After apartheid ended in South Africa, the country spent seven years of the racist system that had divided people by skin color — more than 22,000 statements, and thousands of public hearings broadcast for all to see.Since 1996, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has elsewhere. Now, Philadelphia is taking inspiration from South Africa as well.As the United States deals with a legacy of systemic racism in policing and the criminal justice system, District Attorney Larry Krasner has joined his counterparts in Boston and San Francisco in creating Truth, Justice and Reconciliation...…After apartheid ended in South Africa, the country spent seven years of the racist system that had divided people by skin color — more than 22,000 statements, and thousands of public hearings broadcast for all to see.Since 1996, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has elsewhere. Now, Philadelphia is taking inspiration from South Africa as well.As the United States deals with a legacy of systemic racism in policing and the criminal justice system, District Attorney Larry Krasner has joined his counterparts in Boston and San Francisco in creating Truth, Justice and Reconciliation...WW…

Philadelphia residents with suggestions on what should happen to the Christopher Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza have until July 21 to .On July 22, the city will take the public comments it collects to the Philadelphia Art Commission, which approves “the design and location of construction projects and public art on City property,” and ask for the statue’s removal. There will also be an opportunity for the public to offer testimony during the meeting.“While it may seem counterintuitive … one aspect of managing a public art collection is the occasional removal of works from public view,”...…Philadelphia residents with suggestions on what should happen to the Christopher Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza have until July 21 to .On July 22, the city will take the public comments it collects to the Philadelphia Art Commission, which approves “the design and location of construction projects and public art on City property,” and ask for the statue’s removal. There will also be an opportunity for the public to offer testimony during the meeting.“While it may seem counterintuitive … one aspect of managing a public art collection is the occasional removal of works from public view,”...WW…

When Jasmin Carter, a 19-year-old Black filmmaker in Philadelphia, watches movies or broadcast news, she often doesn’t see people who look like her or stories she finds relatable.“But I see little milestones inside the media industry,” she said, pointing to how talents like Issa Rae, creator and star of the HBO series “Insecure” and Carter’s personal hero, have made it onto TV screens to critical acclaim.There’s another reason Carter is hopeful the industry can move the needle on diversity: This summer, she’s taking part in a new pre-apprenticeship program — where she’s developing a...…When Jasmin Carter, a 19-year-old Black filmmaker in Philadelphia, watches movies or broadcast news, she often doesn’t see people who look like her or stories she finds relatable.“But I see little milestones inside the media industry,” she said, pointing to how talents like Issa Rae, creator and star of the HBO series “Insecure” and Carter’s personal hero, have made it onto TV screens to critical acclaim.There’s another reason Carter is hopeful the industry can move the needle on diversity: This summer, she’s taking part in a new pre-apprenticeship program — where she’s developing a...WW…

Two vacant rowhouses on the 700 block of Mercy Street in abruptly collapsed after numerous citations for dangerous conditions or illegal construction.While at least one car belonging to a neighbor was damaged in the Tuesday afternoon collapse, there were no immediate reports of injuries. The collapsed buildings appear to be owned by suburban real estate developers and both properties have long histories of building code violations.Karen Guss, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Licenses & Inspection, said that a dilapidated three-story rowhouse at 719 Mercy Street was “under...…Two vacant rowhouses on the 700 block of Mercy Street in abruptly collapsed after numerous citations for dangerous conditions or illegal construction.While at least one car belonging to a neighbor was damaged in the Tuesday afternoon collapse, there were no immediate reports of injuries. The collapsed buildings appear to be owned by suburban real estate developers and both properties have long histories of building code violations.Karen Guss, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Licenses & Inspection, said that a dilapidated three-story rowhouse at 719 Mercy Street was “under...WW…

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has filed charges in the shooting death of a 4-year-old girl, which took place late Monday in the child’s home in the far Northeast section of the city.Though police can’t say who was responsible for Kastari Nunez’s shooting, they have filed charges against three of the four adults in the home at the time, including the girl’s parents.Anthony Voci, the district attorney’s homicide unit chief, said Kastari’s parents Alhakim Nunez and Iris Rodriguez have been arrested and arraigned.The couple faces several charges including involuntary manslaughter,...…The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has filed charges in the shooting death of a 4-year-old girl, which took place late Monday in the child’s home in the far Northeast section of the city.Though police can’t say who was responsible for Kastari Nunez’s shooting, they have filed charges against three of the four adults in the home at the time, including the girl’s parents.Anthony Voci, the district attorney’s homicide unit chief, said Kastari’s parents Alhakim Nunez and Iris Rodriguez have been arrested and arraigned.The couple faces several charges including involuntary manslaughter,...WW…

