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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Philadelphia. Written by local reporters.

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Happy Birthday, Gritty: Philadelphia's furry friend turns 5

Gritty is growing up before our eyes! He's got a girlfriend now, a new tattoo and soon a calendar.

News

New restaurants to watch in Philadelphia this fall

Food and Drink

Pennsylvania adopts automatic voter registration

The policy could have significant implications for the November and 2024 elections.

Why you should watch the new Jason Kelce documentary

Not all gridiron greats show their layers, but the  documentary gives an intimate peek at Kelce beyond the field.

Sports

Nearly 20% of Philadelphia seniors are working past 65

That decision is rarely by choice and instead often driven by fear and financial insecurity, advocacy groups say.

Nearly 1 in 5 Philadelphia seniors are working past the age of 65.Why it matters: That decision is rarely by choice and instead often driven by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fear" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/27/retirement-income-us-401k" data-vars-content-id="b0bedad1-4c3b-4f13-ba12-407b54980195" data-vars-headline="Nearly 20% of Philadelphia seniors are working past 65" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/27/retirement-income-us-401k" target="_self">fear</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial insecurity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/07/26/retirement-savings-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="b0bedad1-4c3b-4f13-ba12-407b54980195" data-vars-headline="Nearly 20% of Philadelphia seniors are working past 65" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/07/26/retirement-savings-washington-state" target="_self">financial insecurity</a>, advocacy groups say.

Illustration of an office chair with a doily on top, sitting on front of vintage wallpaper.

Philadelphia sees rise in new businesses, per Yelp data

Business openings have surpassed 2019 levels.

Business

New business listings on Yelp jumped a whopping 28% across the Philadelphia area in July, compared to the same time last year.Why it matters: That&#x27;s a good measure of economic sentiment — people generally don&#x27;t take the risk of spinning up a new venture if they foresee economic peril ahead.

Comcast's in-office mandate could boost Center City

Roughly 8,000 employees will have to return to the office for four days a week.

Comcast&#x27;s new return-to-office mandate will bring thousands of its employees back to Center City for at least four days a week, starting today.Why it matters: The technology giant is Philly&#x27;s largest private downtown employer, and the policy could give a jolt to the area&#x27;s pandemic recovery.

Phillies pilot facial recognition entry at Citizens Bank Park

Some critics are skeptical of the technology, citing data storing concerns and questions about facial recognition biases.

Phillies fans could face a dilemma that pits convenience against privacy next time they visit Citizens Bank Park.Driving the news: The team rolled out a new facial-recognition pilot program last week at the park&#x27;s first base gate that&#x27;s intended to speed up wait times and get fans inside the stadium sooner.

illustration of a facial recognition system

What's worrying Pennsylvanians looking to retire

Many Americans say they're unprepared for retirement, unsure how to plan, and don't know if they want to fully give up working.

Some Pennsylvanians considering retirement say they&#x27;re confident in the financial future of their post-working lives, but others have serious doubts.The big picture: Many Americans say they&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unprepared for retirement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/20/retirement-savings-planning" data-vars-content-id="3694475c-fa46-4be5-a334-657aa7ebf5ff" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s worrying Pennsylvanians looking to retire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/20/retirement-savings-planning" target="_self">unprepared for retirement</a>, unsure how to plan, and don&#x27;t know if they even want to fully give up work, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios-Ipsos poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/20/retirement-savings-planning" data-vars-content-id="3694475c-fa46-4be5-a334-657aa7ebf5ff" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s worrying Pennsylvanians looking to retire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/20/retirement-savings-planning" target="_self">Axios-Ipsos poll</a>.

Illustration of a nervous piggy bank with a sweat drop on its face.

Sixers spat with Wells Fargo Center owner escalates

The odd couple will remain linked until at least 2031 when the Sixers' current lease expires.

The public feud between the 76ers and the Wells Fargo Center&#x27;s owner is picking up steam a year after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sixers pitched to ditch their South Philly home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/12/05/sixers-stadium-proposal-chinatown-committee" data-vars-content-id="acdc1692-7748-4352-9c1c-ee6dac89f4e2" data-vars-headline="Sixers spat with Wells Fargo Center owner escalates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/12/05/sixers-stadium-proposal-chinatown-committee" target="_self">Sixers pitched to ditch their South Philly home</a> in favor of building their own arena.Why it matters: The odd couple will remain linked until at least 2031 when the Sixers&#x27; current lease expires.

Philly's unlicensed Airbnb crackdown still hazy

New regulations have the potential to reduce hundreds of short-term rentals in the city.

Philadelphia is cracking down on unlicensed short-term rentals, but the penalties for scofflaws are not clear.Why it matters: The new regulations have the potential to cut hundreds of short-term rentals and limit them to certain areas of Philly, such as Center City, industry advocates say.

Illustration of an upside-down house forming a downward-pointing arrow. 

New business activity dipped in Philadelphia last year

Meanwhile, the Southeastern U.S. is home to the country's new business hot spots.

New business applications fell 16% in the Philadelphia metro area last year.Why it matters: New business is an important measure of perceived economic health. If people are trying to start new companies in a given city, it&#x27;s a sign that they&#x27;re bullish on the area&#x27;s prospects.

Philly's highest-paid CEOs

Axios analyzed financial disclosures from 12 of our region's largest publicly traded companies. Here's who made more, and less, last year.

Only half of Philly-area CEOs saw increases in their compensation in 2022 as the stock market posted its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worst year since 2008." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/31/stock-market-performance-2022" data-vars-content-id="272978a3-c195-45f1-b598-d1d582c80649" data-vars-headline="Philly&#x27;s highest-paid CEOs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/31/stock-market-performance-2022" target="_self">worst year since 2008.</a>What&#x27;s happening: Axios analyzed financial disclosures from 12 of our region&#x27;s largest publicly traded companies and found an even split between CEOs who watched their compensation rise and fall.

Long waits for hearings at Philadelphia's zoning board

The delays are double what they were pre-pandemic, and hurting all kinds of property owners.

The city has yet to figure out how to speed up months-long wait times for hearings before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="zoning board" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phila.gov/departments/zoning-board-of-adjustment/" data-vars-content-id="0eb719a3-4a72-451a-9e5d-b8b390344bc8" data-vars-headline="Long waits for hearings at Philadelphia&#x27;s zoning board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phila.gov/departments/zoning-board-of-adjustment/" target="_blank">zoning board</a>, which have ballooned since 2020.Why it matters: The board considers requests for exceptions to zoning rules and is an essential step for many projects — big developments, yes, but small business openings and certain residential projects, too.

Illustration of Philadelphia City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Business 🏦