🩺 Philly’s new medical museum

School District Doubles Down on Closures Plan As City Council Pressure Intensifies

Council members expressed frustration at their limited power over school closures but backed Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson’s commitment to hold up funding as leverage. Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. did indicate that final recommendations could change before the plan is presented to the school board on Feb. 26, but said the district could have “presented a plan that closed twice as many schools and been able to defend it.” [🔒 The Inquirer]

Pennsylvania Hospital To Open New Museum for Semiquincentennial

The Pine Building at the oldest hospital in the country will soon feature a museum showcasing its contributions to science and medicine, as well as its perseverance through challenges such as yellow fever and COVID-19. The museum will also include a preserved historical library and a renovated apothecary. [NBC10]

Do World Cafe Live’s Owners Know It's Closing?

The city has ordered World Cafe Live to cease operations by March 11 due to the venue’s outstanding tax violations. Despite this and the WCL’s ongoing legal battles, shows are (somehow) still scheduled through June. [Daily Pennsylvanian]

Gubernatorial Candidate Accuses ICE Protesters of Being ‘Paid’

Protesters gathered outside 30th Street Station in protest of Enterprise Rent-a-Car leasing its vehicles to ICE, while others rallied outside the ICE field office in Center City. The actions are signs of increasing opposition to the federal agency, but GOP candidate for governor and current state treasurer Stacy Garrity claims that demonstrators in uncooperative states are “paid protesters.” [KYW, 6ABC, Meidas News]

• Related: Meanwhile her opponent, Gov. Shapiro, recently warned DHS officials to drop plans for a new detention center in Berks and Schuylkill counties. [Spotlight PA]