Yesterday in Philly

Subject: Philly Just Got a Bit More Michelin—and SEPTA's Rolling the Dice

Welcome to your catch-up. Here's what went down in the city on November 22.

Transit: Eyes on SEPTA, Again

SEPTA Regional Rail express trains will finally return for the evening rush—something a lot of folks have begged for since the Bad Old Days. This starts next week, so maybe your commute just got a minute faster (NBC10).

But don't exhale: SMART Local 1594, the transit union covering bus and trolley workers in the suburbs, voted to authorize a strike. Contract talks are ongoing, but if you're a Norristown High Speed Line/CCT regular, pay attention. Plus, state lawmakers are debating SEPTA's long-term funding—so it's budget chess at Harrisburg as usual.

City Life: Big Shifts, New Honors

Philadelphia officially joined the Michelin universe. No three-star temples (yet), but we finally landed multiple Bib Gourmand shoutouts and even a star or two—the city’s food scene is real, and Michelin noticed (WHYY, Eater).

The Art Museum has a new director and CEO: Daniel H. Weiss, formerly of the Met and Haverford. He steps in after the very public ouster of the previous chief—time to see if he can stabilize things (WHYY).

Plymouth Meeting Mall looks set for a total reboot. The site will be sold and likely rebuilt with housing and athletic fields. Meaning: fewer mall walkers, more pickleball (PhillyVoice).

And Philly continues pushing workplace rights, adding legal protections for workers managing menstruation and menopause—one of the first cities to do so. About time.

Stuff to Do (or Know About)

The Battleship New Jersey is a floating forest now: 40+ Christmas trees decorated by local nonprofits are on display (PhillyVoice).

Winter on the Waterfront is back at the Seaport Museum if you need festive atmosphere and don’t mind the cold (PhillyVoice).

Concerts for Actual Adults: Singer PJ Brown kicked off a new series with early sets for people who want live music without a 1 a.m. bedtime (Philly Mag).

Quick Hits

• Union faces NYCFC in the conference semis tomorrow (PhillyVoice).
• Eagles vs. Cowboys: It’s Dallas week. Maxey looked like a superstar for the Sixers (Eagles preview). Sixers highlight
• Bryn Mawr Birth Center closes after nearly 50 years and 16,000 babies (PhillyVoice).
• Predator universe, Philly style: Director Dan Trachtenberg is rebooting the franchise (Philly Mag).

That’s the latest. Go eat somewhere that just got a Michelin star—if you can get a reservation.