City Cast Philly
🇺🇸 How the federal shutdown is hurting Philly
October 24, 2025 · — Siani Colón
Happy Friday, Philly! It’s been a busy week, so let’s catch you up before we break for the weekend.
What's CITY Talking About
💡 Federal Shutdown Delays LIHEAP
Homeowners looking for support with utility costs will have to wait until Dec. 3 for the opening of this year's Low-Income Homeowners Energy Assistance Program. It was originally supposed to begin in November. [NBC10]
- Related: With a pause in federal funds and Pennsylvania now the only state operating without a budget, Pennsylvanians are getting hit especially hard. [The Conversation]
🥫 PHL Airport Sets Up Emergency Food Pantry for Federal Workers
The shutdown has also forced essential federal employees to continue to work without pay, including TSA agents and air traffic controllers. The airport is soliciting donations from local companies to support workers. [The Keystone]
- Related: Here are food pantries and community fridges in the city. [📝 City Cast Philly]
📰 Kada Scott Case Officially Ruled a Homicide
Keon King, the primary suspect in the kidnapping and death of Kada Scott, has now been charged with murder after medical examiners ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound to the head. Police are investigating possible accomplices. More on the case and other news this week here. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
📖 New Curriculum, No Improvement on Reading Scores
Despite the district's $25 million investment on a new curriculum, fewer than one in three Philadelphia third graders were able to read at a proficient level in the 2024-2025 school year. Some of the scores for students between grade 3 and 8 also fell slightly. [Chalkbeat]
- Related: Consider becoming a Philly Reading Coach. [Office of Children and Families]
🎹 Wanamaker Building Transforms Into Spooky Movie Theater
Next week, Opera Philadelphia is hosting a free week of silent horror film screenings from the 1920s, accompanied by live organ music. Movies include “The Phantom Carriage” and “Nosferatu.” [🔒 The Inquirer]
- Related: Girls Like Horror has built a community for local horror movie lovers. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
How Well Do You Know Philly?
This week on City Cast Philly, we tested our knowledge when it came to Philly neighborhood name origins. Now we’re putting you to the test.
See if you can guess this and other neighborhood origins correctly!
What To Do
Friday, Oct. 24
- 🪦 Soul Crawl (Night One) at Laurel Hill Cemetery (Allegheny-West)
- 💃 Salsa Class & Social Dance at FDR Park (South Philly)
- 😄 Playtime Comedy at Philly Typewriter (East Passyunk)
- 📼 VHS Club: Spooky Season at the Arts League (Spruce Hill)
- 🎶 Songwriting Workshop at Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture (Olde Kensington)
- 📽️ An Evening with Sam Feder at the Rotunda (University City)
- 🍽️ Flavors of Love at Adelita Taqueria (Bella Vista)
- 👨🍳 Carl & Friends: REUBY Dinner Party at 1830 Lombard St. (Center City)
Saturday, Oct. 25
- ☕ Philly Coffee Festival (Day One) at 23rd St. Armory (Center City)
- 🎶 The Music of Frank Sinatra & Tony Bennett at Marian Anderson Hall (Center City)
- 🎉 Kensington Derby & Arts Festival on Frankford Avenue between Sargent & York Streets (East Kensington)
- 🇵🇭 Taste of the Philippines at Cherry Street Pier (Old City)
- 🚼 Kid & Baby Clothing Swap at Children’s Community School (Squirrel Hill)
- 🚴 Free Bike Rentals at Bartram’s Garden (Kingsessing)
- 📺 People Powered Media Fest at PhillyCAM (Center City)
- 🎨 Seeding Joy Art Workshop at Philadelphia Art Museum (Fairmount)
- 💬 PLATES: The Politics of Layout Opening Reception at Ulises (Norris Square)
- 👻 Spirits of Historic Germantown at Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion (Germantown)
- 🧑🎨 Kids Craft Pinch Pots at Historic St. George’s (Old City)
- 🎲 Backgammon Social at Madis Coffee Roasters (Center City)
Sunday, Oct. 26
- 🎤 Open Mic at Two Locals Brewing (University City)
- 🦃 Turkey Day Tailgate at FDR Park (South Philly)
- 🎉 Day Breaker at CURE de Repos (Chestnut Hill)
- 😄 Halloween Comedy Show at Studio 34 (West Philly)
- 🪩 Drag Brunch at Silk City (Northern Liberties)
- 🍽️ Philly Cooks a Book Meetup at Washington Square Park (Washington Square West)
- 🧑🍳 Kampar Pop-Up at Jet Wine Bar (Graduate Hospital)
- 🧙♀️ Profs & Pints: A Guide to Witches at Black Squirrel Club (Fishtown)
- 🛍️ Flea Market & Concert on Richmond Street between Clearfield Street & Allegheny Avenue (Port Richmond)
- 👖 Clothing Swap at Stitch & Destroy (Queen Village)
- 🧑🎨 Clay Workshop at One Art Community Center (West Philly)
We can’t name all the reasons why Philly is so special, so let’s start with 52. Philly’s marking each week next year with a celebration of a different historic innovation that started here, from the first hot air balloon flight in the country to the first hospital.
Now, I challenge you to go out and make the next big contribution 😉
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