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 16, 2024

Wildlife

Skunk captured in Camden County this week tests positive for rabies

by Kristin Hunt

A Gloucester Township resident observed a skunk interacting with their dogs Tuesday. It later tested positive for rabies at a state lab in Trenton. There are no known human exposures.

August 16, 2024

Movies

Penn Vet program for search-and-rescue dogs featured in Netflix documentary

by Kristin Hunt

Penn Vet's Working Dog Center is featured in in Netflix's new documentary 'Inside the Mind of a Dog.' The university research and training program concentrates on bomb sniffing, search-and-rescue and cancer-detecting dogs.

August 15, 2024

Neighborhoods

Streets near Rittenhouse Square to be car-free on last 4 Sundays in September

by Kristin Hunt

Center City will close several blocks to cars near Rittenhouse Square on the last four Sundays in September. The sections of 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut streets, and Walnut Street from 15th to 19th streets, will be pedestrian-only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on those days.

August 15, 2024

Weekend

Philadelphia Folk Festival, art and anime: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

This weekend, the Philadelphia Folk Festival returns after a one-year hiatus on Aug. 16-18. Other weekend things to do include Pink's concert at Lincoln Financial Field and ShikkariCon, the video game and anime convention.

August 14, 2024

Business

Blink Fitness to close its Philadelphia gyms after filing for bankruptcy

by Kristin Hunt

Blink Fitness will close its two Philadelphia gyms on Aug. 30. The locations at 5597 Tulip St. in Wissinoming and 330 W. Oregon Ave. in South Philly were its only gyms in Pennsylvania. The chain filed for bankruptcy Monday, citing $280 million in debt.

August 14, 2024

Odd News

SEPTA workers rescue cat, 5 kittens trapped inside a Market-Frankford Line station

by Kristin Hunt

SEPTA workers found and rescued a cat and her five kittens from the wall and ceiling of 63rd Street Station in West Philly. The Stray Cat Relief Fund animal rescue is seeking foster homes.

August 13, 2024

Music

Philly singer and hip-hop trio make it on Barack Obama's annual summer playlist

by Kristin Hunt

Former President Barack Obama has released his annual summer playlist, recommending TikTok hits, dad rock and throwbacks from Philadelphia artists Jill Scott and Digable Planets.

August 13, 2024

History

Reporter who received stolen files from 1971 heist of Delco FBI office reflects on working on Ed Helms' podcast

by Kristin Hunt

Journalist Betty Medsger wrote about the FBI's surveillance of U.S. citizens and abuses of power based in information contained in files stolen from the Media, Delaware County FBI office in 1971. The story of the burglary and its aftermath is being revisited in Season 2 of the podcast 'Snafu,' which Medsger executive produced.

August 13, 2024

Investigations

Swastika spray painted on Farmer Jawn barn in West Chester, police say

by Kristin Hunt

A vandal spray-painted a swastika on the floor of a barn at Farmer Jawn, the 123-acre farm in West Chester, police said. Founder Christa Barfield said an employee found the antisemitic symbol last week, adding that it's the second hate crime against the organization this year.

August 12, 2024

Celebrities

Part of Master Street to be renamed for Philly native actress Erika Alexander

by Kristin Hunt

The section of Master Street between Broad and Carlisle streets near Freedom Theatre will be renamed Erika Alexander Way on Sept. 21. The dedication honors the 'American Fiction' and 'Living Single' actress.