🥖 Is Philly the “Frenchest” American city?

SEPTA Transit Police Could Strike Today

The union that represents SEPTA transit police says officers will go on strike if members don’t approve SEPTA’s latest contract offer in a vote today. On Tuesday, the union continued to negotiate for a shorter, 36-month contract, saying SEPTA’s proposed 44-month term would delay salary increases. If they do walk off the job, Philadelphia police officers and transit police supervisors will fill-in for their patrols. [CBS3]

• Related: A suspect was arrested in a stabbing at the 69th Street Transportation Center Tuesday morning. The news comes after another high-profile stabbing on SEPTA last month, which the SEPTA transit police union leveraged to put pressure on contract negotiations. The man accused of stabbing three people in that incident died from injuries sustained during his arrest, when he was shot by a SEPTA transit police officer. [CBS3/NBC10]

Wissahickon Eyes Historic District

Residents of the growing Northwest Philly neighborhood bordering the park of the same name are pushing for a historic district to preserve its 19th- and early 20th century character. The neighborhood’s blocks of historic, single-family homes have become attractive to home buyers seeking outdoor space and a suburban feel in the city, drawing increased interest from developers. Critics worry that the historic designation would introduce new hurdles to development and slow the growth of new housing. [Inquirer]

• City Cast Philly unpacked another historic preservation battle, this time in West Philly, earlier this year 🎧

Is Pennsylvania In Its Taylor Swift Era?

Today is the pop star’s birthday, and a group of Philadelphia-area lawmakers want to honor her upbringing on a Christmas tree farm in Berks County by declaring 2023 the "Taylor Swift Era" in Pennsylvania. Swift, the first Pennsylvanian to be named Time’s Person of the Year, has had a "positive impact on Pennsylvania's economy, voter registration numbers, consumer protections, and pro-labor practices,” legislation introduced in the state house asserts. [KDKA-TV]

Why Philly Was Named the ‘Frenchest’ American City

Probably no one has ever confused Philly with Paris. But this year, Philadelphia was deemed the ‘Frenchest’ city in America, according to Michelin's Green Guide. Back in June, host Trenae Nuri broke down why Philly received this honor with Stephanie Farr, columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, who explored what makes our city, in her words, "French-y," and why some don't agree with that label.