Large-scale data centers will not be moving into Medford any time soon thanks to a new ordinance adopted unanimously by the Medford Township Council this week.
While the township has not yet received any formal applications for data centers, officials are taking steps like the ordinance passed Tuesday that specifically prohibits the land use within town limits as a chance to be proactive.
“These are extra precautions to ensure that we don’t move forward in a direction that we can’t come back from until we know full well what the impacts of data centers will be,” Medford Mayor Michael Czyzyk said at Tuesday’s public hearing.
The ordinance received support from Medford-area residents at the hearing but some questioned whether the township might be making its bed too early considering how quickly technology evolves, especially if there’s a chance to reap the rewards of a data center project without negatively impacting the surrounding community.
“If there’s no impacts to the residents and there’s only a financial benefit, I believe I would consider looking at that at that time, but we’re not there yet,” Czyzyk said.
While the ordinance constraints may seem all-limiting as it exists today, Czyzyk said, council maintains the authority to at any point amend the ordinance to permit data centers in the township’s redevelopment district.
“I definitely understand that things will evolve and there may be a time in the future that the term data center is something that is more amenable to the residents and the body that governs them,” Czyzyk said.
“I will feel comfortable with the vote I cast on this ordinance tonight knowing full well that today I feel that way and that there’s mechanisms in the future if things do change, a process will be undertaken to remedy that,” he said.
There are dozens of data centers currently operating throughout the state with major hubs located primarily in North Jersey urban centers like Secaucus and Newark. But more recently, developers have been eyeing spots in rural South Jersey as the industry expands to meet growing demands for generative AI.
Developers and other data-center proponents say the facilities bring in tax revenue, create jobs, make use of old industrial sites, and put towns on the cutting edge of a hot industry, all without straining school districts or emergency services.
Opponents, meanwhile, cite concerns about pollution, noise, power and water use, and the impact on their electric bills. Some also say they worry the AI boom is a bubble that could soon burst.
As concerns continue to grow among towns across the Garden State, representatives from more than 60 environmental, labor, and community groups sent a letter to New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill last month calling for a statewide moratorium on the approval and construction of new facilities that use 20 megawatts or more of power.
So far in response to the public pressure, Sherrill has proposed a plan that would require new data centers to cover grid upgrades, utilize their own power generators, and publicly report resource usage.
While some municipalities like Medford have issued moratoriums on new data centers, no state governments have successfully done so, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Good morning, Philly. And good news for Curaçao and Côte d’Ivoire: It’s shaping up to be a good day to play in the World Cup.
Today we’re starting with a look at a City Hall power couple that stands to reap up to $750,000 by briefly retiring — then continuing to work for the city.
And speaking of FIFA’s soccer spectacle, we heard from several Philadelphians who had planned the perfect World Cup weekends for their families — but never made it into the stadium.
City Hall power couple Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. and City Representative Jazelle Jones are poised to collect up to $752,000 in combined payouts from Philadelphia’s widely criticized DROP program.
The program, the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, is an early retirement incentive for city workers that two decades ago sparked a major scandal in City Hall.
But neither of the city officials, who are married, is actually retiring.
Fans in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, Seattle, and Philadelphia have all shared the same story.
People across U.S. host cities arrived at stadiums for the World Cup hoping their tickets would be transferred, but tono avail.
Most faced issues with StubHub, while other reports indicate fans are having similar issues on SeatGeek.
“We’re standing outside the stadium and obviously everybody is in full celebration, and here we are, supposed to be living this World Cup moment together for the first time, and there’s just this feeling of disappointment,” said Fishtown resident Georgette Luna, whose family never made it in.
In related news: The World Cup was originally expected to generate a $770 million economic impact in the Philadelphia region. But just $30 million to $90 million is likely to stay in the area, according to a new report.
What you should know today
A significant majority of residents want Philadelphia to remain a sanctuary for immigrants, according to a new poll that shows the overwhelmingly Democratic city is undeterred by President Trump’s threats to defund so-called sanctuary cities.
A former Delaware County woman with ties to a cult-like group is charged with shooting her parents in her childhood home. The arrest follows years of suspicion.
Exton Square Mall, Chester County’s only enclosed mall, will close its doors next week after five decades as a retail hub.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to limit city prosecutors’ ability to work to overturn old murder convictions took square aim at one of District Attorney Larry’s Krasner’s signature initiatives.
A former employee at a Hatboro daycare injured a child with special needs by slamming him, hard, into a chair and, later, onto the floor, prosecutors said.
A Pennsylvania program that assists homeowners and small landlords by financing repairs was on track Wednesday to expand nationwide. Then Trump refused to sign the bill.
Police said a 25-year-old man who posed as a student repeatedly gained entry to Abington Senior High School and later tried to rape a student.
Project HOME is adding 20 beds to a Hunting Park shelter to house hospital patients who have nowhere to go once they’re discharged.
Quote of the day
Wherever they went, whatever they did, Twins Blake and Austin Havertine did it together. Soccer, basketball, football, and baseball, when it came to sports the Havertine twins were inseparable. What they also did together was leave an indelible legacy for Radnor High School baseball that may never be surpassed by a pair of brother pitchers,
🏀 Excited about. Labaron Philon Jr., landing with the Sixers with the 22nd overall pick in the NBA draft was worth the wait. Go inside his draft night, and his unexpected fall to the “perfect spot” in Philadelphia.
📖 Reading. For her Inquirer column, “Parent Trip,” writer Andee Hochman attempted to answer one question: What does the road to parenthood look like for people who don’t follow the family “norm”? And now she’s distilled those nine years of reporting and 468 parenthood columns into a forthcoming book.
🏡 Inspecting. A historic Philly mansion has been listed for sale with 10 fireplaces and nine bedrooms. But there’s a catch — once a year, the owner must permit “a re-enactment of portions of the Battle of Germantown” on their front lawn.
🍸 Curious about. Developers are planning to add a new rooftop nightclub along the Camden waterfront. The club would be built atop a four-floor parking garage.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: SEPTA is planning an 86-unit apartment complex near this station.
Cheers to Barbara Goudarzi, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Triple Bottom Brewing. The Spring Garden brewery is adding an exciting new food vendor: revered Mexican restaurant South Philly Barbacoa.
Photo of the day
Folks water flowers inside a redesigned median on South Broad Street in Center City.
And we end with the debut of a new landscaped median on South Broad Street in front of the Kimmel Center. The new feature has been under construction for months and is a down payment on a promised major redo of the Avenue of the Arts streetscape.
👋 Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Paola Pérez has you covered tomorrow.
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.
Most of us have woken up with a headache, achy back, or a low-grade fever and rummaged through the medicine cabinet looking for an over-the-counter solution. And you’ve probably had more than one to choose from, including acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) and ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil and Motrin). But which one is the right choice for your health issue?
While both medications can relieve pain and reduce fevers, the science suggests there are times when one may have an advantage over the other. We spoke to health experts and looked at current research to help you decide.
Acetaminophen capsules. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
If you have a headache
Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to treat headaches.
But the two medications have different mechanisms of action. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a class that includes naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin. These medications block enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which are pain- and inflammation-causing compounds released by the body in response to injury.
So in addition to treating pain and fever, ibuprofen is a better choice for pain accompanied by inflammation and swelling.
Acetaminophen works better for pain that is not primarily caused by inflammation, such as headaches.
And because it generally has fewer cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and kidney-related side effects and fewer drug interactions than ibuprofen, it may be a better option for some older people, those with certain cardiovascular or gastrointestinal conditions or those taking certain medications, said Gabriel Gavrilescu, chair of internal medicine and geriatrics at Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
Adults can take 650 mg of regular-strength acetaminophen every four to six hours as needed or 1,000 mg of extra-strength acetaminophen every six hours, not to exceed 4,000 mg per day. However, some experts recommend a maximum limit that’s lower. “For the elderly or people of lower weight, probably 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams would be a safer limit,” Gavrilescu said.
Acetaminophen is generally safe for most people if you stick with the recommended amounts. However, taking too much — more than 4,000 mg per day — can cause severe liver damage, even liver failure. It should not be combined with heavy alcohol use, and people taking medications that affect liver function should check with their doctor before using it.
If you have muscle aches
Because it helps reduce inflammation, ibuprofen may be more effective for muscle aches, toothaches, joint pain or acute injuries such as sprains and strains, said Amber Borucki, an anesthesiologist and pediatric pain medicine specialist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Adults can take 200 to 400 mg of ibuprofen — preferably with food — every four to six hours, not to exceed up to 1,200 mg per day.
To manage more severe or persistent pain, it can also be combined with acetaminophen for short-term use (typically less than a week), with each medication taken every 6 hours and staggering so that a dose of one or the other is taken every three hours, Borucki said.
And for acute pain — such as pain after surgery — the combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen can provide more effective pain control than taking either one alone, research shows.
In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe higher doses of ibuprofen. Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used longer-term to manage chronic pain, with close monitoring by a provider. But in general, experts recommend using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.
If you have joint pain
Some studies have found that NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, may provide greater pain relief than acetaminophen for some people with osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, which often occurs with aging and causes joint pain.
In cases of chronic inflammatory pain that requires ongoing treatment — such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition — a doctor may recommend a selective NSAID, which is a prescription medication such as celecoxib that selectively blocks the COX-2 enzyme involved in inflammation. This may reduce pain and inflammation while also potentially lowering the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, such as ulcers, compared with traditional NSAIDs, Borucki said. Selective NSAIDs carry other risks, however, including cardiovascular events and other potential complications for some people with certain medical conditions.
Gavrilescu said he also recommends topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac (which can be applied to the skin in a patch, gel, spray, or cream) for chronic joint pain because they may reduce the risk of systemic side effects compared with oral NSAIDs, and he often encourages people to address the underlying cause of persistent pain and discomfort with physical therapy or other nonmedicinal treatments.
If you have a cold or flu
Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms related to a cold, COVID, flu, or any other respiratory infection. However, one medication may work better than the other, depending on your symptoms.
Ibuprofen is often preferred for sore throats to help reduce pain associated with throat swelling. For fevers and related body aches, on the other hand, either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken alone or together, alternating them to help control fever and pain while reducing the need for high doses of either medication, Gavrilescu said.
