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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Philadelphia. Written by local reporters.

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Philadelphia battles haze as conditions expected to improve

1 big thing: Hazy days

Do you see yourself with a new career? 

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3. News Market: A Harden-ing decision

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Philly’s award-winning bars

4.🍸 Philly’s award-winning bars

‍🌫️ Widespread haze and sunny with a high of 77. Showers possible in the afternoon.

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😞 Isaac didn't like what he saw from the Heat last night. Boo!

🥃 Mike is planning a visit to Andra Hem and is eyeing the Fig Around cocktail.

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Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate

1 big thing: Oh challenges Parker to debates

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Philly’s lunchtime lag

2. 📉 Philly’s lunchtime lag


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3. Get your SIPS on

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4. News Market: Phillies' new part-owner

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On the job hunt?

5. 👀 Where's Isaac ... revealed

Axios reporter Isaac Avilucea outside the historic Arch Street Presbyterian Church in Philly.

📍 Situational awareness: Air quality is poor because of conditions caused by wildfires burning in Canada. Philadelphia health officials issued several recommendations, including avoiding the outdoors as much as possible.

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Spotted lanternfly invasion is a menace in Pennsylvania

1 big thing: Pest invasion

Clearer skies (eventually) coming to Philadelphia

2. Clearer skies coming

Messi is joining the MLS, but it's unlikely he'll play in Philly soon

3. ⚽️ A Messi situation

4. News Market: 5 o'clock somewhere

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5. Ladies and gentlemen, the weekend

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A new career is waiting for you

6. Gritty to the rescue

‍Partly sunny with patchy smoke. A high of 74. 

📍 Situational awareness: Philly's air-quality is expected to improve in the coming days. More on that below.

Today's newsletter is 965 words, a 4-minute read.

😵‍💫 Mike is going stir crazy after days of staying indoors. 

1 big thing: 🚫 Block parties blocked

 2. 🌳 Rating Philly's park system

 2. 🌳 Rating Philly's parks

3. News Market: Philly food earns nods

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4. 👀 Where's Isaac?

A mural of children playing hangs somewhere in Philadelphia.

🌤️ Mostly sunny with a high of 83. A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm.

📍 Situational awareness: Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Philly today to talk with labor leaders from the SEIU, per CBS.   

Today's newsletter is 874 words, a 3-minute read.

Hazy skies and the smell of smoke in the Philly region will continue to hang around today.

Yes, but: The smoky conditions that delayed some flights and canceled the Phillies game and outdoor school activities should start to abate, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Lee Robertson.

Why it matters: Breathing the microscopic particles produced by the wildfires blazing in Canada can be hazardous to your health and exacerbate asthma symptoms, per the CDC.

State of play: The breathability of Philly's air improved late morning to "very unhealthy" from "hazardous" by the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI), registering 270 out of 500.

A value between 201-300 is considered a health alert with the risk increased for everyone. The measurement peaked out above 440 last night in the city. 

Officials still urged caution, keeping the Philadelphia region in a "code red" status, per the state's Air Quality Partnership, meaning the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The big picture: City life has been disrupted Wednesday, leading many to don facemasks.

The Phillies rescheduled their Wednesday game with the Detroit Tigers for 6:05pm today.

The school district kept students and staff indoors, ordered all doors and windows to remain closed, and rescheduled sporting events.

Christina Clark, a spokesperson for the district, tells Axios the guidance would remain in effect during the city’s Code Red air quality alert.

The Philadelphia International Airport experienced some delays for only inbound flights due to low visibility, airport spokesperson Heather Redfern tells Axios.

Meanwhile, restaurants and bars were not much affected, according to Ben Fileccia, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Restaurateur Avram Hornik, who recently opened the new Walnut Street beer garden, said he would consider closing outdoor spaces if conditions worsen.

The big picture: Smoke from the wildfires poured into heavily populated areas along the East Coast, per Axios’ Andrew Freedman.

Wildfire smoke produces microscopic particles which can penetrate deep into your lungs and blood, per the CDC. People with heart and lung conditions, older adults, and young children are more at risk.

The pollution also can cause eye, lung and throat irritation and difficulty breathing.

What they’re saying: “This is a pretty significant event,” Robertson said.

What to watch: Shifting wind patterns starting Friday are expected to improve air quality conditions in the region for the weekend.

Until the wildfires burning from Yukon to Nova Scotia subside, Philly will continue to experience similar conditions, depending on wind patterns.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new developments. 

The haze and smoke upended outdoor events and led many to don facemasks.

