City
Penn COVID-19 positivity rate stays low, as local rate rises
Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé said the majority of the cases were linked to either travel to areas with lower vaccination rates or transmission by unvaccinated family members.
Former Phila. Health Commissioner who disposed of MOVE remains appointed as D.C. executive
Farley resigned from his previous position after he admitted to authorizing the disposal without identifying the victims of the MOVE bombing, which killed 11 people.
Former Temple business school dean on trial for admissions fraud
Falsified admissions data led the business school’s online MBA program to be ranked No. 1 for four consecutive years.
Bipartisan federal infrastructure package will fund SEPTA and Delaware River watershed
The funding will primarily go towards local bridges, highways, and public transportation.
Philadelphia City Council advances legislation to make outdoor dining permanent
The proposed bill would allow streeteries to permanently set up in Center City, University City, business districts in Fishtown, and other areas.
DPS recommends Penn community stay indoors following junkyard fire, but doesn't cancel class
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is testing air samples for toxic pollution and recommended that those with heart or lung problems avoid exerting themselves in areas with smoke.
Rep. Krajewski announces $99,500 grant for restoration of The Woodlands cemetery
The grant will be used to improve infrastructure for the cemetery, including the re-pavement of roads and refurbishment of the cemetery’s gates.
Philadelphia makes COVID-19 vaccine available to children ages five to 11
The City of Philadelphia announced that the Health Department is working with vaccine providers to get children vaccinated in the same facilities as adults.
Larry Krasner reelected Philadelphia District Attorney
Over one million ballots were requested for this year’s election. As of Tuesday afternoon, 73% of these requested ballots were returned.
Penn students report ‘quick, painless’ voting process on campus this Election Day
In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, City Councilmember Helen Gym stressed the importance of Pennsylvania in national politics, and noted that many reforms college students care about are addressed at the local level.
University City sees fifth fastest office rent growth in North America from 2019 to 2021
CBRE reported that tech companies made up 22% of University City's office leasing activity, a 3% increase from 2020.
Penn's energy supplier issues formal complaint against Philadelphia Gas Works
Vicinity owns the system that provides steam heat to the University and residential and office buildings in Center City.
University City foot traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels
Center City, however, has not seen the same increase because many workers have not returned to their in-person workplaces.
Philadelphia ranks seventh 'rattiest city' in the country for second year in a row
Orkin, a pest control company, created the list based on the number of new commercial and residential rodent treatments it performed between Sept. 15, 2020 and Sept. 15, 2021.
Philadelphia bans traffic stops for low-level incidents known to target Black drivers
With the bill, Philadelphia becomes the first big city to ban these traffic stops that disproportionately affect people of color.
Philadelphia selected to participate in federal partnership to reduce violent crime
The three-year federal program from the Department of Justice will provide the Philadelphia Police Department with training and assistance in gun violence, community engagement, and crime analysis.
Penn Police superintendent Maureen Rush to retire by end of 2021
Rush has been at Penn since 1994, in which she launched several public safety initiatives on campus and faced criticism from University and Philadelphia community members.
Asbestos concerns linger a year after Penn pledged $100 million to Philadelphia schools
Various members of the Penn community, including parents, faculty members, and students, are still hopeful the University's donation can help mitigate the issue of environmental hazards — but worry that it may not be enough.
Philadelphia COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline extended after fears of worker shortages
The mandate now requires hospital and long term care facility workers and higher education faculty, students and staff to receive only their first vaccine dose by Oct. 15.