#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Last summer blooms at Corinthian Gardens
(Photo by @judy_in_philly)
Philly’s Cycling Classic returns, after near-decade absence, in 2026
Add one more major sporting event to Philly’s already-packed semiquincentennial lineup. The Philadelphia Cycling Classic, which was last held in 2016, will return next summer — and yes, it will again feature “the Manayunk Wall.” Continue reading …
Young adults with cancer have unique needs; new Fox Chase program tries to meet them
Young adults dealing with a cancer diagnosis face a unique set of challenges around fertility, relationships, and finances. Temple University’s Fox Chase Center has a program that addresses their medical needs and more. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Gov. Josh Shapiro demands the rejection of all forms of political violence during a speech in Pittsburgh. [WHYY]
• Philly Democrats plan community meetings in case the Trump administration orders National Guard into the city. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia public schools are seeing impacts of federal funding cuts to the SNAP-Ed program. [CBS3]
• Saint Joseph’s University reached an agreement to sell its buildings south of Woodland Avenue to the Belmont Neighborhood Educational Alliance for an undisclosed sum. [West Philly Local]
• City starts working to upgrade Lemon Hill Park ahead of the 2026 World Cup fan festival. [PhillyVoice]
• How to get free dementia caregiving hours through pilot program, GUIDE. [6ABC]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- One year after re-establishing the Pa. Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), the Shapiro admin discussed research and strategic planning. [The Times Leader]
- Feet First Philly is offering mini-grants for safer, walkable neighborhoods. Applications from any resident or community group are welcome until Oct. 1. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
- Workshop alert: Attend the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting’s upcoming conference in Philly on covering gun violence in unprecedented times. From Oct. 1 to 3! Learn more about the keynote and agenda here.
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 11: Shooting victims recorded from Sept. 7 to 13, including 2 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 16 shooting victims were recorded, including 3 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 156: Year-to-date homicides, down 16.5% vs. last year’s pace; down 51% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will join airport officials to provide an update on Department of Aviation progress, including plans for 2026, at Philadelphia Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., 10:45 a.m.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🫶🏽 9/18: Exploring Trends: How Immigration Shapes Our Region
💬 9/18: Moving Forward | A WHYY News Town Hall
🚦 10/2: Safer Streets: A Billy Penn Town Hall
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Constitution Day events at the National Constitution Center
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett talks about her new book with a glimpse into her role (and daily life) as a justice. Free registration required. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Sept. 17: Uncle Bobbie’s X Wallo267 – Book Signing with Meet & Greet
Join Uncle Bobbie’s and award-winning podcaster and Philly icon Wallo267 for the paperback release of his New York Tims bestseller. $28.50 tickets. (7 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 20: Working for the City of Philadelphia: Civil Service 101
Learn from the city’s HR office about becoming a civil servant, employee and educational benefits, the application process, and more FAQs. At The Water Shed at 5300 Wayne Ave. in Germantown. (1 to 2:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 18: “Ritual Flight” Tea Tasting
Slow down and excite your senses as Rise and Ritual in collaboration with The Random Tea Room leads guests in exploring three distinct varieties of tea. $20 tickets. (5 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 18: After Hours Quizzo: Science Edition
Join the American Philosophical Society and Yards Brewery for a night of trivia, beer, and snacks. Questions will be centered around the history of science, and maybe even a few on beer science. Free registration required. (5:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 18: Puppet Karaoke Peoplehood Fundraiser
Share the stage at Pentridge Station with Spiral Q’s giant puppets and props and a giant lip-syncing mouth puppet. Bring your friends to be your puppet backup dancers. Doors will open at 5:30 pm, with puppet karaoke running 6-8 p.m. and a dance party to follow. Free RSVP; Suggested donation $25 (or more) – no one turned away for lack of funds! Funds support the upcoming Spiral Q 25th Annual Peoplehood Parade & Pageant.
Thursday, Sept. 18: Seeing Better: Aversation
Emma Copley Eisenberg & Jade Doskow
Join a reading from Eisenberg’s “Housemates,” a presentation of Doskow’s recent work, as well as a far-ranging conversation with Eisenberg and Doskow about novels, photography and how both forms can offer us better ways of seeing our current moment. Doskow will also demonstrate her modern, large-format camera on site. Free with registration. (6 p.m.)
Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 18-20: “Gladiator” at Carpenters’ Hall
This play about an enslaved gladiator seeking his freedom was a massive success in 1831. The play became a rallying cry for the abolitionist movement and was hailed as “decidedly the best drama ever written in this century.” $15 tickets. (6 p.m.)
Friday, Sept. 19: Chinatown Summer Movie Night
Watch “The Legend of Hei” at the community parking lot space at 227 N. 11th Street. (7 to 10 p.m.)
Friday, Sept. 19: Nutmeg Presents – Monster Macabre
A night of frightful fun and chilling non-alcoholic beverages. $12.51 tickets. (7:30 p.m.)
Friday to Sunday, Sept. 19-21: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show
Founded by artists in 1928 and run by a committee of artists today, this is the oldest outdoor art show in the country. Steeped in rich history and tradition, there is absolutely no other show like it. 140+ artists and 8 categories.
The post Cycling Classic returns; Young adults and cancer; Weekly gun violence brief | Morning roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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