City Cast Philly
🧑⚖️ Ghost gun ban heads to PA Supreme Court
March 12, 2026 · — Siani Colón
If you’re traveling, TSA lines are surprisingly smooth at PHL despite the partial government shutdown. However, you may run into a different long line at the airport on March 24, when an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest line of cheesesteaks will take place.
Just don’t miss your flight because you stopped at Tony Luke’s first, okay?
What's CITY Talking About
SEPTA Recovers After Fire Disrupts Rush Hour Service
“I just want to go home” was a sentiment echoed by riders in Center City yesterday after a blown transformer disrupted SEPTA and PATCO service. The fire and subsequent power outage suspended L service between 2nd Street and 30th Street stations and diverted subway and trolley lines. [6ABC]
New Tool Tracks City’s Progress on Quality-of-life Concerns
Kensington residents can now access real-time data about EMS incidents, vacant lot locations, and code violations using this dashboard. The city launched this tool Tuesday and plans to replicate it in other neighborhoods. [City of Philadelphia, 🔒 The Inquirer]
- Related: The pilot is part of efforts to empower the Kensington community as the city addresses the opioid crisis and related issues. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
Does Philly’s Ghost Gun Ban Violate State Law?
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will determine the legality of the city’s ordinance banning untraceable guns. City Council banned the weapons in 2021 after record-high homicides and shootings. A hearing on Tuesday started what could be months of back-and-forth before the justices make a final decision. [KYW]
New Homeless Services Center Opens at Former Hahnemann Hospital
The Hope 220 Solution Center will assist people experiencing homelessness by offering temporary housing and connecting them with free services. The center is currently about half full and is spreading the word in hopes of filling more beds. [WHYY]
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Mural Arts Founder Jane Golden on Art as a Medium for Beauty, Opportunity, and Democracy
Over 40 years ago, Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr. tapped artist and organizer Jane Golden to helm a new city initiative to curb vandalism. Since then, the organization evolved into Mural Arts Philadelphia and has completed over 4,000 murals across the city, earning Philly the title of the “Mural Capital of the World.”
Last August, Golden announced she would step down from her role after the semiquincentennial celebrations. As her time comes to a close, we spoke with her about her legacy, as well as what the future holds for her, Mural Arts, and the arts in the city. Here’s a preview of that conversation.
What was the first mural?
“ It was the Spring Garden [Street] Bridge … It's really long. It's like six feet tall and probably each side is like hundreds of feet long. It connects the art museum area to Mantua and Powelton, and it was covered with graffiti. There wasn't a spot on it.
“ When I was hired, it wasn't yet a full-time job. And Wilson Goode said to me, ‘If you can paint that bridge with the kids in Mantua in three weeks … you will have a full-time job, no questions asked.
“ We cleaned it up , but then we decided with the kids, they wanted [the theme to be] life in the city … so it was a lot of young people doing things. And they were working so fast that the other artists, we could barely keep up with them. We painted at night. We had flashlights. We painted on the weekend.
“ There was this big dedication at the end. And Wilson Goode looked at me, he goes, ‘You did it. Under three weeks … you have the job.’
“I'm in touch with some of those young people still as adults. I know their kids. It was such a bonding experience.”
What is that work that you're doing? How would you define that?
“ We're a program that embraces nuance. People have asked me for years, 'cause we have all these different departments. ‘Are you a public safety organization? Is it education? Is it social services? Is it art? You know, what is it?’ And I would say it's all those things with art at the center. And I think it's okay to be that way.”
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What To Do
Thursday, March 12
- ✨ Iftar & Artist Lecture with Meryem Osmanlioglu at Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture (Olde Kensington)
- 💰 Women Mean Business at Society Hill Dance Academy (East Passyunk)
- 💡 Vision Zero PHL Conference at Temple University (North Philly)
- 🍷 History, Geography, Economy, and Politics of Georgian Wines and Beyond at Penn Museum (University City)
- 📚 Nighttime at Downtime: Tanya Bush - 'Will This Make You Happy' at Downtime Bakery (Mt. Airy)
- 🇺🇸 National History Day Philly 2026 Competition at National Constitution Center (Old City)
- 🐇 Reassembly Second Thursday: Building a Bigger Bunny at Ulises (Olde Kensington)
- 🐙 Shifting Impressions Exhibit at Box Spring Gallery (Olde Kensington)
- ☕ Morning Drip at Cafe Tolia (Old City)
- 🎲 Backgammon Tournament at Frankford Hall (Fishtown)
Friday, March 13
- 🐶 Philly Fur Ball at 2300 Arena (South Philly)
- 🎵 Yo-Yo Ma and Interlochen Center for the Arts at Marian Anderson Hall (Center City)
- 😆 Sam Jay at Punch Line Philly (Fishtown)
- 🎭 Take No Tea For A Fever Benefit Performances at Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts (Southwest Center City)
- 🤔 City and State Benefits at Nicetown-Tioga Library (Nicetown-Tioga)
📚 Show appreciation for a local teacher by nominating them for the IBX Honor Roll! Six educators who make a difference in their classrooms will be honored at a Phillies game and receive additional prizes. Nominations close March 22.
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