🌱 PHA Moves 7 Homeless Families + Mastery Schools Go Virtual

Hey, neighbors! Dan Casarella here with the latest edition of the Philadelphia Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 42 Low: 33.

Rent this space!

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Philadelphia? We want to start connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Click here to learn how it works.

Here are the top 4 stories today in Philadelphia:

1. The first homes from the homeless encampment deal are ready for occupancy just in time for the holidays, but some Philadelphia housing activists say the city is breaking its promise. While some families are moving into their new, permanent homes, everyone at Tuesday's celebration recognized that this was an extremely contentious situation with a somewhat of a happy ending. (Patch)
2. Mastery Schools has announced all 24 of their schools in Philadelphia and Camden will transition to virtual learning on Thursday. The schools will go virtual until Jan. 14. The announcement comes amid the latest surge of COVID-19 cases driven by the new omicron variant. (CBS Philly)
3. A Philadelphia Police officer and a homeowner were shot during a robbery incident Tuesday night, according to reports. The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on the 400 block of Harlan Street, NBC10 reports. An officer was in the area for a report of a robbery. (Philadelphia Patch)
4. Wawa has shut down another Philadelphia location for good. The store at 13th and Chestnut Streets closed Monday. The company says operational challenges along with other factors led to the decision to close the store. (CBS Philly)

Today's Philadelphia Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Philadelphia:

• Holiday Toy Distribution At Columbia North Branch YMCA (4:00 PM)
• Fashion District Concert At St. Thomas Gospel Choir (5:00 PM)
• Rev. TJ McGlinchey & Friends: Jim Henson Holiday Tribute At World Cafe Live (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Free at-home COVID tests were distributed yesterday at MLK Older Adult Center (2100 Cecil B Moore Ave) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., thanks to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. (Facebook)
• Tickets are now available for PYAO at Perelman Theater. Hear the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, conducted by Rosalind Erwin, on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. (Facebook)
• The season of giving is upon us. Is there a local nonprofit organization in Philadelphia you go out of your way to support during the holiday season? Tell us about it at patch.com/compose. (Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Valerie Morrison - Psychic Medium — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Operation Holiday® Calling All Donors to “Adopt A Family” (December 23)
• Christmas Eve Outdoor, Family Candlelight Service (December 24)
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service (December 24)
• Save 15 Percent On FTD’s Christmas Collection (December 25)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 29)
• Spanish for Beginners NEW Jan. 2022 Classes (January 10)
• Add your event

Loving the Philadelphia Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with 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.