Keep in mind that many other over-the-counter pain relievers, cold and flu medications, and even opioids also contain acetaminophen. When taking acetaminophen along with combination drugs intended to treat nasal congestion, cough, and fever, for instance, people may accidentally take more than the 4,000 mg daily limit without realizing it, increasing the risk of severe liver damage, said C. Michael White, a pharmacologist and pharmacist and chair of pharmacy practice at the University of Connecticut.
If you have cramps
Although either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce pain from menstrual cramps, some research suggests that NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may provide slightly better pain relief because they reduce the production of prostaglandins, which trigger the uterine contractions that cause cramping.
If you have dental pain
Both medications can treat dental pain, but ibuprofen can help target inflammation or swelling associated with some dental issues.
Combining the two can be effective as well, particularly for more severe pain. A 2025 study found that a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen after dental surgery for impacted wisdom teeth provided better pain control than a prescription opioid combined with acetaminophen.
If you are pregnant
Ibuprofen is not recommended during pregnancy because NSAIDs have been linked to fetal complications, particularly later in pregnancy, Borucki said. Acetaminophen is generally considered the preferred first-line treatment for pain and fevers during pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Amid federal health concerns about Tylenol in pregnancy, the Food and Drug Administration announced last year that it was initiating the process for a label change “to reflect evidence suggesting that the use of acetaminophen by pregnant women may be associated with an increased risk of neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD in children.” The World Health Organization (WHO) stated, however, that there is no conclusive evidence confirming a possible link. And in separate statements, ACOG, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Medical Toxicology and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said acetaminophen remains appropriate for treating fever and pain during pregnancy when used as directed.
Avoiding the medication when it is needed to treat fever could lead to potential harm as “there is a significant risk with uncontrolled fever, both to the mother and to the fetus,” Gavrilescu said.
If you have certain health conditions or are taking certain medications
People who have liver disease, are heavy alcohol consumers, or taking certain medications that affect liver function should consult their doctor before taking acetaminophen. As we mentioned, exceeding the maximum daily dose of 4,000 mg can lead to severe liver damage, including liver failure.
In people with high blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke or heart failure, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events. NSAIDs can also raise the risk of gastrointestinal complications, including bleeding, especially in people with a history of stomach ulcers. And because they can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, people with kidney disease should consult a doctor before taking ibuprofen, White said.
Ibuprofen can interact with certain medications, as well. It can increase bleeding risk when taken with blood thinners such as warfarin, and it can interfere with some blood pressure medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers and diuretics, potentially making them less effective, White said.
Although both acetaminophen and ibuprofen “can be very helpful, use them judiciously. And when you’re able to come off of them, definitely wean yourself off of them,” Borucki said.
For nine years, every week, writer Anndee Hochman attempted to answer one question.
What does the road to parenthood look like for people who don’t follow the family “norm”?
For her Inquirer column “The Parent Trip,” she profiled different Philadelphia-area families with children, all with atypical experiences creating their family.
This included queer parents, single parents, interracial parents, interfaith parents, and so on. Hochman spoke to parents who adopted children, conceived them through IVF, got pregnant unexpectedly, and more.
Anyone who had a story around parenthood with a less talked-about aspect found themselves in Hochman’s column. Forty-two of 468 of those profiles have now been compiled into a new book, Parent Trip: Unexpected Roads to Form a Family, published by Temple University Press.
Hochman, who is queer, started writing about family life in 1990, when she was living in Portland, Ore. After her straight housemates got engaged, she wrote an essay for the now-shuttered LGBTQ publication Just Out, detailing her feelings on the discrepancies between how straight and queer relationships are perceived socially.
The Eighth Mountain Press publisher Ruth Gundle reached out to Hochman, asking if she had more to say on the subject. As it turned out, she had a whole book’s worth. Her first book, Everyday Acts and Small Subversions: Women Reinventing Family, Community and Home, released on Eighth Mountain in 1994.
Anndee Hochman’s “Parent Trip: Unexpected Roads to Form a Family” is a collection of stories from her original column.
By 1999, Hochman had moved to Philadelphia and began freelancing for The Inquirer, still writing about family. In 2014, former Inquirer features editor Cathy Rubin asked her if she’d be interested in writing a weekly feature on people becoming parents.
That’s how “The Parent Trip,” the column, was born. Hochman began by reaching out to midwives and OB/GYN offices to see if any of their clients would be willing to participate. The column asked readers to submit their stories.
“Becoming a parent and forming a family felt like a messier version of the Wedding column, and that’s exactly what we got,” said Rubin, referring to the column on marital stories that “Parent Trip” replaced. “It was beyond my wildest dreams to witness and experience all of the different ways that families formed and the challenges that people had.”
Hochman, whose daughter with her long-term partner, Elissa, was born in 2001, was able to use her own experience as a parent to inform the column.
“When I was interviewing families who didn’t fit the norm and I shared my own family configuration with them,” she said, “I felt like I could feel their shoulders relax a little bit, particularly with the queer families.”
“The Parent Trip” began nine months before marriage equality for same-sex couples was legalized and concluded just over a year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, reversing a half-century of legalized abortion.
Hochman makes clear with this book that families will always exist beyond the heteronormative structures society deems “normal.”
