Citizen Must Reads

Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the News

Taxing the rich, spending less on food, an EPA red herring, Jesse Jackson’s fashion statements and more smart stories that explain what happened this week

By Lauren McCutcheon
Guest Commentary

Honor my Beautiful Friend by Keeping Planes Safe

In the wake of 2025’s aviation-based tragedies, a Philadelphia school teacher explains her very personal reasons for supporting the ROTOR Act

By Nicole Wyglendowski

Things to Do This Week For America’s 250th

Your highly curated list of the best semiquincentennial events, exhibits, and activities happening in and around Philly

By Christina Griffith
Citizen of the Week

Carlos Rogers, Bike Race Reviver

How a tattooed, middle-aged hairstylist made The Philadelphia Cycling Classic the sporting surprise of America’s 250th

By Malcolm Burnley
Listen

Ali Velshi Covers the Gordie Howe International Bridge Saga

The MS NOW host and Citizen board member joins Mitch Landrieu and Fred Hochberg to discuss Trump's threats and damage to our infrastructure projects

By Ali Velshi
Guest Commentary

“Then. Now. Tomorrow.”

Representatives of the National Association of Manufacturers — coming to Carpenters’ Hall this week — encourage less regulation and more innovation as a path to the next 250 years

By Jay Timmons and David Taylor

Calling All City Workers – and Those Who Admire Them

It’s that time of year: We’re on the hunt for the most high-integrity workers employed by the City of Philadelphia. Nominate the most inspiring city workers you know, and they could be named a 2026 Integrity Icon

By Jessica Blatt Press

Weaponizing the FDA Against Vaccines

Why did the federal agency shelve a new vaccine that promises to dramatically improve flu resistance? The renowned CHOP immunologist explains

By Paul Offit

Hey Philly! Let’s Hire a Congressperson

Help us write a job description for the candidates vying to replace Philadelphia’s U.S. Representative Dwight Evans — and then join us to help interview them for the job

By Courtney DuChene
Big Rube’s Philly

The Celebrity Edit

Michael K. Williams, Nicky Hilton, Leslie Odom Jr., Zendaya, and his Nan’s favorite, Terrence Howard are some of the celebs who’ve stopped for the camera of an iconic chef, trendsetter and street photographer

By Reuben Harley