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Gut-wrecking stomach illness hits Pennsylvania

The illness is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food or water.

Health

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gut-wrecking parasite" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="5fd2b916-4054-46db-bf43-dffc9e5e78f7" data-vars-headline="Gut-wrecking stomach illness hits Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" target="_self">gut-wrecking parasite</a> surging in the U.S. is also spreading in Pennsylvania. The big picture: The gastrointestinal illness — called cyclosporiasis — is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food.

How Philadelphia threw America a 250th birthday party to remember

Will Smith, a heat wave, and a World Cup match.

News

Triple-digit heat. A canceled parade. An evacuation of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. None of it could spoil Philadelphia&#x27;s party for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/01/philly-is-taking-center-stage-for-americas-250th-birthday" data-vars-content-id="f012f8f7-25a2-435a-ae61-c811f4933a5f" data-vars-headline="How Philadelphia threw America a 250th birthday party to remember" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/01/philly-is-taking-center-stage-for-americas-250th-birthday" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th birthday</a>.Why it matters: The nation&#x27;s birthplace delivered the kind of weekend only Philly could — reminding the country that Philadelphia remains at the heart of the American story.

Welcome America CEO Michael DelBene exits after July 4 festival

DelBene's exit comes days after the city held its biggest-ever festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Michael DelBene is out as CEO of Welcome America, a surprising shakeup coming just days after Philly celebrated its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest-ever festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/05/philadelphia-july-4-concert-fireworks-will-smith-meek-mill" data-vars-content-id="13655c26-1f16-4f76-a980-fb259809415e" data-vars-headline="Welcome America CEO Michael DelBene exits after July 4 festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/05/philadelphia-july-4-concert-fireworks-will-smith-meek-mill" target="_self">biggest-ever festival</a> for the nation&#x27;s 250th birthday.Why it matters: DelBene was instrumental in helping plan two of the city&#x27;s biggest events this year: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA Fan Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/19/world-cup-fan-festival-details" data-vars-content-id="13655c26-1f16-4f76-a980-fb259809415e" data-vars-headline="Welcome America CEO Michael DelBene exits after July 4 festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/19/world-cup-fan-festival-details" target="_self">FIFA Fan Fest</a> and the Fourth of July festivities on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Why Philly is the perfect final act for LeBron James

Let's call this legacy-defining chapter in James' career "The Invitation."

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeBron James" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/30/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers" data-vars-content-id="4e42cb03-72d1-4ab0-914b-e59676d95596" data-vars-headline="Why Philly is the perfect final act for LeBron James" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/30/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers" target="_self">LeBron James</a> is on the move — and if the &quot;Chosen One&quot; is looking for the perfect final act, Philly should be at the top of his list. Why it matters: A championship in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/16/philly-americas-sportiest-city-is-having-its-biggest-sports-year-yet" data-vars-content-id="4e42cb03-72d1-4ab0-914b-e59676d95596" data-vars-headline="Why Philly is the perfect final act for LeBron James" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/16/philly-americas-sportiest-city-is-having-its-biggest-sports-year-yet" target="_self">Philadelphia</a> would give James a legacy achievement that even Michael Jordan couldn&#x27;t pull off.

Philly nonprofit using ex-NFL players to get more men into therapy

The group is looking to raise $150,000 to provide therapy for 100 men.

For decades, former NFL tight end <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Massaquoi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/31/tim-massaquoi-kingsessing-heals-center" data-vars-content-id="459f3d3d-c6bf-4632-b0db-8ddb5e5e5d06" data-vars-headline="Philly nonprofit using ex-NFL players to get more men into therapy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/31/tim-massaquoi-kingsessing-heals-center" target="_self">Tim Massaquoi</a> never needed an alarm. Football dictated his mornings: up before dawn, then hours of stretching and treatment before practice.Why it matters: When a knee injury ended his career after just 11 games, Massaquoi had to build a new morning routine — reading, meditation and exercise — to deal with panic attacks and depression that came with losing an identity that had defined him.

Pennsylvania cancer patients find hope, healing through app

The app pairs patients with peers who understand the toughest parts of treatment and recovery.

