🚍 What is going on, SEPTA?

Dems Push for Adult Mental Health $$$ in State Budget

Millions of dollars to expand adult mental health services got cut out of the state budget, and state Democratic lawmakers are po’d. House Democrats approved legislation last month to direct $100 million in one-time COVID-era federal funds to bolster the state’s adult mental health network. But Senate Republicans drafted language to push those funds toward student mental health, in a budget which is still in limbo. [Associated Press, NBC10]

Philly Goes After Unlicensed Short-Term Rentals

Over 1,500 listings are at risk of removal as the city cracks down on short-term rental properties without proper permits. Philly’s Department of Licenses and Inspections has started notifying websites including Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com of properties that haven’t met the city’s licensing requirements. [Billy Penn]

• Related: We discuss why the city is going after unlicensed short-term rentals. Give it a listen. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

Do Restaurants Have an Obligation to Protect Customers?

That question is at the center of a lawsuit against the iconic South Philly cheesesteak spot, Pat’s King of Steaks. The family of a 22-year-old man who was fatally shot outside the restaurant in 2021 alleges the restaurant could have prevented his death if they had employed private security. The family is seeking $50,000 in damages. [Inquirer]

There have been not one, not two, but five SEPTA-involved crashes in Philly in a little over a week.

The latest in this majorly concerning head-scratcher of a saga involves an out-of-service SEPTA trolley crashing into an SUV and a historic home last Thursday night. The trolley’s mechanic and the people in the SUV were injured.

The four other crashes have also resulted in multiple injuries and one fatality. The transit authority says it’s an “unfortunate coincidence” and not a systemic problem.

So of course, Philadelphians took to Reddit and Twitter, err X (sorry, that’s going to take some getting used to.) Here is some of that chatter:

🥨 Flavors of Philly Food Tour | All Week | Times Vary

Eat your way through Philadelphia on this over two-hour culinary walking tour. [$65-$74, Center City]

🧃 Lego Day! | Monday | 2 p.m.

Bring your kids to the Fumo Family Library for an hour of Lego fun. [Free, Lower Moyamensing]

💓 Self Love Summer | Monday | 7 p.m.

Experience an evening of celebrating your best self through tarot and meditation at Good Karma Cafe. [$35, Gayborhood]

🎤 Karaoke and Tiki | Tuesday | 7 p.m.

Head over to Romarco's Tiki Bar for a fun evening of outdoor karaoke. [Free, Clifton Heights]

What Causes So Many Local Sinkholes?

In the past few weeks, sinkholes have closed city streets, shut down a highway in Montgomery County, and maybe even derailed a freight train. Host Trenae Nuri dives into the bedrock issues causing these cave-ins with Laura Toran, a hydrogeologist at Temple University.