1 big thing: What's the holdup in the GOP Senate race?

2. Hurricane season is almost upon us

3. News Market: Philly area schools among most segregated

Illustration of the statue of William Penn, from Philadelphia City Hall, reading the news on his phone.

4. Traffic deaths spike in Pennsylvania 

Do you see yourself with a new career? 

5. The Boss is probably coming back to Philly in 2023

Bruce Springsteen performs on stage in Philadelphia in 2016.

Partly sunny skies today with highs in the low 70s. Watch out for a chance of showers in the afternoon. 

⚖️ Situational awareness: Philadelphia Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson's bribery retrial is set for September. 

Jury selection will begin Sept. 28. Go deeper via WHYY. 

Today's newsletter is 936 words, a 3.5-minute read.

🌻 Mike is selecting flowers to plant in a small garden in front of his house.

☕️ Taylor already broke her caffeine break. She'll try again next week.

Philadelphia

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

Axios Philadelphia

1 big thing: Pennsylvania's baby formula shortage

2. Plus: formula crisis do's and don'ts

Empty shelves normally meant to hold baby formula

New jobs to check out

3. Philly schools mask up again

Illustration of a school crossing sign wearing a mask.

4. News Market

Illustration of a Philadelphia subway station tile wall with lettering reading News Market. 

5. Charted: airport wait times

Today's weather: Partly sunny skies with temps in the mid-70s.  

🇺🇦 Exclusive: Axios' Jonathan Swan will interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today at 2pm. Tune in.

Today's newsletter is 887 words, a 3.5-minute read.

🧺 Mike is excited to pick up his first CSA food share this week.

🏖️ Taylor is thinking about going down the shore for Memorial Day weekend. 

1 big thing: Weigh in on SEPTA's bus redesign

2. Weekender: fireworks, films and fun

Illustration of a beer bottle cap with a grinning emoji face on it.

3. News Market

Illustration of a hanging scale with an Axios logo on it with an arrow rotating between 8 and 9. 

4. District punts on plan to push school start times

Illustration of a red alarm clock with graphic shapes in the background

On the job hunt?

5. 🏝 Pic du jour: Memorial Day weekend send-off

A sandcastle made from construction sand on a street

🎊 Welcome to Friday, Philly! The long holiday weekend is finally upon us. 

Temps will break into the low 80s today, but rain is likely with possible thunderstorms. 

Programming note: We're off for Memorial Day, so there won't be a newsletter in your inboxes on Monday. But we'll be back in full force on Tuesday.

Today's newsletter is 899 words, a 3.5-minute read.

Do you like what we do? You can support us by becoming a member. You'll get exclusive emails, and we'll be forever grateful. ❤️

1 big thing: Philly Starbucks stores unionize

Illustration of a union protest sign attached to a coffee stirrer in a to-go cup.

2. GOP U.S. Senate primary goes to recount

3. Quoted: Grief and outrage

A memorial outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Illustration of a phone with an awning on it reading News Market, showing a photo of vegetables.

5. From Russia with (no) love

Illustration of the Kremlin behind a red velvet rope.

Need a new job? 

6. 🤷 1 Philly fail to go

A screenshot of a traffic cone sticking up out of a street that was recently paved

Good morning. It's Friday eve, which means the long weekend is almost here.

🌧️ Today's weather: Temps will reach the low 70s and a slight chance of rain in the afternoon. 

Today's newsletter is 921 words, a 3.5-minute read.

1 big thing: Former Penn curator sues numerous news outlets

An aerial photo of the aftermath of the 1985 MOVE bombing in Philadelphia.

2. A push to save our community gardens

Philadelphia CIty Councilmember Kendra Brooks

Seeking employment? 

3. Philly awaits decision on World Cup bid

Illustration of a soccer ball on a soccer pitch with a dollar sign lines

4. News Market: mini-golf in the mall

Illustration of a neon sign that reads News Market.

5. Time's 100 sparks Philly pride

Quinta Brunson and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson 

Cloudy with a chance of showers today. Temps in the high 60s, per NWS. 

Today's newsletter is 935 words, a 3.5-minute read.

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National

Pennsylvania will hold a statewide recount for its Senate Republican primary, which remains too close to call, state election officials said Wednesday. 

Why it matters: The race between Trump-backed celebrity TV doctor Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO David McCormick is one of the most closely watched contests in the country. Many view the election as a test of former President Trump's political power.

