Weekend ReadsThe likely first public menorah was lit on Independence Mall on this week in Philly historyFour men of the Lubavitcher sect of Hasidic Judaism, including renowned Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, gathered on Independence Mall on Dec. 14, 1974. Tommy Rowan 2 hours agoInside the chaotic, magical world of a Philly-area Santa at Christmastime Erin McCarthy and Ariana Perez-Castells After decade of delay, Philadelphia Housing Authority will bring affordable housing to Center CityJake Blumgart Botched arrest by Sheriff’s Office for probation violation preceded fatal North Philly crashWilliam Bender and Ryan W. Briggs Temple pledges to boost police patrol officers by 58% over five years following staffing study Susan Snyder AdvertisementThese are the buildings to watch in Philly in 2026Philly’s biggest development projects of 2026 could bring more than 2,500 new homes and apartments; 1,800 parking spaces; and 118,000 square feet of storage space.Jake Blumgart A hidden alley could become a key walking path in Old City for 2026The city is starting construction on what officials call the Commerce Connector, a pedestrian path designed to guide visitors from the Independence Visitors’ Center to Carpenters Hall.Frank Kummer A Cobbs Creek man taped basketball broadcasts for five decades. His grieving family wants to find a home for his life’s work.From 1986-2024, Billy Gordon recorded thousands of basketball games onto VHS tapes. He died in 2025 and his family wants to pass them on to someone who appreciates them.Alex Coffey It’s an open secret that some charter schools push out kids with behavioral problems, Philly principals sayPrincipals say students offloaded from charters to Philadelphia School District schools are often "counseled out," while they can't remove students from traditional public schools for those reasons.Kristen A. Graham Why Philadelphia loses promising biotech firms to Boston, San Francisco, and San DiegoPhiladelphia has lagged in biotech R&D jobs despite University of Pennsylvania scientists playing a leading role in developing major areas of medical innovation like cell and gene therapy and mRNA.Harold Brubaker Palantir CEO Alex Karp was raised in a liberal household outside Philly. Now he’s a top Trump administration contractorAlex Karp grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and attended Central High School. Now he's the CEO of Palantir, which has received millions in government contracts, and is an outspoken defender of TrumpFallon Roth Northeast Philly gets another new school: The $88 million Thomas Holme will open in JanuaryThe new Holme, on Academy Road, will house 800 students in January. It's the district's seventh new school building in 10 years.Kristen A. Graham and Mike Newall How quiet is your hospital at night? See how patients rate Philly-area hospitals.Quieter hospitals have benefits for both patients and staff, helping to lower anxiety levels, improve sleep quality, and ease the flow of communication.Lizzie Mulvey All 17 City Council members may be running for reelection. That would be the first time in at least 75 years. The 2027 primary is 18 months away, and plenty can happen before then. Past lawmakers have declined to seek reelection for a variety of unexpected reasons. Sean Collins Walsh The Eagles’ success has been riding on the defense this year. The 1991 team remembers what that’s like. The Eagles can look to 1991 for some lessons in how to cover up the warts of a struggling offense via a talented and opportunistic defense. Alex Coffey Courtroom recordings raise questions about Judge Scott DiClaudio’s testimony in probe of whether he tried to influence caseJudge Scott DiClaudio is suspended without pay amid allegations that he sought to influence the outcome of a case with ties to Philly rapper Meek Mill. He has denied the allegations.Ellie Rushing Nearly 30 employees have left Chester County’s election office since 2021 amid allegations of toxic work cultureThe county hired an outside firm to investigate what factors, including staffing issues, contributed to a general election error that forced more than 12,000 residents to vote by provisional ballot.Katie Bernard A disabled Ecuadorian immigrant tried to flag down an ICE officer. Now he faces deportation. As President Donald Trump pursues an unprecedented mass-deportation campaign, more migrants have been subjected to mandatory detention.Jeff Gammage These street sign artists are helping Philadelphia commuters answer an age-old question: Where’s the bus? The sign is akin to a Band-Aid on a public transportation network plagued by infrastructure issues and financial turmoil, as well as a resource for people who don’t have access to smartphones. Maggie Prosser Why hasn’t Trump sent troops to Philly, the city where ‘bad things happen’? Everyone has a theory.“We don’t do ourselves a favor by getting panicked in advance, but we also need to be ready," said Pastor Jay Bergen, a leader of No ICE Philly.Jeff Gammage, Julia Terruso, and Anna Orso See more storiesAdvertisement
