The Philadelphia Citizen

Guest Commentary: Philadelphia Youth Network Offers More Than a Paycheck Learning real-world skills before graduation is critical to securing wealth-building jobs. Philadelphia Youth Network is working on it

Philadelphia Youth Network specializes in giving Philly's young people access to career opportunities before high school graduation. The president and CEO urges all of us to help Philly's next generation get ahead. 

Will PA Ever Legalize Weed? Can recreational weed possibly be the problem-solver that advocates — including Gov. Shapiro — are looking for?

And, can it possibly be the problem-solver advocates are looking for? 

Lane Johnson's Season of Strong Mental Health with Robert Irvine Lane Johnson admires Food Network Star Robert Irvine’s work with our military and first responders as much as he lauds his attitude on life

“I get up every morning knowing that we can do something for someone less fortunate. The food is just the vehicle that gets me there.” The two-time Super Bowl champ talks with Food Network Star Robert Irvine. 

Citizens of the Week: Project MEOW West Philadelphia's all-volunteer Project MEOW takes a cat-by-cat approach to caring for some of the city’s 400,000 strays

All-volunteer group in West Philadelphia @projectmeow.bsky.social takes a cat-by-cat approach to caring for some of the city's 400,000 strays, and wants your help. 

The New Urban Order: 5 Vibe-y Predictions for 2026 2026 Will Be The Year of the Renter ... and four other vibe-y predictions for cities in the upoming new year

A list of all the ways Philly and other cities around the nation will evolve in the new year. 

12 Wonderful Women-Owned Restaurants in Philly Some of our favorite women-run restaurants in Philly serving noodles, pizza, Chinese, Thai, brunch and loads more delicious grub.

Philly's restaurant scene is having a moment right now. Here, our favorite women-owned spots in the city.

Ideas We Should Steal: Five Ways SEPTA Can Save Itself SEPTA does not have to face a “death spiral” every year. Here’s how other city systems are not just surviving, but thriving

The transit agency does not have to face a "death spiral" every year. Here's how other city systems are not just surviving, but thriving. 

Things to Do in Philly This Week and Weekend Things to do in Philly this week: Old City Menorah Lighting, Cabaret at The Wanamaker, Philly Pops, The Roddenberries, GayBINGO Toy drive ...

This week The Roddenberries holiday show comes to City Winery, Philly Pops Holiday Spectacular is at Marian Anderson Hall, Old City lights its Menorah, Bearded Ladies Cabaret comes to the Wanamaker, and so much more!

Listen: Ali Velshi Incompetence and Showmanship in Trump 2.0 Ali Velshi reviews Trump Administration failures as a consequence of picking inexperienced loyalists instead of qualified professionals

According to @ms.now host and Citizen board member @velshi.com, President Trump's administration was chosen based on showmanship over experience. It's one of the reasons the presidency is failing. 

Business for Good: Made Institute Couture designer Rachel Ford traded her fashion career for one that teaches amateurs — 225 so far — to pursue their own design dreams.

The founder of Philly's Made Institute has worked in corporate fashion and designed costumes for the Philadelphia Opera. Now, she's teaching beginners of all types to pursue their own fashion dreams.

Weekly News Roundup - Citizen Staff Must-Reads Citizen Must Reads: Political violence, opportunity zones, re-illegalizing weed (but not cocaine traffickers) and more news from this week.

Political violence, opportunity zones, re-illegalizing weed (but not cocaine traffickers) and more news from the week that was.

Citizen of the Week: Jigar Mehta Jigar Mehta led an effort to spare small businesses from a shocking tax increase wrought by the Mayor's new tax plan. Will it become law?

Jigar Mehta led an effort to spare small businesses from a shocking tax increase next year wrought by Mayor Parker’s new tax plan. Will it become law?

Local News Matters. On Giving Tuesday and Beyond Citizen Media Group CEO/President Larry Platt on why what we do matters now more than ever and how you can keep us going this giving Tuesday

Citizen Media Group CEO/President on why what we do matters now more than ever, and how you can keep us going. 

20 great Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia that do good Cafés, pizza and water ice joints, shop, bookstores, and even an auto mechanic whose Black owners are committed to making our city better.

Shops, cafés, pizza and water ice joints, beauty boutiques, bookstores, and even an auto mechanic whose Black owners are committed to making our city better

Citizen of the Week: Rob Lawless and his 10,000 Friends 33-year-old Philadelphian Rob Lawless has spent the last decade connecting with his fellow humans. So far, he’s met 7,000 — and counting

The 34-year-old Philadelphian has spent the last decade connecting with his fellow humans. So far, he's met 7,000 and counting. 

