Dr. Ala Stanford, a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District Democratic nomination, speaking at the West Philly forum on April 20, 2026. (Photo by Tony West)

Three candidates for the 3rd Congressional District were at the Penn Alexander School (43rd and Locust) on Monday evening to court West Philly voters. State Rep. Chris Rabb, Dr. Ala Stanford and State Sen. Sharif Street are running in the May 19 primary for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans. They appeared in a forum sponsored by the 24th and 27th Wards.

Stanford, a physician and a political newcomer whom Evans has endorsed, was a federal Health & Human Services leader. She also led a vital city medical response during the COVID pandemic. Street, the son of  former Mayor John Street, was the Democratic state party chair before this race. He is backed by the Democratic City Committee. Rabb is a progressive firebrand who has long defied Democratic City Committee. He was endorsed by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Mayor Cherelle Parker has proposed a $6.97 billion “One Philly, One Future” budget for Fiscal Year 2027, focusing on public safety, clean and green initiatives, and economic opportunity. The plan includes $25 million for anti-violence grants, $10 million for affordable housing, and investments in education.

To fund the proposals, the budget includes new revenue measures, including:

• A 2 percent increase in the hotel tax.
• A 20-cent-per-ride fee increase (initially) on rideshares, later pushed to $1 per ride.
• A new 25-cents-per-order delivery fee.

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An artist’s rendering of the reimagined Welsh Fountain Gardens in West Fairmount Park (see more renderings below).

The Fairmount Park Conservancy joined State Senator Vincent J. Hughes and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation today to announce a major $2.3 million state grant for the Welsh Fountain Gardens, which is located between Avenue of the Republic and Parkside Avenue across from the Please Touch Museum. Funded through the Commonwealth’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, the project aims to turn a long-dormant historic site into a safe, vibrant space for the community.

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Photo by Andrew Gormley

West Philly singer-songwriter Gretchen Elise is sharing her story of rebuilding, recuperation, and gratitude. A car crashed into her home on S. 47th Street on Christmas Eve, which spawned a GoFundMe campaign to recoup losses and record a song called “Grateful Love.”

The Fox 29 clip of the hit and run went national. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

“The driver took out a tree, 4 cars, backed into our house, and fled,” Gretchen said. “We have not had any follow up from the police on our case and unfortunately with the time consuming process of repair, we haven’t had time to pursue it.”

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One of the city’s oldest recreation centers has reopened after a two-and-a-half-year long renovation. On Friday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, city and state officials, representatives of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Kingsessing community members celebrated the reopening of Kingsessing Recreation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Through its Rebuild Philadelphia program, the City has invested $27 million to modernize the facility, which originally opened in 1916, while preserving its historic character. Upgrades include renovated interior spaces, a new artificial turf field, an accessible playground, and improved community gathering areas.

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The City has renamed the 4700 block of Wyalusing Avenue, where the historic Philadelphia Masjid is located, “Philadelphia Masjid Way.”

Elected city and state officials, including Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District), and State Rep. Joanna McClinton, and the Philadelphia Masjid leadership and worshippers gathered at 47th and Wyalusing for the street renaming ceremony and to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr on Friday morning.

The Philadelphia Masjid is one of America’s most historic predominantly-Black masjids – it has served as a community cornerstone for more than five decades. This street renaming recognizes over 50 years of faith, service, leadership, and community excellence.

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