Public Safety

Philadelphia hires a 'rat abatement manager' to tackle its rodent problem

The city has appointed Adrian Jordan as its new rat abatement manager — informally dubbed the 'rat czar' — to coordinate efforts to reduce Philadelphia's persistent rodent infestation. The role sits within the Public Health Department and signals a more focused, city-wide approach to pest control.

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Culture

Drexel students rally as fight to reopen Academy of Natural Sciences enters second month

Students held an emotional vigil outside the Academy of Natural Sciences one month after its closure, demanding the institution be reopened to the public. The closure has sparked growing community concern about the loss of one of Philadelphia's most beloved cultural and scientific landmarks.

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Culture

Two women are attempting a Guinness World Record road trip from Philly to Niagara Falls — in a toy car

Cassie Aran and Laura Lee are attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the longest journey ever completed in a motorized toy car, starting in Philadelphia and heading to Niagara Falls. The quirky adventure puts Philly at the starting line of what could be a record-breaking ride.

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Festival

Halloween Haunts & Last Weekend of October Events

Philadelphia's final Halloween weekend is packed — including a 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' screening in the city and Día de los Muertos celebrations in nearby Delaware — making this the last chance to get your spooky fix before November arrives.

Culture

The First Whodunit? Poe Wrote It in Philly — Firstival Event

A special event tied to Billy Penn's '52 Weeks of Firsts' series highlights that Edgar Allan Poe invented the detective story right here in Philadelphia, making it a fitting Halloween-week celebration of the city's literary legacy.