Updated 9:53 p.m.While George Floyd’s funeral takes place in Houston, Philadelphians continue to take to the streets in protest of police brutality.In West Philadelphia, protesters gathered in Clark Park to call for police reform. In Northeast Philadelphia, rallies were held .  Meanwhile, outside City Hall, sanitation workers gathered to ask for more personal protective equipment and other measures to protect them against the coronavirus.The National Guard remains in Philadelphia with no official indication of when it might depart. But there has been a marked decrease in violence and...…Updated 9:53 p.m.While George Floyd’s funeral takes place in Houston, Philadelphians continue to take to the streets in protest of police brutality.In West Philadelphia, protesters gathered in Clark Park to call for police reform. In Northeast Philadelphia, rallies were held .  Meanwhile, outside City Hall, sanitation workers gathered to ask for more personal protective equipment and other measures to protect them against the coronavirus.The National Guard remains in Philadelphia with no official indication of when it might depart. But there has been a marked decrease in violence and...WW…

If immigration enforcement were to come to public schools in Philadelphia regarding a student and their family, would teachers or staff know how to respond?Immigration advocacy group and a coalition of supporters, including educators and City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Helen Gym, say the answer is no, and they want to change that.“The district needs to make sure that everyone knows what to do if [U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement] comes to my school, your school, or your school someday,” said Rodrigo Fernandez, a bilingual counseling assistant at the Southwark School in South...…If immigration enforcement were to come to public schools in Philadelphia regarding a student and their family, would teachers or staff know how to respond?Immigration advocacy group and a coalition of supporters, including educators and City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Helen Gym, say the answer is no, and they want to change that.“The district needs to make sure that everyone knows what to do if [U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement] comes to my school, your school, or your school someday,” said Rodrigo Fernandez, a bilingual counseling assistant at the Southwark School in South...WW…

For the first time in decades, the new year has dawned in Philadelphia without a formal Mummers Parade to accompany it.Mayor Jim Kenney canceled the parade in July out of concern about the pandemic. Rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths are now far higher in the city compared to the summer, and parade leaders and urged people to stay home.Still, hundreds of people joined Mummer’s March in South Philadelphia on Friday anyway for what they said was not a “parade,” but a protest.Many attendees were seen without masks, and did not observe physical distancing recommendations. A number of police...…For the first time in decades, the new year has dawned in Philadelphia without a formal Mummers Parade to accompany it.Mayor Jim Kenney canceled the parade in July out of concern about the pandemic. Rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths are now far higher in the city compared to the summer, and parade leaders and urged people to stay home.Still, hundreds of people joined Mummer’s March in South Philadelphia on Friday anyway for what they said was not a “parade,” but a protest.Many attendees were seen without masks, and did not observe physical distancing recommendations. A number of police...WW…

The Philadelphia Flower Show, also known as the “the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event,” is headed outdoors in 2021 — a first in its almost 200-year run.The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which hosts the annual event, said the show’s new home will be FDR Park and will take place June 5 to 13.The flower show has typically brought people from all over the world to the Pennsylvania Convention Center every year. The took place at the end of February and early March, narrowly missing travel restrictions and other social distancing guidelines implemented once the...…The Philadelphia Flower Show, also known as the “the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event,” is headed outdoors in 2021 — a first in its almost 200-year run.The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which hosts the annual event, said the show’s new home will be FDR Park and will take place June 5 to 13.The flower show has typically brought people from all over the world to the Pennsylvania Convention Center every year. The took place at the end of February and early March, narrowly missing travel restrictions and other social distancing guidelines implemented once the...WW…

When the Philadelphia City Commissioners put out the call in August for the Nov. 3 election, 18-year-old Abigail Thomas didn’t think twice.According to Kevin Feeley, a spokesman for the city, neither did 20,000 other people and it’s taking some time to sort through all of those applications.Yet the city has continued to encourage people to and media coverage of these efforts has left Thomas and others like her confused over why they haven’t heard back from election officials tasked with recruiting 8,500 poll workers.“People have been reaching out to me: ‘Hey, have you heard anything?’ And...…When the Philadelphia City Commissioners put out the call in August for the Nov. 3 election, 18-year-old Abigail Thomas didn’t think twice.According to Kevin Feeley, a spokesman for the city, neither did 20,000 other people and it’s taking some time to sort through all of those applications.Yet the city has continued to encourage people to and media coverage of these efforts has left Thomas and others like her confused over why they haven’t heard back from election officials tasked with recruiting 8,500 poll workers.“People have been reaching out to me: ‘Hey, have you heard anything?’ And...WW…