How well does ChatGPT know Philly? 🤖

🚏 New Greyhound Bus Terminal Location

A new Greyhound bus terminal will begin operating at 618 Market St. on Wednesday. Greyhound will no longer operate from the Filbert Street terminal, which is the proposed site for the new Sixers’ arena. If approved, arena construction could run from 2026 to 2031. [Inquirer 🔒]

• Why do Chinatown leaders oppose the Sixers’ arena proposal? We found out. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🌿 Proposed Bills to Liberalize PA Medical Marijuana Program

The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee approved a legislative package that would loosen restrictions on medical marijuana. The three bills would allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana outside of current qualifying conditions, open the medical marijuana program to edibles, and permit growers to open dispensaries to sell directly to patients instead of through distributors. If passed, the bills could serve as a pathway to recreational legalization, which Gov. Shapiro supports. [PhillyVoice]

💰 City Council Passes $6.2 Billion Budget

The 2024 fiscal year budget includes $10 million to fill vacant spots in public safety jobs, $3 million to expand mobile crisis response teams for mental health-related 911 calls, and $1 million to add more security cameras to rec centers and playgrounds, among others. The council’s Committee of the Whole guaranteed the spending plan would be approved at its Thursday meeting. [WHYY]

📱 PA Senate Wants to Ban Cellphone Use While Driving

Pennsylvania senators want to expand a ban on texting while driving and approved a bill that would increase penalties for drivers using cellphones. A first offense will lead to a $150 fine, up from $50. [NBC10]

🤖 How Well Does ChatGPT Know Philly?

Artificial intelligence tools seem to be attempting all kinds of things these days, from making art to customer service, and even an AI-generated IPA recipe for Bucks County Brewery. Sure ChatGPT can do just about anything, but does it know our city better than we do? We decided to put it to the test! The results were … interesting. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

Teachers are leaving state classrooms at the highest rate on record, and Philly teacher attrition rates are the highest in Pennsylvania, according to a recent Penn State study. I asked you to share your thoughts on why this is happening.

“Lack of respect, no control of the classroom, and having to pay for school supplies is ridiculous. It’s either that or gave kids nothing. How shameful. No wonder teachers are leaving, the poor kids suffer the inadequacies and pay the price.” - Joyce D.

“As a retired teacher, I can honestly say the stuff that I read in the article is true. The schools need help with the asbestos problem and water fountains. The overcrowding in the schools is a challenge. The heat in the spring makes us all uncomfortable. It was always a challenge.” - Helene M.

Let’s keep the discourse going: Has anyone driven on the temporary I-95 roadway? Many were surprised at how quickly the city was able to get this done. Even NASCAR was involved.

Send me an email with your thoughts and experiences and they may end up in a future segment!

🏳️‍🌈 Poetry | Monday | 6:30 p.m.

Celebrate Pride at Parkway Central Library with poetry from local artists Boston Gordon, Campbell Simmons, and Sean Hanrahan. [free, Logan Square]

🤣 Comedy | Tuesday | 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a show featuring comics from HBO, Amazon Prime, and Philly’s Phunniest. [free, West Philly]

🎷 Jazz | Thursday | 6:30 p.m.

Join the East Passyunk Community Center for an evening of live jazz music. [free, East Passyunk]

🍹 Games | Saturday, July 1 | 6 p.m.

Enjoy a game night and a happy hour at The Wine Garden. [pay-as-you-go, West Philly]

What’s So Attractive About Philly’s Market East?

Downtown Market East has seen a lot of changes over the past few years, and more is on the way. Podcast host Trenae Nuri speaks with Ben Seal, freelancer reporter for Billy Penn, on what new development is still coming to Market East and why businesses are so attracted to this side of town.