🌱 92 Philly Schools Go Virtual + Eagles Curb Gun Violence

Happy Wednesday, Philadelphia! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

A shower early in the morning. High: 44 Low: 35.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. Families in Philadelphia are scrambling to make arrangements as nearly 100 city schools announced plans to go virtual for the rest of this week. A growing number of COVID-19 cases has caused staffing shortages across the District, leading 92 schools to implement remote learning until they can reassess the situation next week. Some parents have expressed concerns about how these disruptions will affect their children's education: "I'm a little worried about what they are learning right now," said local mother Cecilia Figuereo. (3 CBS Philly)
2. A Lyft driver shot and critically injured two suspects who attempted to carjack him in Philadelphia. The incident occurred Monday around 2:45 p.m. on the 11th N 40th St. The driver was rear-ended and approached by a man with a shotgun. The legally armed Lyft driver then fired on the suspects. Police arrested both suspects and the driver was not injured. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
3. The Philadelphia Eagles are creating a new campaign that aims to tackle gun violence throughout the Philadelphia area. Announced in a press release on Tuesday morning, the campaign hopes to inspire community members to get involved and bring national attention to the problematic issue of gun violence in Philadelphia. The program creates over $300,000 worth of grants for community workers and launches a new website. (PhillyVoice.com)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Virtual Volunteer Information Session For Rock To The Future (9:00 AM)
• SAC Meeting At Franklin Learning Center (5:30 PM)
• Off Leash Comedy! Show At Fergie's Pub (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The US National Weather Service is monitoring two periods of wintry weather that are expected in the Philadelphia area through the end of the week, including a period of light freezing drizzle/rain this morning. (Facebook)
• The Free Library and the Philadelphia Poet Laureate Governing Committee are excited to announce that Airea D. Matthews has been appointed the 2022-2023 Philadelphia Poet Laureate. (Facebook)
• Did you know you don’t need to log in to request a Wage Tax refund electronically through the Philadelphia Tax Center? Click to learn how. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.