Billy Penn at WHYY

Philly's 52 Weeks of Firsts: Germantown's public protest of slavery The last “Firstival” during Black History Month will balance respectful remembrance with a celebration of activists, past and present, who fought to end slavery.

Today's #America250 Firstival event in Germantown will celebrate a 1688 protest by Mennonites and Quakers who were outraged by the practice of slavery when they arrived in the Philadelphia area. billypenn.com/2026/02/27/p...

Philadelphia Union: What to know before 2026’s MLS home opener It’s been an up-and-down start for the team ahead of its MLS home opener. Here’s a quick refresher to get you caught up.

The Philadelphia Union hopes to bounce back this Sunday in the home opener at Subaru Park against New York City F.C.

Here’s a quick recap of the player changes, and what to look forward to this season.

2026 One Book, One Philly highlights dystopian novel that celebrates libraries “Our Missing Hearts,” a dystopian novel by Celeste Ng, is set in a near-future America where “un-American” ideas are scrubbed from shelves.

“‘Our Missing Hearts’ is really a love letter to reading, to libraries, to stories and also to America,” author Celeste Ng told Billy Penn. “It touches on questions of what do libraries do to build community, [and] what do our stories do to help us understand our history.”

30th St. bus station idea gets love; Oyster House honors; Blood need grows | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Crisp reflections at Cherry Street Pier(Photo by @jim50tim) 30th Street a popular option for future intercity bus station Officially, the city is considering three potential ...

Philly loves oysters, the idea of a 30th Street bus station, its new One Book selection and more in today's Morning Roundup newsletter.

Check out the full recap of today's top stories + what to do this weekend!

Inside Oyster House’s James Beard win for Philadelphia Owner Sam Mink said the America’s Classics honor couldn’t have come at a better time, as the restaurant celebrates its 50th birthday.

“We can be a restaurant where people come out and splurge,” Oyster House owner Sam Mink said, or where “a construction worker comes in with his hard hat and enjoys a bowl of chowder and a beer after a shift.”

Future intercity bus terminal near 30th Street Station proves popular at open house Creating an intermodal transit hub is “very exciting,” city planner says, but would be very expensive and require close coordination with Amtrak.

Building a bus terminal at 30th St would a “very expensive” and complicated project, but it’s technically feasible, a planner said — “it would just require an expansion and reinforcement of what’s there.”

How Philly hopes to continue decline in new HIV infections The Philadelphia HIV Resource Finder allows Philadelphians to search for treatment and prevention resources throughout the city.

Philly is adding a new resource to its effort to end the HIV epidemic — a “one-stop shop” to help find treatment and prevention resources throughout the city.

PECO profits soar; HIV resources in one spot; Funeral cost assistance | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Here’s lookin’ at you, snow cat(Photo by @amtlphilly) New city tool provides ‘one-stop shop’ for critical HIV resources Philadelphia is adding a new resource to its effort […...

Philly opened a new LGBTQ+ tourism center, is announcing the next One Book One Philly selection, and is still pushing for the rest of the President's House Site slavery exhibit to be restored.

Get these and more updates in today's morning newsletter roundup! billypenn.com/2026/02/26/p...

Philly's old Greyhound bus station will reopen under city management in May. But long-term?

Weigh in with your thoughts on the city's 3 official options at town halls, the first of which is TONIGHT from 6-8 p.m. at Independence Visitor Center. billypenn.com/2026/02/18/i...

Plant native blooms in time for spring with Philly’s favorite squid scientist Local butterflies and bees need more homes. Philly’s science community has some creative solutions.

Seen posters with packets of seeds hanging from the bottom around the city? That's just phase one in @sarahmackattack.bsky.social's guerrilla marketing effort to boost Philly's biodiversity.
billypenn.com/2026/02/24/s...

We collaborate with @billy-penn.bsky.social to produce the Weekly Brief on gun violence prevention, delivered via their daily newsletter every Wednesday. Here's this week's edition: mailchi.mp/billypenn/we...

Plant Philly seeds; All about RCOs; Weekly gun violence brief | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Lion dancing on shadow hands(Photo by @rinaspix) Plant native blooms in time for spring with Philly’s favorite squid scientist Posters, pint glasses and seed bombs are three ...

Get out and about as we gear up for spring! Whether gardening w/ native Philly plants, participating in local RCOs and civic groups, or checking out one of the many events in the Billy Penn calendar!

Check out today's daily newsletter: billypenn.com/2026/02/25/n...

Plant native blooms in time for spring with Philly’s favorite squid scientist Local butterflies and bees need more homes. Philly’s science community has some creative solutions.

Oh hey!! A Billy Penn article all about the Native Plant project is OUT! Featuring interviews from me, @zajic.com @megstampede.bsky.social and @the666cat.bsky.social!

Check it out! billypenn.com/2026/02/24/s...

The Philly Black History Syllabus: 13 must-read books to understand our city Experts share what books you should be reading this Black History Month.

Philly has made a lot of black history. So if you wanted to get a strong grasp of this history, what books should you read? We have a list.

Philly's 52 Weeks of Firsts: Next 'Firstival’ recognizes America's first authentic Chinatown Gate The symbol of community pride, cultural exchange and friendship was built in 1984 and is being remembered during this year's Lunar New Year celebrations.

