💵 Philly pilots guaranteed income for parents-to-be

💵 Guaranteed Income Pilot Launches

The city has officially launched the Philly Joy Bank, which will offer $1,000 per month for a year and a half to 250 pregnant people in Cobbs Creek, Strawberry Mansion, and Nicetown-Tioga — no strings attached. The goal is to improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies. [WHYY]

• Here’s why this program exists, and how it’s supposed to work. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🩺 Recognition for Black Doctors Row

The section of Christian Street between Broad and 20th now bears the name “Black Doctors Row,” in honor of the prominent Black doctors, religious leaders, and other influential community members who lived in the area during the early 20th century. [Philadelphia Tribune]

🛳️ What Will Happen with the SS United States?

Following the ruling that the ship must vacate its South Philly berth by Sept. 12, it remains to be seen whether the vessel will be moved, sunk, redeveloped, or scrapped. The conservancy that manages it is trying to raise half a million dollars to cover its (possible) moving expenses. [Inquirer 🔒]

• What is this boat, anyway? Keep scrolling to learn about its history, and tune in to this podcast episode to learn about the dreams some folks have had for its future. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

❓ Take a Philly News Quiz

Play along with our weekly(-ish) quiz on the City Cast Philly podcast to learn about recent local headlines, from Gopuff’s big (and kinda surprising?) celebrity collab to a presidential candidate’s choice of cheesesteak. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

Docked just across the road from the Ikea in South Philadelphia sits a massive, rusting reminder of a bygone era in American history (for now, at least): the SS United States. This former “Queen of the Seas” has sat vacant at Pier 82 since 1996, as various efforts to revive her stalled out due to a lack of funding.

The ship has a murky future: It’s facing eviction from its berth in less than three months, due to a federal judge’s ruling in a case involving a years-long rent dispute between the conservancy that manages it and its landlord.

But how did the ship wind up in Philly to begin with?

A Marvel of American Engineering

The largest passenger ship ever built in the U.S., the SS United States is an engineering marvel. It’s narrow enough (101 feet) to safely navigate the locks of the Panama Canal, but nearly 1,000 feet long. At its tallest points, this ship is comparable to a 15-story building.

Engineers turned to aluminum to keep the weight of this giant under control. This proved especially helpful in allowing the ocean liner to achieve record speeds of up to 44 miles per hour during its maiden voyage from New York to England in 1952 — a record which stands to this day.

Another fact that made this ship unique among its global peers: it could convert itself from a luxury liner into a massive military machine, capable of ferrying up to 14,000 troops. Oh, and the ship is fireproof. Even the grand pianos on board were designed and tested to resist flames.

A Legacy of Luxury

During the ship’s 25 years of active duty as an ocean liner, “America’s Flagship” was the travel go-to for many celebrities, tycoons, and world leaders, including:

• Marilyn Monroe
• John Wayne
• The king and queen of Greece
• The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
• Former U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman
• Future U.S. president and then-Oxford scholar Bill Clinton

Passengers were treated to the finest amenities during the five-day transatlantic voyage. They could dance the night away in a grand ballroom, take in a show at one of several theaters on board, or feast on opulent dinners featuring courses such as braised smoked ox tongue.

SEPTA’s New Fines & Trolley Designs, Highway Sign Error, Trump’s Cheesesteak Pick

Tune in for a midweek news roundup, where we discuss increased fines for antisocial behavior on public transit, SEPTA trolleys’ nifty upcoming redesign, and an I-95 sign mishap. Plus, I quiz my teammates on local headlines.