Hello? Board Leadership? Are you There?

The Art Museum sacking of Sasha Suda is the latest story to raise questions about nonprofit governance in Philly.

BIG RUBE’S PHILLY: Caryn Kunkle, The Art-World Connector Who Lives in a Museum

The legendary photographer and chef catches up with a born-and-bred Philly gal who works behind the scenes to help our local art scene thrive

The Coming Artificial Intelligence Crash

A local economics expert doesn’t wonder if an A.I. downturn is coming — just how bad it will be

All the Candidates in the 2025 General Election

Who's running for Philadelphia District Attorney, City Controller and local and statewide judicial posts in on November 4

The New Urban Order: Can AI Achieve the Broken Promises of Smart Cities?

A conversation with AI expert and professor Neil Kleiman on how the newest tech might transform how cities work

Civics Out Loud

An iconic Philadelphia author and youth voting activist outlines a day in the life of politically engaged local students, lesson by lesson

November (and beyond) 2025 Good Citizen Calendar

Your guide to civic action in Philadelphia this month

New Media for a New Philadelphia Age

The Citizen just bought storied Philadelphia magazine. Here’s why

What a Bucks Co Sheriff’s Race Can Tell Us about U.S. Politics

Can a challenger in a Bucks County’s election have the formula for how Democrats can win on public safety?

How To Really Run A City: A Job, a Hospital, A Park — All Within 15 Minutes

Lane Johnson’s Season of Strong Mental Health: The 24/7 Support Philly Kids and Families Need

The two-time Super Bowl champ checks in on CHOP’s Behavioral Health and Crisis Center, which is meeting the overwhelming demand for mental health support for young people

Ideas We Should Steal: Schools of Civic Thought

15 universities in 10 states — including Yale and University of Texas — have launched programs that focus on thinking and citizenship. We could use more of that here, too

Ideas We Should Steal: Mayor Parker, Here’s How to Build More H.O.M.E.s

Don’t just spend money, recycle it with a new revolving construction loan fund like they have in Atlanta, Chicago and Chattanooga

Larry Krasner, Meet Harry Truman

In the aftermath of the tragic Kada Scott murder, the D.A. has said the buck stops with him. Or was he actually passing it?

More than Street Cleaning

After four years, Glitter has proven it can create jobs, clean neighborhoods, build community — and, even, reduce gun violence

Does The Kensington Wellness Court Work?

The $5.5 million pilot program is a key part of Mayor Parker’s plan to address the addiction and homelessness issues in the ravaged neighborhood. Nine months in, no one seems to know when — or if — we’ll know it’s successful

We Are The Champions …

… of squash, thanks to our year-old professional team, the Philadelphia Lightning. That’s just one part of being the undisputed squash capital of the United States

Building Community Through … Babka

In a sea of bakery pop-ups in Philly, Queen Village’s Rougarou Baking is a window into what makes this city so special

Is This The End of PA’s Nonpartisan Supreme Court?

Mudslinging. False advertising. The state’s richest Republican vs. its popular Democratic governor. Just what the hell is going on with judicial elections in Pennsylvania?

LANE JOHNSON’S SEASON OF STRONG MENTAL HEALTH: Is Social Media the New Drugs and Alcohol?

As we take on the Vikings this weekend, the two-time Super Bowl champ highlights a Minnesota law leading the way in solving this most modern of public health crises

Citizen of the Week: Is this Montco Doctor the Antidote to … Joe Rogan?

Maybe not quite yet, but Ezekiel Tayler is aiming to inform and sway voters on his year-old podcast — starting with all the judges on the November ballot

Photo Essay: Riding High – All Year Long

A weather-proof polo arena for kids – in Philadelphia? That seemingly wild vision has become a reality for young horse riders

How To Really Run A City: A Political “A-hole” No More

On the latest episode of our podcast, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter talks with a self-described — now reformed — Tea Party arsonist about what his apology tour has taught him about the future of America

Lane Johnson’s Season of Strong Mental Health: Fighting Loneliness, Generationally

Loneliness is a scourge, particularly among older Americans. As we head to play the Giants on Thursday, the two-time Super Bowl champ highlights a New York-based nonprofit that has been successfully addressing social isolation for decades.

