Your Daily Guide

Philly is once again the poorest big city in America, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2025 data shows the city’s poverty rate at 20.4%, its first increase in 14 years. Houston and New York City were next in line.

• What does this mean? Experts say that the poverty rate, which is determined based on family income alone, does not paint the whole picture of residents’ financial struggles. Factors like rising costs of living and federal cuts to S.N.A.P. play an equally important role in the city’s affordability crisis.
• Mixed news on jobs. The number of Philadelphians ages 25 to 34 holding four-year degrees has increased 38% over the past decade, according to a new report from the Center City District. Talent in the office sector is growing faster than most other major cities, but the number of jobs available for college graduates in Center City has not kept pace. And last week’s mass layoffs at Comcast’s headquarters pose a new hurdle.
• Weigh in on Philly’s future. The Trump administration’s proposed immigrant-related changes to the 2030 census could reduce Philly’s official population count by 100,000 people. That could result in fewer federal funds and reduced representation in Congress. Today is the final day for public comment on the proposed change — add your thoughts!

Philly’s Only GOP State Senator Backs Minimum Wage Hike & Recurring SEPTA Funding

There’s only one Republican state senator from Philly. In today’s podcast, host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz sit down with State Sen. Joe Picozzi from Northeast Philly to discuss his positions on the minimum wage, legal cannabis, and SEPTA. We also talk about his Democratic friends. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

How Are Restaurants Surviving This Economy?

Philly restaurants are finding creative ways to stay afloat and attract diners, including adopting pay-what-you-can models, tweaking recipes to include cheaper ingredients, launching children’s tasting menus, and consolidating operations. [Billy Penn]

Mayor’s Housing Plan Lags in Spending

The city has spent just 13% of $278 million allocated for the first phase of Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.), Mayor Parker’s affordable housing initiative. Parker pledged to preserve or build 30,000 units, but the initiative has faced delays. Last week two members of City Council even opted their districts out of a bill allowing more apartments in commercially zoned buildings. [The Inquirer 🔐]

• Two renter protection laws took effect yesterday. Among the pro-tenant changes is a measure to prevent retaliatory evictions. [WHYY]

Public School Advocates Call on Mayor To Act

Members of City Council joined a group of labor union leaders, teachers, and students last week to oppose the school district’s plan to close 17 public schools. Although Mayor Parker previously expressed support for the closures, protesters called on her to take action and halt the closures before the school year ends. [Chalkbeat]

• Smoking helps students? A new analysis finds that $2 from every pack of cigarettes sold in Philly goes to the school district, generating as much as $80 million a year. [Philly Plain Dealer]