🏛️ Philly’s kid-friendly museums

🗳️ Dems Keep PA House Majority

Democrat Jim Prokopiak won a special election for a Bucks County legislative district earlier this week, which will preserve Democrats’ one-seat majority in the state House. Former Democratic state Rep. John Galloway previously held the seat but resigned to become a magisterial judge. [Spotlight PA]

🚂 SEPTA Seeking Train Station Tenants

The transit agency is planning to issue requests for proposals to turn historic train stations in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy into operating businesses. [Chestnut Hill Local 🔒]

• Some are located along the Chestnut Hill West Line. Community members are worried the line’s low ridership could lead to service cuts. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🚗 Rise in Abandoned Vehicle Complaints

311 received almost 39,400 complaints about abandoned vehicles last year, which was a 5% increase from 2022. The city says police staffing shortages are partially to blame. [Axios]

• Related: How is the PPA trying to address quality-of-life issues? [City Cast Philly 🎧]

👟 Jordans Store Coming to Philly

Nike is planning to open one of its “Jordan World of Flight” stores — which focus solely on the company’s Michael Jordan-branded sneakers — near Rittenhouse Square. It could be the first location in the country. [Business Journal 🔒]

There’s no disputing that Philadelphia is a museum city. But sometimes, it can be difficult to find a spot that can appeal to the whole family.

If you’re trying to plan a fun and educational day in the city for your children (or if you’ve got kids in tow while you’re in a get-out-of-the-house mood), we’ve got a place for you to start. These Philly museums have exhibits and programming that appeal to children — and in many cases, adults too. (Check out our website for even more.)

🦕 The Academy of Natural Sciences

Is your kid obsessed with dinos, or just generally animals? If so, this is the place to be. The education-oriented museum — which is also fun for adults — is home to fossils, dioramas, a hands-on paleontology exhibit, and exhibits on topics like the food chain and mollusks. A special exhibit on rainforest animals, called “Under the Canopy,” opens this weekend and runs through Sept. 2.

📍 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Center City.

🎟️ $22 for ages 13–64; $19 for ages 65+; $18 for ages 2–12. $2 off each if purchased online.

🚒 Fireman’s Hall Museum

This free, somewhat hidden gem in Old City may be great for your kiddo who’s in their firefighter phase. Take them to see artifacts like ladders, hydrants, unit patches, and old-timey fire engines. They can learn all about Philly’s firefighting history, as well as some useful lessons about fire safety and when to call 911.

📍 147 N 2nd St., Old City.

🎟️ Free for all ages

🫀 The Franklin Institute

This science museum, which is celebrating its bicentennial this year, has kid-friendly exhibits centering around topics like the human brain, outer space, and the physics of sports. It’s often a landing pad for buzzy traveling exhibitions, as well. Starting this Saturday through Sept. 2, the museum will be showing “The Art of the Brick,” an exhibition that features replicas of famous artwork, sculptures of endangered animals, representations of the human condition, and more — all crafted out of LEGO bricks.

📍 222 N 20th St., Center City

🎟️ $25 for ages 12 and up; $21 for ages 3–11. Special exhibitions cost extra.

For three more museum suggestions, continue reading on our website.

Threats Against Philly City Workers Are Rising

For a second year in a row, gun violence in Philadelphia is decreasing. At the same time, violence toward SEPTA and other city workers has increased. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri talks with Mensah Dean, staff writer for the Trace – a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence – about this trend of workplace violence and how the city can better protect public-sector employees.