📱 No-contact SEPTA payment is here

📱 No-Contact Payment on SEPTA

Starting today, you can pay for trips by tapping your debit or credit card, or using a payment app on your smartphone. Contactless payment will be available on the Norristown High Speed, Market Street and Broad Street Lines, as well as buses and trolleys. Regional Rail commuters must wait until next year for payment system upgrades. [PhillyVoice]

• Speaking of SEPTA, what’s going on with this “Bus Revolution” project? We’ve got the deets. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🚨 Social Media Sparks Looting

The troubling series of theft and vandalism that wreaked havoc across Philly this week was premeditated via social media. On Tuesday, a judge dismissed charges against former officer Mark Dial for shooting and killing Eddie Irizarry. Later that day, influencer Dayjia Blackwell, a.k.a “Meatball,” asked her thousands of followers what store they should hit first. She then livestreamed some of the looting on Instagram. Blackwell was arrested mid-stream, and is now charged with six felonies. Irizarry's family condemned the vandalism. [Inquirer 🔒]

💰 Sen. Casey Supports Auto Strike

General Motors employees in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, hit the picket line on Tuesday for the 12th day of the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike. UAW Local 2177 members were joined by Senator Bob Casey (D-P.A.), who made a statement in support of their demands for more equitable wages. “All these workers are asking for is basic fairness,” Casey told reporters. [KYW News]

🪷 Sunrise Yoga | Saturday | 8 a.m.

Ground yourself with early morning yoga at Drexel Square. BYO mat and towel. [free, University City]

🐐 Discovery Fest | Saturday | 10 a.m.

Head to the Discovery Center for an adventurous day of ziplining, scavenger hunts, and opportunities to bond with birds and goats. [free, East Fairmount Park]

🛍️ Fall Fest | Saturday | 12 p.m.

Stroll through Midtown Village to shop from local vendors and artisans, and enjoy live entertainment. [pay-as-you-go, Midtown Village]

💃🏾 Salsa & Sangria | Saturday | 4 p.m.

Sip on drinks by Triple Bottom Brewing and learn to dance salsa. [$10-$15, Spring Garden]

🎤 Poetry | Saturday | 7 p.m.

Enrich your weekend with poetry and R&B magic at Half Moon Lounge. [$18, Mill Creek]

❤️‍🔥 Emo Night | Saturday | 10 p.m.

Embrace your inner angst on The Moshulu with hits from Blink-182, The Story So Far, and more. [$10-$20, Penn’s Landing]

🏳️‍🌈 Drag Brunch | Sunday | 11:30 a.m.

Treat yourself to brunch and a drag show at Fat Lady Brewing. [$28, Manayunk]

🇵🇭 Filipino Celebration | Sunday | 1 p.m.

Experience the flavors of the Philippines at Cherry Street Pier through food, drink, music, dance, and togetherness. [free/pay-as-you-go, Penn’s Landing]

🇫🇷 Macaron Workshop | Sunday | 2 p.m.

Learn how to make sweet French macarons with Chef Aurora Grace. Participants take home a box of Aurora Grace macarons. [$115, Society Hill]

🍂 Mural City Garden | Saturday & Sunday | 2 p.m.

Celebrate fall at Mural City Cellars with autumn-themed beverages, crafts for all ages, live music, a photo booth, local retail and food vendors, and more. [pay-as-you-go, Fishtown]

Police Murder Charges Dismissed, Livestreamed Looting, and T-Swift Swaps Kelces

We’re back with another can’t-miss Friday news roundup 🗞️

Lead producer Laura Benshoff, filling in for host Trenae Nuri, talks with Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Rodrigo Torrejón and Billy Penn reporter Asha Prihar, about a municipal court judge’s decision to dismiss murder charges against former Philadelphia Police officer Mark Dial, and the widespread looting and vandalism that occurred earlier this week.

They also dig into why Philly cares so much about Taylor Swift’s possible love connection with a Missouri football player.