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

August 1, 2023

Streaming

Netflix docuseries on female rappers features Tierra Whack, Bahamadia

by Kristin Hunt

The Netflix docuseries 'Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop" is available to stream on Aug. 9, two days before the 50th anniversary of hip hop. The series includes interviews with rap legends Queen Latifah, Da Brat, Sha-Rock, Remy Ma, Latto and Saweetie. Philly rappers Tierra Whack and Bahamadia are also featured.

August 1, 2023

Festivals

Philly Fringe Festival returns with original theater, performance art, circus workshops and pop-up cabaret

by Kristin Hunt

The 2023 Philadelphia Fringe Festival will return for its 27th iteration from Thursday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 24. Nearly 300 productions will run in performance spaces across the city, including Circadium circus acts, a Bowie showcase from teen students at Paul Green Rock Academy and a free rodeo in various parks.

July 31, 2023

Government

N.J. Senate president is now acting governor of the state

by Kristin Hunt

N.J. Senate Pres. Nick Scutari, a Democrat, became acting governor of New Jersey on Monday after Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver sought hospitalization. Gov. Phil Murphy left the country Friday for a two-week vacation in Italy, where his family owns a villa.

July 31, 2023

Nature

Supermoon to appear above region this week, followed by another in late August that's also a blue moon

by Kristin Hunt

Two supermoons will appear in the sky in August 2023. The first will occur Tuesday, Aug. 1 and the second, a blue moon, will happen Wednesday, Aug. 30. Blue moons do not change color, and are not actually blue. They mark the second full moon in a month. A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit.

July 27, 2023

Celebrities

When Sinéad O'Connor refused to have the national anthem played before a concert, a Philly DJ tried to start a feud

by Kristin Hunt

Sinead O'Connor, who died July 26, 2023, courted controversy before a Philly concert in August 1990 by refusing to allow the national anthem to be played before a New Jersey show. DJ John DeBella reacted by showing up outside the The Mann Center, and handing out American flags. His protest received limited support.

July 27, 2023

Adult Health

Meat allergies caused by lone star ticks have increased dramatically, CDC finds

by Kristin Hunt

Alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy spread by the lone star tick, is becoming more common in the United States, according to research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also found that most health care providers have little knowledge of AGS, a sensitivity to a sugar found in red meat and animal products like cow's milk.

July 26, 2023

Weekend

Butterflies, beer and Shakespeare in the park: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

Need things to do during the final weekend of July in Philadelphia? Shakespeare in Clark Park presents a free rock musical version of 'Two Gentlemen of Verona,' while the Night in Venice boat parade returns to Ocean City with Jim Gardner as grand marshal. PSPCA has a $10 adoption fee on dogs 1 year or older.

July 26, 2023

Environment

Philly's urban heat island effect causes 10-degree temperature spikes

by Kristin Hunt

The urban heat island effect is making the scorching summer significantly hotter, according to new research from Climate Central. The analysis studied the effect in 44 major U.S. cities and found temperature increases of 8-12 degrees Fahrenheit in Philadelphia and other metropolitan areas.

July 25, 2023

Health Insurance

White House pushes insurers to improve mental health care access

by Kristin Hunt

President Joe Biden has proposed a rule under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act that would force health insurance companies to expand access to mental health treatment. The rule would close loopholes and direct insurers to evaluate their plans for disparities in in-network mental health care services. Subscribers cite barriers like wait times, prior authorization and low reimbursement.

July 24, 2023

Entertainment

TikTok-famous 'no bones day' pug to be celebrated at City Winery

by Kristin Hunt

Jonathan Graziano and Noodle the pug told fans whether they could expect a 'bones day' or 'no bones day' in their popular TikTok videos. Noodle died last year, but Graziano is celebrating his life with an Aug. 8 show at City Winery.