Good morning, Philly. Watch out for thunderstorms later today.

We start with an in-depth look at Eagles fan Terry Thompson, who lost $1.5 million on bets he placed with FanDuel. The company gave him VIP treatment — including a video from the Phillies star first baseman.

And, the first week of July is typically one of Philly’s most violent. But this year, the Independence weekend was markedly calmer.

Plus, Temple raises tuition and lays off about 40 employees, and more news of the day.

— Tommy Rowan (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Bryce Harper’s message

As the 2020 NFL season kicked off, Terry Thompson picked up his phone and placed a wager with FanDuel Sportsbook on his favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

It was his first time gambling through an app, and he soon started placing microbets. He grew addicted to the effortless, rapid-fire action. Thompson would ultimately wager $18.5 million with FanDuel, earning him VIP status with the company.

That meant exclusive perks, from champagne to Super Bowl tickets, which made him feel important and enticed him to continue gambling. By late November 2024, Thompson had incurred steep losses and resorted to desperate measures to fund his addiction.

Then, one afternoon, he flicked open his phone and received a FanDuel reward that momentarily distracted him from his debts: a personalized video message from Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper.

David Gambacorta’s full report is a must-read.

A less-violent July

The first week of July has typically been one of Philadelphia’s most violent.

In recent years, Independence Day weekends have been marked by bursts of violence that left a dozen dead.

But this year has been different.

It has offered another encouraging sign that the city’s overall dramatic decline in shootings held through one of its toughest tests.

Reporters Ellie Rushing and Jillian Kramer have the full story.

What you should know today

• Temple University approved a budget that includes an average 3.4% tuition hike for both in-state and out-of-state students, and plans for about 40 employee layoffs.
• A Delaware County man was charged after allegedly making threats against Gov. Josh Shapiro, including a pledge to “burn down … [Shapiro’s] mansion with him in it.“
• Pennsylvania officials were threatened with criminal charges if votes by noncitizens are counted in elections — a rarity that is already illegal.
• Prosecutors in Montgomery County have withdrawn criminal charges against longtime Philly sports personality Mike Missanelli after an alleged domestic dispute.
• A state investigation confirmed poor conditions, needless euthanasia, and insufficient spending on facilities at the Montco SPCA. The board was ousted.
• A federal judge decided that Gov. Shapiro can’t be sued by his Abington neighbors over a property dispute. But Shapiro will still have to face his neighbors in federal court as a homeowner.

Quote of the day

Various reports say the 76ers are among NBA superstar LeBron James’ top free-agency destinations. Sports columnist Marcus Hayes, however, doesn’t see it happening. “I think it’s likely,” Hayes writes, “that LeBron’s representatives are using this (feigned) interest as leverage to land the King elsewhere.”

🧠 Trivia time

The Vances built this unusual addition to the vice president’s residence.

A) Ballroom

B) Reflecting pool

C) Helipad

D) Chicken coop

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🏋️ Applauding. Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali was spotted jumping rope behind the scenes of the HBO show “Task,” which is filming in Manayunk.

📺 Gloating. Speaking of Philly shows, both “Abbott Elementary” and season 1 of “Task” were nominated for Emmy Awards.

🍗 Eating. Fast-food outlet Jollibee introduced chicken nuggets for the first time in nearly 50 years. The Filipino-rooted chain’s lone Philadelphia-area restaurant is at Cottman and Bustleton Avenues in Great Northeast Plaza.

🎨 Admiring. An artist-led exhibition program transformed spaces in Suburban Station into a graffiti haven.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This iconic sandwich is making its triumphant return to Citizens Bank Park for the All-Star game.

CHET MET SHIRT

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

Cheers to Jim Diamond, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Star Wars. The film turns 50 next year, and the Franklin Institute is partnering with Lucasfilm on a new, interactive exhibit.

Photo of the day

And we end on this lovely birds eye view of the MLB All-Star Game logo, which was painted in the centerfield grass at Citizens Bank Park. Baseball’s midsummer classic, which returns to Philly for the first time since 1996, will be the center of the baseball world for nearly a week. Here’s what you can expect.

👋 Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Paola Pérez has you covered tomorrow.

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Welcome to Wednesday. It should be a mostly sunny day with a high near 83.

Our main read analyzes new city assessments that show increases in several changing neighborhoods, with Kensington leading the increase in property values.

And the last Philly-area Rite Aids shuttered for good nearly a year ago. We looked into how their sites have been repurposed.

Plus, a new flight route fills the void at PHL left by Spirit Airlines, and more news of the day.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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The cost of change

Low-income neighborhoods near gentrifying areas saw the sharpest jumps in property values compared with the rest of the city, according to an Inquirer analysis of new assessment data.

And as Philadelphia ramps up efforts to address long-standing problems in Kensington, valuations there have climbed faster than in any other neighborhood.

Steepest increase: The median assessment of single-family residential properties in Kensington rose by 15% from the 2025 to 2027 tax years. Citywide, there was a 3% increase.

What the data show: It’s a further sign that market pressures in higher-income areas are pushing into pockets of the city that have long been primarily home to Black and brown working-class residents.

Notable quote: “I’m going to do whatever I have to do to make sure that residents who have lived in that community can stay there, can raise their families there,” said City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, a Democrat who represents the 7th Council District, which includes parts of Kensington.

