Philadelphia

blue

Axios Philadelphia Partners

Philadelphia Alerts

Alert

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

Axios Philadelphia Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Philadelphia with Mike D'Onofrio and Isaac Avilucea.

Axios Philadelphia

Standard

Philadelphia Members

Membership

Sunday night was a movie, and Philly set the soundtrack.

State of play: Fans celebrated their Super Bowl win with anthems like: 

"Fly, Eagles Fly" by Curtis Jr., which jumped +13,950% in hourly streams on Spotify Sunday between 9pm and 12am, compared to the same period the week prior, according to the music service.

"Millidelphia (feat. Swizz Beatz)" by Meek Mill (+1,095%)

"Gonna Fly Now - Theme From "Rocky" by Bill Conti (+340%)

Flashback: The Eagles' 2018 Super Bowl parade playlist included classics like "Motownphilly" and "Cupid Shuffle," plus hits of the time like "Bodak Yellow" and "Mi Gente."

Tell us: What do you want to hear blasting at Friday's parade? Email Axios Philly with your suggestions.

Eagles Super Bowl parade: When, where and what to expect

Philadelphia's Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify

Streaming data shows fans were blasting these hits Sunday night.

Illustration of music notes coming out of a beer can. 

Sunday night was a movie, and Philly set the soundtrack.State of play: Fans celebrated their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/10/eagles-super-bowl-win-philly-broad-street-poles" data-vars-content-id="5e6df836-9451-41ff-ae3c-3540a12b6d2b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/10/eagles-super-bowl-win-philly-broad-street-poles" target="_self">Super Bowl</a> win with anthems like: <ul><li>&quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fly, Eagles Fly" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/0WhsFIDmoJosHihNyNlf0z" data-vars-content-id="5e6df836-9451-41ff-ae3c-3540a12b6d2b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0WhsFIDmoJosHihNyNlf0z" target="_blank">Fly, Eagles Fly</a>&quot; by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Curtis Jr." data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6GsgLzDt6CSmr4IXK6y1Hy" data-vars-content-id="5e6df836-9451-41ff-ae3c-3540a12b6d2b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6GsgLzDt6CSmr4IXK6y1Hy" target="_blank">Curtis Jr.</a>, which jumped +13,950% in hourly streams on Spotify Sunday between 9pm and 12am, compared to the same period the week prior, according to the music service.</li></ul>

Sports

Music

Culture

Data: Associated Press; Chart: Axios Visuals

Pennsylvanians are casting their crucial votes in the 2024 election Tuesday.

The big picture: Pennsylvania is one of the most critical battleground states in the presidential race.

There's also a high-profile U.S. Senate contest and several key row office races to watch.

State of play: Determining the state's pick for the next resident of the White House could take several days — as it did in 2020, when President Biden was declared the winner on the Saturday after the election.

Pennsylvania is among several states that don't allow election offices to begin opening mail-in ballots until 7am on Election Day. The actual tabulation of mail ballots doesn't begin until after polls close. 

And the state has made few changes since 2020 to speed up the process.

Yes, but: Far fewer mail-in ballots have been requested in Pennsylvania this election, compared to 2020. 

In Philadelphia, elections officials are planning to use a handful of faster mail-in ballot-processing machines, which could help reduce delays.

The intrigue: Big donors are flooding Pennsylvania with cash, and much of the attention is on Democratic Sen. Bob Casey's fight to keep his seat.

He's facing former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick, a Republican who's running for office again after losing the 2022 GOP Senate primary. Casey has held the seat since 2007.

In late October, Cook Political Report shifted the race to "toss-up" from "Lean Democrat."

Meanwhile, all three of Philadelphia's U.S. House seats are on the ballot, but only two are competitive.

Democrat Rep. Brendan Boyle is seeking reelection in the 2nd District, which spans most of Northeast Philly and parts of North Philly. Boyle is facing a challenge from Republican Aaron Bashir.

