Politics
We Don’t Need a Jury to Tell Us That the Days of Johnny Doc Have Passed
This week, Philly “politics as usual” is on trial. More than two years after being federally charged for bribery and corruption, Local 98 leader John “Johnny […]
The Return of COVID Restrictions Proves That Unvaccinated Lives Matter
The rise of new COVID-19 cases caused by the highly contagious Delta variant — and the return of restrictions in their wake — has produced […]
Philly’s New Budget Makes It Clear City Hall Will Never Defund the Police
As the saying goes, “Don’t believe the hype,” especially when it comes to the Philly police budget. After all that talk of criminal justice reform […]
Helen Gym and Kenyatta Johnson, Grandstand Less and Legislate More
Having grown up in the South, I’ve never forgotten a piece of wisdom from my elders: “Know your role, play your part.” In a democracy, […]
Four Major Takeaways From the Philadelphia Democratic Primary
The Philadelphia Democratic primary election resulted in a big win for progressive candidates. District Attorney Larry Krasner’s landslide victory over former prosecutor Carlos Vega was […]
Nearly 3/4 of All Contributions to Larry Krasner This Year Came from Outside Philly
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sure does have a lot of friends — or at least supporters — in faraway places. With polls set to […]
Not Enthusiastic About Voting for Either Larry Krasner or Carlos Vega? You’re Not Alone.
With less than two weeks to go before the Democratic primary, I cut the suspense in my household by casting my mail-in vote. Voting for […]
Why Is Philly In Such a Mess Right Now? Because Our Politicians Have Lost Their Souls
“We need leaders with the courage to risk the thing that matters most to them: their own jobs,” former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell wrote in […]
After Trump Insurrection, the Need for Newsroom Diversity Couldn’t Be More Obvious
It’s been a week and a day since a mob of domestic terrorists stormed the Capitol Building. Six people died as a result of the […]
City Commissioner Al Schmidt, Hero of the 2020 Election, Is Ready to Call It Quits
When Al Schmidt first ran for city commissioner in 2011, seeking one of the three seats in charge of Philly’s elections, he probably never thought […]
The Big List of Philly Pols Demanding Resignations and Prosecutions After Capitol Siege
To think that this week began with the Republican leadership in the state Senate refusing to seat Democrat Jim Brewster of Allegheny County, who won […]
Philadelphia’s Homicide Rate Hit a Record High. Now Can We Get Serious About Defunding Police?
At the start of a new year in Philly, I’ve come to expect two initial headaches: the Mummers doing something stupid, and another disappointing annual […]
13 Winners and Losers From the 2020 General Election
Elections, as they say, have consequences. One such consequence: They produce winners and losers. Lots of them. Winner? Joe Biden. Loser? Donald Trump. Easy enough, […]
5 Things to Watch for as Pennsylvania Election Day Results Trickle In
Well, folks, the countdown to Election Day is over. Hooray? Forgive us if we’re not quite feeling relieved. Because as one countdown ends, others begin: […]
If Biden Wins the White House, Here’s What He Owes Philly
Election Day is finally here, and — as you may have heard somewhere — it all comes down to Pennsylvania. In 2016, Trump did what […]