Philadelphia drivers welcomed a slight relief at the gas pumps this week, with average prices falling by several cents.

• But the surging costs remain a hit to many people's wallets.

Driving the news: The average price for regular gas in Philadelphia on Thursday was $4.37, 12 cents lower than a week before, according to AAA.

• Although it seems gas prices may have peaked, current prices are still $1.32 more than this time last year.

Catch up fast: Inflation has reached a 40-year high over the past year, and energy prices were already a significant part of that. But the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent crude oil prices soaring, and in turn, gas prices shot up nationwide.

• Oil prices dropped nearly 30% last week, but it's taking a longer time for consumer prices to follow suit.

What they're saying: Most economists agree inflation is highly regressive, falling hardest on low-income people.

• Susan Wachter, a real estate and finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told Axios it's not uncommon for people to choose longer commutes to find cheaper housing outside of the city.
• "They move to avoid higher housing costs to farther out communities, but in doing so, they extended their commuting time. But now they're exposed to higher costs of transportation through higher prices at the gas station," she said.

Between the lines: People with low incomes appear to be relying more on credit cards rather than debit cards when purchasing gas, a possible sign of financial stress, Reuters reports.

• Gas makes up a large portion of total spending for lower income consumers, many of whom are employed in sectors with less options for remote work, according to a Bank of America analytics report.

What to watch: Time will tell whether the gas price surge will lead to more people opting for public transit or more fuel-efficient cars in the long term.

• SEPTA has used the soaring costs as an advertisement opportunity, offering discounts f0r 25% off on weekly passes through March.

If you look hard enough, you can find gas below Philly's average.

Here's a list of the cheapest gas options we could find through GasBuddy and AAA Thursday:

• $4.20: Gulf — 1101 Spring Garden St.
• $4.25: Exxon — 3281 Fox St & Abbottsford Ave.
• $4.29: Sunoco — 4601 Walnut St and S 46th St.
• $4.31: Germantown Gas — 2445 Germantown Ave and N Ninth St.

🚶🏿‍♂️ Mural Arts Philadelphia kicks off its spring walking tours this weekend. The 90-minute tours highlight prominent city murals and the stories and artists behind them.

• Cost: $18-$25. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

🏠 Philly Home Show arrives at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend. Meet with a variety of companies and vendors, take part in workshops and get home design and styling advice from experts.

• Cost: $3-$13.

🇮🇷 Culturefest! celebrates Nowruz, the Persian New Year that marks the start of spring, from 11am-4pm on Saturday at the Penn Museum. This family-friendly event features craft and music workshops, storytelling and performances.

• Cost: $13-$18. Free for children 5 and under.

🎉 Kanaval Ball showcases Haitian and New Orleans culture and music at 4pm on Sunday at The Fillmore Philadelphia. Jazz bands, dancing, food and drinks and more. Costumes are encouraged!

• Cost: Free, but registration is required.

💰 The Philadelphia Parking Authority dumped more than $3.6 million into a stalled development for the agency's towing and auction operations.

• The revelation comes soon after Scott Petri unexpectedly resigned as the authority's executive director. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

🇦🇫 The Afghan evacuee effort at Philadelphia International Airport has ended.

• Operation Allies Welcome brought nearly 30,000 evacuees through airport over six months. (KYW)

⚾ The Phillies have allegedly signed outfielder Kyle Schwarber to a four-year deal.

• The 29-year-old slugger will join reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper this season, when the Phillies hope to end a 10-year postseason drought. (Associated Press)

🏊‍♀️ Lia Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win a Division 1 collegiate national championship after the placing first in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships in Atlanta. (ESPN)

🎣 Let's make it oh-fish-ial with our Job Board.

1. Research Associate, Center for Evidence Reviews at American College of Physicians.
2. General Manager, Head of Local Marketing at Nerdwise.
3. Account Executive at Brownstein.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

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Seven city museums will contribute 100% of all admissions this weekend to the Ukrainian relief effort.

How it works: The museums are donating profits from Saturday and Sunday visits to UNICEF.

• The nonprofit is supplying humanitarian aid to families and children in Ukraine in response to the ongoing Russian invasion.

Details: The museums participating in the effort include The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Betsy Ross House, Carpenters' Hall, Franklin Square, Independence Visitor Center, Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center.

Of note: You can also donate directly via UNICEF's website.

Crowds of green flocked to McGillin's Olde Ale House on Thursday for both St. Patrick's Day and the tipoff of March Madness.

• Yesterday marked the first time people raised their glasses to the patron saint of Ireland inside the tavern — the oldest continuously operating in the city — since its doors were closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic.