It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Eliot Olaya, fellow at AL DÍA News and Julie Zeglen, managing editor at Technical.ly. We discuss Philly’s first Youth Ombudsperson, the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s bike lane enforcement unit and the 13th annual Philly Tech Week. 

Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: 

Philadelphia’s bike lane enforcement unit begins patrol

PPA Issues Over 3,000 Tickets for Street Sweeping Violations

Philadelphia gains its first Youth Ombudsperson

This May, Technical.ly is assessing the state of local tech economies and communities

State of Local Tech Month 2023

13th annual Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast

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States across the country have introduced bills restricting or criminalizing drag shows. While that’s not happening in Philly, local performers say they do feel the effects of a national backlash against LGBTQ+ rights. Host Trenae Nuri checks in with Ian Morrison, aka Brittany Lynn, creator of Philly Drag Mafia and Drag Queen Story Time, about how drag story time helps kids accept themselves, and how he deals with anti-drag protesters.

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If you’re sniffling and sneezing a lot right now, you’re not alone. Pollen counts in the Philadelphia region are showing “extreme” levels of allergens in the air. Lead producer Laura Benshoff talks to Dr. Marc Goldstein, allergist and immunologist at The Asthma Center about why allergy season started early this year, how long it will last, and what you can do to find some relief.

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More than 500 Philadelphians were murdered in 2021 and 2022. But fewer than half of these homicides have resulted in an arrest. To tackle the backlog of cases, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia Police Department, and Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office have started a new partnership, asking for the public’s help locating known suspects. However, many victims’ loved ones are skeptical this program will make a difference. 

Host Trenae Nuri and Mensah Dean, Philadelphia staff writer for The Trace, discuss the relationship between victims’ families and law enforcement, and why it’s so hard to solve homicide cases in Philadelphia.

Read Mensah’s full story here. 

Philadelphia Police Department’s crime tip line is 215-686-TIPS (8477) or email [email protected]. Callers can remain anonymous. 

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The Committee of Seventy, a non-partisan and nonprofit group, has released the first independent poll in Philly’s 2023 mayor’s race. 

In partnership with FairVote, the Urban Affairs Coalition, The Philadelphia Citizen, and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, pollsters surveyed 1,500 likely voters. 

Host Trenae Nuri and Lauren Cristella, interim president and chief operating officer of the Committee of Seventy, talk about who’s in the lead to be the city’s next mayor. 

Check out Committee of Seventy’s Philadelphia primary voters guide.

Information on how to register and how to vote by mail is available from the City Commissioners Office.

The primary election is Tuesday, May 16th. 

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It’s the Friday news round up! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Kristin Hunt, senior staff writer at PhillyVoice, and Lizzy McLellan Ravitch, workplace reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. We discuss the final mayoral candidate debate before the May 16th primary, recent union activity in our region, and why a book about trans youth by a local author has become one of the most banned works in the country.

Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism. Here are some stories discussed in this episode: 

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Have a question or just want to share some thoughts with the team? Leave us a voicemail at 215-259-8170. 

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This February, the 100th school in Pennsylvania started a girls wrestling team. That’s the threshold to get sanctioned and fully sponsored as a sport by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. If approved, girls teams would be able to hold tournaments and championships— without having to compete with boys. Host Trenae Nuri talks with three state qualifying wrestlers and their coach at Penn Wood High School in Delaware County about what this sport means to them. 

For more information about how girls wrestling is growing across the Commonwealth go to SanctionPA. 

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The 24th annual Philly Black Pride celebration kicks off this week. The four-day festival includes dance parties, karaoke, and even a skate night! Host Trenae Nuri talks with City Cast Philly arts and culture contributor Charles Tyson Jr. about why Philly’s Black LGBTQ+ community is focusing on joy and healing this year, and his can’t miss events this weekend. 

Here’s a list of some resources for Philly’s LGBTQ+ community

Colours Organization

Bebashi 

Philadelphia FIGHT

galaei

Mazzoni Center 

The Family Practice & Counseling Network 

Looking for Philly Black Pride events? Here’s the festival calendar: http://phillyblackpride.org/events/

April 26th is National Pretzel Day. Get a free pretzel at Philadelphia Pretzel Factory. 

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Philadelphia has 10,000s of vacant lots, according to City data. Keeping them clean and green can help reduce crime and littering, and even raise property values. So, what can your community do to start repurposing a vacant lot? Host Trenae Nuri and Nate Hommel, director of planning and design for University City District, talk through the steps for turning a neglected space into a community oasis.

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School districts in Bucks and Philadelphia counties are using AI software to track students' online activities on school-issued devices. The idea is to prevent bullying, suicide, or even a school shooting. However, critics say there are a host of downsides. Host Trenae Nuri talks with Emily Rizzo, reporter for WHYY News, about her recent reporting on this type of software, where it's used locally, and the questions this technology raises for parents and school districts.