Billy Penn at WHYY

Young Philadelphians dress up as their favorite Black historical figures The African American Museum of Philadelphia hosted a “Everyday Freedom Heroes” costume contest to highlight Black Americans’ contributions to the country.

The African American Museum celebrated Black History Month with a kid's costume contest featuring a parade of pint-sized Jackie Robinsons, Michelle Obamas, Martin Luther Kings and more historic leaders on the runway.
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Festival at Drexel on Saturday celebrates the world’s first-ever medical school for women With storytelling and exhibits, event honors early women doctors and their groundbreaking achievements.

We can't even imagine a world without female doctors, but it was once so. Drexel celebrates the world’s first-ever medical school for women this Saturday for this week's Firstival event.
billypenn.com/2026/03/10/p...

14 Philly pie spots to celebrate Pi Day Because Thanksgiving is not the only pie-centric holiday, we’re listing off some of Philly’s tastiest, flakiest treats.

#PiDay (March 14) is this Saturday! For some inspiration, check out our collection of sweet and savory pies around the city.
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The story of Zitner's Butter Krak Eggs and Philly's 100-year-old Easter tradition The Philadelphia confectioner started in a garage a century ago now sells candy in Texas and Arizona.

As we digest the news that Philadelphians will have to go without Zitner's chocolates this Easter, let's take a look back at how the Butter Krak Eggs and other beloved treats became a Philly tradition. billypenn.com/2022/04/15/z...

Women’s History Month in Philly: how you can celebrate From historical trolley tours and dance parties to remembering the first women's medical college, here's ideas on how to celebrate Women’s History Month in Philly.

From historical trolley tours and dance parties to remembering the first women's medical college, here's ideas on how to celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth in Philly. billypenn.com/2026/03/03/w...

Why Zitner’s chocolate eggs aren’t on shelves this Easter Local grocery stores already have their Easter displays up, but Zitner’s candies are nowhere to be found.

Unfortunately, Philadelphians will have to go without the coconutty buttercream delight of a chocolate-coated Butter Krak Egg this Easter. The Zitner’s treats are nowhere to be seen.

Nonprofit stained glass projects is first to move into former UArts Hamilton Hall The Stained Glass Project reopened in UArt’s former Hamilton Hall. The organization’s leader is a UArts alumni.

In its new home on South Broad Street, the Stained Glass Project aims to teach young artists confidence and a new skill in a safe and welcoming environment.

The Stoop Pigeon: Location of Philly’s new women’s sports hub announced The watch party bar, cafe and multiuse space is set to open in time for the FIFA World Cup.

Volume up: Starting this summer, the FIFA World Cup and the full variety of women’s sports will be on display on big screens at the 2,500 square-foot space at Broad and Pine streets.

Women’s History Month in Philly: how you can celebrate From historical trolley tours and dance parties to remembering the first women's medical college, here's ideas on how to celebrate Women’s History Month in Philly.

Women's History Month is upon us! From historical trolley tours and dance parties to remembering the first women's medical college, here's ideas on how to celebrate women's legacy and empowerment in Philly.

Philadelphia Flower Show: Saturday festival honors pioneering history during 52 Weeks Of Firsts The “Firstival” is part of the 52 Weeks of Firsts, celebrating America 250 and Philly’s central role in U.S. history.

The Philadelphia Flower Show debuted back in 1829, the first of its kind in the nation. This Saturday, a “Firstival” will celebrate the show and the city’s role in U.S. history.

Metropolitan Bakery is shuttering its Rittenhouse location and has been sold Merzbacher’s of Germantown is taking over operations and will continue selling Metropolitan baked goods at specialty shops.

Metropolitan Bakery, the Philly chain known for its sourdough loaves, is changing hands. Merzbacher's of Germantown will take over operations, while the bakery's Rittenhouse location will close.
billypenn.com/2026/03/04/m...

Philadelphia working to create 1,000 more long-term homeless shelter beds. A new 350-bed shelter will open soon, and other existing facilities are targeted for expansion.

Philadelphia’s new push to get to “a functional zero in homelessness” — meaning no one seeking shelter is turned away for lack of space — will depend on creating enough new beds and upgrading shelters, officials say. billypenn.com/2026/03/02/n...

#FIFAWorldCup 2026 is less than 100 days away and we've got the essential info you need to get ready for the games and festivities in Philly this summer.
Check out the guide here 👉🏽 bit.ly/4u6hWLC

FIFA World Cup: Philly celebrates 100 days till tournament kicks off Eagles star Brandon Graham helped the crowd practice soccer chants for the city’s six games in the global soccer spotlight.

Yesterday marked 100 days until The FIFA World Cup starts. Philadelphia’s host committee — plus Eagles star Brandon Graham! — joined the global celebrations counting down to the first game on June 11. billypenn.com/2026/03/03/f...

Philly’s literary translators want to increase visibility of their work Philly has a broad translator community that allows English speakers to consume work from many different countries and cultures.

We couldn't read the greats like Anna Karenina, The Metamorphosis or Don Quixote without literary translators. Philly's own are doing their part, translating anti-war journals from Russian, representing queer French texts and bringing new perspectives to the U.S.
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FIFA World Cup in Philly: What to know about this summer’s games, teams and festivities Whether or not you can name Mbappé, Vini Jr. or Pulisic, we’ll help get you ready for the six games and nine teams coming to Philly, and how you can join the festivities.

