Kristin Hunt

Kristin Hunt is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice. A history and pop culture junkie, she spends her spare time stalking the Free Library shelves and binge watching TCM. She has previously contributed to Vulture, GQ, Mental Floss, JSTOR Daily, and The Washington Post.

kristin@phillyvoice.com

November 7, 2023

Volunteering

Trees can provide a mental health boost, and PHS is looking to plant 1,770 in Philly this month

by Kristin Hunt

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society announced plans to plant 1,770 trees in Philadelphia over four days in November. PHS is seeking volunteers to help with the initiative to expand the city's tree canopy. Research suggests tree coverage in a city can help with mood disorders and cardiovascular disease.

November 7, 2023

Movies

New HBO documentary follows Philly high schoolers as they record an album

by Kristin Hunt

'Stand Up & Shout: Songs From a Philly High School' follows sophomores at the Hill-Freedman World Academy as they write and record an album as part of their required curriculum. John Legend and his Get Lifted partners executive produced the film, which debuts Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. on HBO.

November 7, 2023

2023 Election

Working Families Party candidates win Philly City Council's at-large seats over Republicans

by Kristin Hunt

All seven of Philadelphia City Council's at-large seats will be held by Democrats and members of the progressive Working Families Party, marking the first time in the city's history that Republicans will not have at least one of the two at-large seats reserved for the minority party. WFP incumbent Kendra Brooks won reelection and Nicolas O'Rourke edged out GOPers Jim Hasher and Drew Murray. Democrats Isaiah Thomas, Katherine Gilmore-Richardson and Jim Harrity were each reelected, and Nina Ahmad and Rue Landau were newly elected to council.

November 6, 2023

2023 Election

In N.J.'s 3rd District, state Sen. Ed Durr fails to win second term during election night dominated by incumbents

by Kristin Hunt

All 120 state senate and assembly seats are up for election in New Jersey on Tuesday, Nov. 7. That includes the seats in the nine legislative districts that make up South Jersey.

November 3, 2023

2023 Election

Here's where Philly voters can drop off mail-in ballots for the 2023 general election

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphians will vote for a new mayor, city councilmembers and judges in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Here's where voters can drop off their mail-in ballots.

November 2, 2023

Family-Friendly

Franklin Institute's 'Wondrous Space' exhibit lets kids build their own rockets and astronaut suits

by Kristin Hunt

The new 'Wondrous Space' exhibit at the Franklin Institute lets kids build their own space suits and rockets. The $8.5 million, two-story collection opens Saturday, Nov. 4. It includes NASA space suits, meteorites and interactive games.

November 2, 2023

History

Bayard Rustin organized the March on Washington. Three months later, the FBI started watching him

by Kristin Hunt

Shortly after he organized the 1963 March on Washington, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin became the subject of a decades-long FBI surveillance operation. The file, declassified in 2009, reveals an obsession with the MLK confidant's communist ties. 'Rustin,' the Netflix biopic starring Colman Domingo, is now in theaters.

November 1, 2023

Weekend

Weirdo Fest and the Veterans Parade: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

During the first weekend of November, catch the new Wondrous Space exhibit at the Franklin Institute or the Philly Veterans Parade. 'Wicked' also returns to Kimmel, and Weirdo Fest celebrates art in East Kensington.

November 1, 2023

Health Insurance

ACA open enrollment has begun; here's how to pick a health insurance plan

by Kristin Hunt

During open enrollment, Americans without employer-sponsored health insurance or Medicaid can enroll in an ACA plan. Here's how Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents can sign up through Pennie and Get Covered NJ.

October 31, 2023

Entertainment

Ring is offering money for video of 'alien sightings' — and people are getting creative

by Kristin Hunt

Ring’s Million Dollar Search for Extraterrestrials contest calls on users to submit doorbell-video evidence of alien life. But they can also score smaller prizes of $500 Amazon gift cards for joking interpretations. Watch some of those submissions here.