The book is categorized into nine chapters, each carrying three to seven profiles. Through these, Hochman covers topics such as infertility, adoption, age gaps in relationships, religious differences, interracial marriages, and other circumstances that make families less “normal” per social mores.
“I wanted the 42 [profiles] that ended up in the book to reflect the same diversity and span as the 468 that comprised nine years worth of columns,” Hochman said. “You will not find a section of stories all about single parents, or a section all about queer parents. I was more interested in the themes that echoed across all kinds of families.”
Through writing this column, Hochman says she learned about situations she never experienced in becoming a parent, including adoption and how common miscarriages are.
A phrase repeated by many of the parents she interviewed was “you just don’t know what’s going to happen.” Whether that be when you try to adopt, conceive, when you’re in the delivery room, once the baby is home, and once they’re 2, 6, or 25, she said.
“There is no one right or normative way to be a family,” Hochman said. “I hope people come away with an expanded sense of what a family can look like and how children can be welcomed into one’s life.”
“Parent Trip: Unexpected Roads to Form a Family” by Anndee Hochman is now available all over the country. $20.
Sourdough, coffee, and locally sourced eats enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Popular Main Line bakery The Buttery has officially opened its third location at 836 W. Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr.
The bakery-coffee shop and scratch kitchen mash-up is known for its sourdough breads, homemade pastries, and seasonal dishes. Paoli couple John and Silenia Rhoads opened the first Buttery location in Malvern back in 2015 before expanding into the Ardmore Farmers Market last fall.
The Rhoadses credited the bakehouse they launched a year ago in Norristown with providing the space and resources they needed to grow the concept. Bryn Mawr felt like “a good center point on the Main Line,” John Rhoads said, with Silenia Rhoads adding she’s already noticed the “sense of community.”
The 82-seat location offers full breakfast and lunch menus, including bagels, quiches, sandwiches, open-face tartines, salads, and Passenger coffee and tea beverages. Dinner service is anticipated to launch in the fall or winter, the Rhoadses said.
Main Line Health and UnitedHealthcare reached an “agreement in principle” on a new contract, Main Line Health said Wednesday. Their current contract was set to expire Tuesday, potentially disrupting service for 32,000 people who rely on the health system’s doctors and have insurance through United. Main Line Health owns Bryn Mawr Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center.
Lower Merion’s board of commissioners last week passed an amendment to the township’s gas-powered leaf blower ban that specifies exemptions for walk-behind, stand-on, riding, and tow-behind leaf blowers and vacuums, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports. The board also approved a pay raise for future commissioners from $4,000 to $6,000 annually. The raise will go into effect for commissioners who take officer after Jan. 3, 2028, and will not impact sitting commissioners, unless they are reelected.
Township police said they linked a hidden camera found along the 900 block of Stony Lane in Gladwyne to a theft ring connected to several Main Line burglaries. (6abc)
A Gladwyne designer recently worked with an Ardmore family to transform the second floor of their older home. To bring it into the current century, Rupam Patheja of Ru and Co. Interior Design knocked down walls in the primary suite to create two walk-in closets, and added colorful wallpaper for flair. Philadelphia magazine took a peek inside.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Summer school kicks off on Monday and continues Monday through Thursday until Aug. 6.
Three Lower Merion School District students were honored as winners of the Art & Poetry of Freedom Contest, held as part of Montgomery County’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The K-2 poetry winner was Cora Fusi, a first-grader at Penn Valley Elementary School; the 6-8 poetry winner was Jaliyah Taylor, a seventh-grader at Welsh Valley Elementary School; and the 9-12 poetry winner was Ariel Dichamp, a ninth-grader at Harriton High School.
🍽️ On our Plate
Local healthy foods chain ANEU Kitchens will open its fifth location, a 650-square-foot cafe at the Ardmore Farmers Market in Suburban Square, this Monday. Starting at 8 a.m., the first 100 customers will receive free samples of the brand’s YEU snacks. ANEU also plans to add a 20,000-square-foot production kitchen, eatery, and wellness center in Tredyffrin Township.
🎳 Things to Do
🔮 Mystic of the Main Line’s Inception Day: The Ardmore shop is marking its one-year anniversary with readings and refreshments. ⏰ Saturday, June 27, 7-11 p.m. 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Mystic of the Main Line
🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: Vermont-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Mihali headlines this week’s show. ⏰ Sunday, June 28, 7 p.m. 💵 $25.88, free for kids 12 and under 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo
🎵 Music in the Park: Four Lean Hounds, a Grateful Dead tribute band, will perform at the next concert. ⏰ Wednesday, July 1, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park gazebo
The home has a dedicated driveway, a garage, and a covered front porch.
This newly built Narberth home is situated in a five-home community and has its own private driveway. The home’s open-concept first floor has a living room and eat-in kitchen with two-tone cabinetry and an island. There are three bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a walk-in closet and a double-sink vanity. The home also has a finished basement and a covered front porch.
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.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Media’s Auston Trusty (right) embraces Wayne’s Matt Freese after the U.S.’ win over Australia on Friday.
Delco is on the international stage, thanks to some homegrown soccer talent.
USMNT’s Auston Trusty was born in Media and played with the Nether United Soccer Club in Wallingford in his youth. He attended Penncrest High School, trained at the Philadelphia Union’s youth academy, and began his pro career with the Union.
