Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

2025 Ideas We Should Steal Festival

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 10h

The Philadelphia Citizen’s Ideas We Should Steal Festival® presented by Comcast @nbcuniversal.com returns for its eighth year on November 13 and 14. The mission: Expand the problem-solving table, inspire change, and bask in hope. RSVP today!

The 8th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival® presented by Comcast NBCUniversal is happening November 13 and 14. Save the date for this epic day of ideas!

Guest Commentary: That Cheesesteak Costs What?!

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 12h

“Some foods reflect the state of the economy. The Costco hot dog. The $1 pizza slice. A dozen eggs.” The president of Philly’s Best Steak Company reflects on the rising cost of cheesesteaks.

A supplier of meat to local cheesesteak brands knows we don’t want to pay more for our iconic Philly sandwich, and explains why it must be

The Key To PA’s Power in D.C.?

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 14h

“While there are a lot of things we could try, the most powerful lever is pretty straightforward: We have to build more housing.”

Reapportionment will cost PA another Congressional seat in 2030 if we don’t stanch our population drain. Could the solution be … more housing?

Ideas We Should Steal: Ban Book Bans, Not Books

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 14h

It’s National Banned Books Week. Illinois has banned book bans, and Pennsylvania should, too.

Illinois recently banned .... book bans. It is past time for Pennsylvania to take action against censorship and extremism.

The Museum Will Welcome You Now

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 1d

Three years into her tenure, Philadelphia Museum of Art Director/CEO Sasha Suda is reimagining the institution for a new age and a new population. Can she convince the city — and her colleagues — to get on board?

Philadelphia Museum of Art Director/CEO Sasha Suda is reimagining the institution for a new age and a new population.

New Urban Order: Calder Gardens' Missed Opportunities

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 1d

“It’s the feeling of being unseen. Of Philadelphians, our city’s history, and – most pointedly – the Parkway’s history, being unseen.”

Calder Gardens, which recently opened on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, fails to connect with the public or Philadelphia's context

Guest Commentary: Wanted — A New Sport to Love

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 1d

By day, Mike Wang is a partner in a philanthropy consulting firm. By night, he reluctantly remains a committed Phillies fan.

In light of the unfortunate collapse of the Phillies, Mike Wang is recruiting a new sport. Baseball need not apply.

Listen: Ali Velshi On What is Happening in Los Angeles Right Now

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 1d

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member breaks down the escalating situation and details the dangers of federalizing a state’s National Guard.

Ali Velshi breaks down the escalating situation in Los Angeles and details the dangers of federalizing a state's National Guard.

Citizens of the Week: Team IMPACT Philly

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 2d

Harnessing the talent, teamwork and spirit of our college athletes, the Philly arm of the national nonprofit brings joy to kids with life-altering conditions– and respite to their caregivers.

Harnessing the talent, teamwork and spirit of our college athletes, Team IMPACT Philly brings joy to kids with life-altering conditions

York, PA Banned Ghost Guns. Will the State Let It Stand?

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 2d

“It sends a message to the residents of Philadelphia and York that their governments are sensitive to the violence that is occurring in their communities and they’re doing something about it.”

A series of shootings prompted York officials to ban ghost guns and machine gun converters. But the laws may not stick

Since the pandemic forced people outside, birding is having a moment. In Philly, it’s helping residents see their city anew

1 1 2

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 2d

Birdwatching in Philly is having a moment, and it’s helping residents see their city anew.

“We Love Birds.”

2025 Ideas We Should Steal Festival

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 2d

Hear from change makers from across the nation at The Philadelphia Citizen’s 8th Annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival® presented by Comcast @nbcuniversal.com on November 14. Secure your spot today!

The 8th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival® presented by Comcast NBCUniversal is happening November 13 and 14. Save the date for this epic day of ideas!

