🚢 What’s next for Philly’s “IKEA Boat”

Security Guard Killed in Stabbing at Macy’s

A man who had been caught shoplifting at the Center City Macy’s store Monday morning returned to the store, fatally stabbed one of the guards who had caught him, and injured a second. The suspect fled the scene and was later apprehended by police in Kensington. [Inquirer]

Johnny Doc Trial Wrapping Up

Closing arguments have wrapped in the embezzlement trial of former Local 98 union leader John Dougherty, who is accused of stealing over $600,000 from union coffers. Prosecutors argued that expenses Dougherty charged to the union — like construction on his home, a birthday party in Atlantic City, and meals from a trip with his father — only benefited him, and not the union’s members. Defense attorney Greg Pagano responded in his closing with, “Every union member knows what this man did for them." [Inquirer]

• Related: Why "Johnny Doc" is on trial for a second time. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

White House Criticizes Goldie Protest

During a march on Sunday night calling for Israel to end the war in Gaza, protesters stopped outside Goldie, a falafel restaurant co-owned by Israeli-American chef Michael Solomonov. Organizers have said they were criticizing Solomonov for fundraising on behalf of a paramedic organization aiding the Israeli army. Videos of the stop were recorded and circulated on social media. Governor Josh Shapiro called the rally in front of the restaurant “a blatant act of antisemitism,” words later echoed in a statement from the White House. [CBS3/CNN]

• The Philadelphia Inquirer explored why this brief moment in the protest has become a flashpoint.

If you don’t have health insurance through your employer, your family, or a significant other, ‘tis the season for enrolling in an affordable plan. December 15 is the deadline to apply for coverage beginning January 1, 2024 on Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official marketplace for buying health insurance with the financial assistance available under the Affordable Care Act. Enrolling in a plan can be daunting (I know from experience), so I spoke with Devon Trolley, Pennie’s executive director, and Joanna Rosenhein, consumer engagement manager at the nonprofit Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN), to get some advice. If you’re looking to renew your coverage or are one of the over 100,000 uninsured Philadelphians, here’s what you need to know.

There’s More Financial Assistance Available

Nine out of 10 people covered by a plan on Pennie receive financial assistance that pays for some or all of their premium, and one-third of them pay less than $50 a month for insurance. People are paying less than in past years, after Congress extended the expanded and increased subsidies it passed during the pandemic.

“If folks have looked at Pennie plans in the past and found that it's too expensive, we definitely recommend just taking another look,” said Rosenhein of PHAN.

You can use Pennie’s Cost Savings Calculator to estimate how much financial assistance you may be eligible for.

Plans Change Every Year – And So May Your Costs

If you’re already covered through a Pennie plan and don’t make any changes before the open enrollment deadline, you’ll be automatically re-enrolled in the same plan. But Rosenhein says it’s a good idea to check every year whether there might be a better one out there.

“The plans change drastically every year, the costs change,” she said. This year, two new plans are available to people in the Philly area, from Jefferson Health Plans and Highmark. Rosenhein also urges people to update their application if they’ve had any changes that could affect their eligibility or subsidy amount, like a change in income. Otherwise, when you file your taxes the next year, you could find that you’ve been paying a lot more, or a lot less, than you needed to. (I’ve been in the latter category, and it’s not fun.)

✂️ Creative Greeting Card Making | Tuesday | 4:30 p.m.

A workshop where you can design and craft your own one-of-a-kind greeting card. [Free, Fishtown]

📚 Travel Memoir Book Talk | Tuesday | 5 p.m.

Nikki Vargas talks about her memoir on her life as a young woman travel writer. [Free, East Passyunk]

🎤 Caked Up Comedy | Tuesday | 7:30 p.m.

A stand up comedy show at the Plays and Players Theatre at Quig’s Pub. [$5, Center City]

🎤 Open Mic & Artist Showcase | Tuesday | 5 p.m.

A cross-genre open mic event at The Story Factory [$10, Olde Kensington]

🎸 Stephen Sanchez Concert | Wednesday | 8 p.m.

The 19-year-old singer-songwriter plays the Franklin Music Hall. [$30, Callowhill]

Can the ‘Ikea Boat’ Reinvent Itself?

Docked across the street from the Ikea in South Philly is a giant rusty ship called the SS United States. It was once a luxurious ocean liner, carrying movie stars and presidents across the Atlantic Ocean. Think the Titanic — but bigger. However, since 1996 it’s been languishing in Philly. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Ximena Conde, breaking news and general assignment reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about new plans to redevelop the SS United States and some legal issues the ship’s owners will have to navigate to keep it afloat.