“‘Our Missing Hearts’ is really a love letter to reading, to libraries, to stories and also to America,” author Celeste Ng told Billy Penn. “It touches on questions of what do libraries do to build community, [and] what do our stories do to help us understand our history.”

Philly loves oysters, the idea of a 30th Street bus station, its new One Book selection and more in today's Morning Roundup newsletter. Check out the full recap of today's top stories + what to do this weekend!

“We can be a restaurant where people come out and splurge,” Oyster House owner Sam Mink said, or where “a construction worker comes in with his hard hat and enjoys a bowl of chowder and a beer after a shift.”

Building a bus terminal at 30th St would a “very expensive” and complicated project, but it’s technically feasible, a planner said — “it would just require an expansion and reinforcement of what’s there.”

Philly is adding a new resource to its effort to end the HIV epidemic — a “one-stop shop” to help find treatment and prevention resources throughout the city.

Philly opened a new LGBTQ+ tourism center, is announcing the next One Book One Philly selection, and is still pushing for the rest of the President's House Site slavery exhibit to be restored. Get these and more updates in today's morning newsletter roundup! billypenn.com/2026/02/26/p...

Philly's old Greyhound bus station will reopen under city management in May. But long-term? Weigh in with your thoughts on the city's 3 official options at town halls, the first of which is TONIGHT from 6-8 p.m. at Independence Visitor Center. billypenn.com/2026/02/18/i...

Seen posters with packets of seeds hanging from the bottom around the city? That's just phase one in @sarahmackattack.bsky.social's guerrilla marketing effort to boost Philly's biodiversity. billypenn.com/2026/02/24/s...

We collaborate with @billy-penn.bsky.social to produce the Weekly Brief on gun violence prevention, delivered via their daily newsletter every Wednesday. Here's this week's edition: mailchi.mp/billypenn/we...

Get out and about as we gear up for spring! Whether gardening w/ native Philly plants, participating in local RCOs and civic groups, or checking out one of the many events in the Billy Penn calendar! Check out today's daily newsletter: billypenn.com/2026/02/25/n...

Oh hey!! A Billy Penn article all about the Native Plant project is OUT! Featuring interviews from me, @zajic.com @megstampede.bsky.social and @the666cat.bsky.social! Check it out! billypenn.com/2026/02/24/s...

Philly has made a lot of black history. So if you wanted to get a strong grasp of this history, what books should you read? We have a list.

This past weekend's 'Firstival' celebrated America's first authentic Chinatown Gate. The symbol of community pride, cultural exchange and friendship was built in 1984 and is being remembered during this year's Lunar New Year celebrations. billypenn.com/2026/02/20/p...

Mayor Cherelle Parker defended her governing style in a passionate speech last week. Parker says she hides her “love” for immigrants and vulnerable residents to protect federal funding. billypenn.com/2026/02/23/c...

This morning in Billy Penn's Morning Roundup: Schools close today, Cherelle Parker discusses protecting immigrants, How local Olympians fared in Italy, and more. Sign up now to get the BP newsletter Sunday through Monday in your inbox! billypenn.com/2026/02/24/c...

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games came to a close last night, with Team USA winning 33 medals, 12 of them gold. Here’s how the athletes with Pennsylvania and New Jersey ties fared, plus see which Paralympians to can look out for beginning March 6. billypenn.com/2026/02/23/m...

The new season of Netflix's "Love is Blind" is out, with a new pod of Ohio-based singles searching for their soulmates. Could Philly be next, after getting a casting call last summer? billypenn.com/2025/07/29/l...

Philly is getting its own city-themed Monopoly this November and you have until this Saturday, Feb. 28 to help decide what landmarks go on the board.

What can older adults do to overcome isolation during winter? From shorter days to colder weather, winter is tough on everyone, but especially seniors. Associate Nancy Hodgson is quoted @billy-penn.bsky.social https://billypenn.com/2025/12/16/philly-seniors-winter-ideas-social-isolation-loneliness/

To remember Isaiah Zagar, who passed away this week, and celebrate his global legacy, Billy Penn assembled a list of some of his most significant artworks.

Movement Gyms, the nation’s biggest climbing chain, is locked in a contract standoff with the two-year-old union at its location on Callowhill Street.

"It feels like history being made again.” The slavery exhibit at the President's House site is going back up today — a month after its removal by the National Park Service. billypenn.com/2026/02/19/p...

As Philly prepares to reopen the old Greyhound station, the search for a permanent location continues. The options for a new intercity bus terminal have been narrowed to three sites.

