🏛️ Mayoral debate highlights

Mayoral Candidates Face Off

Cherelle Parker and David Oh went head-to-head in the first and only scheduled debate of the mayoral election on Thursday morning. Oh, the Republican candidate, criticized Parker, a Democrat, for recently saying she would call for the National Guard to be deployed to combat drug dealing in Kensington. Parker, who hasn’t taken a firm position on the controversy over building a new Sixers area, took a shot at Oh’s “knee-jerk” opposition to the project. [City and State PA]

• Listen to an analysis of the debate here [City Cast Philly 🎧]

City Prepares for Transit Strike

The City of Philadelphia and SEPTA are telling the public to start thinking about workarounds in case of a transit strike next week. City transit workers are set to stop work on Wednesday if their union and SEPTA can’t agree on a new labor contract by then. A strike would shut down buses, trolleys, and the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines in the city. Officials are telling residents to consider Regional Rail, carpooling, biking, or walking as alternatives. [City of Philadelphia/NBC 10]

Suspect in Kruger Murder Arrested

Police arrested Robert Davis, 19, for the murder of Josh Kruger, a freelance journalist and LGBTQ+ advocate. Kruger was shot seven times inside his Point Breeze home earlier this month. Davis’ family has said that he and Kruger, 39, had known each other since he was 15 and had an abusive relationship that involved sex and drug use. Police have released few details about the case, however, and say the motive remains unclear. [Inquirer]

Rare Whiskey Lottery

Calling all whiskey connoisseurs: you have until 5 p.m. today to enter a lottery run by the State Liquor Control Board for the chance to purchase hard-to-find, high-end whiskeys. That’s right, you’ll still have to buy the booze if you win this lottery. The offerings range from a $54.99 bourbon to a $289.99 straight corn whiskey aged for 20 years. [PhillyVoice]

Last week’s entry from reader Nicole P. was pretty tricky. This sidewalk art can be found under the Market-Frankford Line, on the east side of Front Street between Thompson and Master Streets.

Congratulations to Ryan M. for spotting it and sending in the winning guess! He provided this dino-mite entry for you all to puzzle over now.

Do you know where to find this T-rex in a tutu? Send us your answer and you could provide the next image in our guessing game!

🥳 Cherry Street Pier 5th Anniversary Party | Friday | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The community space and artist hub is celebrating five years with a special art exhibition and Halloween party featuring a “bouncy house maze.”  [Free, Old City]

🎤 Powerhouse ‘23 Hip Hop Show | Friday | 6 p.m.

Billed as the longest running hip-hop show in the country, radio station Power 99 is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the concert with performances by Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice, Meek Mill, and more. [$150+, Wells Fargo Center]

🚣 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta | Saturday - Sunday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

This massive rowing competition brings together 8,000 athletes at every level of competition in races on the Schuylkill River. [Free, Fairmount Park]

🦐 Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park | Saturday - Sunday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

It’s the last weekend of the year to eat cheap, delicious food in a bustling market slinging Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, and more cuisines from Southeast Asia. FYI, many vendors only accept cash. [Free, FDR Park]

🍂 East Passyunk Fall Fest | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This family-friendly fest in South Philly features a pumpkin patch, kids’ costume contest, art vendors, and more. [Free, East Passyunk]

🎹 Bachtoberfest: The Goldberg Variations of J.S. Bach | Saturday | 4:30 p.m.

Pianist Barbara Browne performs the “mellow and autumnal” Goldberg Variations, one of the Baroque composer’s masterworks. [Free, Rittenhouse Square]

🕺 Let’s Groove: Motown and The Philly Sound! | Saturday | 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The No Name Pops Orchestra plays hits by artists like The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Percy Sledge at the Kimmel Center, with vocalists including Broadway star Chester Gregory. [$41+, Center City]

🧩 Philly Street Art Hunt | Sunday | 1 p.m.

Part of a series from Eric The Puzzler, this art hunt in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood challenges you to solve puzzles to find four hidden artworks that you get to take home with you. [$45, Graduate Hospital]

Mayoral Debate Highlights, Wawa Pizza Review, and a Phillies Postmortem

It’s the Friday News Roundup! Host Trenae Nuri talks with Chris Brennan, political reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer and O.J. Spivey, sports correspondent at The Philadelphia Tribune. They discuss what happened at the only debate between Philadelphia mayoral candidates Cherelle Parker and David Oh, coping with the Phillies' NLCS loss by getting excited about Eagles season, and assessing Wawa pizza.