Former Trump Attorney Secures Lifetime Judicial Position
In a narrowly contested vote of 50-49, former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, Emil Bove, was confirmed for a lifetime role on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, which oversees Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. This decision comes amid significant controversy, with Democrats accusing Bove of politicizing the Department of Justice during his brief tenure as deputy attorney general. Notably, he has faced backlash for dismissing career federal prosecutors involved in the January 6 investigations and allegedly pressuring them to drop a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, purportedly in exchange for the mayor’s assistance with immigration enforcement initiatives. Additionally, a whistleblower recently informed Congress that Bove suggested to DOJ officials that they might need to disregard court mandates.
Virtual Reality Experience Gains Popularity in Philadelphia
Sandbox VR, a cutting-edge virtual reality venue, debuted its Philadelphia location in Rittenhouse back in April. Since opening, it has attracted numerous visitors for diverse occasions such as birthday celebrations, corporate team-building events, and romantic outings. The Billy Penn team recently explored this immersive experience to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses and to discover more about their own reactions to the virtual environment.
In Other News
- Key factors contributing to the shortcomings of Pennsylvania’s mental health care system are under scrutiny.
- Severe rainfall has impacted the East Coast, leading to localized flash flooding, as Philadelphia International Airport reported numerous flight delays and cancellations, and Amtrak services were disrupted between Philadelphia and Wilmington due to high water levels.
- Philadelphia women continue their efforts to address the gender pay disparity.
- Thousands of neglected artworks are being rescued from the University of the Arts.
- Gardeners have expressed relief following the preservation of the Summer Winter Community Garden.
- Fab Youth Philly is enhancing the city’s Playstreets program, which has been in operation for over five decades, by helping teens develop leadership skills through its Play Captain initiative.
Mayor’s Schedule
Mayor Parker currently has no public engagements planned for Friday.
Upcoming Events
🏮 Discover all the details about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival.
🏊🏽 Explore public pool availability in Philadelphia for 2025.
🌸 Check out 27 activities to enjoy during the warm season.
🏃🏽 Here’s the Philly Runners Guide for upcoming races.
Thursday, July 31 to Sunday, August 3: The 14th annual BlackStar Film Festival celebrates Black, Brown, and Indigenous filmmakers with screenings available both in-person and online.
Saturday, August 2: Experience the Southeast Asian Water Festival with a dragon boat race and a showcase of cultural music, food, and dance at the FDR Park Boathouse; entry is free from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, August 2: Join the School of Rock Block Party hosted by Evil Genius Beer Co., featuring a live battle of the bands, performances by School of Rock Philadelphia, and the return of Tell All Your Friends, running from noon to 11 p.m.
Saturday, August 2: Celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day with a parade and ceremony at Gapura, beginning at 4 p.m. Save the date for the community festival on August 30!
Saturday, August 2: Participate in "Zoo Done It?" a mystery adventure at the Philadelphia Zoo, set in 1874, where guests can compete individually or in teams for $50 tickets from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 2: Attend Sonic Sunsets, a concert and tour series at Christ Church Burial Ground featuring live jazz and storytelling, with optional guided tours; concert tickets range from $5 to $15, and the event starts at 6 p.m.
Saturday, August 2: Enjoy an evening of theatrical performances at Love City Cabaret x SideQuest, themed around adventure, with doors opening 30 minutes before showtime; tickets are priced at $21.94.
Saturday, August 2: Delight in Persian music performed by Sahba Motallebi and Reza Mohsenipour at UniLu, with tickets ranging from $15 to $35 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 3: Join a cozy morning of book swapping at Encanto Kicks & Coffee from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; no prior registration is required.
Sunday, August 3: The 2nd Street Festival, established in 2008 by local entrepreneurs, transforms the area into one of the city’s largest annual street festivals from noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 3: Commemorate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Black Bottom area, featuring live performances and various community activities from 1 to 6 p.m.
Sunday, August 3: Enjoy the 17th Annual ACANA African Festival at Cherry Street Pier, celebrating the African diaspora with food, music, and vendors from 2 to 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 3: Philly Roda de Samba e Choro hosts a monthly event featuring live choro and samba music at the Black Squirrel Club from 3 to 6 p.m.; attendees can enjoy complimentary Brazilian snacks while supplies last.
Sunday, August 3: Experience “Magic for Adults” with Eric Eaton from the popular TV show Masters of Illusion at Helium Comedy Club, with ticket prices ranging from $33 to $43, starting at 6 p.m.
