Shutdown and Independence Park; Street art goes indoors; Weekly gun violence brief | Morning roundup

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

People-watching in Old City
(Photo by @therowhousecity)

What happens to Independence Park during a government shutdown? No one seems to know

With a government shutdown going into effect today, the future of Philadelphia’s most iconic historic sites — including Independence National Historical Park — remains uncertain.

Union leaders representing National Park Service employees say closures, layoffs and staffing shortfalls will threaten visitor access and the preservation of historic landmarks. Continue reading …

Step Outside, Philly’s new collective of graffiti and street artists, is bringing outside art indoors

A new movement is emerging in Philly’s street art scene. Oddly enough, it’s happening indoors.

The collective Step Outside’s second-ever show, The Family Room, is currently on display. Instead of a gallery, you can check it out at a second-hand furniture store in South Philly. It runs through October. Continue reading …

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• PennDOT is accepting construction and maintenance services feedback through a 22-question online survey until Oct. 21. [PennLive]

• The story of the tragic death of Philly teacher Ellen Greenberg and years-long fight for information by her family is now the subject of a Hulu documentary series. [Inq$/6ABC] 

• With a long-term funding solution for SEPTA up in the air, the Week Without Driving encourages Philadelphians to think critically about accessible transit. [WHYY] 

• Advocates believe Philadelphia’s waterways could be the next great playground — if the city prioritizes it. [Grid Philly]

• 1Philadelphia launched a fund to help founders attend national events and pitch competitions. [Technical.ly] 

• A Philly couple’s new theater company, Relic, prioritizes hiring locals and using the city as a resource. [PhillyVoice] 

• The Philly Bike Ride returns Oct. 18 for a fourth year of leisurely cruising along Philly’s streets. [Billy Penn] 

MAYOR WATCH

Parker has no public events scheduled Wednesday.

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

• Pa. House Democrats passed a firearms background check bill with GOP support. They also advanced firearm reforms in the wake of recent acts of gun violence. [Capital-Star/WHYY]
• Temple trains officers for swatting hoaxes after Villanova incident. [NBC10]
• Philly’s surprising new plan to curb illegal gun sales. [City Cast Philly]
• Philadelphia’s shootings have plummeted, but some neighborhoods remain hard hit. [The Trace]
• Workshop alert: LAST CALL: Attend the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting’s conference in Philly on covering gun violence in unprecedented times. Open to the public. Thursday to Friday, Oct. 2-3! Learn more about the keynote and agenda here.

By the numbers in Philadelphia

• 19: Shooting victims recorded from Sept. 21 to 27, including 2 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 11 shooting victims were recorded, including 3 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
• 163: Year-to-date homicides, down 15% vs. last year’s pace; down 52% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]

ON THE CALENDAR

🍂 Autumn festival lineup
👻 Halloween events across Philly, now through October
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide

Wednesday, Oct. 1: WHYY Pop-Up Newsroom
Visit Frankford Library to meet and talk with WHYY News reporters about the community and news and events that matter to you. (1 to 4 p.m.) 

Wednesday, Oct. 1: Filipino American History Month Kickoff Social 2025
Hosted by the Filipino American Association of Philadelphia, come hang with kababayan and friends celebrating a rich history in Philly and the U.S. Light bites and drinks included in $25 ticket admission. Baby’s Kusina will also be open for counter service. DJs will be mixing beats. (6 to 9 p.m.)

Thursday, Oct. 2: Guided Trolley Tour of the Philadelphia Navy Yard
Led by Capt. Francis Spencer, USN (Ret.), former commanding officer, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division. The tour will highlight both the U.S. Navy and commercial history of the Navy Yard. Lunch is pay-as-you-go at the cafeteria. $65 tickets. (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) 

Thursday to Friday, Oct. 2-3: Gun Violence Reporting Conference
Join the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence for candid conversations, critical discourse and help addressing America’s inescapable narrative on gun violence. Designed for journalists but informative for anyone interested in gun violence, prevention and the role of the media. $65 tickets.

Thursday, Oct. 2: Safer Streets | A Billy Penn Town Hall 
BP reporters, city leaders and transportation voices discuss what has been done so far and what else Philly could or should do to make our streets safe for everyone. Brought to you by Billy Penn & Bridging Blocks. At Parkway Central Library. (5:30 to 7 p.m.)

Thursday, Oct. 2: Movies Under the Stars: “How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days” 
Admission is free to the outdoor Logan Hotel Courtyard, where there will be snacks to purchase. BYO blanket. (7:30 to 9:30 p.m.)

Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 2-4: Gyro Festival 
Join St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral at S. 8th and Spruce Streets for gyros, baklava, loukoumades and more. (12 p.m.) 

Friday, Oct. 3: First Friday Tacony LAB Spooky Maker Market
Shop handmade work from local makers, make your own screen printed trick-or-treat bag, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate art and community at the Tacony LAB. Free; RSVP recommended. (6 to 8:30 p.m.)

Friday through Sunday, Oct. 3-5: People’s Media Camp
A free three-day gathering for Philly’s grassroots memory workers and storytellers alike. Feat.: workshops, skill-shares, roundtables, breakout sessions, screenings, collective mapping, art, and The People’s Bazaar (a free vendor market). (Friday at 5 p.m. at Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 4740 Baltimore Ave. + Saturday-Sunday at 8 a.m. at FACTS Charter School, 1023 Callowhill St.)

Saturday, Oct. 4: The Great Swap 
At Gustine Recreation Center, 4868 Ridge Ave. Bring no-longer-needed but still-usable household and clothing items, and take home whatever you’d like. You don’t need to donate to shop, and you don’t need to shop to donate — it’s all about sharing and reusing. Free. (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 4: Latin American Book Fair
Families and book lovers are invited to the Kimmel Center for a celebration of stories, art, and culture. Meet authors, illustrators, and designers from across Latin America, explore children’s books, fiction, biographies, and more, and connect with the voices behind the stories. This year’s special guest country is Mexico, bringing live music, traditions, and a vibrant cultural program. Free; RSVP welcome but not required. (11 a.m.)

The post Shutdown and Independence Park; Street art goes indoors; Weekly gun violence brief | Morning roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.