Philly
Today
Friday, December 19th, 2025
Good morning, Philadelphia. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ University of Pennsylvania student Emily Bhatnagar will collect copies of The Tales of Charlie Wags to distribute in Philadelphia hospitals this month through her nonprofit For Love & Buttercup’s holiday book drive, aiming to comfort children by partnering with local institutions including Penn State Health. Metro Philadelphia
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Poor Judge, the Barrymore award winning dance-cabaret featuring Aimee Mann's songs, will be revived at Wilma Theater from Jan. 13 to 25 in its 300-seat venue. Directed by Eva Steinmetz and developed by Dito van Reigersberg, the production features Philadelphia actor-musicians in a darkly funny tribute. Metro Philadelphia
- ➤ Philly is buzzing with holiday events this weekend, including Del Arts Nights: 'A Jazz Before Christmas' today at Wilmington’s Delaware Art Museum and the Psycho Santa Horror Party tonight at PhilaMOCA. Tuba Christmas will light up Sunday at the Kimmel Center + holiday concerts and markets in nearby areas offer festive fun for all. WHYY
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Two major transatlantic shippers, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, will route cargoes to Philadelphia's container terminal (Packer Avenue) starting Jan. 4 due to delays in repairing Baltimore’s Key Bridge. The shift is expected to boost port jobs and strengthen local shipping services. The Philadelphia Inquirer
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The new Thomas Holme Elementary on Academy Road will open in January & serve 800 students. The $88 million school replaces an old building & eases overcrowding in the Northeast. The Philadelphia Inquirer
- ➤ Philly Circus School will host winter break camps (Dec. 24 and Dec. 26–Jan. 2, excluding New Year’s Day) at its Mt. Airy campus for kids through 7th grade and will hold a New Year’s Eve Circus Workshop for ages 5 and up at 10:45 a.m. on campus. Metro Philadelphia
- ➤ Temple University announced a voluntary retirement program for eligible faculty to address a $27 million budget deficit. It also named Rob Reddy as interim vice provost for enrollment management starting Jan. 1 to fill the vacancy left by Jose Aviles' departure last month. The Philadelphia Inquirer
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Philadelphia began construction on the Commerce Connector, a new pedestrian path that will guide walkers from the Independence Visitors’ Center to Carpenters Hall along a revamped alley (improved with seating, lighting, and plantings). The project, led by nonprofits and the city, is set to finish before July 4. The Philadelphia Inquirer
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Philadelphia tests show a synthetic opioid, carfentanil — 10,000 times stronger than morphine — is found in 20% of street drug samples, up from one in over 300 earlier this year. Narcan remains available to reverse its effects if overdoses occur. KYW Newsradio
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Restaurants in Philly offer special holiday menus this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Options include Dolce’s Feast of the Seven Fishes with seafood and wine pairings, table-side caroling at Caffe Aldo Lamberti, a holiday brunch at Aqimero in the Ritz Carlton, and seasonal dining at other venues (reservations required). Metro Philadelphia
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Eagles will play the Commanders on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. at FedExField in Landover, with a balanced offense and steady defense aimed at keeping their playoff hopes alive. Game plans include handling Washington's mobile quarterback threat (a key focus) as part of their strategy. Metro Philadelphia
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.
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