🌱$200M to Fight Opioids + Schmidt's Citizens Medal +Young Girl Shot

Hello again, everybody! It's Friday in Philadelphia and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally, including updates on...

• Philly to receive $200 million over 18 years to fight the opioid crisis.
• Former Philly elections official Al Schmidt will receive President's Citizens Medal on Jan. 6 anniversary.
• A 7 year old girl was shot by a stray bullet in Kensington during a triple shooting.

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But first, today's weather:

Cooler; a morning shower. High: 48 Low: 34.

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Here are the top stories today in Philadelphia:

1. Philadelphia will receive around $200 million over an 18-year span to fight the city's opioid crisis, Mayor Jim Kenney announced Thursday. The funds will come from the national opioid settlements and be invested into various crisis response strategies, including citywide and neighborhood programs. The city will initially receive $20 million in 2023 with $3.1 million going toward citywide prevention efforts, $7.5 million going toward additional investments in Kensington, one of the city's neighborhoods hit hardest by the opioid crisis, and $400,000 going toward the Kensington Resilience Fund. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
2. President Joe Biden on Friday will present the nation's second highest civilian award to 12 individuals involved in defending the Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and safeguarding the will of American voters in the 2020 presidential election. An award is going to Al Schmidt, a former Philadelphia election official who faced public pressure by Trump to stop counting valid ballots. Schmidt, a Republican, will be nominated for the top election administration post in Pennsylvania, secretary of state, by Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro, a Democrat. (WHYY)
3. A 7-year-old girl was struck by a stray bullet inside her home during a triple shooting in Philadelphia's Kensington section on Wednesday night, police say. The shooting happened on the 2900 block of Rutledge Street at around 7:30 p.m. Police say the girl was shot once in her left foot. She was placed in stable condition at St. Christopher's Hospital. (CBS Philly)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• OLLI Spring Semester Course Catalogue (9:00 AM)
• PFS Presents Quarter Horse! - Philadelphia Folksong Society (8:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Go West, Yummy Hoagie, Go West!- If Texans aren't sure what a hoagie is, they'll soon find out. PrimoHoagies announced plans to expand its franchise locations in 2023 not only to the north and south, but to the west, as well. The company, which started in South Philly but is now based in Gloucester County, said stores would open in five new states in 2023, bringing its operations to 12 states in all. I bet they'll love the Diablo! (pressofatlanticcity.com)
• This Coffee-Loving Couple Had Their First Date and Wedding at La Colombe-Philly Mag writes up a fun story about gasp! a couple actually meeting at a coffee shop on their first date! (Don't worry, they used an app to matchmake!) What better place to then have their wedding reception! (phillymag.com)
• We're proud of our Eagles, we're proud of our cheesesteaks and we're proud of the Rocky-lore in our City. But we can not be proud, nor ignore this gripping docuseries about the unbelievable gun violence and murder rate in the City of Philadelphia. "The Weight of Death" docuseries gives gut-wrenching glimpse of Philadelphia's gun violence crisis. Case in point, did you read the #3 bullet point today? A 7 year old girl, was playing in her house when she was hit with a stray bullet from a gunfight on her Kensington block. (WPVI-TV)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Patty-Pat Kozlowski

About me: Patty-Pat Kozlowski has been writing community news and Philly-cenric Op/Eds for over 20 years. A Jill of all trades she's been a stand-up comedian, chef, DJ, newspaper editor, food trucker and Parks Director for Philadelphia Parks & Rec as well as a community relations/legislative aide for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Philadelphia Daily? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com