⚖️ Should we abolish the Sheriff’s Office?

⚖️ Quid Pro Quo No Mo’: Northeast Philly Rep’s Push Against Gifts for Lawmakers

State Rep. Jared Solomon is dubbed a “reformer.” Why? On today’s episode of City Cast Philly, Trenae Nuri chats with Solomon about his proposals to ban gifts for lawmakers in Harrisburg, institute term limits for congressional representatives, and abolish the long-troubled Philly Sheriff’s Office. Plus he gives us a status update on the Roosevelt Boulevard subway and makes a case for visiting the Northeast for a delicious (and much cheaper) meal. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

• Related: Sheriff Rochelle Bilal addressed calls to abolish her office and concerns regarding staffing shortages in the courts in an extensive sit-down interview on NBC10. Do you think it’s time for this office to go? Email us your thoughts to be potentially featured in our Friday News Roundup. [NBC10]

🏙️ Pew on Philly: Poverty Down, Overdoses Up & Rent Too Damn High

The upsides from The State of the City report from Pew: The School District of Philadelphia’s enrollment is up, the city’s poverty rate is the lowest since 2000, and life expectancy is back at pre-pandemic levels. But shortcomings include renters spending 30% of their income or more on housing and Philly having the second highest overdose rate in the country. [Pew Charitable Trusts]

🏥 Philly’s Opioid Crisis Marked By Rising Amputations

Xylazine, better known as “tranq,” saturated Philly’s drug supply a few years ago, leaving drug users with gaping, rotting wounds and hospitals left to figure out treatment. Between 2020 and 2023, about 450 people with opioid use disorders had amputations, according to an Inquirer investigation, but there’s still no standard for city medical providers on when to amputate. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]

📦 Local Sustainable Delivery Service Accused of Greenwashing

The Rounds gained popularity as an Amazon alternative for consumers to stock up on household goods and produce while reducing single-use plastic waste. But inside sources are claiming the delivery service sources its products from the same giant they’re supposedly working against, and former employees are sounding off about the false promise of recycling and composting. [Green Philly]

It’s Wednesday, which means we’re back with another “Where Is It?” challenge. If you missed the answer to our April 9 segment, check out last Wednesday’s newsletter.

Do you know where to find this mural? Let us know and get a shoutout next week!

While you’re on the hunt, you can:

• 🌼 Visit some of Philly’s best gardens.
• 💃 Go out dancing by yourself or with a friend.
• 🫂 Team up on the search with the new friends you made at this social club.
• 📍 Navigate Philly with our neighborhood guides.