🖼️ How to do First Friday right

📝 Report Shows Botched Anti-Violence Program

City Controller Christy Brady released a report yesterday saying a $22 million anti-violence grant program launched in 2021 “led to confusion and mistrust” and didn’t distribute funds to groups in the ZIP codes most impacted by gun violence. [Inquirer 🔒]

🇺🇸 Made in America 2024 Canceled

Organizers of the annual Labor Day weekend music festival announced yesterday that it, once again, won’t return to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway this year. Last year’s festival was canceled because of “circumstances outside of production control.” [NBC10]

🚧 Bridge Over I-95 Could Reopen by Weekend

I-95 North is still closed in order to make repairs to a Conrail bridge near Port Richmond, but PennDOT says the fixes could be finished by the weekend. The Atlantic City Rail Line is still being substituted with buses as well. [6ABC]

🧑‍🍳 James Beard Finalists Announced

One Philly chef made it to the finalist round for this year’s prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards: Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Queen Village. [Eater Philly]

• The foundation also announced yesterday that it will honor two Philadelphians with its Leadership Awards: Christa Barfield of FarmerJawn and Muhammad Abdul-Hadi of Down North Pizza. [James Beard Foundation]

On April 23, both Democrats and Republicans in Pennsylvania will get the chance to choose their party’s nominee for attorney general (and other positions as well).

The attorney general is Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement official, who is responsible for things like prosecuting organized crime and public corruption, enforcing state tax laws, representing the commonwealth in legal matters, and protecting consumers. The AG oversees a staff of hundreds and typically serves in four-year terms.

The current attorney general is Michelle Henry, a Democrat appointed to the position after former AG Josh Shapiro became governor. She is not running, so the race is wide open.

🔵 Who You’ll See on Your Ballot If You’re a Democrat

• Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware County district attorney
• Eugene DePasquale, former Pennsylvania auditor general
• Joe Khan, former Bucks County solicitor
• Keir Bradford-Grey, former Philadelphia chief public defender
• Jared Solomon, state representative for part of Northeast Philadelphia

🥜 The Democratic race in a nutshell

While they’ve listed different top priorities, the Democratic AG candidates haven’t shown major differences in opinion on major issues like abortion, public safety, or voting rights. Instead, they’ve tried to differentiate themselves from one another by touting their professional and personal backgrounds.

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party decided not to make an endorsement in the race, but many other groups have made their choice clear.

🔴 Who You’ll See on Your Ballot If You’re a Republican

• Dave Sunday, York County district attorney
• Craig Williams, former federal and Marine Corps prosecutor

🥜 The Republican race in a nutshell

Attorney general is the only contested statewide GOP primary, as the other two statewide offices up for election this year are held by Republican incumbents.

The two candidates have generally agreed on policy issues, but have taken jabs at each other’s qualifications. Sunday has called himself the “only candidate that has experience working in the courts where the Attorney General’s Office works,” while Williams has touted his own loyalty to the Republican Party and attempted to paint Sunday’s leadership in York County as that of a “progressive Democrat.”

The Pennsylvania Republican Party endorsed Sunday in January — relatively early in the election cycle — while Williams withdrew himself from consideration for the party endorsement.

📖 Dig Deeper with These Candidate Guides

• Spotlight PA (lists top issues and endorsements)
• WESA (includes candidate survey responses, endorsements, and fundraising information)
• City & State PA (lists endorsements)
• PennLive (includes candidate survey responses)
• The Philadelphia Inquirer
• ABC27

📺 For Your Viewing Pleasure

• Democratic debate
• Republican debate
• The Philadelphia Citizen’s “Ultimate Job Interview” (only Democratic candidates opted to participate)

🗳️ Looking for the rest of the contested races on the ballot? Check out Hey Philly’s full voter guide here.

A Philly Art Insider’s Guide to First Friday

At the beginning of each month, Philly’s art scene gets some extra love with a citywide celebration called First Friday. Art lovers and deal seekers alike can enjoy extended hours and/or pay-what-you-wish admission at some art museums, and free wine, snacks, and performances at local galleries. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri learns from Chelsey Luster — a Philadelphia based curator, educator, and visual artist — about galleries, deals, and tips you should know to make the most of this monthly event.