Inquirer reporters Anna Orso, Yueyang Tang, and Lizzie Mulvey dive into the data and explain how a popular city tax break plays a role.

Also: The housing market in the Philly area is “weird” right now, agents say. Here’s why.

Reborn from Rite Aids

After years of turbulent finances, the pharmacy chain called it quits, but its presence still lingers across the Philly region.

While a few defunct Rite Aids are empty and overgrown, other buildings are getting new life as daycares, dollar stores, and other facilities.

Here are a few examples of what now fills — or what could become of — the vacant spaces:

🏈 In Center City, a sports retailer opened its first location in the heart of Philadelphia.

🏋️‍♂️ In South Jersey, some sites are becoming fitness centers.

🧼 In Delco, one could become a township’s first (and only) car wash.

Consumer reporter Erin McCarthy takes us inside former Rite Aids to see how they have found new commerce.

What you should know today

• Peco and its workers union reached a tentative agreement on a new contract Monday, ending the first strike in the company’s history on its third day.
• State and local health officials are tracking cases of an illness caused by an intestinal parasite.
• Philadelphia police released surveillance images of the white SUV suspected in a fatal hit-and-run crash on Kelly Drive last month that killed a Temple University student.
• Philadelphia so far has confirmed seven heat-related deaths in the last week, bringing the seasonal total to eight, according to the city medical examiner’s office.
• Cybercriminals stole the private information of more than 50,000 clients from a Philadelphia-based law firm, according to two lawsuits.
• Philadelphia drivers can now fill up their tanks with less-expensive gasoline promoted by President Donald Trump’s administration, but details on the entire enterprise remain scarce.
• Frontier Airlines has begun new nonstop daily service between Philadelphia International Airport and Detroit, taking over a route formerly operated by discount carrier Spirit Airlines.
• Point Breeze’s Keith Haring mural is being proposed to be added to Philadelphia’s Register of Historic Places. Some are wary of the precedent the designation would set.

Quote of the day

We can thank Afro Sheen founder George E. Johnson for “The Sound of Philadelphia,” columnist Elizabeth Wellington wrote last spring. The haircare pioneer died on Monday.

🧠 Trivia time

Bryce Harper loves putting Philly on his feet, and his latest cleats from Under Armour are no exception.

What do they pay tribute to?

A) Rocky

B) Cheesesteaks

C) SEPTA

D) Pretzels

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re …

☕ Noting: New and forthcoming businesses in Ardmore.

🍦 Curious to try: A new Graduate Hospital ice cream shop that’s all about big flavors and little wins.

🏫 Featuring: The educator helping to guide Philly families and staff through the district’s plan to close and modernize schools.

🍅 Learning about: South Jersey farmers’ creative efforts to bounce back from a destructive spring freeze.

🎤 Wondering: Will the city be refunded for Christina Aguilera’s canceled July Fourth concert set? The mayor’s office isn’t saying.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: In a galaxy far, far away …

RAW TSARS

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

Cheers to Bob Allmond, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Scott Franzke. Nick Piccone built a social media following for posting clips of the sportscaster’s radio calls during Phils games. His hustle gives a radio broadcast new life.

Photo of the day

One viewpoint to go: The USMNT’s 4-1 loss to Belgium on Monday night was “cosmic payback” and an embarrassing end to the World Cup for the home country, writes sports columnist Mike Sielski.

👋🏽 That’s it for now. Thanks for starting your day with us.

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Good morning, Philly! Ready for another rainy day? Be prepared to break out the umbrellas for the rest of the week. ☔

Some workers say DA Larry Krasner has put up roadblocks to securing a union and taken positions that the workers see as at odds with his public image as a leader of the city’s progressive movement.

Philly chefs are taking brunch, once the most dreaded offering, seriously — but not too seriously. A handful of local restaurants have reimagined the genre and the results are delicious.

Plus, a rowing program for breast cancer survivors is set to compete across the pond, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘He is not pushing for us’

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has long said he’s a friend to organized labor. As prosecutors in his office are gearing up for an election to authorize their union, Krasner has said their efforts could ensure his own legacy. But not everyone in his office is feeling the support.

More than 100 lower-level employees in the District Attorney’s Office, including paralegals and victim and witness coordinators, are separately trying to secure their own union — and some say they’re meeting resistance.

Several workers said that Krasner’s administration has put up roadblocks and taken positions that they see as at odds with his public image as a leader of the city’s progressive movement.

And meanwhile, the lower-level employees say there’s been a separate Wild West-style standoff between two unions, which are both vying to represent them.

The Inquirer’s Anna Orso has more information.

🥐 A brunch renaissance in Philly

🍳 The golden age of brunch has arrived in Philadelphia, borne on the menus of chefs who are reinventing the genre.

🥞 All over the city, chefs who had long focused on dinner are turning their attention to brunch-specific menus, some available just one day a week. The results are dazzling.

🥓 To many in the restaurant industry, the very word brunch conjures up feelings of dread. The stigma against the not-quite-breakfast, not-quite-lunch meal, often accompanied by endless mimosas, has endured. Until now.

☕ Rice & Sambal’s brunch-specific snacks, savory items, and sweet dishes are extensive. They range from crispy tofu to lumpia (vegetable and bamboo-stuffed spring rolls) to a Sumatran rendang. And La Jefa’s brunch features Guadalajaran twists on American brunch standards, like chilaquiles tucked into omelets.

