: Red Bull is heading to Philly on July 27 to launch their inaugural Championship Run in the estuary of the Spruce Street Harbor Park, per a news release.The first 100 contestants who sign up will take their turn sprinting up — instead of climbing — a greased pole.It costs $29 to enter the competition with prizes announced as the event draws closer.How...
When your Philadelphia public pool will open
Four public pools open on Monday to kick off the summer season in Philadelphia.Why it matters: The openings come as the region's first major heat wave of the year arrives, pushing temps into the 90s throughout the week.State of play: Philly is scheduled to open 25 public pools on a phased-in basis through June 23, per the city's website. The first batch of pools to open Monday:Chew Pool in Point BreezeKelly Pool beside the Please Touch MuseumHunting Park Pool in North PhillyScanlon Pool in HarrowgateHow it works: All open pools will offer public swim 1-4pm daily, with additional hours varying...
Philadelphia restaurants on track for their biggest year ever
2024 is expected to be the U.S. restaurant industry's biggest year ever in sales — and the trendline is looking promising in Philly too.Why it matters: The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the restaurant industry, but sales are now far higher than before it started — and climbing.The intrigue: That's despite big financial pressures on restaurateurs, such as tech investments and the cost of labor and food.The big picture: The National Restaurant Association estimates the U.S. restaurant industry will rake in $1.1 trillion by the end of December.That's up from $1.049 trillion last year and $864 billion in 2019, the year before the...
Where to celebrate Juneteenth in Philadelphia
Philadelphians are celebrating Juneteenth early with a full slate of festivals and events this weekend.Why it matters: The holiday commemorates the ending of slavery by marking the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, after the end of the Civil War to let the last enslaved Black people know they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation — issued by President Lincoln more than two years earlier.Driving the news: Sunday's Juneteenth Parade and Festival, the city's largest event, will draw more than 25,000 to Malcolm X Park in West Philly.What to expect: The parade kicks off at noon at S. Concourse...
Record-threatening heat wave bound for Philadelphia
A major heat wave is heading toward Philadelphia.Why it matters: The heat could threaten records across the U.S. and heighten health risks since people are not yet accustomed to the high temperatures this time of year.Driving the news: Temps are expected to reach 90 on Friday, but the hot, humid weather will really kick into gear next week, per the National Weather Service (NWS).Tuesday is forecast to reach above 95, and again Wednesday, with the heat index making it feel near 100, NWS meteorologist Amanda Lee tells Axios.The regional risk of excessive heat is predicted to stretch from June 20-26.Plus:...
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Axios Philadelphia, anchored by Michael D'onofrio and Taylor Allen, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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