“When you’re a little kid, dreaming about the stadiums you play in and the atmospheres and everything involved, to play in a home turf World Cup, get minutes, it’s a dream come true,” the 27-year-old said after Friday’s shutout.
⚽ Plus: See Trusty’s sweet tribute to his local upbringing and career journey on Instagram.
💡 Community News
A Delco judge on Monday denied a motion to dismiss trespassing charges filed against nine people for refusing to leave a pro-Palestinian encampment on Swarthmore College’s campus last spring. The decision sets the stage for the so-called Swarthmore 9 to face trial next week.
Main Line Health and UnitedHealthcare reached an “agreement in principle” on a new contract, Main Line Health said Wednesday. Their current contract was set to expire Tuesday, potentially disrupting service for 32,000 people who rely on the health system’s doctors and have insurance through United. Main Line Health owns Riddle Hospital in Middletown Township.
Measles was detected in wastewater samples taken in Delaware County on two days earlier this month, health officials said last week, though no one in the county had been officially diagnosed with the disease. Health reporter Aubrey Whelan has more.
Middletown Township’s manager, John McMullan, is leaving at the end of August for a new position with another municipality. McMullan shared the news at last week’s council meeting.
Roland Walter Bailey, a 64-year-old Media man, has been charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing today. (Daily Times)
The county announced its 2026 heat plan to bring relief to residents during periods of extreme heat. As part of the plan, 30 cooling centers will be open across Delco, including at the Swarthmore Public Library and at Helen Kate Furness Free Library in Wallingford.
Springfield Mall’s valuation continues to drop and had an appraisal value of $30 million recently, down 73% from when owners PREIT and Simon Property Group took out a loan for it in 2015. At the time, the mall was valued at $112 million. (Bisnow)
🍽️ On our Plate
It’s not hard to find a quality hoagie in Delaware County. Delco.Today rounded up nine sandwich shops worth traveling for in the region, including A Cut Above Deli in Newtown Square and Boccella’s Deli in Havertown.
🎳 Things to Do
🎶 Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: The upcoming lineup features performances from Doobie Brothers tribute band Minute by Minute tonight, blues band Three Fourteen tomorrow, ‘80s tribute band Class of ‘84 on Saturday, and the Blackbird Society Orchestra on Sunday. Next Wednesday, the Chester County Concert Band takes the stage. ⏰ Thursday, June 25-Wednesday, July 1, 7:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media
🎥 Death on the Brandywine: Catch a screening of this political murder mystery set in the Brandywine Valley. ⏰ Friday, June 26, 8-10 p.m. 💵 $19.50 📍 The Media Theatre
🇺🇸A Celebration of Patriotic Sports Movies: Radio personalities Ray Didinger and Glen Macnow are teaming up to host this event looking at iconic U.S. sports movies. ⏰ Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. 💵 $39 📍 PCS Theater, Swarthmore
✨ Nature at Night: Learn about fireflies while exploring the arboretum after dark. ⏰ Tuesday, June 30, 8-9:30 p.m. 💵 $10-$25 📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media
🎂Swarthmore’s 250th Birthday: The library is throwing a birthday party party in the lead up to the nation’s 250th birthday. ⏰ Wednesday, July 1, 2-4 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Swarthmore Public Library
The home has undergone a number of updates, inside and out.
Located less than a mile from the Swarthmore town center, this 1950 Colonial has been extensively updated for modern living. The home features a living room with a fireplace, a three-season room, and an eat-in kitchen with white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. There are three bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite and a bonus room. In addition to interior renovations, the home’s systems have also been updated, as have the roof and windows.
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.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
During his news conference following the NBA draft’s first round, new 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey vocalized a desire to aggressively explore acquiring a second-round pick.
“We’re always going to make calls,” Gansey told reporters from the Sixers’ facility late Tuesday, “and try to turn over every stone and see what’s out there. We have roster spots. We have playing time.
“So trying to get someone that can fit [coach Nick Nurse’s] system and the way we want to play, the character piece, we’re going to try to look at it all and try to get someone who can fit.”
Yet Wednesday night’s second round of the draft was uneventful for the Sixers. No move enticing enough materialized for Gansey, even while possessing several future second-round picks. So the Sixers exited the draft with one selection, after Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. surprisingly slipped to them at No. 22 overall.
Gansey’s first roster-building checkmark is complete. Next up is free agency beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, likely with limited financial flexibility given Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George all remain on max contracts for multiple seasons. Embiid and George are considered difficult to trade because of their age and injury history.
The Sixers used the prudent best-player-available approach in selecting Philon, who is crafty with the ball in his hands and significantly improved as an outside shooter and facilitator in his second college season. That pick also continued to lean into their dynamic young guard rotation featuring Maxey, an All-NBA third-teamer last season, and VJ Edgecombe, who finished third on a terrific NBA Rookie of the Year ballot.
Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. is crafty with the ball in his hands and significantly improved as an outside shooter and facilitator in his second college season.
“Adding me, it’s a blur,” Philon said from Barclays Center after his selection. “You’ve got two guys that are really shifty, two guys that know how to handle the ball, and a guy that can jump out the roof. That means everything in the backcourt. I feel like Coach Nurse is going to have a fun time with that.”