What you should know today

• Five people were arrested ahead of Philadelphia’s July Fourth celebration after protesters attempted to set an American flag on fire, according to police.
• A Northeast Philadelphia mosque was damaged in an arson attack early Sunday morning, authorities said, rattling the city’s Islamic community.
• The president and CEO of Welcome America Inc. has resigned, and while the reasons were unclear, the announcement followed the city’s decision to take over Philly’s Fourth of July concert and fireworks from the organization that has organized it since 1993.
• Fresh off the first playoff berth of his career, Tyson Foerster locked in his future with the Flyers, last week signing an eight-year extension with $7.1 million average annual value.
• Ring of Honor, a wrestling promotion under the AEW banner that was founded in Philadelphia, will return to the city on Aug. 21 to host its pay-per-view event, Death Before Dishonor, at the 2300 Arena for a second consecutive year.

Quote of the day

WeCanRow-Philadelphia is a rowing program through Whitemarsh Boat Club for breast cancer survivors. While the program focuses on mental and physical healing for those treated for breast cancer, the participants are competitors, too. From July 10 to 12, Whitemarsh Boat Club will have three boats compete at the Henley Masters Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England.

🧠 Trivia time

Which of these NBA players played for both the Sixers and the Celtics?

A) Moses Malone

B) Dana Barros

C) Allen Iverson

D) Hal Greer

Think you know? Check your answer. And be sure to take the rest of our quiz to test your Sixers knowledge.

What we’re…

🐮 Obsessed with: The Bradford County dairy cow beauty pageant! The last one took place 100 years ago.

⚾ Learning: Everything we need to know about baseball’s best coming to Philly for the 97th All-Star Game.

⛹️ Celebrating: The official addition of Jaylen Brown to the Sixers. He was was acquired in exchange for Paul George and four draft picks.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Sportscaster and radio play-by-play announcer for the Phillies

ETC FRATS ZONK

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

Cheers to Gerald Frank, who solved Monday’s anagram: Benjamin Franklin. Philly held a Ben Franklin look-alike contest on the eve of Independence Day. ‘Twas glorious.

Photo of the day

👋 Have a great day, folks! Stay dry.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, Philly! Welcome to the start of a new week.

While Philadelphia and school district officials have celebrated a deal to save 340 classroom jobs, teachers and staff members face continued uncertainties in an already tumultuous hiring season.

In other news, the newly elected sheriff of Delaware County, Siddiq Kamara said he was motivated to run after his cousin, Fanta Bility, was killed by Sharon Hill police while leaving a football game in August 2021. “The people in Delaware County, I’m here to work with them,” he said.

Plus, some Philly residents are questioning the late July Fourth fireworks, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘I’m on this roller coaster’

When a deal was struck to save 340 classroom-based jobs in the Philadelphia School District, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. declared it “Christmas in June.”

It’s July now, but staffers still don’t have clarity on exactly who’s allowed to come back to positions that were almost cut, and how that affects vacancies systemwide.

Monique Braxton, the school district spokesperson, said the system is “moving forward with restoring the approximately 340 school-based positions approved in the revised budget,” but that staffing the positions is separate from restoring them.

The complex process is causing additional uncertainty for teachers and staff members, and prolonging an already tumultuous hiring season as the district deals with fallout from 17 forthcoming school closings and the back-and-forth over millions in cuts stemming from a $300 million district budget deficit.

The Inquirer’s Kristen A. Graham has the full story.

There’s a new sheriff in town

Siddiq Kamara remembers standing side by side with his aunt outside of the Delaware County courthouse and calling for changes in how police are trained, after a stray bullet fired by Sharon Hill police officers killed his cousin, Fanta Bility. Three years later, Kamara’s office is inside that same courthouse.

Kamara, 30, became the youngest sheriff in Delaware County history when he cruised to victory in November with 63% of the vote. He’s a born-and-raised Delco native who turned his family’s tragedy into a platform for improving the way community policing is carried out in his home county.

Notable quote: “This is the greatest country in the world. Being 30, being Muslim, being a first generation immigrant, and being the sheriff of one of the biggest counties in Pennsylvania, it’s unheard of. And I don’t take that lightly.”

In his first six months in office, Kamara has equipped all of his deputies with body cameras and beefed up recruiting efforts, including opening fitness tests throughout the county to help fill the 35 vacancies he inherited. He’s mandated de-escalation and regular firearms training for his deputies, in memory of his cousin.

Vinny Vella has more on Kamara’s inspiring story.

What you should know today

• Linemen, call center workers, and other Peco employees went on strike over the weekend. The roughly 1,500 unionized workers, part of IBEW Local 614, officially walked off the job, becoming the first employees to strike in Peco’s history.
• U.S. men’s soccer team star striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 game after all.
• University of Pennsylvania physician Anuja Dokras spent the last 14 years working to rename a common medical condition that can impact fertility in women, called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.
• City officials have estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have flocked to the monthlong World Cup watch party, which started in mid-June and is set to run through mid-July. But last week, some Brewerytown business owners said they had yet to reap the benefits.
• The Trump administration will not seek new bids to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Sunday as he faced new questions about the troubled project and the taxpayer money involved.

Quote of the day

City officials originally planned for Fourth of July fireworks to go off around midnight, but because of weather delays, the show didn’t start until roughly 2:30 a.m. Some residents are questioning that choice, but the city said safety was a big factor.

🧠 Trivia time

Which celebrity duo was just married at Madison Square Garden with actor Adam Sandler officiating?

A) Taylor Swift + Travis Kelce

B) Zendaya + Tom Holland

C) Rihanna + A$AP Rocky

D) Kylie Jenner + Timothée Chalamet

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🤔 Wondering: Was it rude to turn down a Fourth of July barbecue because it’s 1,000 degrees outside? You asked, we answered.

🌎 Learning: Where tourists are traveling from to visit Philadelphia for the World Cup. As it turns out, Ecuador was one country where travel surged.

🏡 Impressed by: A man cut his rent by $2,000 a month. Within months, he had saved enough to buy his own house in Southwest Philly.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: One of the Founding Fathers of the United States

INN LANK BENJI FARM

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

Cheers to Brian Lowy, who solved the last anagram: Danny’s Guitar Shop. The destination for Main Line musicians closed its doors after 17 years.

Photo of the day

📸 One more thing: Check out what else our photographers saw over the weekend.

📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Gerard Letterie, who describes pretzels and politics:

Pretzel vendors and the occasional “pretzel boy” roving through neighborhoods in the summer were proudly part of the Philly scene in the 1960s and ’70s. My image of the average pretzel vendor changed with Frank Lomento, whose presence at his pretzel stand at the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Parkway Central Library was a familiar sight.

My Sunday afternoons were spent at the Central Library hammering out college writing assignments. The pretzels were a midafternoon incentive. As I learned while grabbing a pretzel, Lomento was a man of opinion. In 1971, he decided to run for mayor. He had no political background. No deep pocket sponsors. No super PAC. Just a pretzel vendor cart, a Squeeze Please yellow mustard dispenser, and an iconic presence at the curbside. He had a willingness to talk politics in addition to selling you a pretzel.

When he announced his candidacy, he propped up a cardboard sign with a handwritten message: “Frank Lomento for Mayor.” In Lomento’s opinion, what couldn’t be fixed with a pretzel (slathering of mustard optional) needed a political solution. So, he stepped up and in to the mayoral fray.

In an unusually crowded candidate field for the ’71 Democratic mayoral primary, Frank Lomento stood out as an independent and, by some counts, a “protest candidate” alongside William J. Green III, Ira Einhorn, James E. Poole, Albert Sprague, Frank Rizzo, and Hardy Williams. Rizzo ultimately won as the machine-backed candidate, known as “the toughest cop in America.”

Undaunted and after a time away from politics, Lomento entered the mayoral race again in 1983. He lost, but he also gathered 19,000 votes. He was a common, blue-collar guy with a presence and a message that resonated on several levels with Philly’s working-class crowd.

Where else other than Philadelphia would you find a pretzel vendor who leveraged (both figuratively and literally) a man-on-the-street presence into a mayoral candidacy? Not once, but twice in a major American city? A regular guy with the courage to run for office. Totally and uniquely Philly. And an abiding memory of Philadelphia for me, among so many others.

👋 Talk to you later, Philly!

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Good morning and happy Friday, Philly.

Today’s high temps could break records, and nightfall may not bring much relief. Experts tell us why warmer nights can be more dangerous than daytime heat.

On the eve of America’s 250th, we’re flashing back five decades for a look at how Philadelphia celebrated the Bicentennial.

And to the surprise of some Fairmount residents, this year’s fireworks display will start around midnight. They aren’t happy about it.

Plus, a federal judge ruled that Philly can’t force ICE agents to unmask, and more news to know to kick off your holiday weekend.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Falling short

The hype was real for the Bicentennial in Philly.

With 20 million visitors projected to travel to the city, there were big dreams for projects to mark the major occasion, like a massive suspended platform at 30th Street Station and a flower-focused theme park in Fairmount Park.

Instead, the birthplace of American democracy hosted an under-attended party, and was then caught in the grips of a disease outbreak.

It’s an understatement to say reality did not live up expectations of a Bicentennial boom, but it wasn’t a complete bust. In some ways, the nation’s 200th birthday gave us some of the Philadelphia we know today.

For more on the lasting legacy, dive into the Inquirer archives with Nick Vadala.

Parkway after dark

Those who live near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are used to the sparks and blasts for July Fourth, but some aren’t particularly thrilled about their late start this year.

🎆 Fireworks will begin closer to midnight. The star-studded lineup for the One City: Unity Concert for America is bigger this year, so the show will also start earlier and end later.

🎆 The noise is not the problem. Some residents told The Inquirer the nuisance is the events’ timing competing with youngsters’ bedtimes, referring to the move as “not a family-friendly decision.”

🎆 Traffic will be a headache, too. With 300,000 people expected, there are concerns about how the city is handling traffic leaving the Parkway.

Henry Savage has the full story.

Plus: Brush up on road closures and transportation info before heading to the Parkway.

What you should know today

• The President’s House is fair game for the Trump administration following an appeals court ruling that cleared the way for the National Park Service to install a new exhibit.
• A teenager who police say killed a Penn State student from South Philly was captured in Colorado Thursday and will be charged with murder. A second teen suspect also surrendered to authorities.
• Philadelphia can’t prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other federal officers from concealing their identities, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
• Police identified a man who they say shot and killed two men and injured a third near the Hunting Park Recreation Center. Investigators believe the crimes are linked.
• Delaware County is investigating a hack of its network systems. The scale of the breach remains unclear.
• Thirty-one people were arrested for trafficking fentanyl and other illegal drugs inside the Camden County Jail.
• Philly-based restaurateur Stephen Starr settled with the National Labor Relations Board over union-busting allegations at his D.C. steakhouse.
• Several new stores are coming to the King of Prussia Mall in the coming months.
• The University of Valley Forge has been given a serious warning that it is in danger of losing its accreditation.

Plus: How does SEPTA’s bus numbering system work?

Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.

This week, we have an explainer from Michelle Myers on the logic behind SEPTA’s bus route numbers.

The transit system operates more than 120 routes, but its numbers don’t necessarily indicate where they go or what streets they operate on. It turns out the digits are a relic from the streetcar era. Here’s the full story.

Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.

🧠 Trivia time

A local ceramicist, whose dishware can be seen at restaurants ranging from Provenance to Zahav, is rebuilding following bankruptcy and a kiln disaster. What are they called?

A) Le Creuset

B) Fiesta

C) Felt and Fat

D) East Fork

Think you know? Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.

What we’re …

🥵 Avoiding: Exhaustion and dehydration in the heat, and at Philly’s last World Cup game.

🚂 Excited to see: Big Boy, the world’s largest steam locomotive, as it passes through Philly.

🏛️ Shocked by: Lawmakers almost demolished Independence Hall in the 1800s.

📺 Looking out for: Task will start filming its second season next week in Manayunk.

🌱 Learning: Soil from Revolutionary battlefields was mixed at Independence Hall on this week in Philly history.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A destination for Main Line musicians

ANY DASHING SPROUT

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

Cheers to Tanya O’Neill, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Christina Aguilera. This singer has been recruiting Philly-area “soldiers” for her concert on the Fourth of July.

Photo of the day

🔔 One more Semiquincentennial thing: Members of Congress gathered in Philadelphia Thursday to commemorate the vote for independence 250 years ago. Their speeches reflected on historical struggles and present-day tensions.

👋🏽 This newsletter is taking a break in observance of the Fourth of July. We’ll be back on Monday. Until then, you can find all the latest news and our holiday weekend coverage at Inquirer.com. Take care!

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Happy John Adams Day, Philly. And buckle up: It’s going to be hotter than Satan’s left sock.

This holiday weekend, tourists are coming from far and wide to visit the city and to tour Independence National Historical Park. But at the embattled President’s House Site tourists will not be seeing the complete version of history. So we asked them what they thought.

And heading into this historically hot weekend, we looked at mid-summer temperature changes throughout the years and learned that July in Philly has become 4.4 degrees hotter since 1940 on average.

Plus, we missed a link to the top story in yesterday’s newsletter about how different this year’s July Fourth celebration will look — and how much more it will cost taxpayers. You can read that story here.

— Tommy Rowan (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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An incomplete version of history

An influx of tourists visiting Philadelphia in the lead-up to the city’s Semiquincentennial festivities find themselves confronted with large gaps of brick wall at the President’s House site, where exhibits about slavery were removed by order of President Donald Trump.

The gaps are evidence of the partisan battle playing out over how to tell the complicated story of America’s founding.

Ahead of the 250th, both Philadelphians who have been engaged in the fight to protect historical exhibits, and tourists who have wandered through the President’s House for the first time, have lamented the Trump administration’s changes to the exhibit, which was largely dismantled by the administration earlier this year.

Tourists told The Inquirer that the missing panels, such as those that discuss the brutality of slavery, do a significant disservice to understanding the full picture — even the ugly parts — of U.S. history.

Read the full story from reporters Fallon Roth and Andrea Padilla.

July in Philly is much warmer

Over the past 85 years, the average July temperature in Philadelphia has risen 4.4 degrees, according to an analysis of historical weather data.

Philadelphians sweated through Julys in the 1940s, brooding over World War II as temperatures averaged in the mid-to-upper 70s, including nighttime lows.

But today, we swelter under average July temperatures of around 80 degrees — and those nighttimes have become warmer.

Reporter Frank Kummer has the full story.

What you should know today

• Last summer, police scoured the basement of the crumbling Olney house at the center of a sprawling investigation into the disappearance of at least two women. But last year, drugs — not missing women — were their focus, despite pleas from concerned relatives.
• Mayor Cherelle L. Parker defended the city’s decision to go ahead with its upcoming seven-hour outdoor July Fourth concert amid concerns over the nearly 100-degree forecast and revelations that the event will cost taxpayers millions more than in years past.
• Peco and its workers union, IBEW Local 614, resumed bargaining for a new contract Wednesday morning, with three days to go before a strike deadline.
• Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro will attend 250th celebrations across Philly in the coming days, and he said he plans to share his optimism for America’s future amid deep concerns that President Donald Trump has led the nation astray from its founders’ design.
• Bucks County approved its first paid parental leave policy. Full-time employees with at least one year of service will now be able to take up to eight weeks of consecutive leave.
• A developer has plans to turn a church at South 42nd and Pine Streets into 35 apartments, some with affordable rents.
• The 76ers have entered the summer of blockbuster trades, agreeing to acquire All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George, two first-round draft picks, and two second-round draft picks.

