🗓️ Your guide to January in Philly

New Laws Taking Effect in 2024

Tons of tweaks to Pennsylvania’s legal code are coming this year. From lifting a ban on religious garb in schools to new criminal penalties for stealing packages, 6ABC has a thorough rundown. [6ABC]

• Why did PA ban teachers from wearing religious clothes in the first place? [City Cast Philly 🎧]

Parker Sworn-In As Mayor

While she’s been Philadelphia’s 100th mayor for a day already, Cherelle Parker will have her official swearing-in ceremony at Philadelphia City

Council on Tuesday. [Inquirer]

Election Worker Turnover Increases Errors

It’s a presidential election year, which means election administrators will be facing extra scrutiny. But since 2019, there’s been an uptick in the number of errors by county election offices in Pennsylvania. Those errors include ballot misprints and incorrect instructions for filling them out. Election experts attribute the errors to the loss of veteran election officials. The Pennsylvania Department of State says it is working on providing more support and training for new hires. [SpotlightPA]

Welcome to 2024! Late last month, we asked you to submit your wishes for ways our city could improve in the coming year. We got so many responses that we aren’t able to fit them all in, so here’s a selection of what you’d like to see happen in Philly this year.

A Cleaner, More Beautiful City

John B.: “Power wash the sidewalks in at least Center City and erect boxed flower beds along Walnut St. and maybe even Market St. and JFK Blvd.”

Ruth D.: “I have never seen Philly so dirty and disgusting. Clean up the city and forget about all the other bull.”

Marlene H.: “Clean the streets and lots. Too many people are dumping trash.”

Jessica A.: “We need a better airport — it's currently an embarrassment, especially for a city this large. It's poorly designed, dirty, and has terrible parking … We also need to solve the trash problem. It's gross and unfortunately, has become something we're known for.”

Jeffrey C.: “In the new year I would love to see more top-down encouragement of Philadelphians to volunteer in their communities. For example, if people of means found time to pick up trash in their own and neighboring blocks, it might beautify the city and get people to know their neighbors more.”

Public Safety

Karen R.: “It would be so wonderful if we could have better gun control, it is way too easy to get or create guns. There needs to be a way to monitor that!”

Rahsaan M.: “I think we should start off with doing something about Kensington.”

Silvia P.-V.: “The one and main issue the city needs to address immediately is crime. People need to feel safe to walk and get around the city. That goes for tourists, too. We are one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., but we have a reputation of being dirty and dangerous. We need to fix this. We need to enforce the laws we have!”

Wishes for Fellow Philadelphians

Cynthia C.: “Hoping and praying that cyclists stay off the sidewalks! Annoying and dangerous. It is called a sideWALK, not a sideRIDE.”

Nikeia H.: “I would like to see in 2024 people across the city being nicer to SEPTA Bus Operators. As an operator myself, it’s in my personality to be kind to people. My parents taught me to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I kneel that bus, greet everyone with a smile, and I am not the operator to argue with anyone over fare. If you got it, great, if you don’t, slide behind that yellow line for me. If all you got is a penny, even better. But for some reason I still have people get on my bus all rude and nasty. I mean would it kill people to just say ‘Hi’ back? I mean damn! Lol maybe I’m asking for too much. We are stressed too ... But I digress. My point is if you get on a bus with a decent operator, don't give them the nasty attitude. Smile back, laugh back, or say ‘Thank you,’ they all go a long way.”

Your Guide to January in Philly

We’re kicking off 2024 with a guide to some of the coolest places to go and things to do in the city this January. From chowing down at Center City District’s Restaurant Week, to visiting local greenhouses, to scoping out cool rides at the Philadelphia Auto Show, the City Cast Philly team shares our recommendations for making the most of this month.