Perhaps that is another deliberate step in the Sixers establishing an identity, a necessity that Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, emphasized the same day the franchise formally introduced Gansey earlier this month.
That also means the Sixers still have positional gaps along the wing and in the frontcourt. Starting small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., sixth man Quentin Grimes, and reserve center Andre Drummond all are unrestricted free agents (so is reserve guard Kyle Lowry, but he is expected to retire). The availability of Embiid and George also remains unpredictable, though both former perennial All-Stars expressed optimism about their health entering the offseason last month. Rebounding and three-point shooting were team weaknesses last season.
So when North Carolina’s Henri Veesaar, a stretch-big man who was widely projected as a first-rounder, continued to tumble down the second round, an outsider could have considered his fit with the Sixers. Instead, the Atlanta Hawks traded for the 52nd overall pick to select him.
Teams have been permitted to negotiate with their own free agents since the New York Knicks’ title officially ended the NBA season. The Sixers also must make team option decisions on Dominick Barlow ($3.4 million for 2026-27), Trendon Watford ($2.8 million), and Dalen Terry ($2.6 million) by Monday.
Once the market fully opens, the Sixers will have the nontaxpayer midlevel exception (about $15 million), or could split that salary figure on multiple players. They also will be able to sign players to veteran minimum deals.
The Sixers will have decisions to make on several unrestricted free agents, including Kelly Oubre Jr.
Before then, it remains possible that the Sixers agree to terms with undrafted rookies — who typically sign two-way contracts — in the coming hours or days.
Productive players can be found via that route. Barlow, a starting forward for the Sixers for much of last season, was not selected in the 2022 draft. Neither was former Sixer Julian Champagnie, who eventually morphed into a sharpshooting starter for the San Antonio Spurs team that just advanced to the NBA Finals. And the second round progresses, agents sometimes angle for their clients to go undrafted in order to have more choice in their playing destination.
Yet the Sixers exited the 2026 draft with a potential first-round steal in Philon, and without a second-round selection.
But that may not jibe with what many Philadelphians want to see.
A new Suffolk University/Philadelphia Inquirer CityView poll of 500 city residents found that a quarter of respondents believe the city’s primary responsibility to the nation is to protect its historical sites for future generations. Nearly 27% said the city’s primary responsibility to the nation is to serve as a model for “diverse, multicultural urban progress.”
The poll, conducted from June 16 to 20 and released this week, comes after a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in favor of the Trump administration and just weeks ahead of celebrations in Philadelphia for the nation’s 250th birthday.
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The appeals court’s ruling last week was a turning point in a legal battle waged by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration that questioned the federal government’s authority to interfere in what information is presented at the President’s House. Both the Third Circuit ruling and a recent decision by a Boston-based federal appeals court regarding National Park Service exhibits nationwide have started to pave the way for the Trump administration to make unprecedented changes to displays of U.S. history in the region.
Alacia Maxton, 36, a respondent to the poll, said frustration with the attacks on the President’s House has been at the forefront of her mind as the city prepares to celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
For nearly two decades without opposition, the site — which opened in December 2010 — has memorialized the nine people George Washington enslaved at his Philadelphia residence during the founding of America and detailed the brutality of slavery.
Last month, it was designated as an endangered historic site by a major national historic preservation organization. The new panels proposed by the Trump administration to replace the removed exhibits at the President’s House soften Washington’s role as an enslaver, according to those working to protect the site.
“I don’t like the idea that certain groups of people want to whitewash history and erase what doesn’t make them feel comfortable,” said Maxton, who lives in Overbrook Park.
Carolyn Keys, 61, another resident who responded to the poll, said the absence of the some of theoriginal panels is like “missing pieces to a puzzle.”
“Every piece was specifically put together for a purpose,” said Keys, 61, a veteran who lives in the Tacony neighborhood.
David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, said Philadelphians valuing preserving history and being a model for progress is a particularly localized issue.
“Which I think makes this really important information for the nation to see,” Paleologos said.
Philadelphia Lawyer Michael Coard speaks at a rally at the President’s House Site in response to the removal of the President’s House exhibit in Old City, in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia
A bipartisan grassroots group of Philadelphians — called the President’s House/Slavery Memorial Coalition — has been spearheading efforts to protect the historical site, which has been under scrutiny from the Trump administration since last summer.
Michael Coard, an attorney and founder of one of the leading groups in the efforts to protect the President’s House, said in a statement Wednesday that the poll results show that “Philadelphians understand the importance of protecting our shared history.”
“Black history is American history, and we have both an obligation and, based on these results, a clear mandate to ensure that the stories of enslaved Africans and their descendants are preserved, honored, and accurately told,” Coard said.
Other respondents had different ideas for Philadelphia’s primary responsibility as the birthplace of democracy: Roughly 23% said “leading national conversations on civil rights and economic justice” was a top priority, while almost 17% said the city’s duty to the nation is “proving that a large, complex city can govern itself equitably.”
These insights come as Philadelphia is bracing for an influx of tourists, with particular emphasis on its history as the nation’s birthplace, ahead of the Semiquincentennial celebrations.
The Liberty Bell in Independence National Historical Park Feb. 2, 2026.
Almost 28% of the Philadelphia residents polled see the Liberty Bell — in comparison to Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, and the Rocky Steps — as the city landmark that best embodies American democracy.