Quote of the day

In 1978, a professional soccer team launched in Philly with rock star owners.

Peter Frampton, Paul Simon, and Rick Wakeman of Yes — and rock executives like Rolling Stones manager Peter Rudge and music agent Frank Barsalona — had stakes in the Philadelphia Fury of the North American Soccer League.

But the Fury couldn’t make soccer happen in Philly until the Union arrived in 2010. Reporter Matt Breen has the full story.

🧠 Trivia time

This Founding Father believed in Philadelphia’s prosperity and insisted that the Federal Bank be headquartered in the city.

A) Benjamin Franklin

B) James Madison

C) John Jay

D) Alexander Hamilton

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🍽️ Noting. We knew that a list of 76 iconic Philadelphia foods would leave something out. After hearing from readers — and revisiting a few of our own debates — we had to mention six items that deserve a place in the city’s culinary canon.

🍸 Drinking. The water ice martini, garnished with a pretzel stick, has the energy of a South Philly summer distilled into a cocktail.

🎡 Considering. Columnist Jenice Armstrong traveled to Washington, D.C., to check out President Trump’s “America’s Great State Fair.” She left underwhelmed.

🏀 Waving goodbye to. Kelly Oubre is leaving the 76ers. He reportedly agreed to a two-year, $17 million deal with the Indiana Pacers.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This singer has been recruiting Philly area “soldiers” for her concert on the Fourth of July.

ACTS AIRING HAULIER

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

Cheers to Rich and Lucie Lipko, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Barrington. A Tennessee-based packaging company is closing its plant in the Camden County borough.

Photo of the day

Philly’s city-recognized hoagie holiday — yes, Philly really has one — returned to Independence Mall on Wednesday, bringing 30,000 six-inch Wawa turkey Shortis to hungry — and overheated — residents.

👋 Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Paola Pérez has you covered tomorrow.

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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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Good morning, Philly! Get ready for a hot one today with highs expected to hit the low 90s — and then it gets really hot!

The Russian invasion of Ukraine forced millions of people from their homes. That’s why the Pavliutina family ended up in the Philly area. Despite loving their time here, because of rising pressure on immigrants, they’re leaving the United States.

Philadelphia is home to hundreds of statues, some honoring historical figures, others celebrating beloved fictional heroes. So now, The Inquirer is wondering: Who deserves Philly’s next great statue?

Plus, Philadelphia police found a “significant amount” of blood inside the Olney house linked to the investigation of at least two missing women, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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🧳 Packing their bags (again)

Four years ago Veronika Pavliutina and her three young children landed in Philadelphia after fleeing Ukraine, escaping the war as Russia shelled their home city. Their big shock: The outpouring of care and kindness that greeted them here. Pavliutina, 48, said she’ll never forget it.

But now, she said, it’s time to leave. Federal pressure on Ukrainian war immigrants has created doubt about the family’s ability to stay in the U.S. and raised fears about what could happen if they do.

The government designation that allows Pavliutina and her children to live here, Temporary Protected Status, expires for Ukraine in October. There has been no sign the Trump administration plans to renew it.

Pavliutina has felt the changed government attitude toward immigrants, the ICE arrests and detentions, the common resentment and casual hate. “More and more I can see, it’s becoming not safe,” she said.

The Inquirer’s Jeff Gammage has the full story.

Philadelphia’s Next Top Statue

Philly now has three Rocky statues. That’s three statues celebrating a fictional Philadelphian. And while many great (real) Philadelphians already have statues, there are so many who don’t.

That got us wondering: Who do you think should be Philadelphia’s Next Top Statue?

It’s not an easy question, so we’re putting it to a vote. The Inquirer created a list of just 26 potential candidates. It’s up to you to decide who’s worthy of a statue in our great city.

Should it be Will Smith? Questlove? Play and find out.

What you should know today

• Law enforcement sources said police are prepared to excavate the front and backyards of an Olney house in search of potential human remains after a “significant amount” of blood was found in the home. The house is linked to the investigations of two missing women, authorities say.
• Philadelphia police are investigating whether three men shot near the Hunting Park Recreation Center in the last month — two of them fatally and just six days apart — were targeted by the same gunman, according to law enforcement sources.
• Local police and fire responded to a house explosion in Sellersville, Bucks County, on Monday that left the property in ruins and white debris scattered in a broad blast radius.
• President Donald Trump’s administration has wiped almost all mentions of slavery from a panel accompanying a portrait of Thomas Jefferson at the Second Bank of the United States.
• The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Mississippi law that allows officials to tally mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive later, a decision that keeps voting procedures in place in several states as the midterm elections loom.
• Temple University has asked its schools, colleges, and administrative units to cut a total of $60 million to help offset a projected deficit for 2026-27. President John Fry said “some reduction in force is inevitable.”

Quote of the day

In a new Men’s Health story, Ben Simmons said he’s eyeing an NBA return after a year away. Though Simmons mentioned possibly making a comeback in Philly, his 2022 breakup with the 76ers was messy.

🧠 Trivia time

Who just joined the Eagles as the team’s newest linebacker?

