City Cast Philly
Why Philly is suing ghost gun makers
July 7, 2023
Happy Friday, neighbor. If Philly had its own soundtrack, what kind of music would it be? Let me know what genre or artist defines our city, and your answer could pop up in an upcoming segment or City Cast Philly episode! 🎵
What's CITY Talking About?
⚖️ Philly Sues Ghost Gun Makers
Philadelphia is suing two gun manufacturers, Polymer80, Inc. and JSD Supply, saying they “intentionally undermine” federal and state laws by selling firearm kits without background checks. Such kits, which are assembled at home and untraceable by law enforcement, are known as ghost guns. Mayor Jim Kenney’s office already had a plan to sue, but the announcement came after it was learned that ghost guns were used in Monday’s mass shooting in Kingsessing. Last year, Philly police seized 575 ghost guns across the city. [WHYY]
🚎 SEPTA Closing Trolley Stations for Cleaning and Repairs
From Friday, July 7 to Monday, July 24, SEPTA will close several underground trolley stations for cleaning and maintenance. Crews will replace damaged tracks and test signals, paint and repair lighting fixtures, and clean out pipes at trolley stops on routes 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36. Late-night passengers are encouraged to take the Night Owl bus service along Market-Frankford instead. [PhillyVoice]
💰 PA House Approves State Budget
In a 117-86 vote, the Pennsylvania House approved a $45.5 billion state budget, days after the deadline and only after Gov. Josh Shapiro promised to veto his own proposal to fund private school vouchers. In a statement on Wednesday, July 5, three top Senate republicans criticized Shapiro for his reversal on the vouchers, saying that he is leaving thousands of children across the state in “failing schools.” [Inquirer 🔒]
🇫🇷 Is Philly America’s Frenchest City?
Michelin's Green Guides, travel books published by the French tire company, recently gave Philly an interesting honor. It named our city the "Frenchest American city." How did we beat New Orleans? Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr breaks down Philly’s French connections. [City Cast Philly 🎧]
What To Do
🍺 Beer Fest | Friday | 5 p.m.
Celebrate Philly’s beer scene at Attic Brewing Company, featuring drinks from 33 local breweries. [pay-as-you-go, Germantown]
🤣 Comedy | Friday and Saturday | 7:30 p.m.
Catch a show at Helium Comedy Club from Luenell, best known for her roles in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and “Think Like a Man.” 21+. [$37-$47, Center City]
🎵 Music & Arts Fest | Saturday | 11 a.m.
Enjoy kid-friendly activities, arts and crafts vendors, and live performances at Clark Park. [free, West Philly]
🖤 Emo Party | Saturday | 9 p.m.
Join Raven Lounge for a pop punk party featuring music by Paramore, Blink-182, Yellowcard, and more. [$10, Center City]
🐕 Yappy Brunch | Sunday | 11 a.m.
Bring your furry friends to Cavanaugh’s River Deck for brunch, mimosas and plenty of dog treats. [$25, Penn’s Landing]
🌳 Meadow Bathing | Sunday | 11:30 a.m.
Nourish your spirit with a gentle walk in the meadows of FDR Park. [free, South Philly]
🧑🏿🍳 Chef Showdown | Sunday | 12 p.m.
Head to 2300 Arena and watch Black-owned restaurants and Black chefs battle it out to make the best Philly cheesesteak. [$25-$60, South Philly]
🎨 Art Swap | Sunday | 1 p.m.
Bring art supplies you no longer need and trade them in for some new ones. [free, FDR Park]
✨ Moulin Rouge | Through July 23 | Various times
Enter a world of glitz and romance with a Tony-award winning musical at the Academy of Music. [$24-$149, Avenue of the Arts]
⛳ Pixar Putt | Through October 1 | Various times
Bring the family to Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing for a Pixar-themed mini-golf experience. [$27-32, Penn’s Landing]
Where Is It?
Congratulations to Hey Philly readers Karen, Thomas, and Regina for correctly identifying last week’s Where Is It? challenge. This art piece can be found right outside the Academy of Natural Sciences on 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Are you ready for this week’s challenge? Thanks to Amanda G. for submitting this image:
Email me your guesses! If you’re right, you can submit next week’s challenge! How fun is that? 😁
Today on City Cast
A Deadly SW Philly Shooting & Catalytic Converter Thieves Busted
It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Ellie Rushing, criminal justice reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Isaac Avilucea, reporter at Axios Philadelphia. They discuss what we know about this week’s mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighborhood, how gun violence is trending in the city overall, and how Bucks County prosecutors busted an allegedly multimillion-dollar catalytic converter theft ring.
Have a lovely weekend, friend!
- Brittany Valentine
Free · Daily