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 28, 2023

Weekend

Halloween Nights and spooky mini golf: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

Celebrate spooky season all weekend at Halloween-themed events in Philadelphia. Haunted houses return to Eastern State Penitentiary, spooky mini golf starts up at Franklin Square and the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival screens cult horror movies. Manayunk honors National Coming Out Day early with Out & About.

September 27, 2023

Rittenhouse Square stabbing docuseries uses Sean Schellenger's death to explore criminal justice in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

The new three-part docuseries '72 Seconds in Rittenhouse Square' reexamines the 2018 stabbing of Sean Schellenger and the acquittal of Michael White for voluntary manslaughter. The filmmakers place the case in the wider context of criminal justice in Philadelphia, touching on Frank Rizzo and the Black Panthers, Daniel Faulkner and Mumia Abu-Jamal and Larry Krasner's controversial reforms.

September 26, 2023

Politics

More lawmakers, including Cory Booker, are calling for Bob Menendez to resign from the Senate – but he's refusing

by Kristin Hunt

Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Casey joined other politicians in calling for Bob Menendez to resign from the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The senior senator from New Jersey was indicted on federal corruption charges Friday along with his wife Nadine. He is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for political influence.

September 21, 2023

Arts & Culture

Preservationists say they have two weeks to save mural from former Painted Bride building

by Kristin Hunt

The mosaic-covered former Painted Bride Art Center is slated to be demolished in November, and developers have given preservationist two weeks in October to save as much of Isaiah Zagar's artwork from the building's exterior as they can, according to The Philadelphia Magic Gardens. 'The Skin of the Bride' on the exterior of the 230 Vine St. in Philadelphia is one Zagar's largest public artworks. Plans are to build apartments on the property.

September 21, 2023

Government

City Council calls for hearing on 911 response times in aftermath of Kingsessing mass shooting

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia City Council plans to investigate 911 response times following the Kingsessing mass shooting this summer. The attack left five people dead and four others injured. Police received reports of gunfire after the first homicide on July 2, but went to the wrong address. Alleged gunman Kimbrady Carriker returned on July 3.

September 20, 2023

Weekend

WXPN concerts and an Indian festival: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

The Philadelphia Polo Classic, which benefits Work to Ride, returns for its second year in Fairmount Park. Street festivals will also be happening this Saturday in Fishtown, Newbold and Center City. WXPN's annual music festival also celebrates 30 years in Camden.

September 20, 2023

Food & Drink

Philly grocers see surge in olive oil price as Spanish drought dries up supply

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia grocers are already seeing some price increases in olive oil due to a global spike in pricing brought on by a drought in Spain, one of the world's largest producers of the oil.

September 19, 2023

Environment

Pa. to increasingly monitor waterways for PFAS contamination

by Kristin Hunt

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is keeping a closer eye on the "forever chemicals" found in many state waterways. The DEP announced increased monitoring of PFAS in untreated surface water after a report found the substances in 76% of sampled streams.

September 19, 2023

Events

Enter your dog in a costume contest during a fundraiser for homeless pets at the Navy Yard

by Kristin Hunt

The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society will host its 17th annual Mutt Strut fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 7. The event includes a scenic walk, costume contest, food trucks and live music. Top fundraisers will receive prizes.

September 18, 2023

Nonprofits

The Red Cross has a national blood shortage; here's where to donate in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

The American Red Cross says its blood supply has dropped by nearly 25% since early August due to natural disasters like Hurricane Idalia. It's now calling for donations to end a national blood shortage. Here's where to donate blood in Philadelphia.