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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.

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.

I'll take them for... cash?

I like Brooklyn Special Effects Hoppy Amber. It’s different from beer, but pleasant in its own way.

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.

Rittenhouse Square’s new 7000-square-foot dart bar aims to infuse some flash and innovation — and high-end cocktails — into the beloved game.

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.

“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.”

$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.

$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.

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 […]

"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...

Market East’s future — think big, go big Planning director says plans need to include housing, and bring the city together.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

Yeah, honky tonk was a funny word to use. I don't think Pulver meant too commercial -- Rittenhouse also has plenty of commerce. I think he meant low-brow or shabby. Although, by the way, he thought National's East Market development is great. So clearly some contradictions there.

Who coined ‘Brotherly Shove’ for the Eagles’ unstoppable play? A redditor who pushed for the phrase is living his best life now that it’s been adopted by media — and the NFL.

Where did “brotherly shove” come from?

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

😔

But what happened to the goose?

Now they need to ban Outlook.

'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.

They pushed against Sixers arena, till arena suddenly stopped pushing back. A crazy Sunday in Philly.

Immigrants in Philly stress about their futures under Trump Lacking clear information, they believe rumors or gird for deportation.

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...

Overhaul of Market Street in Old City gets underway By 2026, expect a narrower street, a new plaza and raised bike lanes.

In Case You Missed It: Work has finally started on the long-planned, pedestrian-friendly revamp of the eastern end of Market Street.

At long last, a new pedestrian bridge for Wissahickon Valley Park The project restores Valley Green Run in Philadelphia's hugely popular city park.

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.

Experts say Center City retail stabilizes but has room to grow Filling a glut of vacant commercial spaces remains a challenge

🍪🍪🍪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." 🍪🍪🍪

Billy Penn is on Bluesky! Check us out at bsky.app/profile/bill...

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.

“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.”

SEPTA postpones Bus Revolution due to budget deficit The plan for more frequent and reliable buses is the funding crisis’ first victim.

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 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.

SEPTA’s COO says its “death spiral” has begun. billypenn.com/2024/11/12/s...

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.

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.

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 ...

Billy Penn reporters hit the streets to hear what Philadelphians thought — and how they felt — about Trump's presidential victory.

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.

As the Sixers arena debate rages, councilmanic prerogative takes center stage.