Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 11h

The head of Vancouver’s transit agency can sum its ridership recovery in one word: Frequency.

“Running the bus every 30 minutes isn’t going to cut it if you want to grow ridership.“

Many Vancouver 🚌 run every 5min or less, and the SkyTrain runs every 3-4min, via @davidzipper.bsky.social

The Secret to Vancouver’s Public Transit Ridership Recovery

The Canadian city’s transit agency, TransLink, bounced back from Covid even as other North American systems have struggled. Its leader explains why riders returned.

www.bloomberg.com

2 32 140

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 12h

"Newly released police reports filed in federal court describe how the protests that began in June were dwindling before Trump’s order." www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

What’s Really Going On in Portland, According to Police Reports

Protests outside an ICE facility were dwindling in size and at times ”low energy” in the days and weeks before President Trump called in troops, according to official law-enforcement logs.

www.wsj.com

2

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 12h

"The section tasked with public corruption investigations is down from 30 prosecutors to two full-time, and the national security division has lost about half its personnel; both were involved in cases against Trump or his allies." www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Inside the Justice Department Where the President Calls the Shots

The president has executed a wholesale transformation of the Justice Department, taking control in ways he could have only dreamed of in his first term.

www.wsj.com

2 4

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 16h

A 620-unit tower planned next to Pennsport, on the Delaware River, could be the first of three (although given the history of failed projects on this parcel many are skeptical) www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Apartment tower planned for Columbus Boulevard could be the first of three

The proposal is the latest for a parcel that has seen multiple failed development plans in the last decade.

www.inquirer.com

1 3 21

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 1d

Developers have been building more studio and one bedroom apartments since 2008. Is it time to start building bigger, and more family friendly, units? www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Developers should build more apartments for families, study argues

Developers should experiment with different kinds of layouts to attract families at various life stages, the authors argue.

www.inquirer.com

2 15

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 14h

There's a lot of fun items in my Philly Film Center profile, but among them is that they are screening all of the David Lynch's Twin Peaks: The Return on the big screen later this year! www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Philadelphia Film Society unveils renovation of its Chestnut Street centerpiece theater

PFS's Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off with a newly redesigned lobby and concession area for the nonprofit's Chestnut Street flagship.

www.inquirer.com

6

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Chris Goodman @cbgoodman.co · 15h

Pretty sure some version of this was proposed when I lived in Philly in 2012. Though it could have been any number of other failed riverfront tower proposals.

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 16h

A 620-unit tower planned next to Pennsport, on the Delaware River, could be the first of three (although given the history of failed projects on this parcel many are skeptical) www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Apartment tower planned for Columbus Boulevard could be the first of three

The proposal is the latest for a parcel that has seen multiple failed development plans in the last decade.

www.inquirer.com

2 1 2

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Dave Weigel @daveweigel.bsky.social · 16h

A 2024 detail I keep thinking about... the Trump campaign saw a growing problem where voters thought he'd be obsessed with revenge if he got back into office. They fixed this w a Fox town hall (campaign got Qs in advance) where he said of course he wouldn't do that. www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/u...

11 47 200

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 16h

Currently there is a sprawling encampment along the bike trail next to this parcel, and at the neighborhood meeting last night developer representatives said a sweep is planned for next Tuesday. Our story on a similar situation there from last year: www.inquirer.com/news/philade...

Encampment residents along the Delaware River brace for a clearing, but they don’t know when or how it will happen

Confusion about when the sweep at 1341 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. might take place and who will be running it has left residents grappling with uncertainty.

www.inquirer.com

2

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 16h

A 620-unit tower planned next to Pennsport, on the Delaware River, could be the first of three (although given the history of failed projects on this parcel many are skeptical) www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Apartment tower planned for Columbus Boulevard could be the first of three

The proposal is the latest for a parcel that has seen multiple failed development plans in the last decade.

www.inquirer.com

1 3 21

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Jim Saksa @jimsaksa.com · 19h

One takeaway from the F&M poll of Pa voters for me:
People are super anxious about AI and want to see AI regulated.

All the hype from AI boosters could bite them in the butt if politicians realize AI regulations would be very welcome by voters.

October 2025 F&M Poll Results

The first poll since the 2024 election explores a number of issues, including AI, democracy, and the state Supreme Court retention election, along with the mood of Pennsylvania's voters and their rati...

www.fandmpoll.org

2 3

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 19h

MOVIES ARE BACK, BABY www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Philadelphia Film Society unveils renovation of its Chestnut Street centerpiece theater

PFS's Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off with a newly redesigned lobby and concession area for the nonprofit's Chestnut Street flagship.

www.inquirer.com

1 15

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 1d

You know what, i do deserve a little treat www.inquirer.com/food/restaur...

