The Philadelphia Citizen

Heroes Among Us

Larry Platt — 2026-11-06T10:56:19Z

It was one of those conversations you find yourself in a lot these days. A few weeks before Election Day, a civic-minded friend, beleaguered by the bared-teeth meanness of our politics, said he’d checked out. No more staying up on the news, no more wasting time thinking about how to make his neighbors’ lives — … Continue reading Heroes Among Us

The post Heroes Among Us appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2026: Are Your Electeds Even Listening?

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy — 2026-11-06T10:55:39Z

You know the feeling: You’ve cast your ballot. Your candidate has won and been sworn in. And then … crickets. Maybe you’ll get a newsletter here or there with news they want to share. Maybe you’ll see their name in a news article. Maybe you’ll hear from them again when they are up for re-election. … Continue reading Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2026: Are Your Electeds Even Listening?

The post Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2026: Are Your Electeds Even Listening? appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Guest Commentary: Does Hate Really Have No Home Here?

Farah Jimenez — 2026-11-06T10:43:28Z

Imagine this: Outraged by the Chinese government’s persecution of the Uyghurs, a group of Philadelphians organizes a protest targeting Chinese-owned restaurants. They call for boycotts, gather outside businesses, and demand that establishments associated with China be driven from the city. Or imagine that, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, protesters take to the streets … Continue reading Guest Commentary: Does Hate Really Have No Home Here?

The post Guest Commentary: Does Hate Really Have No Home Here? appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

You Can’t See Everything — Election Day in America

Malcolm Burnley — 2026-11-05T20:36:13Z

The post You Can’t See Everything — Election Day in America appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Guest Commentary: An Election Day Love Letter to Philadelphia

Laura Bellet — 2026-11-05T18:10:29Z

I volunteered as an election observer out of fear and trepidation. Bad stuff — ICE presence, in particular — wasn’t out of the question. But I was well-trained, ready to record incidents and answer questions, and poised to reach out for help if needed. What I didn’t anticipate was a six-hour stint that would underscore … Continue reading Guest Commentary: An Election Day Love Letter to Philadelphia

The post Guest Commentary: An Election Day Love Letter to Philadelphia appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

What PA’s Blue Wave Could Mean for Gun Reform

Mensah M. Dean — 2026-11-05T15:35:54Z

A national blue wave will give Pennsylvania Democrats their greatest chance in more than 30 years of passing gun reform bills that have been languishing in the state Legislature. [This story was originally published by The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in America. Sign up for its newsletters here.] Democrats won control of … Continue reading What PA’s Blue Wave Could Mean for Gun Reform

The post What PA’s Blue Wave Could Mean for Gun Reform appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Things to Do This Week For America’s 250th

Christina Griffith — 2026-11-05T11:15:13Z

This year, the United States of America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. The American Revolutionary War was fought between April 1775 and September 1783, though the war for independence wasn’t “formalized” until the next year, when the Second Continental Congress, right here in Philadelphia, passed the Lee Resolution for Independence on July 2, … Continue reading Things to Do This Week For America’s 250th

The post Things to Do This Week For America’s 250th appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Suburban Philadelphians Are Fighting Against Data Centers. Can They Win?

Courtney DuChene — 2026-11-05T10:45:49Z

The post Suburban Philadelphians Are Fighting Against Data Centers. Can They Win? appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

How Philadelphia Answered Two Ballot Questions

Lauren McCutcheon — 2026-11-04T12:10:24Z

On Tuesday, November 3, Philadelphians voted to adapt the Home Rule Charter (basically a user’s manual for our city government) by answering “Yes” to both ballot measures, aka ballot questions. Ballot measures can expand, contract or shift how things work in City Hall. Past ballot questions have run the gamut, from preventing municipal employees from … Continue reading How Philadelphia Answered Two Ballot Questions

The post How Philadelphia Answered Two Ballot Questions appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Philly Outcomes in the 2026 General Election

Lauren McCutcheon — 2026-11-04T11:49:05Z

Amid the surging blue seas metaphors making headlines post Election Day 2026, Philadelphia’s waters remained as solid blue as ever. A modest but could-have-been-worse 44 percent voter turnout restored both Philly-based incumbent representatives to their places in the U.S. Congress, and gave left-of-center state Rep Chris Rabb Dwight Evans’ spot on the Hill. Democratic Pennsylvania … Continue reading Philly Outcomes in the 2026 General Election

The post Philly Outcomes in the 2026 General Election appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Takes on Migration

Christina Griffith — 2026-11-04T10:50:18Z

If you have seen the artwork from Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation (PAAFF) promoting their annual film festival, you might have connected the stylized birds and delicate stars and arrows to migration, the theme chosen for their 19th annual film festival. “I think you could interpret it, and that’s the beauty of the theme,” says … Continue reading Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Takes on Migration

The post Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Takes on Migration appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Ideas We Should Steal: Legal Help for Gun Violence Survivors — at Their Bedsides

Ashleigh N. DeLuca — 2026-11-04T10:00:14Z

Daryl* had come to be known as “the mayor” of Temple University Hospital’s eighth floor intensive care unit. An avid reader with a handsome face, he quickly charmed the nurses and hospital staff with his compassion, fondness for deep conversations, and encyclopedic knowledge of modern literature. One of these staff members was Scott Charles, the … Continue reading Ideas We Should Steal: Legal Help for Gun Violence Survivors — at Their Bedsides

The post Ideas We Should Steal: Legal Help for Gun Violence Survivors — at Their Bedsides appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Has NIMBYism Saved Data Centers in PA?

Ethan Dodd — 2026-11-03T11:00:14Z

“We will not be bullied” by data centers, Governor Josh Shapiro said this past August. He had just signed an executive order restricting their development in Pennsylvania. The promised productivity boom of AI is propping up the U.S. economy, and data centers — the warehouses of computers that train and run the technology — are … Continue reading Has NIMBYism Saved Data Centers in PA?

The post Has NIMBYism Saved Data Centers in PA? appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Fun Things to Do in Philly this Week and Weekend

Christina Griffith — 2026-11-02T13:00:46Z

Spooky season is behind us, Philly, and looming ahead are cold days, warm comfort food, family gatherings, gift shopping…OK let’s keep things positive with cool things to do! This week Lectures on Tap comes back to South Philly, these tickets move fast so check out all their listed events. Speaking of imbibing-themed events whose tickets … Continue reading Fun Things to Do in Philly this Week and Weekend

The post Fun Things to Do in Philly this Week and Weekend appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.

Your Guide to the 2026 General Election

Courtney Duchene and Lauren McCutcheon — 2026-11-02T11:55:46Z

Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s 2026 general election takes place Tuesday, November 3 from 7am to 8pm. This year, PA will either re-elect or elect a new governor, and Philadelphia will elect a new person to represent the 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives, and either re-elect or elect a new U.S. representative to our … Continue reading Your Guide to the 2026 General Election

The post Your Guide to the 2026 General Election appeared first on The Philadelphia Citizen.