🍴 Philly’s child hunger crisis

🩰 Saving the Last Dance for UArts

After the University of the Arts suddenly shuttered its doors last year, a small Vermont college took over its dance program. Now, the program is expected to return to Philadelphia in the 2026-2027 academic year. Tune into this episode of City Cast Philly to learn why a college 270 miles away saved the day. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

• If you want to pay your respects to the University of the Arts, Scout — the developer that bought Hamilton and Furness Halls — is hosting a five-day celebration of life to commemorate the institution’s contribution to Philadelphia’s arts and culture scene. The event will include alumni performances, grounding exercises led by a death doula, and a community altar.

🍽️ More Than 100,000 Kids in Philly Are Experiencing a Hunger Crisis

Federal funding cuts to programs like SNAP could worsen childhood food insecurity rates across the country, but especially in Philadelphia. The city had a childhood hunger rate of 30.5% in 2023, the highest in PA. [Axios]

🥪 Philly Teens Finding Stability Thanks to PB&J

Philly Bridge & Jawn is helping youth in Kensington not only develop skills in the kitchen, but learn conflict resolution, communication, and leadership through new friendships and delicious food. [Kensington Voice]

💰 School District Victim of Wire Fraud

An audit found that $700,000 that the School District of Philadelphia spent for flood repair and services for students with disabilities was rerouted to the accounts of “bad actors” instead of the contracted vendors. The cyberattack is being investigated. [Chalkbeat]

🚘 Philly Streets Blocked Off for Pride and Roots Picnic

The city announced road closures for the Roots Picnic on May 31 and June 1, and the Philly Pride March and Festival on June 1. Lane closures have already begun for the upcoming Roots Picnic, while streets will only be closed one day for Philly Pride. [City of Philadelphia]

With the last frost of winter behind us, now is the time to break out the gardening gloves. But whether you're a rookie trying out gardening with some potted plants, or you're a pro curating your dream city greenspace, picking the right plant can be the hardest part of your journey.

After spending a recent lunch break pulling weeds from his 4,000-square-foot West Mt. Airy native plant meadow, Good Host Plants founder John Janick described why he thinks planting native plants is the best and easiest way to bolster your outdoor space.

Native plants are species of fauna and flora that have grown in the area for thousands of years. Janick, who has sold thousands of native plants out of his home since 2016, says these plants are the building blocks of the ecosystem. They have evolved to thrive in the local climate and provide sustenance for bugs and other wildlife.

"There are over 500 different caterpillars that can feed on an oak tree's leaf,” Janick said. “They turn into butterflies and moths, but they're also food for birds like songbirds."

While some insects can be pests, Janick said they’re also necessary for growing food and keeping out unwanted visitors – bugs like dragonflies, for example, can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in a day.

Janick also emphasized that native plants can save you time and energy in the garden.

"They're really drought resistant, and don't need fertilizers to grow," Janick said. "They're used to our soils, used to our weather, and so ultimately, once they're established, they can be basically maintenance-free."

If you're sold on native plants, here's what Janick recommends for some different garden goals: