Denise Clay-Murray

Philadelphia

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Co-Founder and Reporter at The Philadelphia Hall Monitor

Indie Journalist, Co-host, @HallMonitorWPPM, also @philasunnews, @lovenowmedia, @onwurd, @phillymag, @BillyPenn & @citycastphilly #TempleMade. Views are mine...

Articles

Hanging In The Hall: About the people - The Philadelphia Sunday Sun

3 weeks ago | philasun.com | Denise Clay-Murray |Teresa Emerson

Photo: Phila. City CouncilThe first week of hearings on Philadelphia’s FY 2026 budget ends with the Working Families Party weighing in on tax policy. By Denise Clay-MurrayRight now, if you’re expecting something from Philadelphia City Council that’s not connected to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $6.7 billion budget, it probably isn’t happening.
District Attorney candidates face off

3 weeks ago | philasun.com | Denise Clay-Murray |Teresa Emerson

From left: Incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner and retired Municipal Court Judge Patrick DuganPhotos: AP Photo/Matt and Judge Pat Dugan for District AttorneyIncumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner and retired Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan shared their visions for one of the city’s top law enforcement offices.
Uniting the community

1 month ago | philasun.com | Denise Clay-Murray |Teresa Emerson

While the Philadelphia City Hall Iftar Dinner represented the breaking of the day’s fast during Ramadan, it was in many ways a community event. By Denise Clay-MurrayUsually, the Mayor’s Reception Room on the second floor of City Hall is teeming with reporters and dignitaries waiting to hold a press conference or witness a bill signing. But recently, the Reception Room turned into a formal dining room when it hosted the Philadelphia Ramadan and Eid Fund’s City Hall Iftar dinner.
The business of empowerment

1 month ago | philasun.com | Denise Clay-Murray |Teresa Emerson

SUN Publisher Catherine Hicks (2nd from the right, was among those chosen for the Advisory Council for the African American Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Empowerment Luncheon last Saturday. AACC president/CEO Regina Hairston (c) takes a photo with the featured speakers and other members of the Advisory Council.
Hanging In The Hall-A tax break you should know about

1 month ago | philasun.com | Denise Clay-Murray |Teresa Emerson

Did you know that there is a city wage tax refund available for working poor and low-income families? No, neither did I. By Denise Clay-MurrayMy guess is that people are tired of hearing about Philadelphia being the poorest big city in America by now. It’s something that comes up every time the city’s finances, or the school district’s finances, or the possibility of raising the minimum wage here in the city comes up.
Parker presents $6.7 billion budget

1 month ago | philasun.com | Denise Clay-Murray |Teresa Emerson

Photo: phila.govIncluded in the plan is more money for public safety, cuts to business and wage taxes, and the mother of all home loans. By Denise Clay-MurrayLast Thursday, Mayor Cherelle Parker came to Philadelphia City Council chambers to deliver her second budget address.
The "Other" - Philadelphia Hall Monitor

1 month ago | hallmonitor.org | Denise Clay-Murray |Denise Clay |Resolve Philadelphia

There was a lot about last Thursday’s Council meeting that reminded me of the days when I was going to Klan meetings on purpose. Back when I was covering organized hate groups in Reading, Pennsylvania, I learned a lot about how “othering” works. Now, what do I mean by that? Well, “othering” is a way to keep people from uniting by pointing out how they’re different from you…and why that’s a bad thing. You can’t trust that person. They’re the “other”.
The Eagles, The White House, and The Importance of Fact Checking – Philadelphia Hall Monitor

2 months ago | hallmonitor.org | Denise Clay-Murray |Denise Clay |Resolve Philadelphia

There’s a hot rumor going around the internet about the Philadelphia Eagles and a possible visit to the White House. If someone could tell me where it came from, I’d appreciate it. I tend to ignore things that go through the Internet rumor mill. That’s mostly because I believe that anything that you put out as fact should have an original source attached to it. And by an original source, I mean one that fact checks and includes people that I can check for credibility.
One (Happy) Philly – Philadelphia Hall Monitor

2 months ago | hallmonitor.org | Denise Clay-Murray |Denise Clay |Resolve Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Eagles are your Super Bowl Champions. And because that makes the City of Philadelphia happy, that makes me happy. Let’s face it, Philadelphia hasn’t had a lot to be happy about lately. Were it not for the generosity of Gov. Josh Shapiro, our more than a little underfunded mass transit system would be cutting service and doing more than just eliminating discounts for those who use SEPTA’s Key Card system to raise money to stay afloat.
The Renaissance Man

2 months ago | philasun.com | Denise Clay-Murray |Teresa Emerson

Celebrated entrepreneur Sid Booker (L) poses with former Philadelphia police commissioner Sylvester Johnson at one of his legendary annual Shrimp Bar BBQ Pool Parties. Booker died on Jan. 28 after a short illness. He was 87. Photo courtesy SUNWhile Sid Booker was best known for the fried shrimp that made Philadelphians flock to his North Philadelphia establishment, he was more than that. By Denise Clay-MurrayOne thing that Philadelphia has plenty of is memorable characters.