🍎 What’s new in Philly schools this year

🍎 Back-to-School Season

Philly’s public schools are back in session Aug. 26. Tune in to the City Cast Philly podcast to hear the latest on some top-of-mind education issues, like changes to the admissions process for Philly’s most selective schools, the extended school pilot, and the school librarian shortage. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🗳️ Krasner’s Potential Primary Challengers

A multiway Democratic primary fight seems to be shaping up for Philly’s district attorney role. At least a half dozen people are considering a run against incumbent DA Larry Krasner, who has yet to confirm he’ll run for another term. [Inquirer 🔒]

🚶 Pedestrian-Only Plans

To make way for a car-free shopping, dining, and entertainment experience, a portion of the Rittenhouse Square area will temporarily close to cars and other vehicles on four Sundays this September. [Center City District]

The Philadelphia 76ers’ lease at Wells Fargo Center in South Philly ends in 2031, and the team’s ownership has some big plans to build its own $1.5 billion Center City arena to move into.

But it still hasn’t gotten the requisite approvals from key city leaders, who are awaiting the results of an impact study that’s running behind schedule.

In the meantime, some of Philly’s neighbors — namely, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Delaware Gov. John Carney — have been trying to persuade the Sixers to build an arena outside of the city. In an interview last year, arena developer David Adelman emphasized that the Sixers are a Philadelphia team, and even said explicitly that they’re not interested in moving to Jersey. But that hasn’t seemed to deter neighboring governors’ proposals.

Given all this discourse, I asked you this question earlier in the week: Where would you like to see the 76ers build their new home? Here’s what some Hey Philly readers thought ⬇️

🛑 “They need to stay in Philly,” Hey Philly reader Jackie C. wrote. “The fans would have a fit 😠”

❌ A couple of you are cool with anywhere except for the current plan. “ANYWHERE EXCEPT CHINATOWN!!! 🙏🙏🙏,” wrote Jules S. Hey Philly reader AMS went a little broader: “anywhere but Center City.”

🤔 Michael T. didn’t express an opinion, but rather posed a question: “The Wells Fargo Center, will it be able to sustain itself once the 76ers are gone?”

🚘 J is worried about traffic and wants to put it “somewhere that makes sense with a lot of parking and space. Not somewhere super residential or already heavy traffic. Center City/Chinatown is not it.”

🧠 Laurel G. wants to keep it in South Philly: “This is a no-brainer. As a Center City resident and sports fan, I find it incredibly upsetting and ridiculous that these clowns find the need to build such a structure in the heart of downtown Center City.”

🌉 Ron J., a longtime Sixers fan, is cool with crossing the Delaware River. “I think the 76ers should move to NJ where their practice facility is already located.”

❗ And, last but not least — we’ve got a Wilmington arena supporter! “It will draw more exposure to Wilmington,” Hey Philly reader Marcia M. wrote, “and also keep us [on] the Pennsylvania side from having to drive across the bridge and pay a toll.”