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, 2023

Prevention

When to get your flu shot, COVID-19 booster and RSV vaccine this fall

by Kristin Hunt

As fall approaches, so does the season for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV infections. Vaccines for all three viruses are available. Doctors explain the best time to get them, who needs them and whether people can get all three at the same time.

September 1, 2023

Pets

Philly-area animal shelters rescue cats and dogs displaced by Hurricane Idalia

by Kristin Hunt

Philly-area shelters have begun welcoming animals from states hit by Hurricane Idalia this week. Brandywine SPCA and Saved Me announced fundraisers for their rescue missions to transport homeless puppies, kittens, dogs and cats out of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

August 31, 2023

Courts

Philly Proud Boys leader gets 15-year prison sentence for role in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

by Kristin Hunt

A judge sentenced Zachary Rehl, the former leader of the Philadelphia chapter of the Proud Boys, to 15 years in federal prison on Thursday for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

August 31, 2023

Protests

Penn Museum abruptly closes amid protest over MOVE bombing victims' remains

by Kristin Hunt

Protesters outside the Penn Museum demanded the return of the remains of two people killed in the MOVE bombing in West Philly in 1985. The demonstration closed the museum on Thursday. Organizers want the remains of Delisha Africa and Katrina Dotson, who were killed when police dropped a bomb on the MOVE compound on Osage Avenue.

August 31, 2023

History

The first major bank heist in America happened 225 years ago in Philly — and the wrong guy went to prison

by Kristin Hunt

The first bank robbery in the U.S. happened in Philly on Aug 31, 1793. The target, 225 years ago, was the Bank of Pennsylvania at Carpenters' Hall in what is now Old City. The theives stole more than $162,000 and never went to jail. For a time, the wrong man, a blacksmith named Patrick Lyon, was accused and charged.

August 30, 2023

Weekend

Brazilian Day and a comedy fest: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

The long Labor Day weekend ahead includes a 12-hour comedy festival in Port Richmond, a pop-up market in Dilworth Park and Brazilian Independence Day at Penn's Landing. End the holiday with a symbol of fall: the pumpkin spice latte.

August 29, 2023

Health News

Philly's air has high amounts of nitrogen dioxide, NASA's new space instrument shows

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia and other cites in the Northeast have high levels of nitrogen dioxide, according to images from a new NASA instrument that monitors air pollution levels from space. The pollutant, released by burning fossil fuels, can cause smog and acid rain; it also aggravates asthma.

August 28, 2023

Entertainment

Philadelphia Film Society to host BYOB 'Barbie' night before the movie leaves theaters

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia Film Society will host a special BYOB night for its Tuesday, Aug. 29 screening of 'Barbie.' Ticket-holders to the 7:15 p.m. showing at PFS East can bring one six-pack of beer or bottle of wine per two guests. 'Barbie' will leave most Philly movie theaters this week ahead of its streaming debut on Max on Sept. 5.

August 25, 2023

Family-Friendly

Look for bats during a nighttime nature walk through The Woodlands cemetery

by Kristin Hunt

The Woodlands will host another free Nature Night on Friday, Sept 8 at 6 p.m. This one includes an owl watch, storytime for children and a bat walk through the West Philly cemetery at dusk. Registration is encouraged.

August 25, 2023

New Netflix docuseries explores '70s CIA mission with Chester connection

by Kristin Hunt

The new Netflix docuseries 'Spy Ops' will revisit seven major intelligence operations from the CIA and MI6, including Project Azorian. The 1970s mission aimed to recover a sunken Soviet submarine with a recovery vessel built in Chester and a cover story that Howard Hughes was involved.