🌱SEPTA Key Tix + Who's Running For City Council? + $4k, ATM Stolen

Hello there, Philadelphia! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including updates on...

• You can now use your smartphone to pay your SEPTA fare.
• Next year, all 17 City Council seats are up for grabs and a lot of hands are grabbing to reach them.
• An ATM, yes the whole machine, was stolen at gunpoint from a Philadelphia store.

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But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and breezy. High: 40 Low: 28.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. We use our smartphones for everything, why not our SEPTA fare — and for the fares of your friends? Called "SEPTA Key Tix," the mobile payment option is now available to anyone who downloads the beta version of the transit authority's Apple or Android app. The agency's mobile payment pilot is now open to all — though it's not meant to replace your Key card just yet and it will not work on regional rails-yet. (SEPTA)
2. Having trouble keeping tabs on who's running for City Council in 2023? Yeah, us too. Every single seat on Philadelphia's governing body is up for grabs. In addition to a handful of incumbents who've indicated they'll run again, at least a dozen more people have announced they'll seek an at-large seat. At least four non-incumbents are vying for a district-level seat. (billypenn.com)
3. Back in the day, famous bank-robber Willie Sutton was asked, why does he rob banks? And he replied, "Because that's where the money is." There weren't ATM or MAC machines in Sutton's time of 1952, but now a store in Brewerytown was held up at gunpoint for its ATM machine containing about $4,ooo cash. (6abc Philadelphia)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Virtual Monday Poets: Airea D. Matthews and Phillip B. Williams (6:30 PM)
• KMA Meeting - Keystone Academy Charter School (7:00 PM)
• Let's Chat Your Manifestations for 2023 (7:30 PM)
• Jewelry for Your Walls! (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Does Pennsylvanians have a drinking problem? In 2022, we spent more than $3 billion on booze and spirits. Maybe the Phillies and Eagles playing so well gave us an edge? Here are the 25 best-selling wines and spirits in the Commonwealth so you can stock up for the holidays — and the Super Bowl? (Philadelphia Business Journal)
• We always enjoy Kevin Kinkead's pen on Eagles' Game Takeaways from Crossing Broad. It was an ugly win against the Chicago Bears, but we'll take ugly and a Cowboys loss! Whatever, they Won - 30 Immediate Takeaways from Eagles 25, Bears 20 - Crossing Broad
• Don't Buy Them a Gift Card-it means you called it in last minute. Pretend you actually gave some thought to your Office Pollyanna or Shuffleboard Team Secret Santa-Philadelphia gift idea: Fresh-roasted coffee from 5 local roasters - On top of Philly news (billypenn.com)
• Wonder if these guys sold their boat yet-being lost at sea will do that to ya! These guys left Cape May, NJ and were heading to the Florida Keys. South Jersey boater shares story of survival after being lost at sea - 6abc Philadelphia

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow 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