Kristin Hunt

Kristin Hunt is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice. A history and pop culture junkie, she spends her spare time stalking the Free Library shelves and binge watching TCM. She has previously contributed to Vulture, GQ, Mental Floss, JSTOR Daily, and The Washington Post.

kristin@phillyvoice.com

September 4, 2026

Courts

Judge bars Bucks County smoke shop from selling minors kratom, which has no statewide age restriction

by Kristin Hunt

A Bucks County judge barred Zaza Vape & Cigar, Inc. from selling minors kratom, which has no statewide age restriction, while DA Joe Khan's civil suit against the shop proceeds. The store has illegally sold Schedule I drugs.

September 4, 2026

History

How the wildlife dioramas revolutionized the Academy of Natural Sciences

by Kristin Hunt

The shuttering Academy of Natural Sciences has 37 dioramas in its collections — most which were built between the 1930s and 1960s. For the first visitors who saw them, they were nothing short of revolutionary.

September 2, 2026

Government

Mayor Parker says she is working with Gov. Shapiro to 'preserve the essential mission' of Academy of Natural Sciences

by Kristin Hunt

Mayor Cherelle Parker said she is working with Gov. Josh Shapiro and Drexel University to determine the future of the Academy of Natural Sciences, which is closing its Logan Square museum in September.

September 2, 2026

Investigations

Camden County off-duty officer fatally struck pedestrian with car, officials say

by Kristin Hunt

Camden County officials say an off-duty officer struck a pedestrian with their car early Tuesday morning. Angel Saravia-Estrada was later pronounced dead at Cooper University Hospital.

September 1, 2026

History

Academy of Natural Sciences is shutting down its museum after nearly 200 years

by Kristin Hunt

The Academy of Natural Sciences museum will close on Sept. 30, 2026 after nearly two centuries in operation. Admission had declined at the Logan Square museum since the COVID-19 pandemic. Drexel University will continue stewarding the collections.

September 1, 2026

Environment

A dam on Neshaminy Creek is being removed to improve fish passage, public safety

by Kristin Hunt

The Spring Garden Dam on Neshaminy Creek in Tyler State Park is set to be removed, beginning Sept. 8. It will be the second-largest dam removed in Pennsylvania, following the Oakland Dam on the Susquehanna River.

August 31, 2026

Government

DAs in Bucks and Chester counties urge Pa. officials to declare emergency ban on kratom products

by Kristin Hunt

District attorneys from Buck and Chester counties have asked Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogan to issue an emergency order scheduling 7-OH, a substance derived from kratom.

August 31, 2026

Health News

CDC leaves Pennsylvania deaths off national measles tally after vaccine spat between RFK Jr., Gov. Shapiro

by Kristin Hunt

The CDC did not include the two measles-associated deaths that Pennsylvania confirmed when publishing its latest measles count. The move followed a public spat between HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. and Gov. Josh Shapiro.

August 28, 2026

Government

Gov. Sherrill declares to-go cocktails are 'here to stay' in N.J. with new law

by Kristin Hunt

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has signed a law making to-go cocktails permanent in New Jersey into law. Temporary COVID-era provisions allowing restaurants and bars to serve takeout drinks were set to expire Sept. 1.

August 28, 2026

Music

Alex G covers Turnstile song on band's new star-studded remix album

by Kristin Hunt

Turnstile released 'Never Enough: Versions,' a remixed take on the band's Grammy-winning album, on Friday. It features covers from Elton John, Hayley Williams (Paramore), Slayyyter, Julien Baker (boygenius) and Alex G.