Good morning, Philadelphia.

Philadelphia organizations are hosting free Thanksgiving events to help families struggling with rising dinner costs that have reached $79 — more than 19% above last holiday season.

The drives include a turkey and coat event at Malcolm X Park on Friday, a turkey giveaway at Al-Aqsa Mosque on Saturday, and further meal and aid programs in West Philly, Germantown and South Philly later this week.

Ana Gasteyer will bring her Sugar & Booze Holiday Spectacular to the Kimmel Center on Saturday, Nov.

22 at 7:30 p.m.—the show features live band music, holiday jazz standards, and comic twists to entertain Philadelphians during the marathon weekend. Tickets are available for those seeking a festive musical escape this season.

Philadelphia earned its first Michelin stars as three local restaurants—Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday, and Provenance—received one-star honors in the 2025 Northeast Cities Guide.

Awards were given Tuesday night at the Kimmel Center, and Mayor Cherelle Parker said the recognition boosts the city’s culinary profile.

Philadelphia indie rock band The War On Drugs will hold three intimate, benefit shows at Johnny Brenda’s in Fishtown from December 18—20 to support the Fund for the School District.

Tickets will be available starting Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m. EST.

Students from Jubilee School in West Philadelphia marched on November 17 to honor the 1967 walkout for Black student rights, chanting and carrying homemade signs.

They connected their efforts to a new historical marker and the district’s African American history graduation requirement — a tribute to past activists and an inspiration for today’s students.

Temple University’s vice president for enrollment and student success, Jose Aviles, resigned abruptly this week with his departure set for Dec.

2—he said he is leaving for a life-changing opportunity he will detail later. The school noted his work modernized enrollment management and boosted first-year numbers even as overall enrollment fell short and staff turnover increased.

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia will expand its campus by linking the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library with the former Swedenborgian Church and Parish House at 2129 Chestnut St — the project will add more educational and gallery space and begin construction in January 2026.

The EEOC filed a court action saying that Penn blocked its efforts to investigate antisemitism on campus by not turning over witness names and victim lists.

Penn said it already sent nearly 900 pages of documents and will not share private data—citing the need to protect its Jewish community.

Philadelphia’s 40-year-old policy of contract quotas for MWBEs was replaced Tuesday by a new policy favoring small—local businesses after Mayor Cherelle Parker signed an executive order.

The policy sets participation ranges and compliance plans for city departments and will grandfather in businesses already registered under the old system.

The Philadelphia Union placed sporting director Ernst Tanner on leave after a Guardian report alleged he made racist, sexist — and homophobic remarks as Major League Soccer reopened an earlier investigation into his behavior ahead of the team’s MLS playoff game.

After rebuilding with new leadership and players, the Philadelphia Union are set to face local rivals NYCFC in a semifinal playoff game on Sunday, Nov.

23 at 7:45 p.m. at Subaru Park — the team looks to advance after topping the East this season.

The Philadelphia Phillies added top pitching prospect Andrew Painter along with Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Alex McFarlane to their 40-man roster on Tuesday to protect them from the Rule 5 draft—Painter is expected to join the starting rotation in 2026 after his recovery from Tommy John surgery.