Philadelphia
Paul Prescod discusses State Senate campaign, importance of public education with Penn Dems
About 25 Penn Democrats members attended the talk, which took place on the evening of March 30. Prescod spoke to the group about his platform and plans for if he is elected.
Enforcement of city-wide plastic bag ban to begin April 1
The city postponed enforcing the ban for six months to help businesses adjust.
Philadelphia School District announces plan to improve aging buildings
On March 22, the district announced the Facilities Planning Process, a plan to renovate Philadelphia school buildings and meet students' educational needs with community input.
The DP analyzed three years of UPennAlerts. Here’s what we found.
In 2021, the Division of Public Safety issued a total of 67 UPennAlerts, up from 58 alerts in 2020 and 34 in 2019.
Philadelphia high schools shift to a later start time
The decision arrives in response to a nationwide shift toward later school start times in order to accommodate teenage sleep patterns and enhance academic performance
Chestnut Street Bridge reopens following two years of construction closures
The bridge — which crosses the Schuylkill River, connecting Center City to University City and West Philadelphia — first closed its traffic in early August 2019
Philadelphia Police Department reports a recent decrease in carjackings
The rate — which was on the rise earlier this year — fell to a record low of 20 carjackings in the week of March 9 to March 16.
Penn Med, Drexel, Wawa partner with SEPTA to provide free access for employees
The three institutions will purchase over 15,600 monthly passes for $140 each and distribute them to employees in the hopes of increasing riding rates back to pre-pandemic levels.
Philadelphia restaurant owners frustrated by new regulations for "streeteries"
In December 2021, the Philadelphia Council passed a bill that permanently legalized streeteries in certain areas across the city
Pa. Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of new congressional district map
The Court selected the map, known as the Carter plan, for its “least-change” approach, preserving many elements of the current congressional map.
New Pennsylvania state marker commemorates 1967 Philadelphia Black student walkouts
Five university students — College first year Taryn Flaherty, and four other first years from different schools — applied for the state marker in 2019.
Phila. health department clarifies incorrect COVID-19 vaccine data resulted from a staff error
The department double-counted thousands of records on the city’s COVID-19 dashboard in a failure to discern the doses, resulting in a raw number significantly higher than the actual pediatric vaccination rate.
Hundreds rally against eviction of UC Townhomes residents at block party protest
Participants enjoyed food prepared by the townhome residents, listened to music, and conversed with community members. Organizers also led a march around the UC Townhomes complex.
Market, Chestnut Streets to receive upgraded bike lanes in push to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030
The renovations are a part of Philadelphia’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate all traffic-related deaths by 2030.
The School District of Philadelphia has lifted its mask mandate
The School District lifted the mask mandate one week after Philadelphia health officials announced that Philadelphia is in the "All Clear" phase of the COVID-19 precautions tier.
Developer to file lawsuit over legislation preventing the sale of University City Townhomes
The Philadelphia City Council approved the bill in a 15-1 vote on March 10, WHYY reported.
Penn drops mask mandate in most indoor settings, effective immediately
Community members will no longer be required to wear a mask in athletic facilities, libraries, residential halls, and dining halls.
Philadelphia Health Department addresses previous errors in reported COVID-19 vaccination data
In response, Philadelphia will now have a second team of experts to verify vaccine numbers in addition to a new monthly review of vaccination data, the Inquirer reported.
Penn mulls lifting mask mandate as on-campus COVID-19 positivity rate remains low
Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé told the DP that the University is working in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia to determine whether it is safe to reverse the mask mandate.