Who Gets To Be In The History Game

Drexel is set to take over the orphaned Atwater Kent historical collection. But the Historical Society, and City Council, might have other ideas. What’s all the fighting really about?

By Larry Platt

Governing Makes a Comeback

Council’s passage last week of modest business tax cuts was more than a rebuke of progressives. It also might suggest that reasonableness is trending again

By Larry Platt

Mr. Schmidt Goes to Washington

Former City Commissioner Al Schmidt’s testimony this week before the Jan. 6 committee was a reminder that maybe integrity isn’t dead yet

By Larry Platt

The Little-Known Leader Pushing For Urgency on Gun Violence

While Mayor Kenney, DA Krasner and police commissioner Outlaw point fingers and demonstrate the Philly Shrug, State Sen. Art Haywood rejects the politics of helplessness

By Larry Platt

George Carlin and Me

A riveting HBO documentary on the philosopher comic prompts some warm memories — and reminds us of what’s missing from today’s public conversation

By Larry Platt

Notes From Crazy Town

An insurrectionist, a stroke patient, a TV doctor, a newspaper that’s anti-vote, and warring progressive and establishment factions walk into an election. Is the joke on us?

By Larry Platt
LISTEN

The Ultimate Insider on the PA Primary

Legendary media consultant Neil Oxman takes us inside politics — and throws some righteous shade

By Larry Platt

Is Elon Musk a Free Speech Savior?

On the cusp on his Twitter takeover, a Constitution Center event this week reframed the plutocrat for your consideration — and reminded us of the First Amendment's magic

By Larry Platt

Why Doesn’t Anyone Like John Fetterman…

…except for voters?

By Larry Platt

Building a Better Budget

Mayor Kenney has been an inveterate spender. So why doesn’t his newest budget proposal invest more in working class growth, like mayors are doing in cities from Newark to Dayton?

By Larry Platt