Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Pennsylvania could be on the cusp of a ‘double-whammy’ government shutdown

1 2

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · 8d

"Welcome to the swing state of dual governmental dysfunction" is perhaps not the marketing slogan Pennsylvania wanted, but it's the one we have www.inquirer.com/politics/fed...

Funding fights in Washington and Harrisburg are creating uncertainty for Pennsylvanians from two levels of government and further eroding trust in institutions.

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic will return next summer after a 10-year hiatus

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · 23d

The Philly Cycling Classic and its Manayunk Wall are coming back www.inquirer.com/sports/phila...

The race ran every summer after launching in 1985 but has not been held since 2016 due to a lack of sponsorship. It will officially return on Aug. 30, 2026 with a men’s and women’s race.

SEPTA shifts into reverse to get full transit service restored by Sunday

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · 28d

You, too, can help SEPTA take down service-cut signs as regular schedules resume next week: "If anybody from the public wants to remove one and take it home or dispose of it properly, they are welcome." www.inquirer.com/transportati...

SEPTA is scrambling to bring reduced transit service to normal levels with days to spare.

Eagles are better positioned to repeat than they were in 2018 | Mike Sielski

1 2

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Sep 2

How to hook even the biggest nerd into a football column: Start with a (justified) rant against the word "unprecedented" www.inquirer.com/sports/eagle...

For one thing, Carson Wentz is not part of the equation anymore. For another, this team is far deeper and more talented than the 2018 squad under Doug Pederson.

Where are the happiest places in Philly? This Drexel professor asked his students to map them

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Aug 3

SRT for sure www.inquirer.com/life/happies...

Eric Zillmer put together the map with his 243 Psych 101 students, who nominated Rittenhouse Square, a Mantua park filled with cats, and Johnny Brenda's, among other places.

Inquirer analysis of Philly dog licenses counts: 82 Rockys, 17 Harpers, and 13 Hoagies.

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Jul 27

"All dogs are good dogs, but Philly dogs are the best." And many of them have predictable-but-fun names. www.inquirer.com/health/pets/...

DC 33 made concessions in 1992. Decades of resentment since led to Philadelphia’s current city worker strike.

Reposted by Emily Babay

Jake Blumgart @jblumgart.bsky.social · Jul 4

I highly recommend this story on the history behind DC 33’s strike: www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...

Many AFSCME DC 33 members have been itching for the union to take a dramatic stand against the city ever since then-Mayor Rendell won concessions in a 1992 contract. On Tuesday, they got their wish.

Philly’s pools start opening this week. Here’s what you need to know, from the full schedule to pool hours

1 3 13

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Jun 12

One piece of bright news this week: It's pool season! www.inquirer.com/news/philade...

Philadelphia will begin opening public pools on June 13. Find out which pools are opening and which will stay closed this summer due to construction.

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · May 31

Between ⁦‪Grand Slam Track‬⁩ and ⁦‪Philly Run Fest, this is making a strong case for best running weekend in Philly. Though I should probably see how my own race goes tomorrow before making such statements.

40 years ago today a rare and deadly tornado outbreak struck Pennsylvania. Are more in our future?

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · May 31

Come for the Pennsylvania tornado history, stay for the very dark kicker:
"What I expect people to do, and this includes myself," Brooks said, "is to pay enough attention to the forecast to know that today is the day that the weather might kill me."

www.inquirer.com/science/clim...

It was “one of rarest” tornado outbreaks on record, says a tornado expert, but “things like that are possible.”

Grand Slam Track cuts its Philadelphia event schedule to two days

1 4

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · May 15

The Philly edition of Grand Slam Track will be two days instead of three: www.inquirer.com/sports/grand...

After running three-day events at the circuit's first three stops, the event here will be just two days. Fans and athletes had complained that the races were too spread out.

Could the new pope, a Villanova alumnus, speak at graduation next year? ‘Very funny,’ the pope responded.

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · May 9

"Asked if the university will begin touting a pope alum in marketing materials, he responded: 'Why not!'" www.inquirer.com/education/vi...

When Villanova President Peter M. Donohue asked the Pope if he would be commencement speaker, the Pope replied, "Very funny."

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · May 3

It's May 3 and the drinking fountains at Chaminoux tennis courts, MLK/Montgomery, and Lloyd Hall are all turned on. Miracles do happen.

Why the Democratic nominee for N.J. governor might only get 20% of the vote

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · May 2

The N.J. governor primary in one sentence: "Undecided is in first place" www.inquirer.com/politics/new...

All six candidates in the primary race have a path toward victory.

What does your neighborhood drink? Find out with Pennsylvania Uncorked, our breakdown of the most popular wine and spirits

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 25

This lookup by zip code of what booze your Pennsylvania neighborhood drinks is very fun: www.inquirer.com/food/drink/i...

Analysis of a year's worth of Fine Wine and Good Spirits sales data.

This year’s Penn Relays have a new neighbor: Grand Slam Track’s arrival in a few weeks

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 23

Is there a more evergreen subhead in a story about track and field than "The sport has bigger issues"? www.inquirer.com/sports/penn-...

The Relays won't have as many big names as in the past, but the Grand Slam meet at the end of May will ensure that track stars still come to Franklin Field.

Philly will study its aging libraries and rec centers following HVAC-related closures

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 16

Philly will study its aging libraries (and rec centers) and come up with a plan to address needed repairs: www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...

Officials from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration outlined the plan to City Council Wednesday, saying the facilities assessment would help agencies prioritize infrastructure needs.

A Philly-area finance CEO played in the Masters, but he wasn’t competing

2 1

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 16

Will say one of the best things about running is we get to do a version of this all the time. Running a major marathon or other big race same day, same course, same fans as the pros is really awesome.

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 16

My favorite sports story of the week has become the Philly-area golfer who played in the Masters to keep things normal for a competitor who otherwise would have played alone www.inquirer.com/news/pennsyl...

The Kathmere Capital Management chief executive appeared in the Augusta tournament as a "marker."

After a close call during the Northeast Philly crash, these two septuagenarians are living life to the fullest.

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 8

A really lovely story from @wendyruderman.bsky.social @dgambacorta.bsky.social on appreciating life after a close call: "This is not a dress rehearsal, life. If your parents are still around, I would cherish them. If you have siblings, spend more time with them." www.inquirer.com/health/a/nor...

Harvey Garmeder and Miriam Roth were at the Four Seasons Diner on Cottman Avenue when a small jet crashed near the Roosevelt Mall on Jan. 31.

Galapagos tortoise hatchlings arrive at the Philadelphia Zoo, and their mom sets a record

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 3

For the first 100 years of her life, Mommy was not, in fact, a mom. Now she's the oldest-known first-time Galapagos tortoise mother. www.inquirer.com/news/philade...

The hatchlings began emerging in late February and will make their public debut April 23.

Sen. Cory Booker on how he pulled off his marathon speech: fasting, Hokas, and a record to break

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Apr 2

There's always a running angle: Cory Booker wore Hoka Cliftons for his Senate floor speech marathon, @jterruso.bsky.social reports: www.inquirer.com/politics/cor...

Booker, who is vegan, had his first food in more than a day when he got back to the office: some pineapple and watermelon, according to staff.

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Mar 31

Received an early (signed!) copy of this today and am very excited to read it. Release date April 15, pre-order yours today: www.prometheusbooks.com/978163388996...

Emily Babay @emilybabay.bsky.social · Mar 30

I keep my race PR bibs on my fridge and after 6 years, 2 ankle surgeries, and 2 seconds to spare, finally got to replace my half marathon one after today's Love Run.