But hanging over the impending 250th celebrations is the uncertain fate of the President’s House, said Leeanna Lundy, 34, of West Philly.
“For them to remove where the most impactful part of where history took place, it’s like mind-boggling,” Lundy said.
Staff writer Michelle Baruchman contributed to this article.
We’re approaching the point of the World Cup where things start to move fast.
By Sunday, the knockout round begins. And tonight (at 10 p.m.), the U.S. men’s national team will compete in its final match in Group D against Turkey.
We already know that the U.S. advanced to the round of 32 after its win over Australia, but we’re still awaiting its opponent for the July 1 showdown.
As for tonight, it’s anyone’s guess whom head coach Mauricio Pochettino will start. Right now, Christian Pulisic looks to return to the lineup — and it might be in his best interest after being sidelined. Is it worth the risk in a match that matters very little?
The U.S. men’s team has never won all three of their group-stage games in a single World Cup. While, there’s still a long way to go beyond Thursday’s group stage finale, this could be a moment to stop and survey just how far the team has come, writes Jonathan Tannenwald.
Labaron Philon Jr. landed with the Sixers at No. 22 after being projected as a potential lottery pick.
A year ago, Labaron Philon Jr. delayed his draft night after originally declaring in 2025. The guard from Alabama then sat in the Barclays Center on Tuesday for longer than expected, as a projected lottery pick who slipped past that portion of the first round. However, landing with the Sixers was worth the wait.
And the national media is divided Philon — some are calling him the steal of the first round while others expressed concern on how he’ll fit with the team.
What we’re …
👀 Watching: Highlight moments from Jason Kelce’s sixth annual Sea Isle fundraiser, which had plenty of surprise appearances.
🤔 Wondering: What Zach and Julie Ertz said about the Eagles on ‘New Heights’ — that left the former tight end emotional.
📖 Reading: Twin pitchers Austin and Blake Havertine left their mark at Radnor. Now, they’re heading to different colleges.
Joseph Woll (right) and Simon Benoît are now going to be teammates in orange and black.
Joseph Woll and Simon Benoît met with the media on Zoom Wednesday and expressed excitement about being part of the organization. The two newest Flyers were traded from the Leafs for goalie Sam Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a third-round 2026 draft pick on June 16.
Benoît played with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale for several seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. He’s expected to bring a physical defensive presence, while Woll is already forming a relationship with his new goalie partner, Dan Vladař.
And to get you ready for Friday’s NHL draft, here’s three defensemen who keep getting mentioned as an option for the Flyers at No. 21.
Kyle Schwarber missed a second straight game on Wednesday with tightness in his lower back.
Kyle Schwarber was out of the Phillies lineup for the second consecutive game with tightness in his lower back. Don Mattingly said Schwarber was feeling better, but the interim manager wanted to be cautious and give him another day off.
Schwarber, though, helped start the Phillies’ rally on Wednesday when he entered the game in the ninth inning, drew a 10 pitch walk with two outs, and made way for Derek Hill’s go-ahead two-run homer for a 5-4 win over the Nationals.
New Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey says first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr., “fell into our lap.”
Mike Gansey aced his first test as Sixers president on Tuesday night. He took the player he graded as the best talent. Of course, the real test is whether he’s right.
But, however Labaron Philon Jr. turns out, the Sixers did what a team in their position should be doing: Using the opportunity to draft a player they think will someday belong in a championship caliber rotation, writes columnist David Murphy.
Jackie Spiegel answers your questions about the Flyers during our Reddit AMA at noon on Thursday.
After making the second round of the playoffs, how will the Flyers approach the NHL draft?
The Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel will provide answers on that and more in an AMA tomorrow in the r/Flyers Subreddit!
What you’re saying about the Sixers’ pick
Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr.is the newest member of the Sixers.
We asked: Are you happy with the Sixers’ first-round pick? Why or why not? Among your responses:
Another Guard? We are well stacked with Maxey and VJ, which is why the Sixers shipped Jared McCain out to OKC (or was it a salary dump). If he is indeed a shooter, great! If not, the Sixers could have used a “Big” given the ongoing uncertainty around Embiid. — Bob C.
Thought they had 3 guards, but traded one to Oklahoma City. Do they have a clue??— Bill M.
Just surprised that they went for a guard. I thought they would go for a big man to support our two guys who struggle every season with injuries etc. — Everett S.
Makes no matter if they would have drafted the second coming of Michael Jordon. Until they move Joel to his new home, their chances of winning any championship are nil. He’s a great part time player and that’s it! Not knowing if he’s playing in each and every game until he shows up in the locker room is just plain wrong. — Ronald R.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from David Murphy, Jonathan Tannenwald,Owen Hewitt, Kerith Gabriel, Rob Tornoe, Jackie Spiegel, Lochlahn March, Gina Mizell, Ariel Simpson, Joseph Santoliquito, Conor Smith, Mia Messina, and Ethan Kopelman.
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.
As always, thanks for reading. Have yourself a terrific Thursday, I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow to wrap up the week. — Bella
At an early summer lunch just before free agency began two years ago, Daryl Morey mapped out the 76ers’ dream scenario.