Rep. Dwight Evans, a Democrat in the 3rd District, is running unopposed. He's held the office since 2016.

In the 5th District, which covers portions of South and Southwest Philly, Republican Alfeia Goodwin is challenging Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democrat who took office in 2018.

Outside the city, Bucks County's 1st District is one to watch. Democrat Ashley Ehasz is trying to unseat Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick — a rematch from a close 2022 race.

Zoom in: Pennsylvania's row offices — attorney general, auditor general and state treasurer — are also up for grabs.

All 203 state House seats are up for election.

Plus, Philadelphia's four state Senate seats are on the ballot, but only the 5th District in Northeast Philly is competitive.

Go deeper: Voter guide: Who's on the 2024 ballot in Philadelphia

How Philadelphia-area officials are ramping up election security

These Pennsylvania counties notify voters of mail-in ballot mistakes

Voter guide: Who's on the 2024 ballot in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results

Every race the Keystone State cares about, in one dashboard.

2024 elections

Illustration of the number 2024 appearing in the center of graphic shapes colored blue, red, and purple, as well as graphics found on ballots, like arrows and patterned lines.

Pennsylvanians are casting their crucial votes in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024 election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/01/philadelphia-election-voter-guide-2024" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/01/philadelphia-election-voter-guide-2024" target="_self">2024 election</a> Tuesday.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/09/2024-election-polls-tossup" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/09/2024-election-polls-tossup" target="_self">Pennsylvania</a> is one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most critical battleground states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/11/pennsylvania-swing-voters-2024-harris-trump" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/11/pennsylvania-swing-voters-2024-harris-trump" target="_self">most critical battleground states</a> in the presidential race.<ul><li>There&#x27;s also a high-profile U.S. Senate contest and several key row office races to watch.</li></ul>State of play: Determining the state&#x27;s pick for the next resident of the White House could take several days — as it did in 2020, when President Biden was declared the winner on the Saturday after the election.<ul><li>Pennsylvania is among several states that don&#x27;t allow election offices to begin opening mail-in ballots until 7am on Election Day. The actual tabulation of mail ballots doesn&#x27;t begin until after polls close. </li><li>And the state has made <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="few changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/09/17/election-mail-in-ballots-trump-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/09/17/election-mail-in-ballots-trump-pennsylvania" target="_self">few changes</a> since 2020 to speed up the process.</li></ul>Yes, but: Far fewer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in ballots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/mail-ballot-requests-down-pennsylvania-20241022.html" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/mail-ballot-requests-down-pennsylvania-20241022.html" target="_blank">mail-in ballots</a> have been requested in Pennsylvania this election, compared to 2020. <ul><li>In Philadelphia, elections officials are planning to use a handful of faster <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in ballot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/17/pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-mistakes-notify-cure" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/17/pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-mistakes-notify-cure" target="_self">mail-in ballot</a>-processing machines, which could help reduce delays.</li></ul>The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big donors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/03/05/big-donors-trump-campaign-presidential-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/03/05/big-donors-trump-campaign-presidential-pennsylvania" target="_self">Big donors</a> are flooding Pennsylvania with cash, and much of the attention is on Democratic Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bob Casey&#x27;s fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/07/senate-campaign-2024-election-ad-spending-republicans-democrats" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/07/senate-campaign-2024-election-ad-spending-republicans-democrats" target="_self">Bob Casey&#x27;s fight</a> to keep his seat.<ul><li>He&#x27;s facing former hedge fund CEO <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dave McCormick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/dave-mccormick-fundraising-pennsylvania-senate" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/dave-mccormick-fundraising-pennsylvania-senate" target="_self">Dave McCormick</a>, a Republican who&#x27;s running for office again after losing the 2022 GOP Senate primary. Casey has held the seat since 2007.