Plus, the tax hike pushing Philly businesses out ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Friday, May 8 

Your Daily Guide

Good morning, Philly! We made it to Friday. If you’re still figuring out weekend plans or need a last-minute Mother’s Day gift, swing by Cherry Street Pier for the Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar. The craft fair is a two-day event and the City Cast Philly team will be tabling there on Saturday. Stop by and say hello if you come out! 🌸

What Philly's Talking About

‘ICE Out’ Legislation To Go in Effect in July

Mayor Cherelle Parker signed six out of seven bills restricting the city’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The seventh bill, which prohibits agents from concealing their identity, will still be codified into law without her signature since she did not move to veto the bill. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

PODCASTFriday, May 8

Mayor Parker Signs Anti-ICE Bills, Congressional Candidate Under Fire & Knicks Fans Attempt Takeover

Who Is Paying for the School District’s Closure Plan?

The School District of Philadelphia needs to raise $3 billion to implement its facilities master plan, but relying on government funding and philanthropic grants for a majority of that dollar amount may be a pipe dream. With state and local governments threatening to withhold funding, the promised improvements to schools may be pared down. [Chalkbeat]

  • Related: City Council unanimously voted to hold hearings to restructure how members of the school board are selected. Currently, the mayor appoints Board of Education members, who serve in unpaid roles, while other counties in Pennsylvania elect the school board. [Philadelphia Tribune]

Pedestrian and Cyclist Deaths Remain High

Although fatal traffic crashes reached a record low last year, 55% of people killed in the city’s vehicle-related crashes were non-drivers, with most serious injuries occurring when drivers hit someone outside the car. [🔒The Inquirer]

Thumbnail of Trenae Nuri and David Plotz with the text "Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment. Plus, a Non-Trumpified 4th of July"

Tune in to this week’s episode of Your City Could Be Better to hear City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speak with City Cast CEO David Plotz about Philly’s plans to keep bars open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup and semiquincentennial celebrations. Listen on YCCBB's feed today or City Cast Philly’s on Sunday.

Will Fetterman Leave the Democratic Party Behind?

That’s the question on Pennsylvanians’ minds this week after political insiders hinted at an effort by Senate Republicans and President Donald Trump to convince Sen. John Fetterman to switch his party affiliation. His fellow senator, Dave McCormick, is certainly ready to welcome him with open arms. [Politico, NBC10]

Taxes Skyrocket for Small Businesses Due to BIRT Hike

Business owners are feeling crushed by increases to the Business Income and Receipts Tax after the Parker administration revoked an exemption for the first $100,000 of earnings. Legislation proposing BIRT exemptions is being considered but could run into legal trouble under state law. [Billy Penn]

How Well Do You Know Philly?

Heart-shaped balloons saying "Happy Mother's Day"

Anna Jarvis created Mother’s Day to honor her late mother, but hated how commercialized the holiday had become. (Nick Fewings / Unsplash)

It’s quiz time! How well do you know Philly’s history and latest headlines? See if you can get all three questions right.

Philadelphian Anna Jarvis created Mother's Day. In what year was it first observed?

  1. 1908
  2. 1914
  3. 1919
I know the answer!

What To Do

Friday, May 8

Saturday, May 9

Sunday, May 10

More Philly Events

🎭 If the above events weren’t enough, I highly recommend going to dinner and a show. I had a lovely time last night seeing “Romeo & Juliet” at the Academy of Music. Check out what’s upcoming at Ensemble Arts and win tickets to a musical later this month.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

— Siani Colón

Abby Fritz edited this week’s newsletter.

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