Yesterday in Philly
Subject: Not Great News for SEPTA Riders
Preview text: Transit drama, more baby tortoises, and a pawnshop owner’s big scam—here’s what mattered in Philly yesterday.
🚇 SEPTA’s (Deepening) Troubles
If your daily routine revolves around SEPTA, brace yourself: Upcoming service cuts and possible fare hikes have riders and drivers justifiably stressed. Commuters in Delaware are straight-up talking about ‘misery’ (WHYY), and transit advocates spent yesterday rallying to push back. Some politicians are still fighting for more funding (debate recap here), but don’t expect miracles overnight. On the upside, if you’re headed to South Jersey, Gov. Murphy is rolling out new bus lines and shuttles to fill in the (literal) gaps left by SEPTA.
⚡️ Utility Bills (Sort of) Catch a Break
If you dread the next gas bill: Energy advocates and PGW reached a deal to lower a planned rate hike—meaning your spike in costs might not be as bad as expected. And if you’re rolling electric, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are actually getting new EV charger money after months of political back-and-forth. Welcome to infrastructure, 2025 edition.
🦠 Around the City: What Else Mattered
- Crime & Justice: The owner of a South Street pawnshop pleaded guilty to a massive stolen goods ring, and police are still hunting a man who attacked a woman with a bottle on South Street. Meanwhile, copper wire thefts are literally leaving neighborhoods in the dark.
- Landmarks & Development: Fishtown’s St. Laurentius Church might get immortalized as a bronze sculpture in the midst of a new townhouse development. Further-out: The Exton Square Mall revamp is one step closer to actually happening.
- Civic Stuff: It’s now easier to apply to clear your criminal record online in Pennsylvania. Plus, Philly schools got called out for not fixing environmental hazards in a new state report.
⚾️ Sports Check-In
- Phillies: The Phils came home hot after sweeping the Mariners (series recap), with Bryson Stott’s reworked swing paying off big.
- Eagles: Training camp is done (last day notes), with Jalen Hurts looking extra sharp and position battles unresolved. And in local sports pride: Aubrey Plaza repped the new WNBA squad at a Liberty game.
🐢 In Actual Good News
"Mommy" the Galapagos tortoise, who's been hanging at the Philly Zoo for (almost) 100 years, just hatched 16 rare little hatchlings. If you need a pick-me-up, go see them. It’s not all grim out here.
🌊 Heads Up
Hurricane Erin is churning up serious surf at the Shore. If you’re headed east, expect rough water and potential coastal flooding.
That’s the short version. Hang in there, Philly.
