Meir Rinde
@meirrinde.bsky.social
South Philly, reporter at Billy Penn/WHYY https://billypenn.com/
Please join us Wednesday at WHYY’s studios for the Billies Awards, Billy Penn’s annual celebration of standout Philadelphians profiled by the city’s hyperlocal news site.
Billy Penn’s Billies Awards return for an 11th year on Dec. 10
Join us for a night celebrating some of the biggest stories — and most fascinating Philadelphians — of the past year.
billypenn.com
Rittenhouse Square’s new 7000-square-foot dart bar aims to infuse some flash and innovation — and high-end cocktails — into the beloved game.
Flight Club’s high-tech darts bar hits the mark in Philly opening
The new, 7,000-square-foot space rebrands the classic bar game with craft cocktails and lobster mac-and-cheese balls.
billypenn.com
“The Trump administration is currently breaking every law that they could find,” said Adam Sheridan, one of the thousands of protesters at different events in Center City. “There’s a climate of fear that didn’t exist the first term.”
At May Day protests and Sanders' rally, area residents voice their concerns
Bernie Sanders’ rally at City Hall is the headliner, but Philadelphia played host to multiple smaller rallies and protests Thursday.
billypenn.com
$22,000 for dumping a couch? $963,000 for a batch of tires and debris? Philadelphia has boosted illegal dumping fines sharply, and is suing accused dumpers in civil court.
$22,000 for dumping a couch? Philly boosts fines sharply and sues to collect.
Most violators have yet to pay up, but officials contend dumping is declining.
billypenn.com
"Anyone currently living in the country and earning XP on Duolingo must comply and register with the government or face deportation." theonion.com/dhs-beg...
DHS Begins National Registry Of Duolingo Users
WASHINGTON—Warning that the highly suspicious individuals constituted a threat to the country’s safety and cultural unity, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced plans Monday to create a national registry of Duolingo users. “For unknown reasons, there are people in this country attempting to learn foreign languages ranging from Italian to Japanese, and we need […]
theonion.com
“It’s prime time for density along Market Street,” said Jessie Lawrence, Philadelphia's planning director. “Everything along Market Street could be big, and it could be high.”
Market East’s future — think big, go big
Planning director says plans need to include housing, and bring the city together.
billypenn.com
“The journey has just been so incredible and so far beyond anything I’ve imagined,” Murphy said. “That’s why it’s so important to always dream.”
We spoke to ‘Inner Excellence’ author Jim Murphy, who has a message — you’re more than wins and losses
Jim Murphy's instruction to readers and clients include that they should always dream big and set their sights on a reality that has unlimited abundance. It comes from experience.
billypenn.com
The city’s planning process for Market East seems to be in limbo, and the Sixers’ and Comcast’s intentions for helping redevelop the corridor are still unclear. I talked to some local experts who have practical ideas for how to jumpstart redevelopment along the stagnant corridor in Center City.
How to fix Market East: Less parking, more homes, and government aid
With the Philadelphia’s planning efforts still unclear, experts offer suggestions for progress.
billypenn.com
Today, Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro is touting a new agreement to limit electric rate increases, after he sued the regional grid operator. More here: billypenn.com/2025/01/28/p...
Electric grid operator agrees to Shapiro demand on power price cap
The change by PJM will prevent $4 billion in rate increases starting next year, governor says.
billypenn.com
From reducing crime to picking up more trash (and moving the Sixers to Center City), we check where things stand with Mayor Parker's ambitious agenda one year in.
One year in, how is Mayor Parker progressing on her goals?
From reducing crime to picking up more trash and building affordable housing, it’s a mixed picture so far.
billypenn.com
They pushed against Sixers arena, till arena suddenly stopped pushing back. A crazy Sunday in Philly.
'Initial skepticism, dazed elation, then cautious optimism' - Arena opponents relieved after Sixers says they’ll stay in place
Opponents of the Sixers arena proposal to build in Center City were ectstatic Sunday at news the team would stay in South Philly.
buff.ly
Will Trump launch a wave of mass sweeps, detentions, and deportations, and really be able to end temporary protected status, and strip citizenship from some naturalized immigrants? The uncertainty is prompting fear and action among many Philadelphians. billypenn.com/2025/01/06/u...
Immigrants in Philly stress about their futures under Trump
Lacking clear information, they believe rumors or gird for deportation.
billypenn.com
In Case You Missed It: Work has finally started on the long-planned, pedestrian-friendly revamp of the eastern end of Market Street.
Overhaul of Market Street in Old City gets underway
By 2026, expect a narrower street, a new plaza and raised bike lanes.
billypenn.com
Wissahickon's new elevated path gives pedestrians an alternative to walking in a sometimes traffic-choked road, and offers an observation deck for the stream and the rocky schist hillside.
At long last, a new pedestrian bridge for Wissahickon Valley Park
The project restores Valley Green Run in Philadelphia's hugely popular city park.
billypenn.com
🍪🍪🍪Thanks in part to a bunch of new cookie shops, the retail scene in Center City is pretty strong, according to Philly's downtown biz association. Building occupancy rates are unlikely to return pre-pandemic levels in the near future, but they say they've reached a healthy "new normal." 🍪🍪🍪
Experts say Center City retail stabilizes but has room to grow
Filling a glut of vacant commercial spaces remains a challenge
billypenn.com
“I’ve never seen it from this view, and it really is spectacular,” said Warren Jones, a conservancy board member. “You get a feel for the true length of this ship — 990 feet, it’s a big ship.”
It stayed put, but admirers got an up-close look at SS United States
Plans to move the near-1,000-foot-long vessel between piers Thursday were scrapped. A new schedule was not provided.
billypenn.com
The changes were supposed to start rolling out next summer, but the transit authority is putting them on hold as it prepares to hike fares sharply and plan extensive service cuts.
SEPTA postpones Bus Revolution due to budget deficit
The plan for more frequent and reliable buses is the funding crisis’ first victim.
billypenn.com
SEPTA’s COO says its “death spiral” has begun. billypenn.com/2024/11/12/s...
SEPTA says it'll raise fares additional 21.5%, shut down some routes
SEPTA will raise fares nearly 30% by January and prepare to shut down dozens of routes after the state legislature declined to approve a funding boost for the beleaguered agency.
billypenn.com
While their contract expired at midnight, leaders of Transit Workers Union Local 234 report that talks are progressing, so members will keep working as negotiations go on.
SEPTA workers stay on the job Friday morning
Thousands of SEPTA union workers will stay on the job Friday as they continue negotiating with the transit agency.
billypenn.com
Billy Penn reporters hit the streets to hear what Philadelphians thought — and how they felt — about Trump's presidential victory.
From ‘heartbroken’ to ‘elated’: Philly reacts to the election
Both sides had framed the presidential election in apocalyptic terms, so it was certain that no matter how it ended, some people would feel great and some would despair. We hit the streets and ... we ...
billypenn.com
As the Sixers arena debate rages, councilmanic prerogative takes center stage.
Philly’s councilmanic prerogative explained
Councilmember Mark Squilla represents the area proposed as the new home for the 76ers. His say will go a long way on the future of those plans.
billypenn.com
Philly skaters says plaza-style street skating could be doomed in the city with the renovation of "Muni," the plaza across the street from City Hall. https://billypenn.com/2023/07/03/philadelphia-skateboarding-thomas-paine-plaza-muni-your-move/
Billy Penn Streetfighter fundraising video (donations are still being accepted!!) https://mailchi.mp/billypenn/eofy23-email4-4180275?e=31dce783cf
LAST CALL! Double your donation 💰
mailchi.mp