Haze and smoke descend on Philly early Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Andy Adams/Isotrails Photography

Hazy skies and the smell of smoke in the Philly region will continue to hang around today.<ul><li>Yes, but: The smoky conditions that delayed some flights and canceled the Phillies game and outdoor school activities should start to abate, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Lee Robertson.</li></ul>Why it matters: Breathing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="microscopic particles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/air/particulate_matter.html#:~:text=Coarse%20(bigger)%20particles%2C%20called,or%20even%20into%20your%20blood." data-vars-content-id="03763f88-ba28-4b75-be76-bc536746f2ae" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia battles haze as conditions expected to improve" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/air/particulate_matter.html#:~:text=Coarse%20(bigger)%20particles%2C%20called,or%20even%20into%20your%20blood." target="_blank">microscopic particles</a> produced by the wildfires blazing in Canada can be hazardous to your health and exacerbate asthma symptoms, per the CDC.

News

Outdoor cinema, VegFest, and so much more is happening this weekend. Your guide:

🍺 Philly Beer Week wraps up this weekend. The last call for the 10-day beer celebration is a tap takeover at Standard Tap on Sunday, from 11am-10pm. Full list of events.

🍻 Want to know what Prohibition was like? Hop aboard the Cruiser Olympia but don't get caught by Admiral Dewey. The world's oldest floating steel ship at the Independence Seaport Museum is transformed into a pop-up speakeasy with music, games and — shh! — spirits. Tonight, 6-9pm Tickets: $30, includes one free drink.

🍷 Parks on Tap is at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center this week. Today 4-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, noon-10pm.

🎤 If that doesn't impress you much, don't worry Shania Twain is performing at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on Camden’s waterfront. Expect to hear hits like "Man! I Feel Like a Woman” and songs off her newest album, "Queen of Me." Tonight, 7:30pm. Tickets: $53+

🏳️‍🌈 It's QUEERAPALOOZA! Giovanni's Room, an LGBTQ bookstore at 12th and Pine Streets, commemorates its 50th anniversary with a block party and music festival, featuring local bands, DJs, drag performers and vendors.  Saturday, noon-5pm.

🎞️ The Outdoor Cinema Series is back at Laurel Hill Cemetery with the classic horror film, "Creature from the Black Lagoon." Make sure to bring your own blankets and chairs. Tonight, 8:30-11pm. Tickets: $15 adults; $13 seniors and students; $10 members; $7.50 children 6-12.

🥦 Are you a lean, green healthy machine? Well, VegFest is calling your name. There's live music and plenty of vegan treats at this free event in Headhouse Plaza at 2nd and South Streets. Saturday, 11am-5pm.

🎉 A spoonful of sugar cane makes everything go down, so hop on over to a block party paying tribute to one of Puerto Rico's most important crops. Hosted by the Asociación Puertorriqueňos En Marcha, there'll be food, music, dancing and a dominoes tournament. Get there early to get a free pava, or straw hat, and sugar cane samples. Saturday, 10am-4pm, at 6th Street and Germantown Avenue.

⚾ The Phillies welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to town for a three-game homestand, starting tonight at 7:05pm. Tickets: $26+ Saturday's game starts at 4:05pm and is followed by a free postgame concert from indie pop band AJR.

Things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

Check out outdoor cinema, VegFest, QUEERAPALOOZA and more

Illustration of two martini glasses forming the "W" in "weekend."

Outdoor cinema, VegFest, and so much more is happening this weekend. Your guide:

Things to Do

The Philadelphia region’s air quality will remain poor but is expected to continue improving.

Why it matters: The smoke flowing in from Canadian wildfires has canceled events and shifted students in the School District of Philadelphia to remote learning today.

State of play: Philadelphia improved to Code Orange levels on the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI), meaning it's still unhealthy for sensitive groups. 

The forecast: Shifting wind patterns in the region today are expected to redirect smoke plumes elsewhere, said National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Lee.

But you might not notice most improvements to the air quality, like less haze and a reduced smell of smoke, until Saturday, she added.

The big picture: Breathing in unhealthy levels of smoke and air pollution can be hazardous, per Axios’ Jacob Knutson.

What we’re watching: It remained unclear whether non-emergency city services would be suspended again. Officials yesterday halted services such as trash pickup and street sweeping.

Meanwhile: The conditions continue to hamper events.

East Passyunk’s annual Flavors on the Avenue this weekend was canceled.

The Bok Bar and its popular rooftop area was closed yesterday.

