March 28, 2025

Fights Over Philly Budget, The Portal Is Moving & Introducing Will Smith Way

29 minutes

It’s the Friday News Roundup. Today we’re digging into Mayor Cherelle Parker’s budget proposal – including her plans to eliminate free rides for low-income Philadelphians, build thousands of housing units, and cut a tax on businesses. We also wonder why the Portal art installation keeps getting vandalized and where it should be moved to keep it safer. And we talk about two Philebrities – Will Smith, the entertainer who got a street named after him, and Skinny Joe Merlino, the former mob boss opening a cheesesteak spot.

Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism:

NIH terminates three Penn research grants, citing incompatibility with ‘agency priorities’

Jameson says Penn researchers received ‘stop work orders’ after $175 million federal funding freeze

Pa. food banks are facing millions in federal funding cuts as they fear increased need

'Skinny Joey' Merlino to open cheesesteak shop in South Philadelphia

'A reckless dismantling’: EPA employees and supporters march in Philly to protest cuts

Mayor Parker wants to defund a program that provides free transit passes for low-income people

Federal cuts, staffing struggles, homeless services: Philly City Council probes Mayor Parker’s $6.7B budget proposal

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