Philadelphia school district wants to close Conwell Middle School, expand Elkin Elementary
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters The Philadelphia school district
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Jan. 12, 2026
Family Fort Night, MLK Day of Service event and job search assistance.
Opioid settlement spending faces growing scrutiny as Pennsylvania awaits millions more
Counties battle uncertainty over funding rules while advocates and families push for an increased say in opioid settlement spending decisions.
Some Kensington residents may qualify for up to $1,000 in tax, rent rebates
Applications are open to eligible older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities.
Against Mayor Parker’s wishes, Council advances version of her housing plan
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose 7th District covers Kensington, said the vast majority of her constituents earn less than 60% AMI.
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Latest Stories
Philadelphia school district wants to close Conwell Middle School, expand Elkin Elementary
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters The Philadelphia school district
Looking back at 2025: A year in photos from Kensington
A year in photographs from the neighborhood, made close and over time.
New nonprofit promises paid, yearslong mentors for kids in Kensington and North Philly
Friends of the Children offers families a commitment that the program will be there in a child’s life from kindergarten through high school graduation — “12+ no matter what,” they say.
Opioid settlement spending faces growing scrutiny as Pennsylvania awaits millions more
Counties battle uncertainty over funding rules while advocates and families push for an increased say in opioid settlement spending decisions.
A last-minute gift that funds local news for Kensington
You get a tax break. They get a keepsake. Kensington gets reporters.
Some Kensington residents may qualify for up to $1,000 in tax, rent rebates
Applications are open to eligible older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities.
Philly launches $600K emergency grants to aid small grocers hit by SNAP shutdown
Applications are open through Dec. 31 on the Merchants Fund website. Priority will go to small, locally owned retailers operating in low-income neighborhoods.
Against Mayor Parker’s wishes, Council advances version of her housing plan
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose 7th District covers Kensington, said the vast majority of her constituents earn less than 60% AMI.
Power January: Help Kensington Voice start 2026 at full strength
Without $20,000 by December 31, our reporting slows down.
Philly’s school safety program to shield kids from violence was working. So where did it go?
A key violence prevention program disappeared from schools across Philly this fall, including in Kensington—just when students needed it most.
Hey Kensington, tell us what’s up & enter to win a $200 gift card 💵
Help us understand Kensington’s information needs. Your answers will guide our reporting — and give you a chance to win $200.
Philly’s only 2025 gift guide with spiritual consults, PPA evasion and a Kensington Jason Kelce tee
This year’s holiday gift guide highlights creative, hyperlocal gifts that support Kensington’s artists, makers, and small businesses.
Accountability Spotlight See All Stories →
New Kensington ‘fast-track court’ lands most with warrants, back into the cycle of addiction and homelessness
Kensington Voice collected and verified data on 87 people who were arrested during the first months of the program and tracked their journeys through the court. Most ended up with Wellness Court bench warrants after the city lost contact with them.
Most of Philly’s opioid settlement money to go to Riverview Wellness Village recovery housing facility
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration plans to allocate more to Riverview than to all other opioid settlement money initiatives combined.
Some Kensington business workers say overnight curfew has been a financial hit, as council votes to expand
An ordinance that expands a business curfew currently in effect in a section of Kensington will be enforced in much of North Philadelphia and more of Kensington in 60 days.
Philly board of health approves city-wide permitting rules for mobile services
The Philadelphia Board of Health unanimously approved a regulation relating to Councilmember Quetcy Lozada’s mobile services ban in Kensington. The health department will now oversee a permitting process for all mobile medical providers in the city.
Community Joy & Resilience
Photos of Kensington: Celebrating 41 years of Feria del Barrio
Neighbors gathered along North 5th Street for the 41st annual Feria del Barrio, celebrating Latinx culture through music, dance, and art.
Fab Youth Philly gives teens first-time job experiences otherwise in short supply
Fab Youth Philly’s Play Captains program empowers Kensington teens by paying them to lead educational play for younger children and helping them build job skills for the future, despite challenges like neighborhood safety.
What does the future hold for the next Latine generation in Philadelphia?
From South to North Philadelphia, resilient residents shared the hopes and fears of the Latine community. Their concerns range from gun violence and economic disparities to aspirations for education and the pursuit of a better future.
Emerald Street farm crew to bring alien invasion to the Kensington Derby Saturday
The Emerald Street Community Farm will race in the Kensington Derby and Arts Festival on Saturday October 25th.
Neighborhood Voices
Cuts to SNAP and SNAP-Ed: A war on Kensington families
. Cutting both direct assistance and evidence-based education is like declaring war on the people of Kensington. Food security means more than just access to food.
You can rise again: Recovery is possible for those who are ready
September was National Recovery Month. Luis Soto shares his journey to sobriety and how working with others has helped him heal.
Condiciones sistémicas que dificultan el acceso a la licencia de marternidad en la ciudad
La licencia de maternidad debe estar entre las prioridades de las políticas públicas. Si bien la ley actual es insuficiente, su factibilidad es menor para mujeres de comunidades vulnerabilizadas.
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.
Resources & Solutions
New nonprofit promises paid, yearslong mentors for kids in Kensington and North Philly
Friends of the Children offers families a commitment that the program will be there in a child’s life from kindergarten through high school graduation — “12+ no matter what,” they say.
Philly’s only 2025 gift guide with spiritual consults, PPA evasion and a Kensington Jason Kelce tee
This year’s holiday gift guide highlights creative, hyperlocal gifts that support Kensington’s artists, makers, and small businesses.
Election 2025: What you need to know about your Election Day voting rights in Pennsylvania
Voting in Pennsylvania? Here’s everything you need to know about your rights.
Pa. election 2025: How to vote, where to vote, and everything you need to know for Nov. 4
On Nov. 4, Pennsylvanians will vote on whether to retain three state Supreme Court judges and will fill vacancies on both the Commonwealth and Superior Courts.
Small Business Stories
Philly launches $600K emergency grants to aid small grocers hit by SNAP shutdown
Applications are open through Dec. 31 on the Merchants Fund website. Priority will go to small, locally owned retailers operating in low-income neighborhoods.
Philly’s only 2025 gift guide with spiritual consults, PPA evasion and a Kensington Jason Kelce tee
This year’s holiday gift guide highlights creative, hyperlocal gifts that support Kensington’s artists, makers, and small businesses.
Thunderbird LLC embraces community through second-hand items and events
What began as a small salvage business in 2016 has grown into a community cornerstone. George Mathes’ Thunderbird LLC now unites Kensington through vintage treasures and local events.
For Philadelphia Latine Business owners, passing down culture and business intertwine
Today there are nearly 12,000 Latine-owned businesses in the city, but it wasn’t always like this. Success now is the result of generations of hard work.
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Weekly Newsletter
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Jan. 19, 2026
MLK Day cleanup, Lost Time comedy show and more.
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Jan. 12, 2026
Family Fort Night, MLK Day of Service event and job search assistance.
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Jan. 6, 2026
This week: Nearly 100 photos from 2025, our community survey extended through Jan. 12 (with a chance to win $200), and the Power January fundraiser at 33% of goal. Plus free yoga, chess club, Zumba, and more events.
Kensington news: Pop-up art event, preschool story time and more.
Happy holidays, neighbors. This is our last newsletter of the year. Thank you for your continued support! If you have