Inbound flights to Philadelphia International Airport were briefly grounded yesterday due to low visibility.

The Philadelphia region’s air quality will remain poor but is expected to slowly improve today.

Philly's skyline has looked better. Photo: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty 

The Philadelphia region’s air quality will remain poor but is expected to continue improving.Why it matters: The smoke flowing in from Canadian wildfires has canceled events and shifted students in the School District of Philadelphia to remote learning today.

Lionel Messi is going to Miami. Philly? That's a different story.

Driving the news: The soccer star and 2022 World Cup winner announced this week that he'd join MLS' Inter Miami.

Messi's debut is up in the air, but that hasn't dampened the demand for tickets. Prices surged in cities where Miami is scheduled to play.

Why it matters: Everyone is hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the best soccer players of all-time.

Yes, but: Philly fans will be disappointed to learn the chances of Messi suiting up against the Union on June 24 are slim.

His contract with France's Paris Saint-Germain doesn't expire until six days after Miami's visit to Subaru Park, and the Union already played in Miami this season, per the Inquirer.

The bottom line: It's possible they could meet in the playoffs, but that looks unlikely right now.

The Union are third in the Eastern Conference standings. But the Herons are sitting in the conference cellar and recently fired their manager, so Messi has a lot of work to do.

Ticket prices are exploding in soccer cities.

Philly is likely getting snubbed out of seeing soccer star Lionel Messi. Photo:  Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Lionel Messi is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="going to Miami." data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBS6QGsH_4" data-vars-content-id="fc66a271-bf88-4ac2-a78c-6c0adae72a0a" data-vars-headline="Messi is joining the MLS, but it&#x27;s unlikely he&#x27;ll play in Philly soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBS6QGsH_4" target="_blank">going to Miami.</a> Philly? That&#x27;s a different story.Driving the news: The soccer star and 2022 World Cup winner announced this week that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="he&#x27;d join MLS&#x27; Inter Miami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/07/messi-inter-miami-mls" data-vars-content-id="fc66a271-bf88-4ac2-a78c-6c0adae72a0a" data-vars-headline="Messi is joining the MLS, but it&#x27;s unlikely he&#x27;ll play in Philly soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/07/messi-inter-miami-mls" target="_self">he&#x27;d join MLS&#x27; Inter Miami</a>.<ul><li>Messi&#x27;s debut is up in the air, but that hasn&#x27;t dampened the demand for tickets. Prices <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surged in cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/06/07/lionel-messi-miami-atlanta-tickets" data-vars-content-id="fc66a271-bf88-4ac2-a78c-6c0adae72a0a" data-vars-headline="Messi is joining the MLS, but it&#x27;s unlikely he&#x27;ll play in Philly soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/06/07/lionel-messi-miami-atlanta-tickets" target="_self">surged in cities</a> where Miami is scheduled to play.</li></ul>

Sports

Republican mayoral nominee David Oh wants Democrat Cherelle Parker to commit to a series of debates ahead of the general election in November.

Driving the news: Oh, a former council member, tells Axios he'd like the two to engage in at least five televised debates, preferably in different council districts.

Oh said he'd send a letter to Parker's camp, presenting more details.

Why it matters: Now that the field has narrowed, it's important for voters to hear from both candidates on issues ranging from policing to education before deciding on Philly's 100th mayor.

Flashback: Parker won a hard-fought Democratic primary, beating out technocrat Rebecca Rhynhart and progressive stalwart Helen Gym in the city's most expensive mayor's race. Oh ran unopposed.

What they're saying: Oh tells Axios that Parker could get away with not debating an "unknown, unsupported Republican." But not someone who is a former prosecutor and city lawmaker.

"There's one thing about Philadelphians. They don't like someone who ducks," he says.

The other side: "We will consider each debate invitation as it comes," campaign spokesperson Aren Platt told Axios. "But at this stage, we are only focused on talking directly to voters."

Parker wouldn't commit to debating Oh last month when Axios asked about the possibility during her first post-primary news conference. She said she'd have to run "parameters" of a potential debate by her team before deciding.

Zoom in: Mayor Jim Kenney didn't debate GOP candidate Bill Ciancaglini in 2019.

Political analyst Mustafa Rashed tells Axios that there are few risks for Parker in debating Oh, even as the odds-on favorite in a city where registered Democrats far outnumber Republicans.

Yes, but: Television still "drives the needle" in mayoral races, and Parker could use the forums as a "listening tour" to firm up support among undecided voters, Rashed said.