The outcome may not be known until June 8, when counties are required to report results to the state.

State of play: Mehmet Oz led David McCormick in the primary by a mere 902 votes out of more than 1.3 million ballots cast, as of Wednesday. 

Oz’s margin of victory — .07% — falls within the state’s .5% margin that triggers a recount under state law. 

McCormick has not waived his right to a recount. 

What they're saying: Counties can begin the recount — which is anticipated to cost the state roughly $1 million — as soon as Friday, acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman said during a news conference on Wednesday. 

“This automatic recount is intended to ensure the count is accurate and that there is confidence in the results and outcome,” Chapman said. 

The big picture: The contest to replace retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R) has become one of the most expensive U.S. Senate races in the nation.

Federal Election Commission filings show that Oz funneled at least $12 million of his own wealth into his campaign, while McCormick spent at least $11 million.

The winner will face off against Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in November. 

The intrigue: Chapman, Pennsylvania’s top election official, called on counties to count undated and incorrectly dated mail-in ballots but segregate them, per state guidance issued on Tuesday. 

Approximately 860 undated Republican ballots were reported from 65 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties as of Wednesday, Chapman said.

Between the lines: Thousands of ballots remain uncounted. 

Approximately 6,000 mail-in and absentee ballots and 4,000 provisional ballots remain outstanding, Jonathan Marks, deputy secretary of election and commissions, said during the conference.

Yes, but: Uncertainty remains around whether mail-in ballots with dating issues will ultimately be included in the final count. 

Zoom in: McCormick is fighting in state court for the state to follow a new federal appeals court ruling that ordered the counting of those ballots in a previous election. 

The Republican National Committee and state GOP are siding with Oz and intervening in McCormick’s lawsuit. 

What’s next: Counties must submit their recount results to the state by noon on June 8. 

Editor's note: This story has been updated with more information from state election officials. 

Philadelphia Alerts

Axios Philadelphia Thought Bubble

Pennsylvania Senate GOP race headed for statewide recount

The race between Mehmet Oz and David McCormick is one of the most closely watched contests in the country.

Photo Mehmet Oz on the left and David McCormick on the right

Mehmet Oz (left) and David McCormick. Photos: Riccardo Savi for Concordia Summit and Nate Smallwood/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania will hold a statewide recount for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its Senate Republican primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/05/18/pennsylvania-senate-primary-results-oz-mccormick" data-vars-content-id="073b6179-1b69-4ebf-9191-e87f4379f47d" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania Senate GOP race headed for statewide recount" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/05/18/pennsylvania-senate-primary-results-oz-mccormick" target="_self">its Senate Republican primary</a>, which remains too close to call, state election officials said Wednesday. Why it matters: The race between Trump-backed celebrity TV doctor Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO David McCormick is one of the most closely watched contests in the country. Many view the election as a test of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former President Trump&#x27;s political power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/10/trump-gambles-gop-kingmaker-status-with-dr-oz-endorsement" data-vars-content-id="073b6179-1b69-4ebf-9191-e87f4379f47d" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania Senate GOP race headed for statewide recount" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/10/trump-gambles-gop-kingmaker-status-with-dr-oz-endorsement" target="_self">former President Trump&#x27;s political power</a>.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

The School District of Philadelphia is delaying its move to shift start times for students in grades six through 12 next school year.

Driving the news: The ongoing bus driver shortage would have prevented the district from equitably shifting all 56 high schools and middle schools to a 9am start time and bell schedule starting this fall, superintendent William Hite said in a statement this week. 

Yes, but: Individual schools can potentially move forward with a delayed start time in the new school year, with permission from the district. 

Flashback: The district began standardizing start and end times for schools in the fall of 2021, in part to reduce the amount of time students were on buses and to ensure buses were on time more often, Hite said.

Between the lines: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that students in grades six through 12 start school at 8:30am or later.

Later start times allow these students to have sufficient sleep and contribute to physical and mental health, safety and academic achievement, according to the AAP.

What's next: The district is now planning to implement the later start times for the 2023-24 school year, depending on the district's bus staffing levels.

"We remain fully committed to our ultimate goal of shifting all of our high schools and middle/high schools to start times that align with AAP recommendations," Hite said.

School District of Philadelphia punts on plan to push start times

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that students in grades six through 12 start school at 8:30am or later.

