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

June 29, 2023

Weekend

Wawa Welcome America and a waterpark: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia kicks off Fourth of July celebrations with patriotic concerts at Independence Mall and fireworks along the Delaware River waterfront this Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2. Wawa Welcome America will also offer free museum days and an Avenue of the Arts block party on Saturday, July 3.

June 29, 2023

History

In the mid-1800s, a gang of Irish pirates terrorized the Schuylkill

by Kristin Hunt

A lack of police presence below South Street in the 1840s led to a rise in gangs in Philadelphia, including the Schuylkill Rangers. The 'land pirates' robbed and assaulted boat captains and stevedores, as well as pedestrians. The primarily Irish group was led by Jimmy Haggerty, Jimmy Logue and William Keating.

June 28, 2023

Controversies

Moms for Liberty event still set for Museum of the American Revolution despite outcry from staff, historians

by Kristin Hunt

The Museum of the American Revolution will host Moms for Liberty on June 29 as part of the extremist group's summit in Philadelphia. The decision has sparked internal petitions and protests from outraged employees, as well as condemnation from the American Historical Society and Organization of American Historians.

June 27, 2023

Performances

'Abbott Elementary' star Lisa Ann Walter to perform at Helium Comedy Club

by Kristin Hunt

Lisa Ann Walter, who plays Melissa Schemmenti on ABC's hit 'Abbott Elementary,' will play five shows at Helium Comedy Club from Thursday, July 20 through Saturday, July 22. Before starring as a South Philly public school teacher, Walter toured clubs with her standup routine.

June 26, 2023

Health News

Penn Medicine stops participating in U.S. News & World Report's hospital rankings

by Kristin Hunt

Penn Medicine said it would no longer participate in U.S. News & World Report's annual best hospital rankings, citing concerns over the publication's methodology. It will share health system data over a new public dashboard. U.S. News & World Report has faced growing criticism from institutions like Columbia, Yale and Harvard, which have announced plans to stop submitting data to the publication.

June 26, 2023

Technology

Over $1 billion of federal funding will expand broadband internet access in Pa.

by Kristin Hunt

Pennsylvania will receive $1.2 billion to expand broadband internet access through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program, the White House announced Monday. New Jersey will receive $263.7 million from the BEAD Act. In Pennsylvania, 14.2% of households lack high-speed internet access.

June 23, 2023

Philly native costars in new Prime comedy 'I'm a Virgo'

by Kristin Hunt

The new Prime Video comedy and small-screen debut from Boots Riley, 'I'm a Virgo,' is a surrealist comedy featuring Philly native actor Brett Gray as Felix, a friend of 13-foot-tall Cootie (Jharrel Jerome). All seven episodes are streaming as of Friday, June 23.

June 23, 2023

Transportation

I-95 reopens in Northeast Philly less than 2 weeks after highway overpass collapsed

by Kristin Hunt

The I-95 section in Northeast Philadelphia that collapsed due to a tanker truck fire on June 11 has reopened to traffic, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Friday, June 23. Motorists heading in each direction can travel across three temporary lanes while workers build a permanent bridge over Cottman Avenue.

June 23, 2023

Arts & Culture

Furry, feathery 'Skin' exhibit opens at the Academy of Natural Sciences

by Kristin Hunt

Drexel's Academy of Natural Sciences is opening its newest exhibit on Saturday, June 24. 'Skin' will feature a collection of animal fur, feather and scales along with live specimens, including reptiles.

June 22, 2023

Government

Philly mobile crisis response units eye expansion with extra $3 million in funding

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia's mobile crisis response units, managed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, received an extra $3 million in funding in the city's FY2024 budget, approved by City Council on Thursday. The teams have scaled in size and scope since the death of Walter Wallace, Jr. in 2020.