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

December 7, 2022

Lifestyle

Phillies, Taylor Swift tickets among Google's most-searched terms in 2022

by Kristin Hunt

Google unveiled its 2022 "Year in Search," a compilation of the most-searched terms across news, pop culture and sports. The Philadelphia Phillies appeared near the top of multiple search categories. Hometown stars, including Taylor Swift, Bob Saget and Will Smith, also were the subjects of many online searches. 'The Watcher' was the third most-searched TV show of the year.

December 6, 2022

Government

The Real ID requirement deadline has been extended again. Do you still need one?

by Kristin Hunt

The deadline to obtain a Real ID has been extended to May 7, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The deadline has been extended multiple times, leaving many to wonder if they even need get the enhanced security form of identification. Here are answers to some of the most common questions from Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents about Real ID.

December 6, 2022

Pets

Two Pennsylvania cities have banned cat declawing. Why hasn't Philadelphia?

by Kristin Hunt

Pittsburgh and Allentown have banned the declawing of cats, and a bill in the Pennsylvania General Assembly could make the elective surgery illegal statewide. But Philadelphia's city council has never discussed the issue. Veterinarians and animal rights groups say the procedure is inhumane except in certain scenarios.

December 5, 2022

Books

Holiday shopping for a bookworm? Here are 23 gift ideas from Philly book stores

by Kristin Hunt

Need a book idea for a holiday gift? Three Philadelphia booksellers – Head House Books, A Novel Idea and The Spiral Bookcase – offer recommendations on seven popular genres: mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, horror/thriller, young adult and non-fiction.

December 2, 2022

Immigration

Federal government will close migrant detention center in Berks County next month

by Kristin Hunt

The Berks County migrant detention center, long decried by activists and local politicians will close Jan. 31. The federal government informed Berks County officials this week that it would end its contract with the Berks County Residential Center, a 96-bed, women-only detention center in Leesport. The ICE contract is set to expire on January 31, 2023. Immigrant advocates cheered the news, characterizing the closure as a hard-won victory.

December 1, 2022

Government

Philadelphia City Council passes permanent 10 p.m. curfew for teens

by Kristin Hunt

The Philadelphia City Council voted on Thursday to make the summertime curfew for teens a permanent city fixture. Teens 14 to 17 would have to be inside by 10 p.m., while those 13 and younger would have to be home by 9:30 p.m. The bill is intended to keep children safe from gun violence.

November 30, 2022

Food & Drink

Atlantic City chocolate shop is giving away Taylor Swift concert tickets in a Wonka-esque contest

by Kristin Hunt

Bar 32 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is selling a limited-edition holiday bar that doubles as an entry into a Taylor Swift concert ticket giveaway. The wrapper includes a special code, and if that code matches the winning number the chocolate maker announces on Instagram Live on Christmas Day, that one lucky customer will get two tickets to Swift's Eras Tour concert on May 13 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

November 29, 2022

Holiday

Where to buy a Christmas tree in Philadelphia

by Kristin Hunt

Seasonal stands and garden centers in Philadelphia including Lowe's and Home Depot offer Christmas trees for those without cars or means to get out to a farm. Pickup and delivery is available at several locations. Here's where to find them.

November 29, 2022

Courts

Philly D.A. Larry Krasner seeks longer prison sentence for ex-cop convicted of manslaughter

by Kristin Hunt

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is seeking a longer prison sentence for Eric Ruch, Jr., the ex-Philly cop convicted of manslaughter for the 2017 killing of Dennis Plowden Jr. Ruch received an 11 1/2 to 23 month sentence from a Philly judge, which falls below Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines.

November 28, 2022

Immigration

'These are human beings': Philly officials settle new migrants bused from Texas

by Kristin Hunt

Since Nov. 16, Four buses with a total of more than 200 migrants have arrived in Philadelphia from Del Rio, Texas, each unannounced by Texas officials.The latest were two buses that got to 30th Street Station the day after Thanksgiving. Immigration officials have decried the political and 'totally unnecessary' lack of communication from Texas Gov. Abbott as they scramble to settle the new immigrants.