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

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

Jobs

David's Bridal sale will save 7,000 jobs, nearly 200 stores, company says

by Kristin Hunt

David's Bridal finalized its sale to CION Investment Corporation on Monday in a deal that keeps up to 195 stores open and spares 7,000 jobs, the companies said. The Conshohocken-based wedding wear chain, which declared bankruptcy for the second time in April, previously had announced layoffs that affected more than 9,000 workers.

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.

July 21, 2023

Transportation

One passenger dead, 19 injured in SEPTA bus crash in Northeast Philly

by Kristin Hunt

Two SEPTA buses collided on Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, leaving one person dead and 19 others injured. The Route 1 and Route 14 buses were traveling in the same direction, and the cause of the crash is unknown.

July 21, 2023

Entertainment

Tickets to WrestleMania 40 at the Linc go on sale next month

by Kristin Hunt

Tickets to WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia go on sale Friday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. The two-day WWE event will be held at Lincoln Financial Field on April 6-7, 2024.

July 20, 2023

Protests

'Abbott Elementary' stars condemn studio greed at SAG rally in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

In a rally in Love Park on Thursday afternoon, 'Abbott Elementary' stars Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter spoke in solidarity with the striking Screen Actors Guild. 'Green Mile' actor David Morse, state Sen. Vincent Hughes and state Rep. Tarik Khan also delivered speeches in support of SAG.

July 19, 2023

Family-Friendly

Philly kids can get free school supplies, immunizations at these summer events hosted by the district

by Kristin Hunt

The School District of Philadelphia is launching its annual Back-to-School Bus Tour on Monday, July 31 at Martin Luther King High School. At all 11 stops, school officials will offer free backpacks and school supplies. Free immunizations will also be available at select events.

July 19, 2023

Weekend

Ice cream, 'Barbie' and the Women's World Cup: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

It's Barbenheimer weekend, and Philadelphia is celebrating with pink beers, cocktails and pop-ups for Mattel's iconic Barbie doll. Bars will also host watch parties for the Women's World Cup and Reading Terminal Market brings back its ice cream festival.

July 18, 2023

Recreation

New FDR Park playground to open with largest swing set on the continent

by Kristin Hunt

The new Anna C. Verna Playground will open in FDR Park later this summer after a year of construction. It features the Skyline Swing, reportedly the largest swing set in North America, overlooking the Pattison Lagoon.