Bus stop’s differing visions; HIV cuts; Weekly gun violence report | Morning Roundup

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

“Stand tall, wear a crown, be sweet on the inside, prickly on the outside.”
(Photo by @philahistory)

What the Filbert Street bus terminal could be, but won’t

Reopening the old Greyhound Station on Filbert Street in Center City needs to involve much, much more than just slapping on a new coat of paint.

That’s according to the Design Advocacy Group, a nonprofit organization of architects and planners focused on development in the city. They have thoughts on what should be done, but city officials say they can’t be so ambitious. Continued reading …

The former Greyhound bus station on Filbert Street has been boarded up since it closed in June 2023. (Google Maps)

“Not a ‘scale back,’ this is a dismantling of our program”: HIV funding cuts impact vulnerable communities

Philadelphia has many resources for those living with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV — including testing, medical assistance and treatment. Many of them are currently facing de-funding. What does that mean for the most vulnerable among us? Continue reading …

Protesters in Philadelphia gathered at City Hall to protest the Trump administration’s freezes of research funding, firings of federal science agency employees at the CDC and NIH, and deletion of health data from government websites on March 7, 2025. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Changes in Philadelphia’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies are designed to comply with new federal court rulings, say city officials. [WHYY] 

• Court settlement calls for NPR to get $36M in government funds to operate US public radio system. [AP]

• Penn alum Renee Chenault-Fattah discussed her role at the helm of Philadelphia’s civil rights agency. [TheDP.com]

• Philadelphia has achieved ‘unprecedented’ reduction in gun violence. Experts and community residents gathered to discuss how. [WHYY] 

• Center City’s former Macy’s building will be ‘Home for the Holidays’ one more time, with Opera Philadelphia and WHYY presenting a holiday concert in the Wanamaker Building Dec. 2, to be broadcast on TV12 on Dec. 23. [WHYY] 

• Inside the Fitler Square Program teaching toddlers to meditate. [Fitler Focus] 

• A look at Philly’s vegan cheesesteak scene. [Grid Philly]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker will attend West Oak Lane Charter School’s 27th Anniversary Awards Gala, at The Hilton Philadelphia, 4200 City Ave. (7 p.m.)

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

By the numbers in Philadelphia

  • 10: Shooting victims recorded from Nov. 9 to 15, including 1 fatality, according to city data. During the previous week, 20 shooting victims were recorded, including 2 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
  • 197: Year-to-date homicides, down 13% vs. last year’s pace; down 55% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]

ON THE CALENDAR

💬 Billy Penn Town Hall on opioid addiction (Weds., 11/19 @ 5:30 p.m.)
🎄 Holiday lightings around Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎞️ Ongoing: The Declaration’s Journey — Available on the WHYY YouTube Channel. New episodes will appear every two weeks.

TONIGHT:Billy Penn Town Hall
Deaths due to opioid addiction in Philadelphia have been dropping in recent years. A panel discussion will address what changes, tactics and policies are making a difference, led by the Billy Penn editorial team. At Parkway Central Library, Skyline Room (4th Floor), 1901 Vine St. Register here. (5:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, Nov. 19: Spring Garden Connector Open House
An opportunity for the community to preview the Preliminary Engineering design that is being advanced for Spring Garden Street, share your thoughts and feedback, and discuss the designs with the Project Team. At the Department of Education building at 440 N. Broad Street. (5 to 8 p.m.) 

Thursday, Nov. 20: Benefit Art Exhibition
Featuring works from the talented artists of Philadelphia CollageWorks. All proceeds from the evening will benefit Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia, providing free emotional and social support to individuals and families impacted by cancer. Wine and cheese provided. At Ridgeland Mansion. (5 to 7:30 p.m.) 

Thursday, Nov. 20: Transit Affordability Town Hall
Join Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, Senator Nikil Saval, and Transit Forward Philadelphia at the Friends Center at 1501 Cherry Street to discuss city and state campaigns to make public transit in Philly more affordable, reliable, and accessible. (5:30 to 7 p.m.)

Thursday, Nov. 20: Manayunk Tree Lighting 
Annual tree-lighting ceremony at Canal View Park (4418 Main St.), with live performances by SJU City Belles, John Viscardi, Emily Drinker and Santa Claus!. Plus, launch the fifth annual Manayunk Gets Lit decorating competition. (5:30 to 7 p.m.)

Thursday, Nov. 20: Taste of Fairmount
Enjoy dishes and drinks from the neighborhood’s best restaurants, chefs and culinary experiences. Music by DJ OLUWAFEMI. Vote for your favorites! At Girard College’s Founder’s Hall. $90 tickets. (6 to 9 p.m.)

Thursday, Nov. 20: Philly’s Fall Fling
Lunge Run Club Philly & Two Robbers Fishtown invites you to come Pitch-a-Friend OR participate in their live Blindfolded Dating Show. $23.18 tickets. (7 to 9:30 p.m.)

Friday, Nov. 21: Two Locals Comedy Open Mic
Join comedians Nicole Phoenix and Zoe Dixon for Two Locals Brewing’s monthly comedy open mic. Free to attend. (7 p.m.)

Friday, Nov. 21: Barnes Foundation Young Professionals Night 
An unforgettable evening of art, music, film, and connection amid the “lush, hypnotic world of ‘Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets,’” the Barnes’ newest exhibit. Dress code: jewels and jewel tones. $35 tickets; $18 students. (7 to 11 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 22: Fall Jazz Series at Tioga-Hope Park 
Daud El-Bakara & Friends perform. BYO chair or blanket. (1 to 3 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 22: Movement Movie Night
VietLead, Juntos, and Amistad Law Project invite you to an evening of storytelling and community building, featuring 3 short documentaries from three Philly-based organizations working to end mass incarceration and build solidarity in movements for racial and economic justice. Proceeds will be shared by Juntos and VietLead! At Vox Populi at 319 N. 11th St.. $25 to $75 sliding scale.  (4 to 7 p.m.) 

Friday to Sunday, Nov. 21-23: Philly Animation Festival
The first annual event at Moore College of Art & Design. Celebrate the artistry of animation from Philadelphia and around the globe. Enjoy film screenings, workshops, and family friendly events. Plus the College’s animation artist panel, Game Changers. $10 per screening; $30 unlimited 3-day pass

Through Sunday, Nov. 23: Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media Festival
25+ films, documentaries, shorts and digital media focused on Jewish-themed storytelling. Plus, live events, networking parties, digital installations and a “Digital Chutzpah” minifest, focused on innovation. The festival is also available virtually. 

The post Bus stop’s differing visions; HIV cuts; Weekly gun violence report | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.

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