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Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he's gone astray

The former Inquirer columnist is feuding with a group that helped mold him into the journalist he is.

News

Stephen A. Smith is committed to having the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first take" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/59fe7218-3b48-4543-8f24-7bafd3956f03/first-take" data-vars-content-id="fe5ab7e1-5b20-4fdb-a450-3a3fc3cd8154" data-vars-headline="Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he&#x27;s gone astray" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/59fe7218-3b48-4543-8f24-7bafd3956f03/first-take" target="_blank">first take</a> and the last take.Why it matters: Smith is feuding with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Association of Black Journalists" data-vars-click-url="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6035210-stephen-a-smith-nabj-award/" data-vars-content-id="fe5ab7e1-5b20-4fdb-a450-3a3fc3cd8154" data-vars-headline="Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he&#x27;s gone astray" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6035210-stephen-a-smith-nabj-award/" target="_blank">National Association of Black Journalists</a> — a group he credits with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="helping shape him into the journalist he&#x27;s become" data-vars-click-url="https://youtu.be/BITy6WSbniQ?si=Gk_SRVIjU8JXFIa9&amp;t=249" data-vars-content-id="fe5ab7e1-5b20-4fdb-a450-3a3fc3cd8154" data-vars-headline="Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he&#x27;s gone astray" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://youtu.be/BITy6WSbniQ?si=Gk_SRVIjU8JXFIa9&amp;t=249" target="_blank">helping shape him into the journalist he&#x27;s become</a> — over its claim that he has a &quot;recurring public pattern&quot; of disrespecting &quot;prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.&quot;

Uncertainty swirls around Philly's special-admission school process

It's making an already stressful process even worse.

Education

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/18/teacher-resignations-retirements-attrition-on-the-rise" data-vars-content-id="e8203e52-ca63-4a0b-a188-f2afc569fe65" data-vars-headline="Uncertainty swirls around Philly&#x27;s special-admission school process" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/18/teacher-resignations-retirements-attrition-on-the-rise" target="_self">Philadelphia district</a> students enter the school year with confusion over applying to the city&#x27;s top-tier special-admission schools.Why it matters: The uncertainty around the application process to the city&#x27;s roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three dozen selective magnet schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philasd.org/studentplacement/school-selection/#schools" data-vars-content-id="e8203e52-ca63-4a0b-a188-f2afc569fe65" data-vars-headline="Uncertainty swirls around Philly&#x27;s special-admission school process" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philasd.org/studentplacement/school-selection/#schools" target="_blank">three dozen selective magnet schools</a> is making an already stressful process even worse.

She lost $1 million gambling. More Pennsylvania women are seeking help

Experts fear online gambling could be the country's next great addiction epidemic.

Health

Carla Brandoff has spent much of her career making deals. At the height of her gambling addiction, she was especially good at making them with herself.<ul><li>She could explain away almost every warning sign on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gamblers Anonymous checklist" data-vars-click-url="https://gamblersanonymous.org/20-questions/" data-vars-content-id="e4f012ec-a3b4-4103-8b65-038a21446f14" data-vars-headline="She lost $1 million gambling. More Pennsylvania women are seeking help" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gamblersanonymous.org/20-questions/" target="_blank">Gamblers Anonymous checklist</a> — until she reached question No. 13.</li></ul>&quot;Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?&quot;Why it matters: As online gambling has exploded in popularity, some experts fear the U.S. is flirting with another addiction epidemic rivaling those fueled by tobacco and opioids.

Philly among final 3 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028 

The selection is a nod to the cities' political power and a signal they're vital to Democrats' road back to the White House.

Politics

Philadelphia, Boston and Denver are the finalists to host the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2028 Democratic National Convention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/06/dnc-convention-and-a-possible-shapiro-moment" data-vars-content-id="680488b7-20f5-42d4-b85f-92657dd8b443" data-vars-headline="Philly among final 3 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/06/dnc-convention-and-a-possible-shapiro-moment" target="_self">2028 Democratic National Convention</a>, the party revealed Thursday.Why it matters: The party&#x27;s selection is a nod to the cities&#x27; political power and a signal they&#x27;re vital to Democrats&#x27; road back to the White House.

