Yesterday in Philly
SUBJECT: Rain, Power Outages, and Weekend Chaos
Welcome to the official Philly kickoff to summer—the kind where the only thing hotter than your PECO bill is your takeout fries.
☔ Memorial Day Weekend: Dreary, Crowded, and Still Going
If you were banking on beach weather, adjust your expectations. The forecast says it's going to be wet and chilly, but that won't stop half a million Philly-area folks from heading to the shore or getting caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Good news: Chickie’s & Pete’s will spot you your AC Expressway toll (at least for today). Your wallet needs the break—PECO's raising some rates in June.
🚨 Hospital Outage and Fires
Jefferson Methodist Hospital finally reopens Saturday after a power outage forced a shutdown and patient evacuation. Also, a nasty fire in Bristol ripped through five homes, displacing 13 people—Red Cross is stepping in. Kensington had its own trouble too, with a warehouse fire that filled the sky with smoke.
🏛️ City Moves & Heads Up
Smoke shops may be in for new restrictions—City Council's eyeing a crackdown on sales of kratom and hemp, but critics say they're not thinking it through. School transit drama continues: advocates are worried the school district's fare evasion crackdown might hurt families who already have enough to deal with.
🏀 & 🦅 Sports Corner
- Sixers: After his suspension, Paul George is finally looking like what we hoped for. Here's the season breakdown.
- Eagles: Schedule is out (here you go). Vic Fangio says he’s not bolting any time soon (he’s good for two years).
🌊 Outta Town (But Not Really Far)
Jersey shore is expecting drought warnings through summer, but there's a new ferry running Point Pleasant to NYC—so you’ve got options when Memorial Day traffic makes you reconsider everything.
🎶, 🎨, & Random Stuff
- Barbara Mason’s “Forever” is blowing up on TikTok. Stream more Philly soul now, if you don’t already.
- Concours d’Elegance is back with $300M in classic cars on display.
- West Park Arts Fest hits Fairmount Park in June for your live music/food truck fix.
Quick Hits
- Travel warning: 525,000 locals are moving this weekend (traffic is a lock).
- Utility alert: PECO bills going up in June.
- Farmers & gardeners: Philly's got a farm tool library now—because of course we do.
That’s the city for you: flooding, gridlock, accidental viral hits, and your neighbor’s new hoe (probably from the library, definitely not for the garden). Stay dry—and if you’re headed down the shore, Godspeed!
