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

February 20, 2023

Protests

Chinatown gets animated in campaign against 76ers arena plan with bevy of protest art on display

by Kristin Hunt

Opponents of the Sixers arena proposed at 10th and Market streets in Chinatown are channeling their message through protest art, including posters, postcards and a forthcoming music video. Some restaurants and community centers in neighborhood, along with others outside of Chinatown, have displayed the artwork.

February 16, 2023

Weekend

Dinosaurs and underwater yoga: Your weekend guide to things to do in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

Looking for things to do in Philadelphia this weekend? Marvel at the giant animatronic dinosaurs of Jurassic World Live, join an Oscar movie marathon, check out the new Disney100 exhibit at the Franklin, watch the '1776' Broadway revival at Kimmel or try underwater yoga at W Philadelphia.

February 15, 2023

Books

Free Library chooses satire 'Interior Chinatown' as One Book, One Philadelphia pick

by Kristin Hunt

The Free Library has chosen Charles Yu's 'Interior Chinatown' as the 2023 One Book, One Philadelphia pick. The satirical novel critiques Asian stereotypes through its protagonist Willis Wu, a background actor who plays roles like 'Delivery Man' on a fictional cop show. Hulu is currently adapting the story into a TV show.

February 13, 2023

Parenting

Parents need to ask about guns before letting children visit family and friends, Trinity Health urges

by Kristin Hunt

Gunshots are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents, having passed car accidents in 2020. To reduce firearm deaths, the "It Doesn't Kill to Ask" campaign encourages parents and caregivers to ask friends, family and neighbors if they have unsecured guns in their homes before children visit. Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic recently took up the initiative after Northwell Health launched it in New York.

February 13, 2023

Mental Health

How to get over the Eagles' Super Bowl loss, according to a psychologist

by Kristin Hunt

Eagles fans watched in disbelief as the Birds lost Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs in the final minutes of the game. Dr. Eric Zillmer, of Drexel University, says fans are going through stages of grief now, and it's important to for them to process their feelings with others. Even listening to sports radio or watching TV coverage may help.

February 8, 2023

History

New exhibit sheds light on James Forten, Black abolitionist and Revolutionary War fighter

by Kristin Hunt

The Museum of the American Revolution's new "Black Founders: The Forten Family" exhibit tells the story of James Forten, a lifelong Philadelphian who fought in the Revolutionary War and rallied for abolition. Activism was a family affair, as his wife and daughters also joined the anti-slavery movement; Harriet Forten Purvis ran an Underground Railroad stop with her husband Robert.

February 6, 2023

Performances

Get $17.76 tickets to '1776' musical when you wear Eagles gear

by Kristin Hunt

From Monday, Feb. 6 through Friday, Feb. 10, the Kimmel Cultural Campus is offering $17.76 tickets to the new Broadway production of '1776' to anyone in Eagles gear. The musical opens at Forrest Theatre next week on Valentine's Day for the first stop on its 2023 national tour.

February 3, 2023

Technology

Gritty chatbot reveals his favorite albums, best friends and inner demons

by Kristin Hunt

Ardmore-based engineer Doug Muth used Character.Ai to create a Gritty chabot. The simulation is built on the Flyers mascot's Twitter and Wikipedia pages. PhillyVoice used the chatbot to ask Gritty about his celebrity friends, best presents, and favorite music. In the conversation, the mascot admitted to being a sore loser but said he's a proponent of mental health treatment.

February 2, 2023

Wildlife

Reintroducing cougars to Pennsylvania would better control its deer population, some scientists say

by Kristin Hunt

Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, once were native to the eastern U.S. Some biologists have proposed reintroducing the big cats to control the deer population and thereby reduce traffic accidents, suggesting habitats in north central Pennsylvania. But the state's game commission say it will leave deer management to the hunters.

February 1, 2023

2023 Election

Environmental coalition wants Philly's mayoral candidates to pledge to make the city litter free by 2028

by Kristin Hunt

Waste Free Philly, a coalition of environmental groups dedicated to clean water and air and waste reduction, called on Philadelphia's 2023 mayoral candidates to commit to its agenda, including a program to end illegal dumping by 2028. Rev. Warren Bloom and former City Councilmember Derek Green signed on.