Sixers star Jaylen Brown knows his Philly slang 

The brainy Brown has kept a busy postseason itinerary despite ceding the spotlight to the King.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeBron James" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/24/lebron-james-sixers-philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="5886ec52-eda4-4ab7-b74c-75c092732ef0" data-vars-headline="Sixers star Jaylen Brown knows his Philly slang " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/24/lebron-james-sixers-philadelphia" target="_self">LeBron James</a> got Philly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="so gassed up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/13/sixers-schedule-lebron-james-nba" data-vars-content-id="5886ec52-eda4-4ab7-b74c-75c092732ef0" data-vars-headline="Sixers star Jaylen Brown knows his Philly slang " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/13/sixers-schedule-lebron-james-nba" target="_self">so gassed up</a> about his arrival that a lot of people forgot about this guy, Jaylen Brown.Why it matters: Turns out, this brainy, All-Star jawn can hoop pretty well, too — and he&#x27;s already a baller at breaking down Philly lingo.

New artist apartments coming to ex-UArts building

It's the latest development in a series of major investments in recent years that are overhauling the Avenue of the Arts.

Development

Dozens of affordable housing units for artists are slated for a former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of the Arts building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/04/hamilton-hall-furness-scout-plans-bok-building" data-vars-content-id="4e60d75e-ba31-4b51-bcdc-e47b0b4533a8" data-vars-headline="New artist apartments coming to ex-UArts building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/04/hamilton-hall-furness-scout-plans-bok-building" target="_self">University of the Arts building</a> along South Broad Street. Why it matters: A $2.5 million grant unveiled this week has secured the redevelopment of the UArts buildings as a haven for creatives and the arts along one of Philly&#x27;s busiest commercial corridors.

This Philly-area grad is taking a glizzy gap year

Norah Martin landed the best entry-level job: driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile across the country.

Penn State graduate Norah Martin has one of the most coveted entry-level jobs in America.Why it matters: Hot diggity dog. She pinches herself at the thought of spending the next year driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile across the country.

Don't swim in the Delaware River around Philly

Swimming in contaminated water is a surefire way to get yourself a stomach illness, eye infection or skin rash.

Culture

The Delaware River may look tempting during a hot Philly summer, but a new study emphasizes that swimmers are better off heading upstream.Why it matters: Swimming in contaminated water can cause stomach illnesses, eye infections and skin rashes.

Philly's Mural Arts gets new leadership

The $15 million agency runs the nation's largest public arts program and is the reason Philly is the "Best City for Street Art."

Philadelphia&#x27;s Mural Arts is getting a new leader next month for the first time in decades.Why it matters: The roughly $15 million agency runs the nation&#x27;s largest public arts program and is the reason Philly is the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best City for Street Art" data-vars-click-url="https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-city-for-street-art/" data-vars-content-id="8843b622-07c1-45b3-8f24-ce7a56741c55" data-vars-headline="Philly&#x27;s Mural Arts gets new leadership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-city-for-street-art/" target="_blank">Best City for Street Art</a>.&quot;

Philadelphia's Portal could leave unless it gets a new spot

The art installation that connects Philly to three continents via a live video feed is the only one in North America.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia&#x27;s Portal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/25/philly-portal-love-park" data-vars-content-id="6eed67cf-0459-4bbf-9371-0bd466147545" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Portal could leave unless it gets a new spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/25/philly-portal-love-park" target="_self">Philadelphia&#x27;s Portal</a> could leave the city unless it finds a new home. Why it matters: The 3.5-ton art installation — the only one in North America — connects Philly with Portal locations on three continents via an all-hours live video feed.

Nolan's "The Odyssey" sends Philly library waitlists soaring

Waitlists for the book are growing by the day.

