How would you improve Philly in 2024?

Lawmakers Pass Flurry of Bills

Pennsylvania lawmakers pushed through dozens of changes before leaving for a long recess last week. The new measures update Pennsylvania’s probation and expungement laws, and resolve budget bills lingering from the summer. [SpotlightPA]

• Pennsylvania House Republicans denied funding to the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school, echoing concerns raised during a recent congressional hearing about how the university responds to antisemitism. [PhillyVoice]
• Another change? The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office can now appoint a special prosecutor to investigate crimes on SEPTA. [Inquirer]

Chobani Acquires La Colombe

Greek yogurt innovator Chobani has bought the Philly-founded coffee chain, La Colombe, for a cool $900 million. Chobani already makes coffee creamer and hopes to dominate the canned coffee market through this acquisition, per statements from its leadership. [Fast Company]

New Lower Speed Limit on Kelly Drive

The city shaved 10 mph off the speed limit on Kelly Drive, lowering it to 25 mph. This winding roadway next to the Schuylkill River is one of the deadliest in the city, part of what’s known as the High Injury Network, the 12% of city streets where 80% of serious injuries and traffic deaths occur. [6ABC/Inquirer]

• Why are more people dying on Philly's roads? [City Cast Philly 🎧]

Fly to Pittsburgh

Hate taking the Pennsylvania Turnpike? Frontier Airlines is adding nonstop service between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh starting in May 2024. [NBC10]

Council Passes 15-cent Fee for Paper Bags

After the city banned the use of plastic bags at checkout counters in 2021, Philadelphians started using more paper ones. Now, City Council has passed a bill imposing a 15-cent charge for each paper bag customers use, which retailers will get to keep. [NBC10]

We recently asked you, our Hey Philly readers, to share which songs get stuck in your head over the holidays — for better or worse. And we got an avalanche of responses, mostly of the ditties you just can’t stand. Whether too saccharine, annoying, whiny, or just overplayed, here’s what you could put on when you want your guests to get the message it’s time to go home.

Songs You Loathe

Newsletter editor Joel Wolfram kicked things off by nominating this earworm: Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”

Nancy G. seconded Joel’s pick: “I can't believe that man was actually a Beatle. What happened??”

More Songs To Hate

• James B. — “Alvin and the Chipmunks drives me crazy!” Especially, “Christmas Don’t Be Late.”
• Chris K. — “Bar none, 'Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer'!”
• Margaret D. — “‘O Holy Night.’ I so hate it.”
• Cath H. — “Dominick the Donkey.”
• Kathleen J. — “‘The Christmas Shoes’ — It is too sappy.”
• Kenny W. — “You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

And the only song that got multiple votes … Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Kris K. - “I am sick of hearing it played so often and everywhere.”

Rose C. agreed.

Your Favorites

Only two of our listeners nominated a holiday song they actually like. So we’ll leave you on that more positive note.

Ruby K. - “The Temptations’ ‘Silent Night’! All-time favorite 😍”

Gregg W. - “‘Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town’ by Bruce Springsteen”

Highs and Lows of 2023 in Philly

It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? In this episode, the City Cast Philly podcast takes a look back at the most chaotic news events, influential Philadelphians, and biggest city improvements of 2023. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Afea Tucker, Philadelphia community engagement reporter for The Trace, a nonprofit focusing on gun violence reporting, and Conrad Benner, founder of Streets Dept – a local art blog, and host of WHYY’s “Art Outside” podcast.