City Cast Philly
🗳️ New movement to replace Fetterman in 2028
January 20, 2026 · — Siani Colón
Welcome back! If you need help figuring out lunch or dinner plans, Center City Restaurant Week is running until Jan. 31. There are over 100 participating restaurants, and some may be considered iconic. How does one earn that title? Eli Kulp, host of the Delicious City Philly podcast, shared with us the nominees for the Icon Award, which will be given out at The Tasties next month.
Which Philly restaurant do you think is the most iconic? Share your thoughts, and we might include your comments in our podcast and newsletter.
What's CITY Talking About
Working Families Party Pushes to Primary Fetterman
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman still has two years left on his term, but his former allies are working to replace him in the next election. The Working Families Party launched a site with resources to unseat him, including a “Fetterman sell-out tracker” and a form to request a refund if you donated to Fetterman in the past. [NBC]
- Related: When Fetterman was elected in 2022, it seemed like a major win for progressives in Pennsylvania. So…what happened? [🎧 City Cast Philly]
Congressional Candidates Speak on Housing, Healthcare & Trump
There’s another primary to keep on your radar. Five of 12 Democratic candidates running this May to replace Rep. Dwight Evans in the Third Congressional District shared their stances on hot-button issues, from healthcare to AIPAC. [Germantown Info Hub]
Philly’s Cultural Institutions Awarded NEH Grants
In the wake of federal cuts that forced Philly’s arts institutions to shift programming and find new funding sources, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded $3 million to several groups in the city. The biggest grant went to the Museum of the American Revolution, aligning with the Trump administration’s priority for projects focused on the semiquincentennial and U.S. history. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]
Philly Students Achieve Highest Math Scores in Nine Years
Philly’s reading scores dipped last year, but changes to the district’s math curriculum and an expansion of its tutoring program are apparently having positive results. Still, the district has a long way to go to reach its goal of more than half of third- to eighth-grade students earning proficient scores on state tests. [Chalkbeat]
The Gloves Are Off at This Championship Tournament
We talked a lot last week about a certain fictional fighter in the city, but on Feb. 7, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is bringing the best real-life brawlers to compete in Knucklemania VI. [Philly Voice]
- Related: A former pro-boxer from Philly turned bare-knuckle fighting into a global empire. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
What To Do
Tuesday, Jan. 20
- 📕Author Talk: “The Flower Bearers | A Memoir” at Parkway Central Library (Logan Square)
- 🫂South Philly Action Coalition Planning Meeting at East Passyunk Recreation Center (East Passyunk)
- ✏️ The Writing Room at Iffy Books (Southwest Center City)
Wednesday, Jan. 21
- 💓 Volunteer Matchmaking Mixer at Temple University (North Philly)
- ♟️ Wednesday Night Chess at the Ethical Society (Rittenhouse Square)
- 🎲 Indie RPG Meetup at BUBS (Norris Square)
- ✂️ Collage Night: Zine Edition at At My House (Queen Village)
- 💻 Phunemployment Meetup at Spruce Hill Community Association (Spruce Hill)
- 💬 Fisher Park Advisory Council Community Meeting at Fisher Park Recreation Building (Olney)
🚴 Want to help your neighbors ride their bikes safely? The city’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems and Indego are looking for Community Ambassadors to share bike safety resources with other residents. Deadline to apply is Feb. 12.
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