Immigration
Systemic conditions hinder access to maternity care
Maternity leave must be a public policy priority. While current law is insufficient, it’s even more inaccessible for women in vulnerable communities.
Health & Wellness
Health news in Kensington, Philadelphia — covering the opioid crisis, addiction and recovery, mental health, harm reduction, healthcare access and food resources.
Small Business
Kensington native blends business models to bring fresh food to neighbors at Ava's Farm
Born and raised in Kensington, Austin Wright launched Ava’s Farm — a local produce market and nonprofit that offers free meals and youth programs to residents.
Immigration
Arts & Culture
Opinion | Ending drug tourism in Kensington starts with calling the drugs what they are: poison
Real progress starts with branding Kensington’s drug supply for what it is: a source of brutal withdrawal and suffering.
Accountability
Board of health delays vote on Kensington mobile service rules amid legal, equity concerns
The Philadelphia Board of Health postponed a vote on Councilmember Quetcy Lozada’s mobile service regulations, citing legal, policy and equity concerns about a district-specific law affecting Kensington.
Kids in Kensington
Norris Square Resource List: Where to find jobs, health, housing support
The Norris Square Neighborhood Profile, released in July, explored rising housing costs and other shifts in the neighborhood. This resource list points residents to support.
Accountability
Latest city opioid prevention program awards funds to select Kensington groups, leaves some past grantees out
A new batch of organizations will receive $2.2 million in grants from the city’s 2025 Opioid Prevention and Community Healing Fund (OPCH), after what some groups called delayed and unclear communication.
Community Life
A mother's fight to save her son shows the tragic consequences of Pa.'s failure to build a better mental health system
A Spotlight PA investigation found Pennsylvania politicians and local officials broke promises to replace institutionalized care with community options — despite knowing the devastating consequences.
Accountability
Mobile services ban enforcement delayed, city still creating permit process
Council member Quetcy Lozada’s bill that bans mobile service units from most of Kensington’s 7th District will not take effect on the expected date — Sunday, July 27.
Immigration
Outcry after ex-cop in Irizarry killing gets no additional prison time
A judge sentenced former Philadelphia Police Officer Mark Dial on Thursday to no further prison time after he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for his role in the 2023 killing of Eddie “Junito” Irizarry Jr.
Arts & Culture
New library opens in Kensington: 'You can never have too many books'
Closing the distance between families and their favorite books, The Simple Library gives kids and adults a place to relax and read without traveling too far.
Clean Streets
Trash piles, dumpster overflow worsens in Kensington amid sanitation strike as residents back union
In Kensington, a neighborhood already grappling with public health challenges related to the decades-old open-air drug market and opioid crisis, residents say the AFSCME District Council 33 strike exposes longstanding problems including illegal dumping, homelessness and a lack of city support.
Accountability
Local community orgs shift plans following city’s new opioid grant program: ‘There needs to be some transparency’
Three months after the Parker Administration announced the end of the Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund, community organizations share their concerns about what comes next.
Arts & Culture
Local artist creates new mural at the Love Lot: “Reciprosity is a mutual exchange”
Puerto-Rico-born artist Paula Rivera Calderon creates the third Love Lot mural in dedication to Prevention Point, with the theme of reciprocation.
Health & Wellness
City Council passes budget, Parker’s housing plan
The budget – totaling about $13.4 billion across operating and capital expenses – invests in establishing a “wellness” system to address Kensington’s opioid crisis.
Arts & Culture
Kensington committee members suggest “removing” people who use drugs, SEPTA pauses social service contracts
The Special Committee on Kensington, made up of council members Quetcy Lozada, Mark Squilla, Mike Driscoll, Nina Ahmad, Curtis Jones
Accountability
Amid praise and pushback, Philly mayor signs bill restricting Kensington mobile services
The bill imposes strict permitting, time, and location limits on medical providers offering wound care and addiction treatment as well as any organization offering basic necessities like food, water, and clothes.
Accountability
Partidarios de Eddie Irizarry piden consecuencias más severas tras el veredicto sobre el policía de Filadelfia que lo mató.
El oficial del Departamento de Policía de Filadelfia, Mark Dial, quien disparó y mató a Eddie Irizarry, de 27 años,
Accountability
Eddie Irizarry supporters call for harsher consequences following verdict for Philly PD officer who killed him
Philadelphia Police Department officer Mark Dial, who shot and killed 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop in
Immigration
Creating Sanctuary: Kensington cooking and leadership program lowers stress, opens doors for teens
PB&J’s Wednesday Leadership program incentivizes teens to build communication skills while cooking together.
Community Life
Photos of Kensington: Peacemakers Win Cure Violence Basketball Championship
Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center wrap up winter league with food, music, and a Peacemakers championship win.
Accountability
Pa. Senate bill to allow involuntary addiction treatment introduced at Philly mayor’s request
The bill would authorize police and crisis lines to initiate a 302 — an involuntary psychiatric hold of up to 120 hours for people considered a danger to themselves or others.
Accountability
Mobile units banned from most of 7th District after testimony from Kensington kids: “They shouldn’t be rotting in the streets”
Students from Gloria Casarez Elementary School in Kensington lined up to testify in support of the legislation, carrying handmade signs that read: “No needles,” “Don’t sell drugs,” “I just want to be a kid,” “We want to be able to play outside,” and “I want to feel safe.”
Accountability
As Kensington mobile service vote approaches, opponents warn ban adds barriers to lifesaving care
The bill, which would ban mobile services from most of the 7th District, is up for a final vote on Thursday.
Accountability
‘Kind of a heartbreaker’: Kensington gun violence prevention group takes funding hit following federal cuts
The national loss of funding for violence intervention programs will drastically impact local anti-violence initiatives and the communities they serve.