Fights Over Philly Budget, The Portal Is Moving & Introducing Will Smith Way

It’s the Friday News Roundup. Today we’re digging into Mayor Cherelle Parker’s budget proposal – including her plans to eliminate free rides for low-income Philadelphians, build thousands of housing units, and cut a tax on businesses. We also wonder why the Portal art installation keeps getting vandalized and where it should be moved to keep it safer. And we talk about two Philebrities – Will Smith, the entertainer who got a street named after him, and Skinny Joe Merlino, the former mob boss opening a cheesesteak spot. 

Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: 

• NIH terminates three Penn research grants, citing incompatibility with ‘agency priorities’
• Jameson says Penn researchers received ‘stop work orders’ after $175 million federal funding freeze
• Pa. food banks are facing millions in federal funding cuts as they fear increased need
• 'Skinny Joey' Merlino to open cheesesteak shop in South Philadelphia
• 'A reckless dismantling’: EPA employees and supporters march in Philly to protest cuts
• Mayor Parker wants to defund a program that provides free transit passes for low-income people
• Federal cuts, staffing struggles, homeless services: Philly City Council probes Mayor Parker’s $6.7B budget proposal

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