Philadelphia
Phila. prisons under ‘shelter in place’ measures after COVID-19 outbreak in city jails
After an outbreak inside city jails caused at least 150 infections, Philadelphia's Department of Prisons adopted shelter-in-place measures and indefinitely canceled prisoner transports to court dates, again prompting concern from prisoners-rights advocates.
In this week's crime log: Auto theft and stolen credit cards at Panera
In this week's crime log, four thefts from Acme, a bike theft, and a confidential case of sexual offense were reported.
Philadelphia ranks No. 13 best city for dating during the COVID-19 pandemic
The study relied on a satisfaction survey of renters which included questions about dating and outdoor recreation, and the number of single people in the area.
Philadelphia restaurant owners sue Mayor Jim Kenney and Phila. over indoor dining ban
The complaint alleges that the City of Philadelphia violated the Fifth Amendment by taking private property without compensation. The plaintiffs also allege that the city violated the Fourteenth Amendment by depriving restaurant owners of property without due process.
Students, experts greet Penn’s $100 million donation, but renew push for U. to pay PILOTs
Students and professors are backing Penn for PILOTs' demands that the University pay 40% of what it would owe in property taxes, which is almost four times the amount Penn has pledged to give annually, and continue contributing to the city well beyond the 10-year period.
Penn pledges $100 million to Philadelphia public schools to address environmental hazards
Penn will contribute $10 million annually over the next decade. The announcement comes as the University faces widespread criticism from both students and faculty for its refusal to make Payments in Lieu of Taxes, known as PILOTs, to the city of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia announces new COVID-19 restrictions, banning indoor gatherings
Philadelphia's new coronavirus restrictions include limits on outdoor gatherings and a complete ban on indoor group gatherings of any size, with city officials encouraging residents to not celebrate Thanksgiving with anyone outside their own household.
Less than one third of Philadelphia students opt in to hybrid plan to return to school
The district's plan for hybrid learning will allow students to return to school for two days each week, and will require all adults to complete and pass screening before entering schools and mandate the wearing of masks among students and staff.
Several Penn administrators, faculty ranked among most influential people in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Magazine's recent ranking of the most important people in Philadelphia featured Penn President Amy Gutmann, Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin Mahoney, along with renowned Penn professors Ezekiel Emanuel and Angela Duckworth and others.
Armed men attempting to stop vote counting arrested outside Pennsylvania Convention Center
At 10:20 p.m., the police spotted the two armed men without Pennsylvania arms permits. They were detained and later arrested for firearms charges.
SEPTA will deploy social workers alongside transit police in new pilot program
The pilot program, called Serving a Vulnerable Entity, will partner social service professionals with SEPTA transit police officers to treat individuals who are struggling with poverty, addiction and mental health crises.
Penn students flood the streets of Philadelphia to revel in Biden’s victory
Biden's win in Pennsylvania pushed him across the 270-vote threshold to become president-elect Saturday morning. Penn students and thousands of local residents filled the streets to rejoice the long-awaited victory.
Phila. police under investigation after officers smash SUV, beat woman, toddler during protests
During the Walter Wallace Jr. protests earlier this week, Philadelphia police officers bashed in the windows of an SUV and beat the female driver and another passenger, and shortly appeared to remove a toddler from the car. An investigation has since been opened into the incident, and reasons for the violence remain unclear.
Here's how Penn graduates running for office did on Election Day
They span across six states and the majority are running for seats in the United States House of Representatives. Nine are incumbents, while seven are running for the first time.
Penn students organize boycott of classes this week to promote student wellness
Students participating in the strike cited the cancellation of fall break, Penn’s failure to cancel classes on Election Day, and the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. as causes of students' mental health struggles this semester.
Hundreds march through West Philadelphia protesting police killing of Walter Wallace Jr.
At least 500 protesters, including Penn students, gathered at the corner of Locust and 61st streets on Saturday evening to protest the Philadelphia police killing of Walter Wallace Jr.
Philadelphia under a citywide curfew Friday for second night this week
Two Philadelphia police officers shot and killed Wallace Jr., a 27-year-old Black man, at 61st and Locust Streets on Monday, prompting protests near Penn’s campus on Monday night and throughout Tuesday.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules ballots can’t be tossed over mismatched signatures
The Oct. 23 decision marks a defeat for Trump’s reelection campaign and other Republicans, who challenged Pennsylvania officials alleging that matching signatures on ballots to those on voter rolls were necessary in preventing fraud.
Penn students flock to early voting, using mail-in ballots and city-run offices
In-person early voting began on Sept. 29 and will conclude on Oct. 27, coinciding with the last day to request a mail-in ballot.