🌱 Philly Daycare Robbed, Pepper-Sprayed + Mr. Julian Needs New Shoes

Welcome back, Philadelphia! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started off right. Here's what's going on today in Philadelphia.

First, today's weather:

Sun followed by some clouds. High: 56 Low: 44.

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Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. On Friday afternoon, a West Philadelphia daycare was pepper-sprayed and robbed at gunpoint. Staff and toddlers were inside Munchkins to Masterminds Daycare when armed robbers held up the building, pepper-spraying the common area when they left. The suspects reportedly got away with one iPad; no arrests have been made in the case. (CBS Philly)
2. A group of ninth-graders at Tech Freire Charter High School in North Philadelphia started a GoFundMe for their teacher's "hideous" footwear. The students launched a campaign called "Mr. Julian Needs New Shoes" to benefit their world history teacher, who is "broke" and thus needed their help. Within a day, the fundraiser surpassed its original $200 goal over tenfold from over 175 donors. (Billy Penn)
3. Nearly two years after freezing the city's police budget, Philadelphia lawmakers are considering options to bolster the police department and public safety. On Thursday, Mayor Jim Kenney revealed a budget proposal that would include an estimated $23.7 million increase in funding for the Philadelphia Police Department; the current budget is $727 million. The day prior, Councilmember Cherelle Parker revealed her own plan: a five-point community policing initiative, combining existing prevention initiatives with a wider police presence across the city. (Philly Voice)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Action Karate At Northern Liberties Community Center (5:00 PM)
• Free Intro Class: Singing For Busy Adults At Temple University Music Preparatory (6:00 PM)
• Studio X-hibition 2022: Saturday Mourning Cartoons By Iraisa Ann Reilly - Theatre Exile (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for Easter plans? Celebrate the day with brunch service at these Philly restaurants and bars. (PhillyVoice.com)
• Kicking off Autism Awareness Month, more than 200 children enjoyed a sensory-friendly Family Fun Day in Fairmount Park on Saturday. (CBS Philly)
• Last week in Philly's Frankford neighborhood, two juveniles were caught on video surveillance encouraging their dogs to attack a cat named Buddy. Thankfully, the lucky cat is continuing his recovery and may have even found his forever home. (PennLive)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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.