Schools

The School District of Philadelphia is delaying its move to shift start times for students in grades six through 12 next school year.Driving the news: The ongoing bus driver shortage would have prevented the district from equitably shifting all 56 high schools and middle schools to a 9am start time and bell schedule starting this fall, superintendent William Hite said in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="statement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philasd.org/blog/2022/05/25/postponelaterstart/" data-vars-content-id="169c9211-e7c9-49ee-b17e-aad57c2880d4" data-vars-headline="School District of Philadelphia punts on plan to push start times" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philasd.org/blog/2022/05/25/postponelaterstart/" target="_blank">statement</a> this week.

News

SEPTA wants your two cents about the future design of its bus system. 

Driving the news: The transportation agency is in the second year of a $3 million reconfiguration of its entire bus network, including routes, schedules, stops and more.

Dubbed Bus Revolution, SEPTA has developed two options for changes to the system, and now the transit agency wants you to weigh in.

Why it matters: This will be the first comprehensive bus redesign since SEPTA was formed in the mid-1960s.

It's part of SEPTA's larger plan to revamp its entire system, including rail, Regional Rail and trolley services. 

The big picture: Even before the pandemic, SEPTA had seen bus ridership drop for years. Now, the system must navigate a new reality, with Philly's population dropping and a push toward remote work changing how — and how often — many use public transportation.

SEPTA's overall ridership for bus, train and trolley remains mired at 51% of pre-pandemic levels as of April, according to the agency's online dashboard. 

Details: The two design options have distinct benefits and tradeoffs. Both have fewer routes than SEPTA's roughly 120 existing offerings.

Option 1: A total of 93 routes operating more frequent, all-day service, with faster trips and wait times limited to 30 minutes or less. 

Yes, but: This option has both longer walks between stops and more transfers for some riders. 

Option 2: A total of 109 routes that include shorter walks between stops, more direct trips with fewer transfers for some riders, and more routes in suburban communities.

Yes, but: This option has fewer routes operating all-day, frequent service and longer wait times, in some cases up to 60 minutes. 

Of note: Both options include a new microtransit service, a ride-share option similar to Uber and Lyft but for the fixed cost of a bus ride. 

This option is located mostly in the suburbs in less densely populated service areas. 

What they're saying: Dan Nemiroff, SEPTA manager of planning process, told Axios the goals of the bus system redesign are to boost ridership and make the system more effective. 

The final design will most likely be a blend between both network options, he added.

What's ahead: Beyond SETPA's online survey, the agency is also looking for feedback by hosting virtual community meetings on the plans.

The agency will use rider feedback to create draft recommendations for a single plan, which is expected to be revealed in the fall. 

SEPTA is expected to officially roll out and hold hearings on a final plan next year, with the first changes pegged for fall 2023. 

Weigh in on SEPTA's bus redesign plans

SEPTA buses sit idle at the Frankford Transportation Center in Oct. 31, 2005.  

SEPTA buses sit idle at the Frankford Transportation Center in 2005. Photo: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

Public transport

SEPTA wants your two cents about the future design of its bus system. Driving the news: The transportation agency is in the second year of a $3 million reconfiguration of its entire bus network, including routes, schedules, stops and more.

Employees at four Philadelphia Starbucks stores voted to unionize on Wednesday, joining dozens of others across the United States.

The big picture: The tight labor market, combined with a pro-union White House and lingering pandemic concerns, are fueling a new labor movement across the United States.

Driving the news: The National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday counted election ballots from five city Starbucks stores that petitioned to unionize. 

The stores at 9th and South Streets, 20th and Market Streets, 34th and Walnut Streets, and Penn Medicine Perelman Center voted in favor of unionizing.

Employees at the 1945 Callowhill Street location rejected unionization.  

Details: Employees at the four unionized stores will join Workers United, an affiliate of Service Employees International Union. 

At least 80 Starbucks stores have voted to form a union with Workers United and scores more have petitioned to unionize, said Alex Riccio, a staff organizer at the union who organized the Philly campaigns.  

What they're saying: Riccio said the Philadelphia Starbucks stores were tapping into a national labor movement. 

"All the workers are excited. They're also angry. That's a pretty potent combination," he said.

Colter Chatriand, a barista and the main organizer for Callowhill's union campaign, said he would seek another unionization vote at the store after the required waiting period.

"We'll see what my future holds. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." 

