🌱 Transit Improvement Proposal + Philadelphia Issues Formal Apology

Hi, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 77 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has released its proposal to improve riders' experience. The city has seen a 40 percent drop in transit ridership since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal presents an increased focus on security and cleanliness for the transit system. (The Center Square)
2. United States Attorney Jacqueline Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania reports that the office has charged no less than a dozen cases of Social Security fraud. In total, the fraud amounts to nearly $1 million. Five of the dozen charges are for Philadelphia residents. Click the following link to review the full list of charges. (Office of the Inspector General)
3. The City of Philadelphia has issued a formal apology for conducting experiments at Holmesburg Prison decades ago. The experiments were conducted by the University of Pennsylvania on inmates from the 1950s to the 1970s. The experiments exposed inmates to various things including viruses, fungi, asbestos, dioxin, Agent Orange, and pharmaceuticals. The city also apologized for how long it took for a formal apology to be made. (Fox 29)

Patch deal of the day:

Wine lover alert. We found this amazing deal from Splash Wines — an 18-bottle curated selection of reds and whites for fall — for just $69.99. Shipping isn't cheap at $39.95, but that still comes out to just over $6 per bottle. Splash Wines has a money-back guarantee if you don't like the wine and 4.6 out of 5 rating on TrustPilot. So: recommended.

(The Patch Deals team scours the web for deals we think our subscribers will like. We may earn a commission on products purchased. All promotions are as of publication and could change.)

Today in Philadelphia:

• First Friday: Spooky Science At The Science History Institute (1:00 PM)
• Rocky The Musical At Walnut Street Theatre (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Is the current housing market making you feel a little overwhelmed? Consider this list of the latest properties in the Philadelphia area to hit the market. Click to view the full list of properties that includes prices, photos, and property dimensions. (Philadelphia Patch)
• The Philadelphia Police Department is currently searching for a suspect wanted for sexual assault and burglary. Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact the department. Click to view the photos. (Philadelphia Police Department via Facebook)
• The School District of Philadelphia is hosting its seventh annual FAFSA Kickoff on Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 440 N. Broad St. There will be food, prizes, and FAFSA resources. (School District of Philadelphia via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.