The case to make Central Jersey official

💰 PA to Stop Funding Anti-Abortion Nonprofit

At the end of this year, Pennsylvania will stop funding Real Alternatives, an anti-abortion nonprofit which uses state money to support  crisis pregnancy centers. Pro-abortion advocates and public health officials have long condemned the state’s funding of the group, accusing these centers of using misinformation to actively dissuade patients from accessing abortion care and contraceptive options. In a statement announcing the news, state Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh highlighted the need for “unbiased, medically accurate care and counsel.” [PhillyVoice]

🎟️ 2023 MIA Festival Canceled

Philly’s Made in America music festival, which was scheduled for Labor Day weekend, has been canceled due to “severe circumstances outside of production control,” according to festival organizers. The artists SZA and Lizzo had been set to headline the concert series. All those who purchased tickets will be refunded. On X, Mayor Kenney expressed his disappointment, but said he looks forward to bringing the festival back next year. [6ABC]

🚌 Federal Safety Groups Investigating SEPTA

Following a recent series of bus and trolley crashes, state and federal safety organizations are closely examining SEPTA’s safety practices. The National Transportation Safety Board, PennDOT, and the Federal Transit Administration are looking into a runaway trolley incident in Southwest Philadelphia that occurred on July 27. An FTA spokesperson told The Philadelphia Inquirer that it will “consider appropriate actions” as it receives more information on the incidents. [Inquirer 🔒]

🤖 Does ChatGPT Know Philly?

At Philly’s new immersive play experience, Otherworld, visitors will meet ATAM, a network of artificial intelligence circuitry wrapped inside an organic fungus. AI tools seem to be popping up everywhere lately. We decided to test out one of those tools, ChatGPT, to see how well it knows our city. The answers were surprising! [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🎶 Chill Moody | Thursday | 8 p.m.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts with a dance party hosted by Chill Moody. [$12-$37, Fairmount Park]

😆 Comedy | Thursday | 8 p.m.

Get your daily dose of laughter with a lineup of 4-6 comedians at Moonshine Philly. [free, Pennsport]

🎪 Ghostly Circus | Friday | 6:30 p.m.

Head to the main stage at The Oval for a circus show featuring gravity-defying aerialists, fire performers, and light sculptors. [free, Benjamin Franklin Parkway]

💃🏽Reggaetón Party | Saturday | 10 p.m.

Dance to your favorite reggaetón songs at NOTO Philly. [$0-$20, Chinatown]

The Case to Recognize Central Jersey

There’s been a debate brewing in the Garden State for years. Is Central Jersey a real place? Well, a bill that recently passed the NJ State Legislature would officially resolve it and carve up the state into North, Central, and South Jersey. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with bill sponsor and state Senator Andrew Zwicker about what defines Central Jersey and why it deserves to be on the map.