💸 The cost of Philly’s July 4th show | Morning Newsletter

Welcome to July.

With a new month come new restaurants and bars. We compiled a roundup with 16 openings to look out for.

But first, Philadelphia’s July Fourth celebrations will look a little different this year, and they will also cost taxpayers millions more than previous iterations.

Plus, a heat emergency is in effect for the city, and more news of the day.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘This is her big concert’

🎤 Allow me to pass the mic to City Hall reporter Sean Collins Walsh.

With the eyes of the nation on Philadelphia for America’s 250th birthday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration this year took over management of the city’s free July Fourth concert, which for years was produced by a nonprofit established by the city, Welcome America.

The mayor instead hired ESM Productions, a for-profit company, to put on the annual show featuring musical acts and fireworks over the Ben Franklin Parkway, and she changed the name from Wawa Welcome America to the “One Philly: Unity Concert for America” — a version of Parker’s well-known slogan, “One Philly: A United City.”

Another change: It will cost taxpayers far more than in the past.

The city is due to pay ESM Productions about $15.5 million for the show, which will be headlined by Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott and The Roots and will feature rapper Meek Mill, according to a copy of the city’s contract paperwork with ESM, obtained by The Inquirer. The city in March signed a $10 million contract with the Philadelphia-based company, as well as a $5.5 million contract amendment. — Sean Collins Walsh

Keep reading for Walsh’s full report on the contract, how it compares to last year’s iteration, and how Parker’s office said it plans to publicly disclose the concert’s costs and economic benefits.

In related news: The revamped July Fourt concert is impeding on World Cup fans’ access to a popular tourist attraction.

New digs

From bakeries to brewpubs, summertime will see a flurry of culinary debuts in the Philly area including:

☕ a plant-based cafe in Point Breeze

🥪 a casual sandwich shop fusing Chinese and Cuban flavors in Washington Square West

🍸 an agave-focused Mexican cocktail bar in East Kensington

Food writer Michael Klein has the full calendar.

What you should know today

• Temps in Philly could hit 100 for three consecutive days — something the city hasn’t seen in 33 years. The city declared a heat emergency, and SEPTA and Peco have contingency plans while the airport is on watch.
• The Olney man at the center of a sprawling investigation into the disappearance of at least two women in recent years was taken into federal custody Tuesday and will be detained until trial.
• Police are looking for two teenagers in connection to the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Penn State student in South Philadelphia.
• A CSX freight train derailed Tuesday afternoon in Bensalem Township. No injuries were reported.
• A Norristown man allegedly bilked dozens out of more than $3.8 million with promises of monthly payments and full returns on principal investments.
• Two Chester County residents have been diagnosed with measles, local health officials said on Tuesday, the first cases reported in the Philadelphia region this summer.
• U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who had not been seen since March in Congress or in his competitive New Jersey district, said Tuesday that he had been hospitalized to treat depression.
• Nine protestors who were charged with trespassing for refusing to leave a pro-Palestinian encampment at Swarthmore College last year entered no-contest pleas to summary noise-violation offenses.
• A replica Liberty Bell, a Knoebels amusement park bench, and bags of potato chips are on display as part of Pennsylvania’s showcase at President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair.

Quote of the day

🥳 The Ben Franklin Bridge turns 100 today. Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr recently walked the iconic bridge that connects Philadelphia and Camden, and urges us all to do the same sooner rather than later. Join her bucket-list adventure here.

Keep going: Our interactive developer Jasen Lo crafted a cool way to learn how the monumental superstructure spanning the Delaware was built.

🧠 Trivia time

Which basketball player is contemplating a return to the Sixers?

A) Michael Carter-Williams

B) Nerlens Noel

C) Ben Simmons

D) None of the above

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🥵 Giving tips on: How to stay cool without air conditioning in Philly.

👟 Impressed by: A Philly man’s record-setting, five-day run across Pennsylvania.

🚧 Heeding: Road closures for Wawa Hoagie Day today and other upcoming events.

⚽ Discussing: Whether the U.S. or Bosnia will win tonight’s knockout match.

🤔 Debunking: Did Pope Leo XIV actually go to a ‘Nova frat party in the 70s?

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Camden County borough

BORING RANT

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to Kate Johnston, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Joe Frazier. The boxer’s statue was just moved to the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Photo of the day

Philadelphia’s long-shuttered “flying saucer” building is preparing for its next mission: hosting a beer garden and a restaurant.

👋🏽 Thanks for reading. Take care out there.

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