Meanwhile, Starbucks spokesperson Reggie Borges told Axios the company will respect its employees' voices and bargain in good faith. 

"The vote outcomes will not change our shared purpose or how we will show up for each other."

Between the lines: Starbucks recently revealed it'll spend nearly $1 billion this fiscal year to boost worker wages and training, among other initiatives, at non-unionized stores. 

What to watch: Workers at the Starbucks store at 12th and Walnut Streets also are seeking to unionize, Riccio said. 

Ballots in that store's election are expected to be counted next month.

Meanwhile, the NLRB in Phoenix accused Starbucks of "retaliating against" workers involved in organizing a union last month. Starbucks rejected the claims. 

4 Philadelphia Starbucks stores vote to unionize

But employees at the 1945 Callowhill Street location rejected unionization.

Labor unions

Employees at four Philadelphia Starbucks stores voted to unionize on Wednesday, joining <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dozens of others" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/starbucks-unionized-50-stores-in-us_n_62717c0fe4b0bc48f580b8e7" data-vars-content-id="375df253-3691-44dc-884a-67ac98920398" data-vars-headline="4 Philadelphia Starbucks stores vote to unionize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/starbucks-unionized-50-stores-in-us_n_62717c0fe4b0bc48f580b8e7" target="_blank">dozens of others</a> across the United States.The big picture: The tight labor market, combined with a pro-union White House and lingering pandemic concerns, are fueling a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new labor movement across the United States" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/06/amazon-union-vote-starbucks-labor-jobs" data-vars-content-id="375df253-3691-44dc-884a-67ac98920398" data-vars-headline="4 Philadelphia Starbucks stores vote to unionize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/06/amazon-union-vote-starbucks-labor-jobs" target="_self">new labor movement across the United States</a>.

Business

Looking for ways to spend the long weekend? Look no further.

🎨 Enjoy music, shop vendors and create your own mosaic at May Twilight in the Gardens at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens tonight from 7-10pm. Plus: It's BYOB! 

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 students and seniors.

🎥 cinéSPEAK Under the Stars is screening the Prince concert documentary, "Sign O' the Times," starting at 7:30pm tonight at Clark Park in West Philly. Free, but registration is requested. 

🎻 Listen to a cello performance and poetry readings at Final Fridays at The Rail Park today from 6-8pm. 

🛍️ Art Star Pop Up Market at The Bourse runs from 11am-3pm Friday-Sunday.

🎆 Kickoff summer with Visit Philadelphia's live concert and fireworks show at the Delaware waterfront on Saturday, starting at 8pm.

🎞️ The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival begins this Sunday, with a lineup of feature films, documentaries, shorts, workshops and more. Virtual screenings are also offered. 

Tickets are $10 for feature films and free for shorts, with bundles available on the fest's website. 

How to spend Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia: fireworks and fun

Kickoff summer with a live concert and fireworks.

Weekend

Looking for ways to spend the long weekend? Look no further.🎨 Enjoy music, shop vendors and create your own mosaic at May Twilight in the Gardens at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia&#x27;s Magic Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/" data-vars-content-id="e81b1032-b4f8-4e56-9e6f-2eea4048af34" data-vars-headline="How to spend Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia: fireworks and fun" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/" target="_blank">Philadelphia&#x27;s Magic Gardens</a> tonight from 7-10pm. Plus: It&#x27;s BYOB! <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://61137.blackbaudhosting.com/61137/tickets?tab=2&amp;txobjid=09fd052c-89a5-4920-9f8d-4fb711f9955f" data-vars-content-id="e81b1032-b4f8-4e56-9e6f-2eea4048af34" data-vars-headline="How to spend Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia: fireworks and fun" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://61137.blackbaudhosting.com/61137/tickets?tab=2&amp;txobjid=09fd052c-89a5-4920-9f8d-4fb711f9955f" target="_blank">Tickets</a> are $25 for adults and $20 students and seniors.</li></ul>

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Stories

Weigh in on SEPTA's bus redesign plans

How to spend Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia: fireworks and fun

School District of Philadelphia punts on plan to push start times

4 Philadelphia Starbucks stores vote to unionize

Pennsylvania Senate GOP race headed for statewide recount

Newsletter editions

🚍 Reroute our buses

☕ Labor and lattes

🗳 Stalled Senate race

⚖️ Penn anthropologist sues media

🍼 Baby formula crisis