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- Philadelphia sues gun maker Glock over deceptive marketing
Over the years, lawsuits seeking compensation from gunmakers for the harms caused by their products have rarely succeeded. That’s because of special protections Congress has extended to the gun industry. But a handful of states and cities think they have found a work-around. They’re seeking to exploit a wrinkle in a federal law that was passed more than 20 years ago, and Philadelphia is at the forefront of this legal battle. - The high cost of mental health care… for mental health workersTherapy can be expensive. And federal funding cuts and work requirements for Medicaid recipients could make it even harder for thousands of Philadelphians to pay for mental health care. But patients aren’t the only ones struggling with the costs of care. Mental Health workers are also feeling the weight of this work.
- Whisper’s Cabaret and the importance of queer nightlife
Philadelphia’s queer nightlife is about more than a night out. For many performers and audience members, these spaces are places to create, earn money, build community, and fully be themselves. Ashley Whiteside, takes us inside Whispers Cabaret, a recurring burlesque. And poll show to find out what makes events like these so special. - Save the Academy coalition pushes back against closure of the nation’s oldest natural history museum
The Academy of Natural Sciences museum is set to close its doors to the public in a week. But as soon as Drexel University announced plans earlier this month to close the museum and move its archives to the university, a coalition of scientists, museum professionals, and supporters formed the Save the Academy Coalition in an effort to push for more information, and find solutions to keep the museum open. Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia president Alex Palma joins us to discuss the situation. - A history tour of the Bellevue Hotel
There’s a historic building on Broad Street, just a few blocks south of City Hall, that many Philadelphians may only know as an exclusive hotel. But Around the Block reporter Alisha Miranda recently took a tour of this spot, and found out how it plays a unique role in Philadelphia’s story as a city known for its dining and hospitality. Alisha brings us this story. - Most Philly schools don’t have librarians, but some community members are filling the gapsIt’s the back to school season, and many students at Philadelphia public schools are back in the classroom interacting with their new teachers and classmates. But if they head down the hall to check out a book from the school library, they might not be able to – because years of budget cuts and staffing changes have left most Philly public schools without a certified librarian. Around the Block reporter Milan Parker reports that some community groups are stepping in to fill the gap.
Full Episodes
Block by Block Episodes
- October 7, 2026 (Block by Block)This episode features stories on city of Philadelphia lawsuit against gun maker Glock over deceptive marketing, the challenges facing mental health professionals, how some community members are helping fill the gaps left by a shortage of school librarians in the city, and how a local burlesque show provides a safe space for members of Philly’s queer community to express themselves.
- June 10, 2026This episode of Block by Block features stories from our community news reporters about a political activist’s return to the US after being detained by the Israeli military while participating in the largest flotilla attempting to break through Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, what it takes for students to succeed when learning English as a… Read more: June 10, 2026
- May 27, 2026This episode of Block by Block features stories from our community news reporters about a group of Philadelphians working to bring back the spirit of the early web by hand-coding their own websites, the importance of diversity among archivists and research librarians, a new Yemeni-style coffee shop in West Philly, and a Northwest Philly non-profit… Read more: May 27, 2026