Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 13th of August.
Good morning, Philadelphia.
🎓 Education
Philadelphia School District is urging families to plan travel alternatives as SEPTA may cut service on August 24—this could force 55,000 students into longer or more crowded trips.
Superintendent Tony Watlington said the district is working with police and asked parents to consider carpools since extra bus service is not possible due to a shortage of drivers.
🌲 Environment
Dhan Parker from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation is treating thousands of beech trees that are being killed by a disease first seen in 2022.
The treatment will begin soon to help slow the spread of the disease — Parker warned that without it, every beech tree in the city could be affected.
🏛️ Government
Community leaders in North and West Philadelphia oppose a proposed tax on skill games that state lawmakers are considering to fund SEPTA as they try to address a $5.5 billion budget shortfall, and they warn that the plan could worsen local crime — SEPTA will cut services on Aug.
24 if extra funding is not secured by Thursday.
The Pennsylvania Senate has proposed a new plan to fund SEPTA and mass transit using the Public Transit Trust Fund—this plan includes oversight changes, fare hikes tied to the consumer price index, and funds for rural roads while ignoring the House plan.
The Senate bill is set for final passage Tuesday while SEPTA warned that it might not prevent service cuts scheduled for August 24 if funding is not secured by Thursday.
ICE detention in New Jersey and Pennsylvania increased by about 68% in July compared to earlier periods, with non-criminal detainees rising from 47% in January to 66% in July.
Philadelphia immigration lawyers say tougher mandatory detention policies and collateral arrests (including cases with old removal orders) are making legal defense more difficult for detainees.
Philadelphia voters are watching a state Senate amendment led by Sen. Joe Picozzi that reallocates $292 million from the Public Transportation Trust Fund to fund SEPTA and transit infrastructure.
If the funding is not approved by Aug 14, SEPTA will reduce service by 20% starting Aug 24—eliminating 32 bus routes and raising fares, critics say.
Vine Street is getting safety improvements from Broad to 8th Streets starting Aug.
18, 2025—reducing lanes, adding a dual left-turn lane on South Broad, and installing pedestrian bump-outs and a buffered bike lane—and will cause heavy rush-hour delays until Jan. 16, 2026.
Philadelphia’s police union will hold an Oct.
7 election amid claims of unclear spending and complex nonprofit finances—candidates are calling for more transparency while current president Roosevelt Poplar refutes any mismanagement. An investigation of tax and internal records revealed large cash flows and disputed expenditures that have fueled the growing controversy among union members.
🏈 Sports
The Philadelphia Union stayed at the top of the Eastern Conference after a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Aug 9—Indiana Vassilev’s early goal and Deandre Kerr’s stoppage time equalizer kept them ahead as FC Cincinnati lost to Charlotte FC.
Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-min made his MLS debut in a 30-minute role that included drawing a penalty in a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire.
🎉 Philadelphia Events
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🏠 Philadelphia Real Estate
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