‘Little treat culture’ is fueling a Philly bakery boom. Here are a baker’s dozen new spots to get that bread.

Everyone, it seems, is saying it with flour — from national cookie chains with their leavened marketing budgets to mom-and-pop pop-ups. Here are some of the new bakery entrants out there.

www.inquirer.com

1 11

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 1d

Interesting counterpoint in this new study arguing that developers learned the lessons of 2010s too well, and are building too many studios and one bedrooms: www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Developers should build more apartments for families, study argues

Developers should experiment with different kinds of layouts to attract families at various life stages, the authors argue.

www.inquirer.com

1

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

JM Rieger @riegerreport.bsky.social · 2d

"Agents were seen choking a Black man on the West Side and conducted a raid outside a homeless shelter in Bronzeville..They shot and wounded a woman Friday, hospitalized at least two people over the weekend, handcuffed a Chicago alderperson" southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...

Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children

Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.

southsideweekly.com

1 18 33

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Benjy Sarlin @benjysarlin.bsky.social · 1d

In related news, let me know if you or someone you know has any interesting work opportunities!

Dave Jorgenson @davejorgenson.bsky.social · 1d

The Post laid off seemingly the remaining of their liberal-leaning staff members on Opinion last Thursday, when some of them were observing Yom Kippur.

from @oliverdarcy.bsky.social for Status
status.news/p/washington-post-opinion-cuts-adam-oneal

15 72 240

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 1d

Developers have been building more studio and one bedroom apartments since 2008. Is it time to start building bigger, and more family friendly, units? www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Developers should build more apartments for families, study argues

Developers should experiment with different kinds of layouts to attract families at various life stages, the authors argue.

www.inquirer.com

2 15

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 2d

www.inquirer.com/politics/dav...

Philly’s top federal prosecutor, David Metcalf, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate

Metcalf was nominated by President Donald Trump in March, but his candidacy had not received a vote amid partisan battles over many of Trump's nominees.

www.inquirer.com

1

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 2d

"The campaign was unusually caustic, marked by social media attacks, fake accounts, AI-generated images, contentious union meetings, and even threats of violence."

www.inquirer.com/news/fop-pol...

Poplar wins as city’s police union president after a combative campaign

Roosevelt Poplar, who has led the Philly FOP since 2023, was elected to a three-year term on Tuesday, along with his entire slate.

www.inquirer.com

3 4

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 2d

"The campaign was unusually caustic, marked by social media attacks, fake accounts, AI-generated images, contentious union meetings, and even threats of violence."

www.inquirer.com/news/fop-pol...

Poplar wins as city’s police union president after a combative campaign

Roosevelt Poplar, who has led the Philly FOP since 2023, was elected to a three-year term on Tuesday, along with his entire slate.

www.inquirer.com

3 4

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

NBC News @nbcnews.com · 2d

Painter and television host Bob Ross' original work will be auctioned off to help support public television stations after funding was cut by the Trump administration.

Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to raise money for public television stations after funding cuts

"I can’t think of a more meaningful way to share his works of art than by supporting public television’s mission to educate and inspire," said the president of Bob Ross Inc.

nbcnews.to

1 39 130

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 2d

I talked with Mike Pestronk about why he is bullish on the Philadelphia apartment market--the glut is easing!--but less confident in larger, family size apartments www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Post Brothers move forward on Piazza Alta in a sign that the construction slump may be easing

The Post Brothers' push to add more apartments to Northern Liberties, which has seen an extraordinary building boom, suggests a thaw in the construction freeze.

www.inquirer.com

2 1 8

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · 2d

"Some more lively market participants say they have received a tap on the shoulder from the bosses and a request to tone down criticism of government antics...All say the driver here is a fear of retribution from the president." www.ft.com/content/2f34...

Trump’s attacks cast a chill on what Wall Street says

Economists and investors say there are scattered signs of self-censorship

www.ft.com

3

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 4d

‘The hundreds of billions of dollars companies are investing in AI now account for an astonishing 40 per cent share of US GDP growth this year… Outside of the AI plays, even European stock markets have been outperforming the US this decade’
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US

America is now one big bet on AI

It’s seen as the magic fix for every threat to the US economy

on.ft.com

8 64 140

Reposted by Jake Blumgart

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 3d

Oof. 🤡

@financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/934c...

27 220 940