Getting your hands on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/20/where-watch-the-odyssey-70mm-imax-philadelphia-king-of-prussia" data-vars-content-id="f2cfb126-576d-4b2e-9858-f94227902206" data-vars-headline="Nolan&#x27;s &quot;The Odyssey&quot; sends Philly library waitlists soaring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/20/where-watch-the-odyssey-70mm-imax-philadelphia-king-of-prussia" target="_self">&quot;The Odyssey&quot;</a> isn&#x27;t quite as daunting as Odysseus&#x27; journey back home to his wife, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christopher Nolan&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/only-25-us-theaters-odyssey-imax-70mm" data-vars-content-id="f2cfb126-576d-4b2e-9858-f94227902206" data-vars-headline="Nolan&#x27;s &quot;The Odyssey&quot; sends Philly library waitlists soaring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/only-25-us-theaters-odyssey-imax-70mm" target="_self">Christopher Nolan&#x27;s</a> new film is fueling a run on Homer&#x27;s epic at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia Free Library" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/17/free-library-most-popular-books-movies-borrow" data-vars-content-id="f2cfb126-576d-4b2e-9858-f94227902206" data-vars-headline="Nolan&#x27;s &quot;The Odyssey&quot; sends Philly library waitlists soaring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/17/free-library-most-popular-books-movies-borrow" target="_self">Philadelphia Free Library</a>.Why it matters: Interest in the 2,700-year-old tale is on the rise, causing library waitlists for the book to grow by the day.

LeBron James has made Eagles training camp an afterthought in Philly

King him: LeBronmania has turned one of the city's biggest annual sports rituals into a supporting act.

LeBron James&#x27; crown casts a long shadow — long enough to eclipse something sacrosanct in Philadelphia: the start of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eagles training camp" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/ranking-11-top-training-camp-storylines-sean-mannion-jalen-hurts-20260728.html" data-vars-content-id="64c7adbf-2f22-4999-87bb-ccd8399fc4d9" data-vars-headline="LeBron James has made Eagles training camp an afterthought in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/ranking-11-top-training-camp-storylines-sean-mannion-jalen-hurts-20260728.html" target="_blank">Eagles training camp</a>.Why it matters: This week is usually when the Birds reclaim Philly&#x27;s full attention. Instead, LeBronmania has turned one of the city&#x27;s biggest annual sports rituals into a supporting act.

First look: Trippy new sculptures coming to Avenue of the Arts

They're the latest upgrade along Philly's major commercial corridor.

A pair of funky new sculptures is coming to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Avenue of the Arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/29/avenue-of-the-arts-redesign-south-broad-st-phases" data-vars-content-id="2ff83e11-d17c-45a6-80c9-600b38cd110d" data-vars-headline="First look: Trippy new sculptures coming to Avenue of the Arts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/29/avenue-of-the-arts-redesign-south-broad-st-phases" target="_self">Avenue of the Arts</a> this fall. Why it matters: The artwork is the latest upgrade along Philly&#x27;s major commercial corridor, which recently added a landscaped median on South Broad Street.

The Philly region has a rare way to see "The Odyssey"

The region has one of the few U.S. theaters where you can see the flick as Christopher Nolan intended.

Things to Do

The Philadelphia region is home to one of the few U.S. theaters where you can see <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christopher Nolan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/15/christopher-nolan-movies-ranked" data-vars-content-id="4e9df892-e370-4b0c-850b-c59c316048d4" data-vars-headline="The Philly region has a rare way to see &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/15/christopher-nolan-movies-ranked" target="_self">Christopher Nolan</a>&#x27;s &quot;The Odyssey&quot; as the director intended — on a 70mm IMAX screen.The big picture: Nolan fans are going bonkers over it. Some fans bought tickets a year ago, others delayed their pregnancies or went on cross-country road trips to see the film in its proper format, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Variety" data-vars-click-url="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/the-odyssey-fans-frenzy-imax-70mm-tickets-1236809522/" data-vars-content-id="4e9df892-e370-4b0c-850b-c59c316048d4" data-vars-headline="The Philly region has a rare way to see &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/the-odyssey-fans-frenzy-imax-70mm-tickets-1236809522/" target="_blank">Variety</a> reports.