{"id":256573,"date":"2026-07-31T19:10:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T19:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/256573\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T19:10:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T19:10:16","slug":"freedom-now-fest-honors-mlk-jr-ice-at-phl-philly-fringe-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/256573\/","title":{"rendered":"Freedom Now Fest honors MLK Jr.; ICE at PHL; Philly Fringe preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY<\/p>\n

Looking up at Race Street Pier
(Photo by\u00a0@neptuno_bnw<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Just three days before the Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965, Dr. King drew a crowd of\u00a0more than 10,000 people at the corner of 40th and Lancaster.<\/p>\n

West Philly will commemorate King\u2019s visit Sunday with the neighborhood\u2019s second annual Freedom Now Fest.\u00a0Continue reading\u2026\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"A poster for Freedom Now Fest (Courtesy of Freedom Now Fest) <\/p>\n

Dinosaurs, birds and rocks, oh my!\u00a0The Academy of Natural Sciences was the first scientific society of natural history in America. 200 years later, it continues to spread scientific curiosity.\u00a0Continue reading\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Artist Ibi Padr\u00f3n Venegas (left) & Academy of Natural Science at Drexel University\u2019s STEM & Outreach Coordinator\u2019s Amber Redfield (right) stand with a collection of fossils in front of this weeks Firstival poster (Violet Comber-Wilen\/Billy Penn)<\/p>\n

RECAP: What else happened?<\/p>\n

$ = paywalled<\/p>\n

\u2022 ICE is\u00a0arresting more people at Philadelphia International Airport<\/a>, advocates say. Here\u2019s what to know. [WHYY]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Pennsylvania officials\u00a0pushed back on the Trump admin\u2019s claim that there may be more than 14,000 potential noncitizens registered to vote<\/a>\u00a0in the state \u2014 saying the government provided no sources or data as proof. [Spotlight PA\/Votebeat]<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Leftover LIHEAP funds\u00a0used to give Pennsylvania enrollees $100 supplemental benefit<\/a>. [Capital-Star]<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Federal officials\u00a0abruptly cut funding for a teen pregnancy prevention program<\/a>\u00a0in Philadelphia. [Inq$]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 West Oak Lane renters\u00a0could receive cash refunds under new class-action settlement<\/a>. [WHYY\u2019s PlanPhilly]<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kensington residents asked for a grocery store. A community-controlled real estate trust\u00a0bought a building, partnered with a local business owner, and turned that request into a reality<\/a>. [Next City]<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Philly\u2019s Fringe Festival puts\u00a0rookie theater makers (including a former state treasurer) in the spotlight<\/a>. [Billy Penn]\u00a0<\/p>\n

MAYOR WATCH<\/p>\n

Mayor Parker will tour three recently reopened Philadelphia Parks & Recreation pools to recognize Lifeguard Appreciation Day and highlight the City\u2019s continued investment in neighborhood aquatic facilities. (11 a.m.)<\/p>\n

High-rises and hidden alleys: A day in Center City West<\/a>
The true character of this Philly neighborhood isn\u2019t found by looking up. It\u2019s found by looking closely at what happens at ground level.<\/p>\n

Inside the Logan arts scene with Danny Simmons<\/a>
The acclaimed artist and founder of Rush Arts said Philly Is primed for an artistic renaissance.<\/p>\n

ON THE CALENDAR<\/p>\n

Salsa and bachata\u00a0at LOVE Park (Friday),
A\u00a0Grateful Dead tribute\u00a0(Saturday) and a\u00a0pop-up flea market\u00a0(Sunday) at Reading Terminal Market,\u00a0
Tacony Arts Day\u00a0(Saturday),\u00a0
Freedom Now Fest\u00a0(Sunday)
AND MORE!\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Send us events to add to the **FULL LIST** of this week\u2019s events calendar at\u00a0BillyPenn.com<\/a>!<\/p>\n

BILLY PENN GUIDES<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfd9\ufe0f\u00a0Billy Penn City Guide<\/a>
\ud83c\udf66\u00a0Vegan ice cream guide\u00a0<\/a>
\ud83c\udf3d CSA farmshare guide<\/a>
\ud83d\udedd\u00a0Kid-friendly summer guide<\/a>
\u2615\u00a0Philly coffee guide<\/a>
\ud83d\udeb6\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\u00a0Alt Philly history walking tours guide<\/a>
\ud83c\udf31\u00a0Spring in Philly guide<\/a>
\ud83c\udfad\u00a0Philly\u2019s comedy scene<\/a>
\ud83c\udfa4\u00a0Philly Record Store Guide<\/a>
\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f\u00a0Thrifty in Philly guide<\/a>
\ud83d\udcda\u00a0Book lovers\u2019 guide to Philly<\/a>
\ud83c\udf79\u00a0Non-alcoholic Philly<\/a>
\ud83d\ude0b\u00a0Dining in Philly<\/a>
\ud83c\udfc3\ud83c\udffd\u00a0Philly Runners Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

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