A) Kapena Gushiken

B) Andy Dalton

C) Arnold Ebiketie

D) Jaeden Roberts

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

⚽ Watching (on repeat): We all know the World Cup, but this ain’t that. This is The Inquirer Cup, where participants play for worldwide glory (and a hat).

☀️ Bracing for: The 100-degree temps expected to hit Philly later this week, just in time for the Fourth of July.

🎤 Excited about: Broadway legend and Frozen star Idina Menzel will be coming back to Philly for a free Pops concert on Independence Mall.

🏙️ Impressed by: These 26 Philly students who will become tour guides to greet tourists, give directions, and recommend the best our city has to offer over the next six weeks.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: American professional boxer

AIR FOR JEEZ

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

Cheers to Rebecca Welch Pugh, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Rachel Maddow. The TV news host spent some of her formative years in West Philly. She recently returned to talk about her time here ahead of an MS NOW event.

Photo of the day

👋 Have a good day, everyone! Paola will be back with your daily dose of The Inquirer tomorrow morning.

By submitting your written, visual, or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Happy Monday, Philly! Welcome to the start of a new week.

As we near the pinnacle of Semiquincentennial celebrations on July 4, historical reenactors recall the long months of arduous work it took to perfect their roles.

And Eagles training camp is almost here! Before football season kicks off, The Inquirer took a look at some of the newbies joining the Birds’ roster.

Plus, The Inquirer sat down with Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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📜 Bringing history to life

The lead-up to the nation’s Semiquincentennial is historical reenactors’ Super Bowl run.

A cast of Ben Franklins, John Adamses, and Betsy Rosses — actors who have spent months and uprooted their lives to learn about and live as colonial America’s key characters — will be at the front lines of the 250th birthday celebrations. They will become de facto historians, guides, entertainers, and ushers to an expected crush of tourists, all while anchoring how the country’s earliest days are memorialized and whose stories get to be told.

The set of actors is part of Historic Philadelphia’s Once Upon a Nation program. This year is expected to be one of its biggest ever, with the most actors, plays, scripts, and events.

“Speaking in 18th-century tongue continuously, I am nervous about that. I want to portray it real,” one reenactor said.

Dana Munro and Maggie Prosser have the full story.

🦅 A look at the new Birds

With Eagles training camp drawing nearer, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28.

Whether they’re a 2026 draft choice, a veteran addition, or a rookie free-agent hopeful, we’re telling you more about each player’s potential role this season.

The first player we’ll take a look at is 38-year-old quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton has the most NFL experience on the 2026 Eagles — that’s unless Brandon Graham returns. The veteran quarterback is going into his 16th NFL season.

Fun fact: Dalton has zero career playoff wins and has thrown just one touchdown pass in the postseason.

The Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner has more.

What you should know today

• A federal judge dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to obtain Pennsylvania’s entire, unredacted, voter-registration database.
• Home insurance costs in N.J. and Pa. are below national averages, but are still on the rise, experts say.
• The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul was a center of resilience Sunday, as dozens of Philly Venezuelans gathered to collect aid for folks affected by two earthquakes that struck the South American country on Wednesday.
• Philadelphia has a long-standing reputation as an underdog city, but when it comes to hosting the FIFA World Cup, Anne Ryan, Pennsylvania’s deputy secretary of tourism, sees Philadelphia as a front-runner.
• Frances Ratay was among those in Temple-led research who saw improvements in well-being, as her fear of bees transformed into a greater appreciation for nature.
• Philly’s Jaron Ennis knocked out Xander Zayas to become the junior middleweight champion.

Quote of the day

Big Night is a food movie, an Italian American movie, and on top of all of that, it’s a Jersey Shore movie. Actor Tony Shalhoub took a look back at his time making the iconic film.

🧠 Trivia time

This local university will create the first endowed editor position at its student newspaper thanks to a million-dollar gift.

A) Penn State University

B) Drexel University

C) La Salle University

D) Temple University

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

📰 Reading: An Inquirer interview with Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday. He talked about a recent Supreme Court ruling on the work of DA Larry Krasner’s Conviction Integrity Unit.

🛒 Trying: The “store of the future” unveiled by Walmart in Warminster. Some shoppers say they love the improvements.

🏀 Analyzing: The divide between Pennsylvania’s public and private high school sports. For years, there’s been tension — but a new law could change things.

🏡 Admiring: How a man bought his dream Shore house. He lives in California, but having spent his childhood in Wildwood, he wanted a place his family could gather and revive old traditions.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: TV news program host and liberal political commentator.

CHARMED WALDO

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

Cheers to Meg Fagan, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Bam Margera. The “Jackass” star has been mired in legal issues, in and out of rehab, for years. Now, his family says he seems to be “out of the darkness.”

Photo of the day

🐣 And one last cool thing: Residents in Collingswood have spent years fighting for backyard chickens. Now, there’s hope they might win.

📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Bobby Reed, who describes his found family in the City of Brotherly Love:

When I moved to Philadelphia in the fall of 2009 I did not know a single person (other than my former partner). I did not have a job, didn’t know what a Wawa was, and could not yet justify throwing snowballs at Santa Claus (who was drunk). I hit the pavement and got a few odd jobs, one of which was tutoring a family’s kids.