If the Sixers could somehow land free agent Paul George, a future Hall of Famer who then was 34, Morey told a trio of esteemed scribes that the Sixers would open a two-year window in which they could contend for the Eastern Conference title, if not an NBA championship. The East looked relatively toothless.
To his credit, or perhaps not, the team’s former president of basketball operations was being realistic. George had just made his ninth All-Star team and played in 74 games, but he’d also missed about 35 games on average in the previous four seasons.
Further, Morey had modest expectations for Joel Embiid. Yes, Embiid had just made his seventh straight All-Star team; yes, he was only 30; and yes, he was one season removed from winning his MVP award. But Embiid underwent a second surgery on his left knee a few months before and was significantly hobbled when he returned. Nevertheless, doctors told Morey that, if Embiid was diligent with his conditioning and his rehab, with proper load management, he could resume his NBA career without significant regression.
Doctors aside, Morey was no fool. He told the writers that if he got two more really good years from Embiid, that would be a good enough return on investment. Overpaying on the back ends of contracts are necessary evils in the sports industry.
That’s why Morey signed them both to max contracts — George, a delightful surprise in July; Embiid, a necessary evil in September.
The Sixers still owe Paul George and Joel Embiid almost $300 million.
Disaster struck.
Embiid played in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, but, six weeks later, he reported to camp out of shape and so far behind in his rehab that he was unable to start the season. He needed further surgery in the spring of 2025. By the end of last season he’d finally recovered from the knee problem, but he suffered three more injuries: oblique, right ankle, and right hip. He has played in just 64 games in the last two seasons, including playoffs.
Predictably, George endured a slew of injuries in his first season as a Sixer, then, in an effort to recover from injury, he was suspended 25 games last season for violating the NBA’s antidrug program. He has played a total of 89 games as a Sixer, including the playoffs.
Which brings us to Monday.
Blockbuster
In perhaps the biggest transaction since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach 16 years ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo did the same.
Fifteen years ago today, LeBron James left the Cavaliers for the Heat in free agency live on ESPN.
‘The Decision’ was a monumental moment in NBA history, but LeBron openly regrets announcing it in this manner.pic.twitter.com/q7cbws9OCc
The Heat and Bucks on Monday reportedly authored a two-team, blockbuster trade. Miami saw blood in the water, jettisoned its ballast, and attacked. Pat Riley, now 81, mortgaged a Heat future in which he likely will play a diminishing a role to support the chances of second-tier star Bam Adebayo.
Brilliant.
There have been other big deals, such as the idiocy in Dallas of trading Luka Dončić in 2025 to the Lakers, but Giannis is a bigger deal. He has two MVPs, an NBA championship, and an acceptable BMI. Luka has none of those.
With the Greek Freak on board, the East is ripe for Miami, and Riley, the Heat president for the past 31 seasons, knows it. After all, he orchestrated the last trade with this sort of effect, when he brought Shaquille O’Neal to Miami in 2004, then won a title with him in 2006. On Monday, Riley’s team immediately became a contender again in a vulnerable Eastern Conference.
The principals
Celtics? The patchwork Sixers upset the mighty Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Knicks? The hodgepodge overachievers, the most fun team to watch since Larry Brown pushed the Pistons to the 2004 title, ran off 11 consecutive wins in the conference playoffs to reach the NBA Finals, in which they wore down an inexperienced team and its inexperienced coach.
The Cavs? They collapsed due to the cold left hand of James Harden, who, to no one’s surprise, shot just 38.9% in the conference final against the Knicks.
The Pistons? Two words: Tobias Harris.
Pat Riley, 81, orchestrated the trade of another superstar to Miami in landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a reported trade with the Bucks.
The Pacers? Two words: Tyrese Haliburton. He pushed the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2025 but blew out his Achilles in Game 7. With all due respect to Jalen Brunson, if Haliburton returns at 100%, then he’s the best player in the East. How good is he? The Pacers’ 19 wins were second-worst last season, but with Haliburton returning, their DraftKings odds to win the East are 12-1.
Upon news of the trade, the Heat’s odds to win the conference on DraftKings improved from 12-1 to 6-1. That’s behind the Celtics, at 2.25-1, and the Knicks, who are at 3-1.
The Sixers? They’re still seventh, at 19-1, behind the Cavs, who are 13-1, after Tuesday night’s draft. The Sixers used their 22nd overall pick on Labaron Philon Jr., a 6-foot-4 sophomore sniper out of Alabama whom they hope will compensate for Morey’s deadline trade of popular second-year shooter Jared McCain, who flourished in Oklahoma City.
Philon’s arrival did not move the DraftKings needle.
Don’t expect those odds to get any better July 6, when free-agent deals and proposed trades like the Giannis deal can be ratified.
All the Sixers will be able to do is watch.
They’re still saddled with the crippling contract of Embiid, now 32 going on 52 and who is owed almost $188 million over the next three seasons.
They’re still saddled with the last two years and almost $111 million owed George, who is 36. A second positive drug test would cost him 55 games. Maybe he needs them.
He averaged just 14.5 points and shot 40.7% from the field when the Knicks swept the Sixers out of the second round — a sweep that, two days, later, cost Morey his job as president.
These twin albatrosses will haunt the Sixers for at least two more years. This, remember, is by design.