This past weekend's 'Firstival' celebrated America's first authentic Chinatown Gate. The symbol of community pride, cultural exchange and friendship was built in 1984 and is being remembered during this year's Lunar New Year celebrations. billypenn.com/2026/02/20/p...

Parker defends her governing style in passionate Black History Month speech The mayor says she hides her “love” for immigrants and vulnerable residents to protect federal funding.

Mayor Cherelle Parker defended her governing style in a passionate speech last week. Parker says she hides her “love” for immigrants and vulnerable residents to protect federal funding. billypenn.com/2026/02/23/c...

Correction: Sunday through Friday! Six days a week!

Parker on protecting immigrants; Local Olympian results; SEPTA ending Key Tix | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Icy lamp cap(Photo by @bhalda) Parker defends her efforts to protect Philly immigrants Mayor Cherelle Parker defended her governing style during a heartfelt speech Friday, sa...

This morning in Billy Penn's Morning Roundup: Schools close today, Cherelle Parker discusses protecting immigrants, How local Olympians fared in Italy, and more.

Sign up now to get the BP newsletter Sunday through Monday in your inbox! billypenn.com/2026/02/24/c...

Philly chickenman invites city to abandoned pier to...watch him eat “It’s a powerful thing I’m doing and it only felt right to share,” he explained.

RIP chickens! billypenn.com/2022/10/30/c...

Winter Olympics: How all the Pa., N.J. athletes did at Milano Cortina 2026 There were plenty of athletes from Pennsylvania and New Jersey competing this month, and more who will be in the upcoming Paralympics.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games came to a close last night, with Team USA winning 33 medals, 12 of them gold.

Here’s how the athletes with Pennsylvania and New Jersey ties fared, plus see which Paralympians to can look out for beginning March 6. billypenn.com/2026/02/23/m...

‘Love Is Blind’ is casting in Philly! Bring on the pods The show is looking for singles in Philadelphia who are “READY for a committed relationship.” Before they head to the altar, we explore where they might head in the city.

The new season of Netflix's "Love is Blind" is out, with a new pod of Ohio-based singles searching for their soulmates. Could Philly be next, after getting a casting call last summer? billypenn.com/2025/07/29/l...

For upcoming Philly-centric Monopoly game, creators looking for locals’ input The Liberty Bell and Rocky Statue are locks, but Billy Penn is curious what you think deserves its own property square.

Philly is getting its own city-themed Monopoly this November and you have until this Saturday, Feb. 28 to help decide what landmarks go on the board.

Winter is especially tough on seniors – but there are solutions to winter blues The cold and darkness can be difficult, particularly for older adults. Here’s how older Philadelphians can stay engaged physically and mentally.

What can older adults do to overcome isolation during winter? From shorter days to colder weather, winter is tough on everyone, but especially seniors. Associate Nancy Hodgson is quoted @billy-penn.bsky.social

https://billypenn.com/2025/12/16/philly-seniors-winter-ideas-social-isolation-loneliness/

Celebrate the late Isaiah Zagar’s legacy by visiting one of his many public artworks Philly is covered in the artist's mosaic tiles. Here are some of his most impactful public pieces.

To remember Isaiah Zagar, who passed away this week, and celebrate his global legacy, Billy Penn assembled a list of some of his most significant artworks.

Unionized workers at Movement climbing gym in Philadelphia struggle to ink their first contract The outcome of negotiations in Philly and New York will shape the climbing industry, union says.

Movement Gyms, the nation’s biggest climbing chain, is locked in a contract standoff with the two-year-old union at its location on Callowhill Street.

Philadelphia slavery exhibit: Panels restored as court fight plays out The panels depict the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington while he was president.

"It feels like history being made again.” The slavery exhibit at the President's House site is going back up today — a month after its removal by the National Park Service.
billypenn.com/2026/02/19/p...

Options for Philly intercity bus terminal narrowed to three sites As city prepares to reopen the old Greyhound station, the search for a permanent location continues.

As Philly prepares to reopen the old Greyhound station, the search for a permanent location continues. The options for a new intercity bus terminal have been narrowed to three sites.

FIFA World Cup in Philly: Ivory Coast chooses Chester’s Subaru Park as base camp This summer, “Les Éléphants” will play two group stage games at the Linc and call Chester and Wilmington home.

The Ivory Coast national soccer team has chosen Chester’s Subaru Park as its FIFA World Cup base camp. This summer, “Les Éléphants” will play two group stage games at the Linc and call Chester and Wilmington home.

Amá is hosting Philly’s best chefs for a high-end Taco Tuesday series Chefs from favorites including Mawn, El Chingon and Palizzi Social Club, are representing charitable organizations for a new ‘Taco Novela’ event.

Amá is hosting Philly’s best chefs for a high-end Taco Tuesday series. Chefs from favorites including Mawn, El Chingon and Palizzi Social Club, are representing charitable organizations for a new ‘Taco Novela’ event. billypenn.com/2026/02/18/a...

Philly bookstores: A guide to the unique offerings The Philly bookstore community is like no other – from fantasy-focused bookstores to tarot card workshops, here are some unique offerings.

Unplug from the algorithm and find your new favorite novel in Philly's vast indie bookstore scene.
billypenn.com/2026/02/16/p...