The likely first public menorah was lit on Independence Mall on this week in Philly historyFour men of the Lubavitcher sect of Hasidic Judaism, including renowned Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, gathered on Independence Mall on Dec. 14, 1974. Tommy Rowan 2 hours ago
The likely first public menorah was lit on Independence Mall on this week in Philly historyFour men of the Lubavitcher sect of Hasidic Judaism, including renowned Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, gathered on Independence Mall on Dec. 14, 1974. Tommy Rowan 2 hours ago
Inside the chaotic, magical world of a Philly-area Santa at Christmastime Erin McCarthy and Ariana Perez-Castells
Inside the chaotic, magical world of a Philly-area Santa at Christmastime Erin McCarthy and Ariana Perez-Castells
After decade of delay, Philadelphia Housing Authority will bring affordable housing to Center CityJake Blumgart
After decade of delay, Philadelphia Housing Authority will bring affordable housing to Center CityJake Blumgart
Botched arrest by Sheriff’s Office for probation violation preceded fatal North Philly crashWilliam Bender and Ryan W. Briggs
Botched arrest by Sheriff’s Office for probation violation preceded fatal North Philly crashWilliam Bender and Ryan W. Briggs
Temple pledges to boost police patrol officers by 58% over five years following staffing study Susan Snyder
Temple pledges to boost police patrol officers by 58% over five years following staffing study Susan Snyder
These are the buildings to watch in Philly in 2026Philly’s biggest development projects of 2026 could bring more than 2,500 new homes and apartments; 1,800 parking spaces; and 118,000 square feet of storage space.Jake Blumgart
These are the buildings to watch in Philly in 2026Philly’s biggest development projects of 2026 could bring more than 2,500 new homes and apartments; 1,800 parking spaces; and 118,000 square feet of storage space.Jake Blumgart
A hidden alley could become a key walking path in Old City for 2026The city is starting construction on what officials call the Commerce Connector, a pedestrian path designed to guide visitors from the Independence Visitors’ Center to Carpenters Hall.Frank Kummer
A hidden alley could become a key walking path in Old City for 2026The city is starting construction on what officials call the Commerce Connector, a pedestrian path designed to guide visitors from the Independence Visitors’ Center to Carpenters Hall.Frank Kummer
A Cobbs Creek man taped basketball broadcasts for five decades. His grieving family wants to find a home for his life’s work.From 1986-2024, Billy Gordon recorded thousands of basketball games onto VHS tapes. He died in 2025 and his family wants to pass them on to someone who appreciates them.Alex Coffey
A Cobbs Creek man taped basketball broadcasts for five decades. His grieving family wants to find a home for his life’s work.From 1986-2024, Billy Gordon recorded thousands of basketball games onto VHS tapes. He died in 2025 and his family wants to pass them on to someone who appreciates them.Alex Coffey
It’s an open secret that some charter schools push out kids with behavioral problems, Philly principals sayPrincipals say students offloaded from charters to Philadelphia School District schools are often "counseled out," while they can't remove students from traditional public schools for those reasons.Kristen A. Graham
It’s an open secret that some charter schools push out kids with behavioral problems, Philly principals sayPrincipals say students offloaded from charters to Philadelphia School District schools are often "counseled out," while they can't remove students from traditional public schools for those reasons.Kristen A. Graham
Why Philadelphia loses promising biotech firms to Boston, San Francisco, and San DiegoPhiladelphia has lagged in biotech R&D jobs despite University of Pennsylvania scientists playing a leading role in developing major areas of medical innovation like cell and gene therapy and mRNA.Harold Brubaker
Why Philadelphia loses promising biotech firms to Boston, San Francisco, and San DiegoPhiladelphia has lagged in biotech R&D jobs despite University of Pennsylvania scientists playing a leading role in developing major areas of medical innovation like cell and gene therapy and mRNA.Harold Brubaker
Palantir CEO Alex Karp was raised in a liberal household outside Philly. Now he’s a top Trump administration contractorAlex Karp grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and attended Central High School. Now he's the CEO of Palantir, which has received millions in government contracts, and is an outspoken defender of TrumpFallon Roth
Palantir CEO Alex Karp was raised in a liberal household outside Philly. Now he’s a top Trump administration contractorAlex Karp grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and attended Central High School. Now he's the CEO of Palantir, which has received millions in government contracts, and is an outspoken defender of TrumpFallon Roth