New Urban Order: Calder Gardens’ Missed Opportunities

An urbanist grapples with her contrarian view of Philadelphia's newest museum, and how it reflects her city

“We Love Birds.”

Since the pandemic forced people outside, birding is having a moment. In Philly, it’s helping residents see their city anew

The Skills Initiative is an Idea Worth Stealing

In partnership with Accelerator for America, the West Philly-based jobs training program is sharing its successful model across the country — starting with our Super Bowl rival Kansas City

The Incredible Shrinking Housing Plan?

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s signature program, H.O.M.E., will build far fewer dwellings than she once promised. Will it solve the problems that need solving?

The WNBA As You’ve Never Seen It … In Philly

Unrivaled, the new 3v3 professional women’s basketball league, makes its tour debut here on January 30, thanks to Philly Sisters, co-founded by Wanda and Alex Sykes

Lane Johnson’s Season of Strong Mental Health: Students, Help Each Other

Founded at Penn, Active Minds is now a national college and high school network of students helping each other address their mental health struggles

“All Teachers Need To Go Through This”

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is helping to fill classrooms with programs that serve two customers: future teachers and middle schoolers

War Zone or Reprieve?

A Trace analysis of 10 years of neighborhood-level shooting data found that gun violence is lower almost everywhere than it was in 2015 — but Philadelphians are still reeling from more than 16,000 shootings.

The New Urban Order: Can We Make Car-Free Streets Permanent?

Everyone loves once-a-week open streets. What would it take to transform the happenings into a full-time situation?

Lane Johnson’s Season of Strong Mental Health: Mental Health is a Team Sport

As the Eagles take on the Bucs this week, the two-time Super Bowl Champion highlights a Tampa mental health collaborative that is a model Philly might want to steal

How To Really Run A City: Detroit Is Back, Baby!

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joins former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt to share secrets from the urban turnaround of the century

Ideas We Should Steal: A SEPTA Backup Plan?

A public-private partnership in South Bend, Indiana lets employers and nonprofits offer free and low-cost Uber, Lyft and bus trips to workers and clients. Could this be a way to weather the next SEPTA doomsday?

Only One in the Room? Not Anymore.

A Philadelphia-born engineer wanted to see more young people of color enter STEM fields. He started a program in his garage — and ended up with a generation of confident scholars

“Do We Have to Wait Until He Stabs Someone?”

One Philadelphian learns a complicated lesson in how to help a stranger in public mental health distress — featuring a confusing municipal system and one very simple (and under funded) solution

Jimmy Kimmel’s Right to Satirize

Does he have one? A Temple Law professor who studies comedy and democracy on whether both are imperiled now

Lane Johnson’s Season of Strong Mental Health: My Friendship with Jay Glazer

The two-time Super Bowl Champion, five-time All-Pro, and six-time Pro Bowler offensive lineman relies on a powerful tool he learned from the NFL and MMA broadcaster and trainer to strengthen his own mental health: authentic friendship

The Woman Republicans Hope Can Beat Josh Shapiro

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity — who received the most votes of any PA candidate ever in her reelection bid last year — may already be the Commonwealth’s most successful female politician of all time. But is that enough?

Is Philadelphia’s Revival at Risk?

The 10-year tax abatement spurred the city’s growth. But recent policies may threaten that progress

Where Does Philly Need More Homes?

A new tool offers once-and-for-all answers to what kinds of housing the city needs, and exactly where. Will City Hall use it?

Screw the Grudge. Bring the Grace.

How we can turn spitting, ball-grabbing and hat-snatching bad behavior in sports into everything that is good about humans

Can A Horrific Political Assassination Finally Bring Us Together?

A local vet and former U.S. Rep on what 9/11 and Charlie Kirk’s assassination tell us about the America we live in. A roadmap to unity

Lane Johnson’s Season of Strong Mental Health: Mobile Care for KC Kids

As the Birds head to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Sunday, the Eagles’ five-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler shares the city's innovative approach to get children the mental healthcare they deserve

Big Rube’s Philly: Kevin Gregg, Building a Baseball Legacy

The Phillies Vice President of Communications comes from MLB royalty — but he’s more than proven himself on his own, by the iconic photographer, chef and brand marketer

A World Without Tumors?