</li><li>In late October, Cook Political Report <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/senate/senate-overview/two-weeks-go-pennsylvania-senate-shifts-toss-nebraska-senate-moves" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/senate/senate-overview/two-weeks-go-pennsylvania-senate-shifts-toss-nebraska-senate-moves" target="_blank">shifted</a> the race to &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="toss-up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/21/pennsylvania-senate-race-tossup-cook-political" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/21/pennsylvania-senate-race-tossup-cook-political" target="_self">toss-up</a>&quot; from &quot;Lean Democrat.&quot;</li></ul>Meanwhile, all three of Philadelphia&#x27;s U.S. House seats are on the ballot, but only two are competitive.<ul><li>Democrat Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brendan Boyle" data-vars-click-url="https://voteboyle.com/" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://voteboyle.com/" target="_blank">Brendan Boyle</a> is seeking reelection in the 2nd District, which spans most of Northeast Philly and parts of North Philly. Boyle is facing a challenge from Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Aaron Bashir" data-vars-click-url="https://bashirforcongress.com/" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bashirforcongress.com/" target="_blank">Aaron Bashir</a>.</li><li>Rep. Dwight Evans, a Democrat in the 3rd District, is running unopposed. He&#x27;s held the office since 2016.</li><li>In the 5th District, which covers portions of South and Southwest Philly, Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alfeia Goodwin" data-vars-click-url="https://alfeforuscongress.com/" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://alfeforuscongress.com/" target="_blank">Alfeia Goodwin</a> is challenging Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mary Gay Scanlon" data-vars-click-url="https://scanlon.house.gov/" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://scanlon.house.gov/" target="_blank">Mary Gay Scanlon</a>, a Democrat who took office in 2018.</li></ul>Outside the city, Bucks County&#x27;s 1st District is one to watch. Democrat Ashley Ehasz is trying to unseat Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a rematch" data-vars-click-url="https://whyy.org/articles/brian-fitzpatrick-ashley-ehasz-congressional-race-pennsylvania-elections-2024/" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://whyy.org/articles/brian-fitzpatrick-ashley-ehasz-congressional-race-pennsylvania-elections-2024/" target="_blank">a rematch</a> from a close 2022 race.Zoom in: Pennsylvania&#x27;s row offices — attorney general, auditor general and state treasurer — are also up for grabs.<ul><li>All 203 state House seats are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="up for election" data-vars-click-url="https://ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2024" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2024" target="_blank">up for election</a>.</li><li>Plus, Philadelphia&#x27;s four state Senate seats are on the ballot, but only the 5th District in Northeast Philly is competitive.</li></ul>Go deeper: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Voter guide: Who&#x27;s on the 2024 ballot in Philadelphia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/01/philadelphia-election-voter-guide-2024" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/01/philadelphia-election-voter-guide-2024" target="_self">Voter guide: Who&#x27;s on the 2024 ballot in Philadelphia</a><ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="How Philadelphia-area officials are ramping up election security" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/23/philadelphia-2024-presidential-election-security-training" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/23/philadelphia-2024-presidential-election-security-training" target="_self">How Philadelphia-area officials are ramping up election security</a></li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="These Pennsylvania counties notify voters of mail-in ballot mistakes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/17/pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-mistakes-notify-cure" data-vars-content-id="5f6c54d7-cea5-43a7-b8f1-37e3bad1d0bd" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania on Election Day: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/17/pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-mistakes-notify-cure" target="_self">These Pennsylvania counties notify voters of mail-in ballot mistakes</a></li></ul>

Election

Politics

Whats Next

Axios What's Next

Data: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

Significantly fewer kids are getting flu shots in Pennsylvania so far this season, per new CDC data.

The big picture: Childhood flu vaccination is down in every state but Iowa.

Roughly 37% of kids nationwide have their flu shots for the 2024-25 season so far — down about 7 percentage points from the same time last year.

About 54% of kids got their shot by the end of the last flu season, down from 62% in 2019-20.

Why it matters: Flu shots can help prevent kids from getting sick, but the inoculations appear to be getting swept up in a broader wave of vaccine skepticism that took hold during the pandemic.