The Skills Initiative is an Idea Worth Stealing

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 3d

“It’s more than just getting one individual or 10 individuals into a job. It’s giving people the opportunity to further contribute to their neighborhood.” Learn about a local program that’s sharing its success around the country.

In partnership with Accelerator for America, the West Philly-based jobs training program is sharing its successful model across the country

Guest Commentary: Philadelphia’s Educational Double Standard

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 3d

“The Philadelphia Board of Education has had enough with abysmal academic records – sort of,” says Girard College’s president and Boys’ Latin co-founder. He ask why our school board only holds some accountable.

No school should fail its students. So, David Hardy asks, why does Philly’s Board of Education hold only some accountable?

Ali Velshi on John McCain's Lesson for the Government Shutdown

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 3d

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member reminds us how the late great senator and presidential candidate John McCain showed us what real leadership looked like.

Ali Velshi recounts how the late John McCain stood for regular order in 2017, and how his example applies to our government shutdown today.

2025 General Election in Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 3d

In the 2025 Philadelphia general election, candidates are running for District Attorney, City Controller and a number of local and statewide judges– including confusing and important statewide judicial retention elections.

The 2025 general election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania include candidates for District Attorney, City Controller, many Judges

Things to Do in Philly This Week and Weekend

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 3d

This week in Philly there are more fall festivals than you can shake a stick at. Plus Philly Music Fest, RoxYunk Porchfest, stage debuts, Free Library Author Series conversations and your last chance for Parks on Tap.

Things to do in Philly this week: Fall festivals, Navy & Marine Corps 250th celebrations, 8 Second Rodeo, art exhibitions, theater, more

Weekly News Roundup - Citizen Staff Must-Reads

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 4d

Government shuts down, Hegseth’s misguided speech, Trump as a…Socialist? And other news from the week to help you cut through the noise.

Citizen Must Reads: Government shuts down, Hegseth’s misguided speech, Trump as … Socialist? And other news to help you cut through the noise

The Incredible Shrinking Housing Plan?

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 4d

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s signature program, H.O.M.E., will build far fewer dwellings than she once promised. Will it solve the problems that need solving?

Mayor Parker’s signature program, H.O.M.E. will build far fewer dwellings than once promised. Will it solve the problems that need solving?

Lane Johnson's Season of Strong Mental Health: Active Minds

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 4d

Founded at Penn, Active Minds is a national college and high school network of students helping each other address their mental health struggles. Learn about the program from the two-time Super Bowl champ.

Founded at Penn, Active Minds is now a national college and high school network of students helping each other address mental health struggles

Three groups will pitch their ideas to funders and supporters at the first-ever Ideas We Should Scale Showcase at the Linc on November 13

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 4d

Meet the three groups that will pitch their ideas to funders and supporters at the first-ever Ideas We Should Scale Showcase at the Linc on November 13.

Let’s Scale These Ideas

The Best Ways To Not Drink in Philly for Sober October

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 4d

Planning to hop on the wagon for the next 31 days, more or less? Check out these non-alcoholic bars, mocktails and bottle shops in Philly.

Planning to hop on the wagon for the next 31 days, more or less? Check out these non-alcoholic bars, mocktails and bottle shops in Philadelphia

Guest Commentary: Who Suffers When Both PA and D.C. Shut Down?

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 4d

It’s not legislators, anyway. A local political consultant weighs in on our twin crises, and how we can hold elected officials accountable.

Legislators don't suffer during a government shutdown. Mustafa Rashed weighs in on our twin crises, and how we can hold electeds accountable.

No More Waiting To See WNBA Play in Philly

The Philadelphia Citizen @thephilacitizen.bsky.social · 4d

Unrivaled – the new 3v3 professional women’s basketball league – makes its tour debut here on January 30, thanks to the Philadelphia Sisters, co-founded by @iamwandasykes.bsky.social and Alex Sykes.

Unrivaled, the new 3v3 professional women’s basketball league, makes it tour debut here on January 30, thanks to Philly Sisters