🎨 No one wants to fix the Rizzo statue

What To Know While Flying Out This Week

Getting through TSA was a breeze for me last week, but thanks to the Thanksgiving travel rush, it might be a different story now. If you’re flying out this weekend use this live tracker to watch out for delays and cancellations, wait times, and weather. [🔒 The Inquirer]

• If you have an amazing or terrible experience at the airport this week, let me know – we're planning an upcoming episode on PHL.

Yet Another Utility Bill Increase

Heads up, Philadelphia Gas Works customers: Residents who rely on the utility will see a $6 monthly increase on bills starting Dec. 1. Low-income customers enrolled in its Customer Responsibility Program will not be impacted. [WHYY]

House Committee Investigates School District for Antisemitism

The Education and Workforce Committee is requesting information on reports of antisemitism from three public school districts, including Philadelphia's. The committee will determine whether these districts have violated the Civil Rights Act. In 2024, after the school district was similarly investigated by the Biden Administration, it agreed to better train its staff and educate its students about discrimination. [CNN]

Rizzo Statue Stuck in Limbo

Supporters of the former Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner successfully sued the city following the statue’s removal during 2020 protests. But now they have a new challenge: finding a foundry willing to repair it. Despite the repairs estimated to cost $75,000, it appears no one wants to be associated with the controversial figure. [🔒 Philly Mag]

Jury Finds Two Guilty in Murder of Philadelphia Police Officer

Defendants Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez and Hendrick Pena-Fernandez were sentenced to life without parole following the jury’s verdict. Sgt. Richard Mendez was killed inside a parking garage at Philadelphia International Airport in 2023. His partner, Officer Raul Ortiz, was also injured in the attack. [CBS Philly]

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and finding gifts for everyone on your list can be overwhelming. To make things easier and more exciting, we asked our City Cast hosts and producers to each share a shining example of a small business in their city with an online shop. Here’s how you can support small businesses and find a gift for just about everyone.

🥨 Philadelphia: A Food Package from Di Bruno Bros.

City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri wants you to be brotherly and share a piece of Philly this holiday season.

“This is a century-old Philadelphia institution in the heart of the Italian Market (situated in the greatest food city in America) that now ships amazingly curated foods like Philly pretzels! You can also order an Abbondanza Cheese & Charcuterie Gourmet Gift Box or a salami sampler. This jawn is really, really good.”

✂️ Chicago: A Collage Magazine from the Chicago Collage Community

For those who love art, the Chicago Collage Community — which just celebrated its third anniversary — has two editions of its collage magazine featuring artists from across Chicagoland. Here’s City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran’s take.

“One of [Chicago Collage Magazine’s] curators, Lo Marie, is one of my friends and favorite visual artists in the city. Her current series ‘Windy City Tells’ is a magnificent and evocative series that captures daily life in the city in a unique way. It’s curated and edited by co-founders Charlea Taylor and Christine Vilutis, along with fellow collage artists and curators Miranda Livingston and Lo Marie.”

🍸 DC: Politically-Themed Spirits from Republic Restoratives Distillery

As the nation’s capital, D.C. is the epicenter of politics and “that’s enough to drive anyone to drink,” says City Cast DC host Bridget Todd. So, why not make it a good drink?

Republic Restoratives is a queer woman-owned distillery with a very D.C. story: Co-founder Pia Carusone used to work in politics and left to start Republic Restoratives after the attack on her boss, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Plus, a portion of the sales go directly to Vote.org.

Bridget recommends the Fascist Tears Vodka for a martini “as dirty as Christina Aguilera in the 90s.”