All Philadelphia public schools will remain closed indefinitely in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in compliance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest order.

The School District will still observe Spring Break, from April 6-9, and Good Friday on April 10 when offices will be closed. Meals and learning guides will continue to be available for students at the 49 School District meal distribution sites on Monday, April 6 and Thursday, April 9.  Continue Reading

A 31-year-old man was shot multiple times Sunday afternoon in the Cedar Park neighborhood, according to police. The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. at 49th and Pentridge Streets. He was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center by police and is currently listed in critical but stable condition, according to police.

So far no arrests have been made and no weapon was recovered.

Pennsylvania’s primary election has been postponed to June 2.

Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed legislation to move the primary from April 28 to June 2 due to the COVID-19 emergency. The legislation also expands provisions for mail-in voting in case restrictions are still in place and allows counties to consolidate polling places to make up for possible shortages of poll workers and locations.

Absentee and mail-in ballots are due May 26.  Continue Reading

The City of Philadelphia, in partnership with Share Food Program and Philabundance, will begin distributing boxes of non-perishable food to residents in need during the COVID-19 crisis, beginning Monday, March 30.

The boxes will include shelf stable household staples that will last approximately five days. They will be available for pick up at dozens of sites and pantries throughout the city. Beginning Monday, residents can pick up a box of food (one box per household) on Mondays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and noon at sites throughout the city.

Residents do not need to present an ID or proof of income for eligibility.  Continue Reading

There are a few options available for small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

The city has announced a $9 million Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund, which offers grants and loans to businesses seeking financial assistance. Read more about this opportunity here.

On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced a $100 million relief fund for small businesses across the state. The COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA) will provide loans up to $100,000 for businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees. For more information about this program, go here.  Continue Reading

All schools in Pennsylvania will remain closed until at least April 6th, according to a new order issued by Gov. Tom Wolf. This includes all schools in the School District of Philadelphia. The previous order shut down schools through March 27, but in light of the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state (644 total cases were reported on Monday) it was expected to be extended.

In Philadelphia, a $9 million small business relief fund was announced on Monday. The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) launched the fund, which will provide grants and loans to small businesses affected by the pandemic. The fund helps businesses with less than $5 million in annual revenue.  Continue Reading