The latest company co-founded by cancer curer Carl June is oozing with ambition, deep pockets, and proven names in biotech. And it’s staying here

Ideas We Should Steal: “One City” to Cut Poverty

In 2011, Richmond, VA’s mayor set an ambitious citywide goal to reduce its dismal poverty rate. Two successors later, the city is showing remarkable success. Can Philly do the same?

Lane Johnson’s Season of Strong Mental Health: The Pro Bowler’s Latest Title — Citizen Columnist

Each week this season, two-time Super Bowl Champion, five-time All-Pro, and six-time Pro Bowler offensive lineman Lane Johnson will spotlight people and programs in the world of mental health. Ahead of the Birds’ first game tonight, he shares his own struggles — and what has helped

The New Urban Order: Quit Whining about Travel Sports

Intense youth sports are a rational response to the hyper-competitive world we live in.

Ideas We Should Steal: Break — Then Fix — the School District

Hurricane Katrina pushed New Orleans to completely upend how it educates its children. Twenty years later its success is off the charts. Finally, folks are talking about it.

SEPTA, The Art of The Ordeal

Compromise may finally be in the air. Some thoughts (including a Mellencamp cameo?) on the politics behind our budgetary fiasco — and why a win/win has been so elusive

A Bridge to Literacy

Only 17 percent of fourth graders read at grade level in Philadelphia. A Fairhill parent literary assistant program is slowly improving that — and providing a much-needed community resource

Partisanship Has No Place in College Loans

President Trump is rescinding loan forgiveness for people who he thinks flout his politics — including possibly Philly public school teachers. A longtime university president cries foul

Ideas We Should Steal: University Brains To Solve City Problems

City governments around the country have partnered with local researchers to find solutions to issues like traffic congestion and fighting fires. Why won’t Philly take advantage of our local colleges to do the same?

How the Hell Are Kids Going to Get to School?

The first round of SEPTA service cuts aligns with the start of the school year — seriously hampering back to school for thousands of students. Here are some ideas that could help

Dear Harrisburg, Southeastern PA Wants our Tax Money Back

The debate over SEPTA funding has led at least one local legislator to suggest a radical approach to state governance

The Museum Will Welcome You Now

Three years into her tenure, Philadelphia Museum of Art Director/CEO Sasha Suda is reimagining the institution for a new age and a new population. Can she convince the city — and her colleagues — to get on board?

The New Urban Order: I Don’t Bike. But I Support Bike Lanes

What many Center City residents don’t understand

Business for Good: Hart of Catering & Cafe, a Haven for Healing

Every day, the owners of a Rittenhouse Square cafe practice gratitude for their journey through addiction and homelessness— by caring for Philadelphians going through the same

Citizen of the Week: Evelyn Ebo

With a little help from her friends, a professional dancer from Philadelphia has created a week-long summer boot camp that’s giving a boost to young Black and Brown dancers

What the SEPTA Saga has Revealed about Parker and Shapiro

The Mayor has been silent. The Governor is rallying the already converted. Whatever happened to preventing a crisis before it starts?

John Kruk, Philly Demigod

How the Phils’ yapper has, with every random observation, touched our soul

Can Pennsylvania Lead the AI Revolution?

The head of Drexel’s Metro Finance Lab says the Commonwealth has a huge opportunity to lead in this century’s railroad era. But will PA seize the moment?

That Time Ambassador David Cohen Agreed to Chair the Citizen’s Board

The civic giant and ubiquitous local doer advised Mayor Ed Rendell and Comcast’s Brian Roberts before becoming President Biden’s Ambassador to Canada. Here's why he’s made The Citizen his first new role since returning to Philly

How To Be Unemployed

A former U.S. Rep from Philadelphia shares, for the first time, his post-military unemployment story — and offers essential advice to anyone looking for work

Holding SEPTA Hostage

Republican leadership wants accountability when funding public transit, but not when it comes to fixing roads. Is that fair?

Saving Democracy by Canvassing … All the Time

The deep canvassers of Changing the Conversation Together have been able to turn out the vote before big elections. Could doing their work year-round boost civic engagement and voter turnout in the long term?