Guest Commentary: Let All Workers Vote in Open Primaries Many of Philly's 150,000 union members are registered independents. The AFL-CIO President wants open primaries in which these workers can vote

Philly’s AFL-CIO President represents 150,000 union members — many of whom can’t vote in primaries because they are registered as Independents. He demands their right to cast a ballot

Yo, Eagles Fans, Cut It Out Hurling eggs at an Eagles coach’s house isn’t gritty — it’s bullying. It’s time to retire the mean routine, and not just in sports

Hurling eggs at an Eagles coach’s house isn’t gritty — it’s bullying. It’s time to retire the mean routine, and not just in sports

Book Excerpt: The Caring Company The Caring Company argues that corporations must orient their core activities away from profits if capitalism is to survive and thrive.

A new book argues that corporations must orient their core activities away from profits if capitalism is to survive, and thrive, in this present moment.

Business for Good: The Baby Gear Revolution Launched in Philly Baby Gear Group, now a B Corp and a Time magazine invention of the year, lets families rent strollers and other childcare essentials

Baby Gear Group was named a Time magazine invention of the year by letting families rent strolled and other childcare essentials for a fraction of the cost and environmental impact. 

Market East Needs More … Everybody Philly's struggling Market East corridor needs more residents, more workers, and more tourists, according to a local housing advocate

More residents, more workers, more tourists, according to local housing advocate @jongeeting.bsky.social.

Guest Commentary: Supportive Housing Shouldn’t Be Competitive Automated systems decide which homeless Philadelphians get housing and who doesn't, often in ways that feel arbitrary to those waiting

Automated systems decide which homeless Philadelphians get housing and who stays on the street — often in ways that feel arbitrary to those waiting

This weekend in Philly, we have the Fishtown Freeze, the closing weekend of Hadestown, Science After Hours, Krampusnacht Festival, and so much more!

New Voters For America’s Future Jahnavi Rao launched New Voters to register her peers in 2017. Her nonprofit challenges young people to own America’s next 250 years.

A Conestoga High student launched New Voters to register her peers in 2017. Now her nonprofit is challenging young people to claim ownership over America’s next 250 years.

2025 Good Things to Do (Philadelphia) Citizen Calendar There are so many good things to do in 2025 to make this year in Philadelphia your civic best, from volunteering to celebrating!

Your guide to civic action in Philadelphia this month

Listen: Ali Velshi Breaks Down Who Trump's Economy Hurts Most Ali Velshi is joined by Justin Wolfers and Caleb Silver to talk about Trump's economy, the job market, manufacturing, and cost of living

@ms.now host and Citizen board member @velshi.com is joined by @justinwolfers.bsky.social and Caleb Silver to discuss how Trump's policies are harming American prosperity

20 great Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia that do good Cafés, pizza and water ice joints, shop, bookstores, and even an auto mechanic whose Black owners are committed to making our city better.

Instead of buying your gifts from big, corporate chains, support these Black-owned businesses in Philly. Their owners are committed to making our city better. 

Yo, Eagles Fans, Cut It Out Hurling eggs at an Eagles coach’s house isn’t gritty — it’s bullying. It’s time to retire the mean routine, and not just in sports

We've thrown snowballs at Santa, thrown batteries at opposing teams, and now we've thrown eggs at a coach's house. Philly fans, can't we just be a little less mean? 

New Voters For America’s Future Jahnavi Rao launched New Voters to register her peers in 2017. Her nonprofit challenges young people to own America’s next 250 years.

In 2017, a Conestoga High student started New Voters, a club that registered 85 percent of eligible voters at her school. Now, it's a state-wide nonprofit looking to recruit young people to take ownership of their country. 

Say Goodbye To Your (Almost) Weed Seltzer The the U.S. government just banned all hemp products, threatening more than 9,000 jobs — and $50 million in tax revenue.

Tucked away in the Senate bill to fund the U.S. government is a provision that would ban all hemp products. In PA, that threatens more than 9,000 jobs and $50 million in tax revenue. 

Weekly News Roundup - Citizen Staff Must-Reads Citizen Must Reads: Political violence, opportunity zones, re-illegalizing weed (but not cocaine traffickers) and more news from this week.

It's hard to keep up with everything during the holidays. That's why we've compiled a guide to help you understand what's happening in national news.