My moment was when I was invited to this family’s Thanksgiving dinner. Because I had to work during the holiday and couldn’t afford a flight, I couldn’t get home to Colorado to see my biological family.

But the entire meal made me feel like I was at home. They told me stories about the Eagles and Phillies, what Philadelphia was like when they grew up in the ’80s, how the city has changed, and how the parents met and fell in love.

From that night forward, I knew I had a group of folks that I could lean on. I had a Philadelphia family that would help me through thick and thin, the way Philly families do. I walked around the city the next day with a sense that I belonged here.

I wasn’t that different from the people here. I had simply grown up in a different state, but still held the same values and had the same fight and fire for those values.

I’ve lived here now for almost 17 years and I’m proud to say that I’m from Philadelphia, the most underrated city in America.

👋 That’s all from me, folks. Have a good rest of your day!

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It’s Sunday. There’s a chance of showers, with a high near 84.

A longtime Philadelphia snack shop looks to social media for continued growth in the digital age as it marks 50 years in business.

Plus, go inside Urban’s headquarters to see how the company grew from Philly roots to global retailer.

Scroll along for these stories and more.

— Paola Pérez and Brian Nelson (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Cashews to clicks

Nuts To You has been cracking on in Center City since 1976, owned by the same family for three generations.

The snack haven has adapted to a variety of changes, from the rise of the internet to the emptying of the business district in a post-pandemic Philadelphia.

🥜 Dealing with less foot traffic: Walk-in sales are down, but it has offset that through new online customers: 40% of sales come from its website, and the company has explored selling on TikTok.

🥜 Quality above all: “That’s what our customers expect,” said Justin Bernstein, who co-owns the business with his father, Howard, on their promise to loyal customers.

Olivia Prusky has the story on how Nuts To You’s has endured from its front-row seat to an evolving retail landscape.

Inside Urban HQ

Twenty years ago, Urban put down roots at Philadelphia’s Navy Yard. Since then, the company has grown, expanding from one building to a campus that houses 15 buildings and just over 2,500 employees.

To commemorate this momentous anniversary, a decommissioned 1977 tugboat, painted in Urban’s signature yellow and marked by its logo, is now permanently stationed outside its headquarters — as a sort of mascot to cofounder and CEO Dick Hayne.

Urban has almost 800 stores worldwide under the brand names Urban Outfitters, Free People, FP Movement, and Anthropologie and continues to grow.

Business reporter Ariana Perez-Castells dives into its past, present, and future.

What you should know today

• The FBI spent another day searching an Olney home tied to Eugene Albert Horsch as investigators continued processing the property. We have the latest on the investigation in our updated explainer, plus a closer look at Amy McHale, the woman who disappeared in 2016 after she was last seen at the home.
• Nearly 1,200 nurses at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital ratified a contract that includes raises and additional staffing at the Logan hospital.
• A Philadelphia wedding photographer was sued on Friday by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for allegedly ripping off her customers for at least $75,000.
• The historic Conkling-Armstrong House will be renovated and expanded to offer 24 affordable apartments in North Philadelphia.
• Philly and its surrounding counties are set for what could be a record-breaking $322 million in federal and state money for trails.
• The Delco jail chief resigned after less than six months on the job, according to a statement released by the county government.
• A move by the Haverford Township School District to buy artificial intelligence tools for students and teachers has been met with protest from parents who fear the technology will erode learning.
• A state Supreme Court decision on skill games could provide funding for SEPTA and dozens of financially strained mass transit systems across Pennsylvania.

This week in history

🎤 Here’s Tommy Rowan with a look back at the skirmish between unpaid Revolutionary War soldiers and members of Congress.

The power of the purse came later.

First came mutiny.

It started with a group of unpaid Revolutionary War soldiers who marched against the country’s primitive government during a weeklong saga in June 1783.

The confrontation so startled the early version of Congress that its members fled from Philly to — of all places — New Jersey.

Read on for the full story.

❓Pop quiz

In a new poll, almost 28% of Philadelphia residents said which city landmark best embodies American democracy?

A) Liberty Bell

B) Independence Hall

C) National Constitution Center

D) Rocky Steps

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🌻 Loving: A rare reunion of two famous van Gogh paintings at the Art Museum.

🍤 Munching on: Fried silverfish and Argentinian empanadas among the best things we ate this week.

🇺🇸 Entertained by: Boston thinks its Revolutionary history might be better than Philly’s. We think that’s pretty cute.

🍽️ Looking to: The mainland for this summer’s biggest Jersey Shore restaurant openings.

🇬🇭 Learning: How Ghana became a part of Philly soccer lore nearly 15 years ago.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: West Chester native and “Jackass” star

ABE GRAMMAR

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

Cheers to Laura Oakes, who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: RittenhouseTown. It was the site of the paper mill that was the only source of paper in America for more than 40 years.

Photo of the day

💃 One more story to go: For one night each month, Carlota Ttendant has been an entertainer and an equalizer, responsible for uniting people — gay and straight, from Haddonfield to Phoenixville — around a common goal. Now, after 30 years and raising millions for people with HIV/AIDS, she’s hanging up her heels.

🎶 Today’s track goes like this: “The heat was on, rising to the top.” It’s one of my favorites from our playlist of the 76 most iconic Philadelphia songs.

👋🏽 Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Inquirer. Have a great day.

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