🌳 Free and cheap fun in Philly parks

📄 Warrant Issued for State Rep. Boyle’s Arrest

Philadelphia police issued a warrant earlier this week for the arrest of state Rep. Kevin Boyle, who represents part of Northeast Philly. He’s wanted for violating a restraining order and is expected to turn himself in, per police. [AP]

🏀 Philly Under Consideration for WNBA Team

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert named Philly as one of several cities in talks to be part of a league expansion that’s likely to come by 2028. Other contenders include Toronto, Denver, Nashville, and South Florida. At the moment, we’re the largest media market in the U.S. without a WNBA team. [USA Today]

⚖️ Johnny Doc Trial (Yes, Another) Started Yesterday

Former labor leader John Dougherty, who’s previously been convicted of embezzlement and bribery, is facing his third federal criminal trial. A jury will decide whether he’s guilty of conspiracy and extortion in an incident where he allegedly threatened a contractor and job site manager who had tangled with Dougherty’s nephew. [Inquirer 🔒]

📉 Homicide Rates Decline

Philadelphia is one of several U.S. cities seeing a large drop in homicide rates this year, per a consulting firm’s analysis. Philly’s rate is 37% lower than it was at this time last year. [Axios Philadelphia]

On April 23, Philly primary voters will have a chance to choose their parties’ candidates for their state House representative in Harrisburg. Most of these races are uncontested, but here’s a sampling of some of Philly’s competitive state rep primaries.

🗳️ District 10

🔵 Democratic Candidates

• Sajda Blackwell, community organizer and youth mentor
• Amen Brown, incumbent
• Cass Green, community organizer and artist

🥜 The Race in a Nutshell

State Rep. Amen Brown is running for his third term in the Pennsylvania House. His two challengers, Green and Blackwell, are both running for the second time. Green has drawn endorsements from progressive groups like the Working Families Party and Reclaim Philadelphia, Blackwell is drawing support from endorsers such as The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board and Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, and Brown has the support of some top House Democrats.

🗳️ District 172

🔵 Democratic Candidates

• Sean Dougherty, attorney
• Kevin J. Boyle, incumbent

🔴 Republican Candidates

• Aizaz Gill, consultant and Burholme Civic Association president
• Patrick Gushue, U.S. Army veteran and master’s student

🥜 The Race in a Nutshell

Boyle’s name is on the ballot to run for his eighth term in the PA House. He’ll face a challenger in Dougherty, a former public defender who’s the son of a PA Supreme Court justice and nephew of the former labor leader “Johnny Doc.”

Dougherty jumped into the race after a video of Boyle having an outburst in a bar circulated online a few days before the election filing deadline. Per the Inquirer, Boyle — who’s previously struggled with his mental health — hasn’t been attending House sessions, and Philly’s Democratic House delegation is not supporting his re-election bid.

In a separate matter, police issued a warrant for Boyle's arrest earlier this week after he allegedly violated a protection from abuse order.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party hopes to flip this seat in November. If that were to happen, it could be a crucial piece in deciding which party controls the Pennsylvania House overall.

Gill and Gushue are competing for the Republican nomination. Gill — who managed Councilmember Brian O’Neill’s reelection campaign last year — has the endorsement of the Philly GOP, and Gushue is running with the support of Sam Oropeza, a former City Council at-large candidate for whom Gushue did campaign work.

🗳️ District 181

🔵 Democratic Candidates

• Lewis Nash, businessman and pastor
• Malcolm Kenyatta, incumbent
• NaDerah Griffin, former teacher

🥜 The Race in a Nutshell

Three-term state Rep. Kenyatta — an auditor general candidate — is also running for reelection to his current seat. His challengers have both made bids for public office before: Nash for Kenyatta’s seat in 2018, and Griffin for an at-large City Council seat last year.

The local Democratic Party removed Nash from his position as a ward leader earlier this year, after comments about LGBTQ people that he made in a ward meeting came to light. Nash has said his remarks have been misinterpreted.

🎧 Want To Learn Even More About Next Week’s Primary Election?

You can listen to a rundown of the candidates and stakes on the City Cast Philly podcast.

10 Free and Low-Cost Spring Activities in Philly Parks

There are tons of ways to enjoy springtime in Philly’s many parks, from free movie nights and yoga, to concerts and guided hikes. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri runs down the best spring park events with Amanda Daws Cohen, program manager at the Fairmount Park Conservancy.