Philly
Today
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Good morning, Philadelphia. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ 26-year-old John Deslippe of BAC Local 1 won the restoration category at the International Apprentice Contest in Detroit last month by mastering brick and stone work—he competed against the top 1% of apprentices from the US and Canada as the union celebrated 160 years of skilled labor. This win highlights his dedication to the trade as he continues his apprenticeship while preparing for added responsibilities at graduation. The Philadelphia Inquirer
- ➤ The Will Power Program has helped 1,000 Philadelphia homeowners complete wills to protect their homes and clear tangled title issues. At a ceremony at Zion Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, state Sen. Sharif Street announced a $100,000 state grant — a boost that will keep free estate planning available for low-income Black residents. WHYY
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Vandals spray-painted graffiti on the Termini Brothers’ flagship bakery in South Philadelphia early Monday – surveillance video showed five suspects scaling a fence and tagging both the building and a parked van – and the bakery, still mourning Vincent Termini Sr., called the act a painful blow. KYW Newsradio
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Mural Arts on October 3 dedicated a new mural—'Films Shaped by a City'—on the Film Society Center wall on Sansom Street between Broad and 15th to honor Philadelphia films from Rocky to The Sixth Sense. The artwork, designed by Marian Bailey and painted by a team led by Eric Okdeh, was created with local film groups ahead of the Film Festival. The Philadelphia Inquirer
- ➤ The Mann Center in Fairmount Park sold its naming rights to Highmark and will now be called the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts for 12 years. Part of the $70 million campaign funds campus renovations (including a new indoor visitors’ center, a permanent Skyline Stage, and needed backstage upgrades) that will finish next summer. WHYY
- ➤ Former NBA star Allen Iverson spoke with podcast hosts Gillie and Wallo at Theatre of Living Arts on South Street Tuesday night about his new memoir Misunderstood, saying he wanted readers to learn his true story beyond the media's warped image. He explained that his past challenges, including a high school jail stint after a bowling alley brawl, helped him overcome mislabeling and inspired athletes to embrace their true selves. KYW Newsradio
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City officials and private contractors began clearing longstanding encampments along the Delaware River Trail in South Philly early Tuesday to prepare for a planned 620-unit apartment tower scheduled to break ground in summer, affecting roughly 40 residents who were warned to leave while some accepted city services — the work continued into Wednesday as personal belongings were removed. The Philadelphia Inquirer
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Thomas Jefferson University reported a nearly $200 million loss last fiscal year and will lay off about 650 employees—roughly 1% of its 65,000-strong workforce. The cuts will affect jobs across the Jefferson Health System including positions with the newly acquired Lehigh Valley Health Network. KYW Newsradio
- ➤ Pennsylvania insurance regulators approved a 21% average premium increase for ACA plans in 2026—driven by the loss of enhanced federal tax credits and rising health care costs—that may force some customers to pay up to 38% more on individual plans. Consumers are urged to compare plans carefully during the Nov. 1–Dec. 15 open enrollment period. WHYY
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper was named a finalist for the Gold Glove award for the second straight season—he moved from the outfield in 2023 to take on first base and improve his defense. He shares the honor with Atlanta's Matt Olson and Cincinnati's Spencer Steer as teams note his growing role at first base. Metro Philadelphia
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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