Northeast Philly gets another new school: The $88 million Thomas Holme will open in JanuaryThe new Holme, on Academy Road, will house 800 students in January. It's the district's seventh new school building in 10 years.Kristen A. Graham and Mike Newall
Northeast Philly gets another new school: The $88 million Thomas Holme will open in JanuaryThe new Holme, on Academy Road, will house 800 students in January. It's the district's seventh new school building in 10 years.Kristen A. Graham and Mike Newall
How quiet is your hospital at night? See how patients rate Philly-area hospitals.Quieter hospitals have benefits for both patients and staff, helping to lower anxiety levels, improve sleep quality, and ease the flow of communication.Lizzie Mulvey
How quiet is your hospital at night? See how patients rate Philly-area hospitals.Quieter hospitals have benefits for both patients and staff, helping to lower anxiety levels, improve sleep quality, and ease the flow of communication.Lizzie Mulvey
All 17 City Council members may be running for reelection. That would be the first time in at least 75 years. The 2027 primary is 18 months away, and plenty can happen before then. Past lawmakers have declined to seek reelection for a variety of unexpected reasons. Sean Collins Walsh
All 17 City Council members may be running for reelection. That would be the first time in at least 75 years. The 2027 primary is 18 months away, and plenty can happen before then. Past lawmakers have declined to seek reelection for a variety of unexpected reasons. Sean Collins Walsh
The Eagles’ success has been riding on the defense this year. The 1991 team remembers what that’s like. The Eagles can look to 1991 for some lessons in how to cover up the warts of a struggling offense via a talented and opportunistic defense. Alex Coffey
The Eagles’ success has been riding on the defense this year. The 1991 team remembers what that’s like. The Eagles can look to 1991 for some lessons in how to cover up the warts of a struggling offense via a talented and opportunistic defense. Alex Coffey
Courtroom recordings raise questions about Judge Scott DiClaudio’s testimony in probe of whether he tried to influence caseJudge Scott DiClaudio is suspended without pay amid allegations that he sought to influence the outcome of a case with ties to Philly rapper Meek Mill. He has denied the allegations.Ellie Rushing
Courtroom recordings raise questions about Judge Scott DiClaudio’s testimony in probe of whether he tried to influence caseJudge Scott DiClaudio is suspended without pay amid allegations that he sought to influence the outcome of a case with ties to Philly rapper Meek Mill. He has denied the allegations.Ellie Rushing
Nearly 30 employees have left Chester County’s election office since 2021 amid allegations of toxic work cultureThe county hired an outside firm to investigate what factors, including staffing issues, contributed to a general election error that forced more than 12,000 residents to vote by provisional ballot.Katie Bernard
Nearly 30 employees have left Chester County’s election office since 2021 amid allegations of toxic work cultureThe county hired an outside firm to investigate what factors, including staffing issues, contributed to a general election error that forced more than 12,000 residents to vote by provisional ballot.Katie Bernard
A disabled Ecuadorian immigrant tried to flag down an ICE officer. Now he faces deportation. As President Donald Trump pursues an unprecedented mass-deportation campaign, more migrants have been subjected to mandatory detention.Jeff Gammage
A disabled Ecuadorian immigrant tried to flag down an ICE officer. Now he faces deportation. As President Donald Trump pursues an unprecedented mass-deportation campaign, more migrants have been subjected to mandatory detention.Jeff Gammage
These street sign artists are helping Philadelphia commuters answer an age-old question: Where’s the bus? The sign is akin to a Band-Aid on a public transportation network plagued by infrastructure issues and financial turmoil, as well as a resource for people who don’t have access to smartphones. Maggie Prosser
These street sign artists are helping Philadelphia commuters answer an age-old question: Where’s the bus? The sign is akin to a Band-Aid on a public transportation network plagued by infrastructure issues and financial turmoil, as well as a resource for people who don’t have access to smartphones. Maggie Prosser
Why hasn’t Trump sent troops to Philly, the city where ‘bad things happen’? Everyone has a theory.“We don’t do ourselves a favor by getting panicked in advance, but we also need to be ready," said Pastor Jay Bergen, a leader of No ICE Philly.Jeff Gammage, Julia Terruso, and Anna Orso
Why hasn’t Trump sent troops to Philly, the city where ‘bad things happen’? Everyone has a theory.“We don’t do ourselves a favor by getting panicked in advance, but we also need to be ready," said Pastor Jay Bergen, a leader of No ICE Philly.Jeff Gammage, Julia Terruso, and Anna Orso