For Oh, it provides a platform, which addresses an earlier complaint that he didn't receive equal coverage during the primary and was only being invited to a single televised event.

The bottom line: "This is an opportunity to give the city a new civic lesson. It would remind people that, yes, in reality, this is a two-party town," Rashed said. "It's not a coronation."

Republican mayoral nominee David Oh has asked Democrat Cherelle Parker to commit to a series of debates ahead of the general election in November.

Photo Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios. Photo: City Council Philadelphia, Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Axios Local

Republican mayoral nominee <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="David Oh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/04/12/david-oh-kensington-avenue-crime-police" data-vars-content-id="febf9ba5-f759-4ab9-bfc7-4c641241ed1d" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/04/12/david-oh-kensington-avenue-crime-police" target="_self">David Oh</a> wants Democrat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/17/democratic-mayoral-primary-result-cherelle-parker" data-vars-content-id="febf9ba5-f759-4ab9-bfc7-4c641241ed1d" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/17/democratic-mayoral-primary-result-cherelle-parker" target="_self">Cherelle Parker</a> to commit to a series of debates ahead of the general election in November.Driving the news: Oh, a former council member, tells Axios he&#x27;d like the two to engage in at least five televised debates, preferably in different council districts.<ul><li>Oh said he&#x27;d send a letter to Parker&#x27;s camp, presenting more details.</li></ul>Why it matters: Now that the field has narrowed, it&#x27;s important for voters to hear from both candidates on issues ranging from policing to education before deciding on Philly&#x27;s 100th mayor.Flashback: Parker won a hard-fought Democratic primary, beating out technocrat Rebecca Rhynhart and progressive stalwart Helen Gym in the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most expensive mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/mayors-race-campaign-finance-most-expensive-election-domb-rhynhart-20230506.html" data-vars-content-id="febf9ba5-f759-4ab9-bfc7-4c641241ed1d" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/mayors-race-campaign-finance-most-expensive-election-domb-rhynhart-20230506.html" target="_blank">most expensive mayor&#x27;s race</a>. Oh ran unopposed.What they&#x27;re saying: Oh tells Axios that Parker could get away with not debating an &quot;unknown, unsupported Republican.&quot; But not someone who is a former prosecutor and city lawmaker.<ul><li>&quot;There&#x27;s one thing about Philadelphians. They don&#x27;t like someone who ducks,&quot; he says.</li></ul>The other side: &quot;We will consider each debate invitation as it comes,&quot; campaign spokesperson Aren Platt told Axios. &quot;But at this stage, we are only focused on talking directly to voters.&quot;<ul><li>Parker wouldn&#x27;t commit to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debating Oh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/05/23/cherelle-parker-police-commissioner-danielle-outlaw" data-vars-content-id="febf9ba5-f759-4ab9-bfc7-4c641241ed1d" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/05/23/cherelle-parker-police-commissioner-danielle-outlaw" target="_self">debating Oh</a> last month when Axios asked about the possibility during her first post-primary news conference. She said she&#x27;d have to run &quot;parameters&quot; of a potential debate by her team before deciding.</li></ul>Zoom in: Mayor Jim Kenney didn&#x27;t debate GOP candidate Bill Ciancaglini in 2019.<ul><li>Political analyst Mustafa Rashed tells Axios that there are few risks for Parker in debating Oh, even as the odds-on favorite in a city where registered Democrats far outnumber Republicans.</li></ul>Yes, but: Television still &quot;drives the needle&quot; in mayoral races, and Parker could use the forums as a &quot;listening tour&quot; to firm up support among undecided voters, Rashed said.<ul><li>For Oh, it provides a platform, which addresses an earlier complaint that he didn&#x27;t receive equal coverage during the primary and was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="only being invited" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/DavidOhPhilly/status/1650492057213960196" data-vars-content-id="febf9ba5-f759-4ab9-bfc7-4c641241ed1d" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/DavidOhPhilly/status/1650492057213960196" target="_blank">only being invited</a> to a single televised event.</li></ul>The bottom line: &quot;This is an opportunity to give the city a new civic lesson. It would remind people that, yes, in reality, this is a two-party town,&quot; Rashed said. &quot;It&#x27;s not a coronation.&quot;

Isaac Avilucea

Stories

Clearer skies (eventually) coming to Philadelphia

Messi is joining the MLS, but it's unlikely he'll play in Philly soon

Things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

Philadelphia battles haze as conditions expected to improve

Philadelphia mayoral candidate wants to debate

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