Yesterday in Philly: School Shakeups, Mall Mayhem & $120M Birthday Plans
Education: Snow Day Confusion & School Closures
Snow days aren’t what they used to be—the School District sent parents a wild letter about what’s open, what’s not, and when to show up after the latest storm. Meanwhile, everyone’s still reeling from the district’s proposal to close 20 schools (let’s hope they actually learned from the 2013 fiasco). At the same time, some Roxborough folks are fuming after getting (maybe unfairly) ticketed for parking on cleared snow routes.
City of Closures: Franklin Mills & Camps on Pause
Franklin Mall (yup, Franklin Mills) is closed "temporarily" after a fire broke out in a store—no clear reopening timeline, so plan accordingly. Also: If you were banking on summer camp at the Penn Museum or Academy of Natural Sciences for your kid, look elsewhere—both are slashing programs due to budget pain.
Money Moves: PECO Profits (At Your Expense) & Big Plans for ‘26
If your PECO bill felt more brutal this year, it’s not your imagination: Profits are up almost 50% since the 2025 hike (yep). Meanwhile, the city’s earmarking $120 million for Philly’s big 250th birthday bash—think concerts, parades, the whole founding-father cosplay.
Safer, More Welcoming Philly (Mostly)
The LGBTQ+ visitor center just opened up shop in the Gayborhood—good news for tourists and locals alike looking for events and resources. Also in the “actually helpful” department: a Philly man has rolled out a mobile laundromat for unhoused folks, meeting a real need.
Crime & Council
The city hit two firsts: Philly will start using city money to help families with funeral costs for homicide victims. And Council is debating whether first responder suicides should count as line-of-duty deaths (more here), as families push for expanded death benefits.
Sports Quick Hits
- Joel Embiid is probably back for the Sixers-Heat game—it’s as close as Philly gets to a good injury update. (He played, and the road trip was a W.)
- The Eagles’ new coaching hires are in the spotlight. Nick Sirianni says Sean Mannion was “the guy” for OC—read what the team’s now looking for in TE and O-line picks.
- The Phillies are prepping for a crowded middle infield—Bryson Stott’s not the young buck anymore (season preview here).
Bonus Round
Philly now officially has the best pizza (fight me) and Mahjong just became the hot new game everywhere from Passyunk to Chestnut Hill. Also, Philly Beer Fest returns this weekend. Priorities!
