Citizen Must Reads

Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the News

“Board of Peace,” states’ rights, election polling, Greenland and more smart stories that explain what happened this week

By The Philadelphia Citizen Staff

​​What’s Rochelle Bilal Smoking?

Progressives cheered, but the Sheriff’s viral press conference about Trump and ICE was a spectacle Philly can ill afford on the national stage right now

By Larry Platt
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Ali Velshi and the King Family On Making The World One In Brotherhood

The MS NOW host and Citizen board member talks with Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King about Dr. King's legacy, and the soul of America

By Ali Velshi

Breaking Bread For Citizenship

The Welcoming Center’s 2026 dinner series will bring immigrants and native-born Philadelphians together to explore the themes of neighborliness and good citizenship while bonding over the most human of activities: eating

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
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Ali Velshi Talks Trump’s Attack on Legal Immigration

The MS NOW host and Citizen board member reports that naturalization ceremonies across the country are being canceled at the last minute.

By Ali Velshi
Citizen of the Week

The Man Who May Save Philly’s Small Businesses

Jigar Mehta led an effort to spare small businesses from a shocking tax increase next year wrought by Mayor Parker’s new tax plan. Will it become law?

By Malcolm Burnley
Guest Commentary

Don’t Cut Off this Lifeline for English Learners

In a city where one in five students are English language learners, we can’t afford not to support their education

By Alyn Turner and Sean Vanatta

How to Protest Safely in Philadelphia

Planning to attend a public demonstration? Know the rules, know your rights, and be safe

By Christina Griffith, Olivia Kram and Lauren McCutcheon
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

By J.P. Romney
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Ali Velshi Asks if Medicaid Recipients Can Just Replace Farm Workers

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member covers how Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins believes immigrant farm workers can be replaced by Medicaid recipients

By Ali Velshi