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 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 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.

June 22, 2023

Weekend

Chinese lanterns, roses and German beer: Your weekend guide to things to do in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

The Chinese Lantern Festival opened for another season this week, running each evening through Oct. 1. This weekend, the Manayunk Arts Festival returns for its 34th year along Main Street, and the Bok Building and Brauhaus Schmitz host their annual block parties. The Phillies have a Pride night celebration at Friday's game against the Mets.

June 20, 2023

Entertainment

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will bring their Restless Leg Tour to Philly this winter

by Kristin Hunt

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have announced additional shows for their Restless Leg Tour, including a Dec. 14 show at The Met in Philadelphia. Fey grew up in Upper Darby before starring in "Saturday Night Live" with Poehler.

June 20, 2023

Arts & Culture

New limited-edition Free Library card celebrates 50 years of hip-hop

by Kristin Hunt

The Free Library of Philadelphia has unveiled a new, limited-edition library card honoring the city's hip-hop culture. Philly artist Akinseye Brown created the design, commissioned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

June 19, 2023

Education

Juneteenth soon may be taught to all students in the School District of Philadelphia

by Kristin Hunt

All students in the School District of Philadelphia may learn about Juneteenth beginning next school year. The Board of Education is considering a measure that would add lessons about the federal holiday to its K-12 curriculum. The June 19 holiday marks the end of slavery in the United States.

June 19, 2023

Government

Philly City Council considers forming a reparations task force. What does that mean?

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia City Council will vote on creating a reparations task force on Thursday, June 22. If adopted, the group would study Philly's role in U.S. slavery and recommend payments or other compensation for Black residents in the city who are descendants of Africans enslaved in America. Evanston, San Francisco and other cities have considered reparations.

June 16, 2023

Arts & Culture

What are the new sculptures along Kelly Drive? They're a contemporary art display here through the fall

by Kristin Hunt

The recently install sculptures and art along Kelly Drive at the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial are part of artist Maren Hassinger's collection titled Steel Bodies. It opened on June 12 and will remain in Philadelphia until Nov. 12. It is the first contemporary public art exhibition at the sculpture garden near Philadelphia's Boathouse Row.

June 15, 2023

Weekend

Juneteenth, dads and movies in the park: Your weekend guide to things to do in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

Juneteenth celebrations kick off early this weekend with the first-ever Juneteenth Wine & Arts Festival at Cherry Street Pier. Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 18, while Pride Month continues with a summer ball at the Franklin Institute and plenty of parties. Rosenbach also hosts another Bloomsday Festival for James Joyce's 'Ulysses.'

June 14, 2023

Mental Health

What is somatic therapy? Advocates believe it explores connections between mental health and physical symptoms

by Kristin Hunt

Somatic principles are more popular than ever thanks to TikTok and books like The Body Keeps the Score and How to Do the Work. The practice, sometimes called somatic therapy, somatic experiencing or simply somatics, emphasizes the mind-body connection.