🍎 School Board Nominee Drama Intensifies

Yesterday, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson announced that Council wouldn’t approve Mayor Cherelle Parker’s final Board of Education nominee, Joyce Wilkerson. He cited “serious concerns” but declined to describe them publicly. Afterward, Wilkerson — a current Board of Education member — said Parker has asked her to continue serving on the board even after her term expires on April 30, “as no one has been confirmed” as a replacement. [Inquirer 🔒]

⛺ DA Asked About Encampment Protests

As tensions rise in relation to the pro-Palestinian encampment protest at the University of Pennsylvania, District Attorney Larry Krasner avoided commenting definitively on whether he would prosecute students who are charged with crimes related to the encampment. “The facts” will be his office’s “North Star,” he said. [Inquirer 🔒]

Why are students camping out in public spaces at Penn, Swarthmore, and Bryn Mawr? We explain how this national movement is manifesting locally on today’s episode of City Cast Philly 🎧

🏦 Regulators Seize Republic First Bank

State regulators closed Republic Bank, a regional bank based in Philly, last week. Lancaster-based Fulton Bank agreed to assume the failed bank’s deposits and buy its assets, so former Republic locations will be reopening as Fulton locations. [CNN]

Last summer, the bank told investors that deposits were declining and its mortgage lending business was becoming less valuable, and it’s faced more issues since then. [New York Times 🔒]

🐊 Famous Emotional Support Alligator Is Missing

Remember Wally, the alligator who went viral for taking a splash in LOVE Park in 2022 and made headlines for not being allowed into Citizens Bank Park? He was stolen from an enclosure in Georgia over the weekend, according to his owner, who’s looking for help “to bring my baby back.” [CBS3]

Looking to start a little (or big) garden in your backyard? Pop-up plant sales abound in the Philly region during the next few weeks. The City Cast Philly team has rounded up some of them ⬇️

Yes, you read that right — ONE dollar! The New Kensington Community Development Corporation will be offering “easy to grow flowers, tomatoes, and herbs” at Tusculum Farm, plus they're kicking off a neighborhood composting program.

🗓️ Saturday, May 4, 12–2 p.m.

📍 Kensington

This neighborhood sale promises bargains on things like flowering annuals, specialty vegetables, and houseplants.

🗓️ Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

📍 Northern Liberties

Head out to Jersey for Grounds For Sculpture’s annual, rain-or-shine plant sale. Expect “​​a unique selection of annuals, perennials, and shrubs, as well as a variety of GFS propagated trees, houseplants, and succulent gardens.”

🗓️ Saturday, May 4, 2–4 p.m. (General Admission) and Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

📍 Hamilton, NJ

This annual fundraiser in the suburbs promises a wide selection with plant experts on-hand to help you make your picks.

🗓️ Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

📍 Media

Take a trip to Delco to pick up some sun and shade pollinator perennials — first-come, first-served.

🗓️ Thursday, May 9, 3–6 p.m.

📍 Haverford

Find berries galore at this plant sale, along with shrubs, vines, flowers, herbs, and other fruiting trees.

🗓️ Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

📍 The Woodlands (Spruce Hill)

Rather skip the in-person browsing? The Schuylkill Center has a range of native plants for sale on its website to boost your garden’s biodiversity. You can schedule a pickup time that works for you. (If you do want to shop in person, the Schuylkill Center’s greenhouse will be open for browsing on May 11.)

🗓️ Order Online, Pick up at Your Convenience

📍 Upper Roxborough

🌱 Looking for some more Philly plant plugs? Learn about our team’s favorite local brick-and-mortar stores on this episode of the City Cast Philly podcast! And stay tuned next week for a piece on how to get your springtime garden off the ground. (No pun intended.)

Purple Carrot lets you skip the most tedious aspects of preparing plant-based meals. Bypass the grocery store and get delicious ingredients delivered straight to your door.

📍 Lee Morgan Historical Marker Unveiling | 12–2 p.m. | Free | West Philly

👕 Tye-Dye Workshop | 6–8 p.m. | $50 | East Falls

🧘 Yoga on the Pier | 6 p.m. | $0–$10 Donation Suggested | Holmesburg

🎤 An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr. | 7 p.m. | $49+ | Miller Theater

📚 Anarcho-Curious with Wooden Shoe Books | 7 p.m. | Free | Parkway Central Library

🫀 Blood Pressure Screenings | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Free | Castor

🛍️ Makers Market | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Pay As You Go | University City

🥬 Plant-Based Delites | 2–3:30 p.m. | Free | South Philly

On the Tuesday news roundup, the City Cast Philly podcast team catches you up on pro-Palestinian encampment protests at Philly-area universities and the city’s and SEPTA’s latest efforts to go green. Plus, test your knowledge of current events with a local news quiz.

A quick correction: I wrote yesterday that Central High School ranked #6 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best public high schools in Pennsylvania. Actually, it ranks #5.

Enjoy your Tuesday!