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

January 14, 2026

Will Smith scales a 300-foot ice wall in 'Pole to Pole' premiere

by Kristin Hunt

Will Smith scales an ice wall and walks across Antarctica in the premiere of 'Pole to Pole.' The National Geographic travel series aired Tuesday night and is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

January 14, 2026

Courts

Penn groups seek to block creation of federal 'registry' of Jewish students and faculty

by Kristin Hunt

Five groups associated with the University of Pennsylvania are seeking to intervene in a federal lawsuit the EEOC filed against Penn for failing to furnish lists of Jewish clubs and their members.

January 13, 2026

Courts

Philly woman sentenced to prison for role in Medicaid fraud scheme totaling $1.76 million

by Kristin Hunt

A Philly woman will serve 9-23 months in prison and pay $1.39 million in restitution with her co-conspirators for her role in a Medicaid fraud scheme. Barbara Thomas, 46, was the office manager of ComfortZone Home Health Care.

January 13, 2026

Arts & Culture

Philly's youth poet laureate now is a finalist for U.S. title

by Kristin Hunt

Malaya Ulan, named Philadelphia's youth poet laureate in 2024, is one of four finalists for the national title. The winner will be crowned at an April ceremony in Nebraska.

January 12, 2026

Social Justice

New Jersey residents with criminal convictions now can serve as jurors

by Kristin Hunt

New Jersey residents with prior criminal convictions now are eligible for jury duty under an executive order signed Sunday by Gov. Phil Murphy, who leaves office Jan. 20.

January 12, 2026

Books

'Long Bright River' author is working on her next novel, but don't ask her about it

by Kristin Hunt

'Long Bright River' author Liz Moore confirmed her sixth novel on NPR's 'Fresh Air,' but she offered few details. The Philly-based author is working on a Netflix adaptation of her book 'The God of the Woods.'

January 12, 2026

Food & Drink

These local movie theaters are giving out free popcorn on Jan. 19

by Kristin Hunt

Looking to score free movie theater snacks in Philly for National Popcorn Day? Here are the chains offering deals on Monday, Jan. 19, including Regal Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Cinemark and Philadelphia Film Society.

January 8, 2026

Social Justice

Philly officials tell ICE to 'get out' of city after fatal shooting in Minneapolis

by Kristin Hunt

Philly officials told ICE to 'get out' of the city following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. District Attorney Larry Krasner condemned the federal immigration agency ahead of a Thursday evening vigil.

January 8, 2026

Streaming

What to stream: 'Green Room,' 'Baby Face,' 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'

by Kristin Hunt

January is a slow month for new movies. Here are four older films worth streaming on Netflix, Max and Prime, including an anti-Nazi horror flick and a Fred Rogers documentary.

January 8, 2026

Music

How David Bowie superfans got invited to a secret listening party at a Philly studio

by Kristin Hunt

A group of teen fans camped outside Sigma Sound Studios while David Bowie was recording 'Young Americans' in 1974. He later invited them inside to hear a rough cut, earning them the nickname Sigma Kids.