The Ivory Coast national soccer team has chosen Chester’s Subaru Park as its FIFA World Cup base camp. This summer, “Les Éléphants” will play two group stage games at the Linc and call Chester and Wilmington home.

Amá is hosting Philly’s best chefs for a high-end Taco Tuesday series. Chefs from favorites including Mawn, El Chingon and Palizzi Social Club, are representing charitable organizations for a new ‘Taco Novela’ event. billypenn.com/2026/02/18/a...

Unplug from the algorithm and find your new favorite novel in Philly's vast indie bookstore scene. billypenn.com/2026/02/16/p...

Happy Lunar New Year! Celebrate by checking out Chinatown's latest mural at the historic Trocadero Theatre. billypenn.com/2025/12/19/t...

The Phillies are going to be missing a familiar face at the beginning of the season. And, no, we’re not talking about Nick Castellanos being released... billypenn.com/2026/02/13/p...

Some Philly Black History recommended reads, from @billy-penn.bsky.social, found while tooling around the @freelibrary.bsky.social ‘s #BlackHistoryMonth resources: billypenn.com/2017/02/08/t...

We collaborate with @billy-penn.bsky.social to produce the Weekly Brief on gun violence prevention, delivered via their daily newsletter every Wednesday. Here's this week's edition: mailchi.mp/billypenn/we...

Philly's celebrating our country's first abolitionist society as part of the Historic District's ongoing "Firstival." The recognition comes just a month after the dismantling of slavery exhibits at the President’s House site. billypenn.com/2026/02/13/p...

Don't know the difference between a civic association and an RCO? We're here to help you get more active in your neighborhood. billypenn.com/2026/02/13/p...

The Nick Castellanos era has come to an end, but fans, imitators and "Nasty Casty's" legacy as the “most Philly dude ever” will likely long be remembered.

The statue of heavyweight champion "Smokin'" Joe Frazier, an inspiration for Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa character, will move to a new spot near the foot of the Art Museum steps, after the Rocky statue moves to the top.

Single on Valentine's Day? We got you! Here is your list of silly, fun celebrations that can give you all the self-love you'll need this February.

Valentine's Day lands on a weekend this year, which, combined with wintry weather, has led Philly restaurateurs to get creative to draw in diners for one of the most lucrative days of the year. billypenn.com/2026/02/12/v...

In her annual speech, Mayor Cherelle Parker says the city will offer "white glove treatment" to businesses navigating city red tape.

Philadelphia is flirting with daytime highs nudging close to 40 degrees this week. But it might not be enough to end our thaw out our city yet. billypenn.com/2026/02/09/p...

While the Birds may not have been the star of the show at Sunday's Super Bowl, Philadelphians still made their impact. From ads to sugar cane bush cameos, here's how Philly represented in Super Bowl LX. billypenn.com/2026/02/09/p...

Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday afternoon to demand the re-installation of the President's House slavery exhibit. Attendees denounced the federal government’s removal of the display, as the city’s lawsuit goes through federal court. billypenn.com/2026/02/10/p...

Could a statue of "Smokin’’ Joe Frazier, Philly's real former heavyweight champion, take Rocky's place at the Art Museum? billypenn.com/2026/02/10/s...

Lunar New Year is around the corner. We dive into the holiday's history, and what to expect in Philly for the Year of the Fire Horse. billypenn.com/2026/02/09/l...

Philly's bookstores range from cozy and cute to thrilling and daring. We've rounded up a list of great spots that any book lover can enjoy. billypenn.com/2026/02/09/b...

Chick Pea got it right! #SuperBowlLX billypenn.com/2026/02/04/s...

The historic Arch Street United Methodist Church in Center City, known for its prominent steeple and the congregation's social justice advocacy, is undergoing an extensive, $6.7 million facelift.

Seahawks or Patriots? Who cares! The Birds aren’t back in the Super Bowl this year, but Billy Penn bingo is here to help Philly sports fans get through it.

Congrats to the Conestoga River, PA's official River of the Year! You'll get 'em next time, Lower Schuylkill. billypenn.com/2025/12/25/p...

Go, [Sea]Bird? . . @PhillyZoo's own Chick Pea the chicken took a pecking chance at forecasting the Super Bowl LX winner. See what he chose. billypenn.com/2026/02/04/s...

We collaborate with @billy-penn.bsky.social to produce the Weekly Brief on gun violence prevention, delivered via their daily newsletter every Wednesday. Here's this week's edition: mailchi.mp/billypenn/we...

How does French Toast ice cream sound for brunch this weekend? Or a Cookie Crisp sundae with malted fudge and brown sugar?