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

January 20, 2025

History

Birmingham jail bench where MLK wrote famous letter to be displayed in Philly

by Kristin Hunt

The bench that Martin Luther King Jr. used to write 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' will be displayed in Philadelphia as part of an exhibit on the Declaration of Independence at the Museum of the American Revolution throughout 2026.

January 17, 2025

History

In the 1920s, Philly flouted Prohibition rules so badly that a federal enforcer labeled it a 'cesspool'

by Kristin Hunt

During Prohibition, the illegal liquor trade flourished in Philadelphia. Police corruption and organized crime syndicates led by bootleggers like Max 'Boo Boo' Hoff contributed to the problem, which Gen. Smedley Butler couldn't solve.

January 17, 2025

Dogs from Philly-area shelters, including Saquon Barky, to compete in Puppy Bowl

by Kristin Hunt

The 2025 Puppy Bowl airs Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. on Animal Planet and Max. It features seven dogs from the Philadelphia-area shelters Brandywine Valley SPCA, Phoenix Animal Rescue and Providence Animal Center. One of the pups, Saquon Barky, is named after Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

January 17, 2025

Addiction

The FDA wants to limit nicotine in cigarettes — a move that could save millions of lives

by Kristin Hunt

The FDA has proposed limiting nicotine in cigarettes to 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco, an amount low enough to prevent people from developing addictions. If finalized, the rule could save 4.3 million lives and prevent 48 million young people from smoking by 2100, the FDA says.

January 16, 2025

Streaming

What to stream: 'Unstoppable,' 'MLK/FBI' and 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'

by Kristin Hunt

Wondering what to watch on Netflix, Prime and other streaming platforms this January? Check out the new 'Wallace & Gromit,' the sitcom Sutton Foster sitcom 'Younger,' the sports biopic 'Unstoppable' and the documentary 'MLK/FBI.'

January 16, 2025

Weekend

Zoo tours, MLK clothing drive and Center City Restaurant Week: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

Franklin Square will offer free carousel rides in exchange for winter clothing donations as part of MLK weekend. Other activities include Center City Restaurant Week and behind-the-scenes Philadelphia Zoo tours.

January 14, 2025

Business

New cafe and cocktail lounge opens inside the Kimmel Center

by Kristin Hunt

Ensemble Arts has opened a new cafe and cocktail lounge inside the Kimmel Center. Curtain Call will be open to the general public and offer extended hours on performance nights.

January 13, 2025

Development

76ers, Comcast Spectacor plan to open new South Philly arena by 2031

by Kristin Hunt

The 76ers ownership group and Comcast Spectacor plan to build a new arena for the Sixers and Flyers in South Philadelphia, the companies said Monday. Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment and Comcast Spectacor also will bid for a WNBA team. The Sixers have ditched their plans to build a new arena on East Market Street in Center City.

January 13, 2025

Senior Health

Annual dementia diagnoses will double by 2060, study finds

by Kristin Hunt

About 1 million Americans will develop new cases of dementia each year by 2060, doubling the annual total from 2020, new research shows. The lifetime risk is 42% for adults older than 55, a study published in Nature Medicine suggests.

January 10, 2025

Development

With Macy's closure, what will happen to the Wanamaker organ and Eagle statue?

by Kristin Hunt

Macy's announced it would close its Center City store in the Wanamaker Building, raising questions about the future of the historic organ and Eagle statue. Both are protected through the city's historical commission.