🚗 Road closures during weekend protest

💰 $6 Billion City Budget Approved

City Council approved a $6.8 billion budget Thursday with minor tax cuts for workers and the loss of a tax break for some small business owners. An additional $800 million in bonds as part of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative to create and preserve about 30,000 housing units was also approved. [WHYY; 🔐 The Inquirer]

• Related: It’s the Friday news roundup! On the podcast today we’re talking about the budget news plus the anti-Trump “No Kings” rally this weekend, a poll taking the pulse of Philly, and a slumlord’s vacant West Philly apartment building that was deliberately set on fire. Plus: Trenae checked out that new Japanese-Latin fusion speakeasy in Northern Liberties. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

⛔ Road Closures Ahead of ‘No Kings’ Protest

Philly’s anti-Trump “No Kings” protest will begin around 10 a.m. Saturday at LOVE Park, with protesters then marching along the Parkway to Eakins Oval and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Several roads will be closed starting at 3 a.m. — here’s that list. SEPTA also expects detours, so plan accordingly. [Philly Voice]

• Sen. Fetterman’s response: The Pennsylvania senator referred to similar anti-Trump protests in Los Angeles as “anarchy and true chaos.” President Trump’s lawyers then used his statement in response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for a temporary restraining order. [The Inquirer]
• What’s next for Philly: The Los Angeles protests began in response to ICE raids. In Philly, immigrant communities and supporters are bracing themselves as the White House promises to “flood the zone” and target workplaces. [🔐 The Inquirer]

🪧 'World Cafe Live' Workers Walk Off

Employees of the University City music venue are protesting what they see as an “unacceptable level of hostility and mismanagement.” About 18 workers walked off the job Wednesday night in the middle of a Suzanne Vega concert, chanting that the nonprofit’s CEO, Joseph Callahan, “has got to go.” [🔐 The Inquirer]

🏗️ Wanamaker Building to Become Lofts

The 1.4 million-square-foot Wanamaker building in Center City is set to be transformed into 600 loft-style apartments, which is expected to be one of the largest residential conversion projects in Philly’s history. Construction begins in 2026. [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Philly is a big city — so there’s lots to discover. Test your knowledge in this week’s quiz. And if you read this week’s newsletter, you’ll find this a lot easier 😉