Startling stat: The CDC reported 200 pediatric flu-related deaths in the 2023-24 season — a record high for a non-pandemic flu year. 

Zoom in: Childhood flu vaccine coverage in Pennsylvania has dropped by more than 10 percentage points compared with the same time last year, to 35.4%.

Overall flu activity is low but increasing statewide. 

Between the lines: There's also been a national rise in vaccine exemptions among kindergartners, suggesting increasing vaccine skepticism among parents.

Public health experts worry that President-elect Trump's pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could further erode confidence in many vaccines that have proved safe and effective, as Axios' Maya Goldman and Tina Reed report.

📍 Find a flu shot: The City of Philadelphia has an online map to locate a flu clinic near you. Remember to make an appointment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Fewer kids are getting flu shots in Pennsylvania so far this year

Childhood flu vaccination is down in every state but Iowa, per new CDC data.

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the difference in childhood flu vaccination rates in the 2024-25 season compared to the same period in 2023-24, as of 11/30/24. Iowa has the biggest gain at +6.5 percentage points, while Idaho has the biggest drop at -18.8pp. The national change is -7.1pp.

Significantly fewer kids are getting flu shots in Pennsylvania so far this season, per new CDC data.The big picture: Childhood flu vaccination is down in every state but Iowa.

Health

Incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D) is trailing his Trump-backed Republican challenger David McCormick in Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race, which remains too close to call.

The big picture: Democrats are on defense after Republicans seized back control of the chamber. The only question now is the size of the GOP's majority.

State of play: The tight contest, which Cook Political Report added to its "toss-up" list last month, is also among the most expensive Senate races of 2024.

There was more than $300 million in ad spending and ad reservations reported as of September, per AdImpact data.

Zoom in: Casey, who's held the seat since 2007, is seeking a fourth term. In the closing stretch, he's made attempts to cast himself as more moderate — even boasting about his ties to now President-elect Trump.

The senator has focused his campaign on corporate price gouging, and he opposes tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, is running for office again after losing the Republican Senate primary to TV personality Mehmet Oz in 2022. McCormick was on stage with Trump during the attempted assassination of the former president in Butler in July.

McCormick wants to tamp down on inflation, and he's called for stricter immigration policies.

Go deeper: Donald Trump wins Pennsylvania, White House

Donald Trump wins Pennsylvania, White House

Live election results: Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race

The contest between Sen. Bob Casey and Dave McCormick is still too close to call.

Incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D) is trailing his Trump-backed Republican challenger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="David McCormick" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/37363943.30232/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDcvMTUvZGF2ZS1tY2Nvcm1pY2stZnVuZHJhaXNpbmctcGVubnN5bHZhbmlhLXNlbmF0ZT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3BoaWxhZGVscGhpYSZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60999b09a3291a5ad87611d3B9a68983c" data-vars-content-id="87a7ee94-3365-4fcd-8f22-7c0de70f8fdb" data-vars-headline="Live election results: Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/37363943.30232/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDcvMTUvZGF2ZS1tY2Nvcm1pY2stZnVuZHJhaXNpbmctcGVubnN5bHZhbmlhLXNlbmF0ZT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3BoaWxhZGVscGhpYSZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60999b09a3291a5ad87611d3B9a68983c" target="_self">David McCormick</a> in Pennsylvania&#x27;s U.S. Senate race, which remains too close to call.The big picture: Democrats are on defense after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Republicans seized back control" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/37363943.30232/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMTEvMDUvY29uZ3Jlc3MtY29udHJvbC1zZW5hdGUtaG91c2UtMjAyND91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3BoaWxhZGVscGhpYSZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60999b09a3291a5ad87611d3C636be0ff" data-vars-content-id="87a7ee94-3365-4fcd-8f22-7c0de70f8fdb" data-vars-headline="Live election results: Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/37363943.30232/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMTEvMDUvY29uZ3Jlc3MtY29udHJvbC1zZW5hdGUtaG91c2UtMjAyND91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3BoaWxhZGVscGhpYSZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60999b09a3291a5ad87611d3C636be0ff" target="_self">Republicans seized back control</a> of the chamber. The only question now is the size of the GOP&#x27;s majority.