Isaac Saul Wants To UnTangle Your News

The South Philly journalist reaches 400,000 readers everyday with Tangle’s blend of media roundup, analysis and self-reflection. His goal? To help Americans see past their own biases

Citizens of the Week: Ginger Arts Center Student Organizers

The Chinatown hub launched to organize protest against the proposed Center City 76ers arena. Now it's a student-led third space for building community and having an impact

Philly Pays Millions to Pollute. Local Innovators Have a Better Way

A Texas-based corporation charges us $50 million a year to process trash and recycling. Could the City give a slice of that pie to local sustainable waste companies instead?

How To Really Run A City: One City’s Answer to Tribalism

Denver, Colorado Mayor Mike Johnston talks about coming together in divided times with former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

The Grit Behind Greatness

Leadership lessons from the Super Bowl champion Eagles, just in time for fall camp

Citizen of the Week: Collie Turner, Heroic Gardener

The horticulturist created an urban garden on an abandoned Northeast Philly lot to heal the land and community members like her beloved late grandfather: veterans

Tackling Racial Bias in Home Appraisals

How a trio of real estate pros calling themselves the WEALTH Collective plans to solve Philadelphia’s race-based $57 billion gap in housing values

Shapiro’s Choice

Trump’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill contains a free money, opt-in school choice program for governors. Will ours redefine the politics of education for Democrats by taking advantage of it?

The Cursive Comeback

The PA House has voted to reinstate the teaching of old-fashioned penmanship in public schools. In the age of AI, is this the answer to our literacy crisis?

Business for Good: Committing to Kensington

Why one local biotech firm is right at home in Philly’s most beleaguered neighborhood

Big Rube’s Philly: Jordan Mays

The chef, brand marketer and photographer talks with an up-and-coming Northwest Philly carpenter about what it means to build something that lasts

2025 Rad Awards: Dr. Sarah McAnulty

Philadelphia squid biologist brings science to the masses — in classrooms, through burlesque performances, at forest meet-ups, and on telephone poles

Meet the 2025 Rad Award Nominees

Introducing the Philadelphia artists, activists, entrepreneurs, connectors and more we are honoring on July 30 — then meet them at the Rad Awards Party

The PPD Enrolls at Penn

A new master’s program will train members of the Philadelphia Police Department to become better managers and to innovate department-wide problem solving

Signs of the Times

Catching up with the anonymous artist MIW peppering Philadelphia with realistic street signs promoting pro-labor, pro-SEPTA, and anti-Trump messages

How to Get Rid of All Your Stuff

Two local nonprofits launched resourcePhilly, a “zero waste” search engine to help people donate or recycle their trash … just when we’re all thinking about what we throw away.

Mission Over Ego

The pooled-funding collaborative Repositioning Fund is helping nonprofits survive and grow by doing the hard thing — completely changing

The Politics of Trash

The drama of DC 33's eight-day strike leaves us with not only lingering stench, but also questions about city leadership

How to Really Run a City: Reformers are the Future of Cities

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti joined former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter at this year’s United Way Summit for a special live podcast recording

2025 Rad Awards: Ryan Hammond

The head of the Eagles Autism Foundation has a simple secret for raising $10 million a year and getting elite players to bike 10 miles through Philly

Citizen Must Reads: Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the News

Dems learning from Mamdani, GOP saying no to Trump, rural resistance and more news to get you through the week unscathed.

LANE JOHNSON’S SEASON OF STRONG MENTAL HEALTH: Get Help Now

If you or a loved one struggle with substance use disorder, you’re not alone. And in Pennsylvania, you can get free support, 24/7

The Citizen Recommends: Toni Morrison’s Philadelphia

An art exhibit and scholarly center inspired by the Nobel Prize-winning author speak to our political and cultural moment. Will we heed her call?

Another Change Election

A former Congressman from PA on voters turning out in big numbers to rebuke Trump

Democrats Won The PA Supreme Court (Again)

The GOP failed in its unusual push to oust three supreme court justices and erase Democrats’ majority on the court, in the wildest and most expensive judicial race in state history

Guest Commentary: The Trash Can Can

Ya Fav Trashman has given North Philly residents easy places to put their litter. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference

Who Is Larry Krasner?

Philadelphia’s District Attorney since 2018 is known for his progressive stances and … outspoken self-confidence