Meir Rinde

Philadelphia

Investigative Reporter at Billy Penn

Investigative Reporter at WHYY-TV (Philadelphia, PA)

Investigative reporter at Billy Penn/WHYY in Philadelphia. Microcelebrity.

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Articles

Procrastinator's Guide to the 2025 primary election in Philly

3 days ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde |Julia Binswanger |Violet Comber-Wilen |Nick Kariuki

The marquee race in this year's primary election is the contest between District Attorney Larry Krasner, who is seeking a third term in office, and a challenger, former Municipal Court judge Patrick Dugan. Since there's no Republican running for DA, whoever gets the most votes in the Democratic primary will likely win the November general election as well and serve for the next four years.
Center City economy is doing better than you think, business group says

1 week ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde

There's plenty of good news this week about Center City's ongoing rebound from the economic turmoil of the pandemic and from the broader struggles of the nation's urban centers. More people live downtown, the number of restaurants and bars has nearly returned to old levels, and foot traffic on the street continues climbing, reaching 90% of pre-pandemic figures, according to a new report from the Center City District business association.
Dugan skips Philly DA debate, leaving Krasner alone at the mic

3 weeks ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde

A district attorney candidate debate turned into an hour-long questioning of incumbent Larry Krasner after challenger Patrick Dugan declined to participate in the event Tuesday night. Dugan's decision not to attend could mean they won't face each other in an official debate before the May 20 Democratic primary. With no Republican running, the primary will effectively decide the winner in November's election of Philadelphia's top prosecutor for the next four years.
Advocates ask city for $1.8 million for deportation defense

3 weeks ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde

The city plans to nearly double funding for legal defense of local residents facing deportation - but immigrant advocates are calling for a much bigger boost. Mayor Cherelle Parker has proposed increasing Philadelphia's annual contribution to the Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project, or PAIFUP, from $500,000 to $950,000 a year.
Immigration advocates ask Philly for $1.8 million for deportation defense

3 weeks ago | asianamericans.einnews.com | Meir Rinde

The city plans to nearly double funding for legal defense of local residents facing deportation — but immigrant advocates are calling for a much bigger boost. Mayor Cherelle Parker has proposed increasing Philadelphia’s annual contribution to the Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project, or PAIFUP, from $500,000 to $950,000 a year.
$22,000 for dumping a couch? Philly boosts fines sharply and sues to collect.

1 month ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde

On a June afternoon in 2023, Inspector Robert Ritchie was driving an unmarked police car on West Glenwood Avenue in North Philly when he saw someone standing in the open back of a parked U-Haul moving truck. The man, Saul Miller, was pushing a large brown sofa and a chaise off the truck and onto the sidewalk, according to a police report. When he noticed Ritchie, he quickly finished and got into the front passenger seat. A woman named Lorraine McAfee started driving the truck down the street.
Public health workers at risk; Latino Restaurant Week; Intensifying rain | Morning roundup

1 month ago | asianamericans.einnews.com | Heather Chin |Natalia Sánchez Loayza |Meir Rinde |Violet Comber-Wilen

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health lost three COVID-era federal grants in what leadership described as a “fluid situation,” internal emails show. The loss of up to $50 million in funding for research into infectious diseases, children’s health and vaccines is putting hundreds of people’s jobs at risk. Continue reading…Dine Latino Restaurant week is back again with an eclectic mix of participating restaurants from now through Saturday, April 12.
Traffic safety advocates cheer progress, mourn losses

1 month ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde

Bike lane and traffic safety advocates warmly applauded Council President Kenyatta Johnson at a Vision Zero conference Friday, some three years after he earned their lingering wrath for killing a road-narrowing project on a section of Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia.
Krasner, Dugan battle over old accusations at DA forum

1 month ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde

District Attorney Larry Krasner and retired Municipal Court judge Patrick Dugan took potshots and made insinuations about each other at an election forum in Center City Thursday night while seeming to largely agree on the priorities and policies the DA's office should pursue.
Planning director discusses Roundhouse, Greyhound station, housing push

2 months ago | billypenn.com | Meir Rinde

Mayor Cherelle Parker's vow to create or preserve 30,000 units of housing during her first term was among the topics that Philadelphia's planning director, Jessie Lawrence, discussed during a Q&A session held by the Design Advocacy Group last week.