Philly’s new wave of “reluctant” gun owners

Cherelle Parker’s Mayoral Inauguration

Parker was publicly sworn in as Philly’s new mayor on Tuesday in a ceremony in North Philadelphia. In her inaugural address, she outlined an action plan for her first 100 days in office, including declaring a public safety emergency, working to shut down open-air drug markets in Kensington, addressing quality-of-life issues like illegal ATV riding, and eliminating unnecessary city permits and regulations. [CBS3]

• Related: City Cast Philly interviewed Parker last fall about her plans as mayor. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

From Federal Defendant to Council President

As Philly inaugurated a new mayor, City Council elected Kenyatta Johnson as the next council member to lead the chamber. As council president, Johnson will have the power to steer legislation through the body, putting him in a position to support or hamper Mayor Parker’s agenda. Johnson’s rise to power follows his acquittal on federal bribery charges in 2022, when prosecutors alleged that he traded political influence for a consulting contract for his wife’s business. [Inquirer]

NJ State Forest Gets All-Terrain Wheelchair

Outdoor lovers with disabilities will soon be able to explore the 110 miles of hiking trails in South Jersey’s Wharton State Forest with the help of a “wheelchair” propelled by tank-like treads. Called the TrackMaster S2, the device tops out at 5.5 miles per hour and has a range exceeding 10 miles. The state wants to procure all-terrain wheelchairs in other parks and forests, too, but their $23,000 price tag could prove to be a barrier. [WHYY]

Why More Philadelphians Are Buying Guns

During the pandemic, a lot of people in Philly took steps to start carrying a gun. In 2021, the city issued seven times as many license-to-carry permits as the year before — more than 52,000, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Inquirer reporters Massarah Mikati and Nate File about what these new and often reluctant gun owners say motivated their decision to arm themselves.