A stylish boutique hotel opening inside a historic Fishtown property later this summer promises a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Why it matters: Hotel Anna & Bel — which will have a courtyard pool, Mediterranean restaurant and a bar — is already getting a ton of hype. 

The renovated property was named one of the most exciting hotel openings earlier this year by Condé Nast Traveler, and its restaurant Bastia was included on Bon Appétit's must-visit new restaurants list.

State of play: The 50-room hotel is slated to open Aug. 7, with rates starting around $300 a night.

Bastia — a new restaurant from chef Tyler Akin, who's behind the popular brasserie Le Cavalier at Wilmington's Hotel Du Pont — will open for dinner a week earlier, on July 31. Expect seafood and vegetable-forward dishes, plus wines, aperitifs and nonalcoholic drinks.

Cocktail piano lounge Caletta comes Sept. 5, serving spritzes, swizzles and small Italian bites like fried artichokes, arancini and zeppole Calabrese.

A covered courtyard, with large glass doors and windows opening out to a pool area and large potted plants.

The courtyard area will be open year-round. Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Lyle Thompson

Context: The 18th-century property formerly housed the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women, also known as Penn Home. The site provided social services and later became a neighborhood retirement home. It received a historical designation in 2020.

The following year, Foyer Project purchased the property. The developer worked with the Philadelphia Historical Commission to transform the site while maintaining much of its original character.

Zoom in: Rooms vary in size from studios to two-beds, and some include balconies. The pool will be open from late spring through early fall, but guests can enjoy the patio area year-round.

There's also a fitness center, a sauna, a treatment room and an art collection highlighting local and women artists.

A library area, with green couches and lounge chairs and colorful framed paintings.

Local artists featured in the hotel's art collection include Katherine Fraser, Kate VanVliet and Shawn Theodore. Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Lyle Thompson

A balcony area outside of the boutique hotel's rooms, with tiled flooring and reclining chairs.

Second-floor rooms overlook a balcony area. Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Lyle Thompson

New boutique hotel with pool opening at historic site in Fishtown

Plus, a hot Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail lounge are incoming.

An outdoor pool in a courtyard with gray-and-white checkered tiles.

The pool will open to guests only. Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Lyle Thompson

A stylish boutique <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/01/28/philadelphia-hotels-pandemic-recovery-center-city" data-vars-content-id="e1f21b7c-cd57-406e-8c50-8c9bb79b9dd9" data-vars-headline="New boutique hotel with pool opening at historic site in Fishtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/01/28/philadelphia-hotels-pandemic-recovery-center-city" target="_self">hotel</a> opening inside a historic Fishtown property later this summer promises a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hotel Anna &amp; Bel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.annaandbel.com/" data-vars-content-id="e1f21b7c-cd57-406e-8c50-8c9bb79b9dd9" data-vars-headline="New boutique hotel with pool opening at historic site in Fishtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.annaandbel.com/" target="_blank">Hotel Anna &amp; Bel</a> — which will have a courtyard <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/07/07/private-pools-philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="e1f21b7c-cd57-406e-8c50-8c9bb79b9dd9" data-vars-headline="New boutique hotel with pool opening at historic site in Fishtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/07/07/private-pools-philadelphia" target="_self">pool</a>, Mediterranean restaurant and a bar — is already getting a ton of hype.

Alexa Mencia

Featured stories

Philadelphia's Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify

Trump's death by a thousand cuts to D.C. federal workforce

Your D.C. weekend: Last chance for Zoo Lights, "Life of Pi" and festive fun

Fewer kids are getting flu shots in Pennsylvania so far this year

Audi Field to host 3 FIFA Club World Cup matches in 2025