Let's goooooo! We're 100 days out from the #WorldCup. Our Billy Penn guide tells you everything you need to know.
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Historic district protections at risk; FIFA World Cup guide; Philly schools guarantee lunch | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Icy bird bath(Photo by @_mtkrupka) ‘Kind of stunned’: Court overturns Washington Square West historic district designation A Pennsylvania judge has thrown out the designation...

Today in Philly news: Historic district protections are at risk, Billy Penn launches its FIFA World Cup Guide, local public schools will guarantee lunch and bathroom breaks, lots on this week's calendar and more. billypenn.com/2026/03/03/h...

A judge overturned the Washington Square West historic district designation A preservation advocate called the decision “baffling,” saying it may put the city’s 41-year-old preservation law “in jeopardy.”

A Pennsylvania judge threw out the designation of the Washington Square West Historic District, threatening demolition protections for 1,400+ properties and potentially undermining the broader effort to preserve historically significant buildings across Philly. billypenn.com/2026/03/02/w...

Philly shelter expansion plan; First slavery protest in the U.S.; SEPTA's AI cams | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Inside and outside reflections(Photo by @karenbenson.eyeful) Philly’s shelter expansion aims to create 1,000 more beds Philadelphia’s new push to get to “a functional zero in...

Did you miss yesterday's morning newsletter, which featured the latest on Philly's shelter expansion plan, local reaction to the war in Iran, the last of February's #BlackHistoryMonth Firstivals and more? Catch up here! billypenn.com/2026/03/02/p...

Philly's 52 Weeks of Firsts: Germantown's public protest of slavery The last “Firstival” during Black History Month will balance respectful remembrance with a celebration of activists, past and present, who fought to end slavery.

Today's #America250 Firstival event in Germantown will celebrate a 1688 protest by Mennonites and Quakers who were outraged by the practice of slavery when they arrived in the Philadelphia area. billypenn.com/2026/02/27/p...

Philadelphia Union: What to know before 2026’s MLS home opener It’s been an up-and-down start for the team ahead of its MLS home opener. Here’s a quick refresher to get you caught up.

The Philadelphia Union hopes to bounce back this Sunday in the home opener at Subaru Park against New York City F.C.

Here’s a quick recap of the player changes, and what to look forward to this season.

2026 One Book, One Philly highlights dystopian novel that celebrates libraries “Our Missing Hearts,” a dystopian novel by Celeste Ng, is set in a near-future America where “un-American” ideas are scrubbed from shelves.

“‘Our Missing Hearts’ is really a love letter to reading, to libraries, to stories and also to America,” author Celeste Ng told Billy Penn. “It touches on questions of what do libraries do to build community, [and] what do our stories do to help us understand our history.”

30th St. bus station idea gets love; Oyster House honors; Blood need grows | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Crisp reflections at Cherry Street Pier(Photo by @jim50tim) 30th Street a popular option for future intercity bus station Officially, the city is considering three potential ...

Philly loves oysters, the idea of a 30th Street bus station, its new One Book selection and more in today's Morning Roundup newsletter.

Check out the full recap of today's top stories + what to do this weekend!

Inside Oyster House’s James Beard win for Philadelphia Owner Sam Mink said the America’s Classics honor couldn’t have come at a better time, as the restaurant celebrates its 50th birthday.

“We can be a restaurant where people come out and splurge,” Oyster House owner Sam Mink said, or where “a construction worker comes in with his hard hat and enjoys a bowl of chowder and a beer after a shift.”

Future intercity bus terminal near 30th Street Station proves popular at open house Creating an intermodal transit hub is “very exciting,” city planner says, but would be very expensive and require close coordination with Amtrak.

Building a bus terminal at 30th St would a “very expensive” and complicated project, but it’s technically feasible, a planner said — “it would just require an expansion and reinforcement of what’s there.”

How Philly hopes to continue decline in new HIV infections The Philadelphia HIV Resource Finder allows Philadelphians to search for treatment and prevention resources throughout the city.

Philly is adding a new resource to its effort to end the HIV epidemic — a “one-stop shop” to help find treatment and prevention resources throughout the city.

PECO profits soar; HIV resources in one spot; Funeral cost assistance | Morning Roundup #BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY Here’s lookin’ at you, snow cat(Photo by @amtlphilly) New city tool provides ‘one-stop shop’ for critical HIV resources Philadelphia is adding a new resource to its effort […...

Philly opened a new LGBTQ+ tourism center, is announcing the next One Book One Philly selection, and is still pushing for the rest of the President's House Site slavery exhibit to be restored.

Get these and more updates in today's morning newsletter roundup! billypenn.com/2026/02/26/p...

Philly's old Greyhound bus station will reopen under city management in May. But long-term?

Weigh in with your thoughts on the city's 3 official options at town halls, the first of which is TONIGHT from 6-8 p.m. at Independence Visitor Center. billypenn.com/2026/02/18/i...

Plant native blooms in time for spring with Philly’s favorite squid scientist Local butterflies and bees need more homes. Philly’s science community has some creative solutions.

Seen posters with packets of seeds hanging from the bottom around the city? That's just phase one in @sarahmackattack.bsky.social's guerrilla marketing effort to boost Philly's biodiversity.
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We collaborate with @billy-penn.bsky.social to produce the Weekly Brief on gun violence prevention, delivered via their daily newsletter every Wednesday. Here's this week's edition: mailchi.mp/billypenn/we...