⚖️ City Council to consider ICE Out legislation

City Council To Discuss ICE Before New Detention Centers Open

After Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau introduced a legislative package that would limit ICE enforcement and prohibit city collaboration with ICE, all 17 City Council members will hear directly from immigration advocates and Mayor Parker’s administration on April 6. The council will work to finalize the legislation before immigration detention centers open in Berks and Schuylkill counties. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]

February Snow Showers Bring April Flowers?

Since Philly had a proper winter this year, the cherry blossom boom will arrive slightly later than usual. The flowers are expected to be at peak bloom around April 4, just a few days after Philly’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival in West Fairmount Park. [Axios, 🎧 City Cast Philly]

Chinatown Stitch in Funding Limbo

After the passage of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” federal funding intended to reconnect Chinatown over the Vine Street Expressway was rescinded, leaving its future uncertain. Organizers and community members still want the project to move forward, but planners are hesitant to reallocate funding to complete the design phase when there’s no secured funding for construction. [WHYY]

Could Expedited Permits Convince Data Centers To Keep Their Word?

As Gov. Shapiro urges data center developers to build in our state, some Pennsylvanians are concerned about tax revenue loss and higher energy bills. To address this, Shapiro wants developers to adhere to environmental and transparency standards, such as bringing their own power generation or paying for new generation, hiring locally, and conserving water. The trade-off? Quicker development. But the deal isn’t set in stone. [🎧 City Cast Philly, Spotlight PA]