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 24, 2025

New Netflix series chronicles the '90s Philly mob war between Joey Merlino and John Stanfa

by Kristin Hunt

Netflix's docuseries 'Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia' explores the 1990s conflict between Joey Merlino and John Stanfa to control organized crime in the city. It premieres Wednesday, Oct. 22.

September 23, 2025

Donations

Penn receives anonymous $10 million donation for urban research

by Kristin Hunt

The University of Pennsylvania has received an anonymous $10 million donation. It will go to the Institute for Urban Research, which studies issues impacting cities like housing affordability and climate resilience.

September 22, 2025

History

Philly woman, who served in Army postal unit depicted in Netflix movie, to receive military headstone

by Kristin Hunt

Evelyn Preston LeSueuer was a veteran of the U.S. Army's all-Black, all-female 'Six Triple Eight' postal unit stationed overseas during WWII. The Philadelphia woman is receiving a military headstone Tuesday, more than a decade after her death. Her unit was featured in a Netflix movie last year.

September 22, 2025

Investigations

Chester County man charged for allegedly forcing 2 teen immigrants to work on mushroom farm for little pay

by Kristin Hunt

Ramiro Caal Jolomna, of Chester County, has been charged with human trafficking for allegedly sponsored the two teen immigrants entry into the U.S. and then forcing them to work long hours on a mushroom farm for little to no pay.

September 21, 2025

'Task' Episode 3 recap: Sparks fly and moles emerge in the Delco crime drama

by Kristin Hunt

Episode 3 of 'Task,' the Brad Ingelsby-created crime series, aired Sunday night on HBO. The installment included scenes shot at Ralph's Italian Restaurant in Philly and Barnaby's bar in Delco.

September 18, 2025

Food & Drink

As Dock Street turns 40, here's how it grew from a countercultural idea into the oldest craft brewery in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

Dock Street Brewing Co. will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a block party Saturday, Sept. 27. Ahead of the milestone, president and co-founder Rosemarie Certo recalled its origins, growth and bad '80s beer scene.

September 17, 2025

Business

Philadelphia job growth is strong post-pandemic, but office vacancy persists

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia has seen a 13.6% growth in employment in the five years since the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has stronger job growth than the average among the nation's largest counties, but office vacancy remains high.

September 16, 2025

Arts & Culture

Look inside Calder Gardens, the city's new art space that challenges what museums can be

by Kristin Hunt

Calder Gardens opens Sunday at 2100 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, showcasing work by Philadelphia-born sculptor Alexander 'Sandy' Calder in a $90 million cultural destination.

September 16, 2025

Courts

Montgomery County woman pleads guilty to fraud scheme targeting FEMA after Hurricane Ida

by Kristin Hunt

Jasmine Williams, 34, pleaded guilty to defrauding FEMA of over $1.5 million in the wake of Hurricane Ida. The Plymouth Meeting woman sent fraudulent applications for relief after the Category 4 storm hit Pennsylvania in 2021.

September 12, 2025

Books

Touring truck that gives away banned books to stop in Philly in October

by Kristin Hunt

The Banned Wagon, a mobile library of 30 books challenged in the U.S., is touring Philadelphia public libraries Oct. 10-11. Visitors can get free copies of the titles and scan to donate a book to a community in need.