Even after losing one of his eyes to uveal cancer, Jeff Abramowitz says he sees more clearly these days.Why it matters: The retired lawyer from rural southwestern Pennsylvania figured his chances of finding someone else with his rare eye cancer were slim — until <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CancerBuddy" data-vars-click-url="https://bonemarrow.org/cancerbuddy/" data-vars-content-id="a8071ef2-bdf4-45ab-a154-d1065829de77" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania cancer patients find hope, healing through app" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bonemarrow.org/cancerbuddy/" target="_blank">CancerBuddy</a> connected him with a man in Oregon.

Philadelphia is building the backbone of next-gen cancer therapies

Philadelphia is becoming a hub for targeted cancer therapies.

Partners

A new Philadelphia manufacturing facility aims to tackle one of precision medicine&#x27;s biggest supply problems: producing enough actinium-225 (Ac-225).Why it&#x27;s important: Researchers are studying the rare radioisotope in human clinical trials for its potential role in targeted alpha therapy (TAT).

Pennie coverage drops amid rising health care premiums

More big spikes in health care costs could be coming.

Pennsylvania&#x27;s Affordable Care Act marketplace has seen health insurance cancellations skyrocket so far this year.The big picture: Spiking insurance premiums, driven in part by recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expired federal subsidies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/17/house-gop-health-bill-obamacare-aca-subsidies" data-vars-content-id="ed0fb365-be56-4bcf-8b14-cccc68f2d7e1" data-vars-headline="Pennie coverage drops amid rising health care premiums" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/17/house-gop-health-bill-obamacare-aca-subsidies" target="_self">expired federal subsidies</a>, are pushing enrollment down, as higher costs for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/why-electricity-rates-rising-pennsylvania-energy-demand-grid" data-vars-content-id="ed0fb365-be56-4bcf-8b14-cccc68f2d7e1" data-vars-headline="Pennie coverage drops amid rising health care premiums" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/why-electricity-rates-rising-pennsylvania-energy-demand-grid" target="_self">energy</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/western-pa-gas-prices-surge-above-4-20-per-gallon-as-iran-war-continues-to-push-oil-costs/" data-vars-content-id="ed0fb365-be56-4bcf-8b14-cccc68f2d7e1" data-vars-headline="Pennie coverage drops amid rising health care premiums" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/western-pa-gas-prices-surge-above-4-20-per-gallon-as-iran-war-continues-to-push-oil-costs/" target="_blank">gas</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/as-prices-continue-to-rise-western-pa-food-banks-see-climbing-demand/" data-vars-content-id="ed0fb365-be56-4bcf-8b14-cccc68f2d7e1" data-vars-headline="Pennie coverage drops amid rising health care premiums" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/as-prices-continue-to-rise-western-pa-food-banks-see-climbing-demand/" target="_blank">food</a> strain household budgets.

Measles cases on the rise in Pennsylvania

Falling vaccination rates are raising alarms that one of the world's most contagious viruses could make a comeback.

Measles cases are surging in Pennsylvania and on track to eclipse last year&#x27;s total. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Falling vaccination rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/08/measles-vaccination-rates-in-most-pennsylvania-counties-lag-below-herd-immunity" data-vars-content-id="d3070361-89f8-4f78-a532-bae1975a4dd8" data-vars-headline="Measles cases on the rise in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/08/measles-vaccination-rates-in-most-pennsylvania-counties-lag-below-herd-immunity" target="_self">Falling vaccination rates</a> are raising alarms that one of the world&#x27;s most contagious viruses could make a comeback and spread rapidly in densely populated cities like Philly.

How to stop problem gambling, according to experts

Manage idle time. Tell someone you trust.

Understanding more about why people gamble is key to overcoming addiction, psychologists say.Why it matters: Gambling addictions can push people into debt and fuel mental health crises. Studies show people with such addictions are at higher <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S003335062400283X" data-vars-content-id="7f72f195-5044-409d-b02f-0dde726efdf8" data-vars-headline="How to stop problem gambling, according to experts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S003335062400283X" target="_blank">risk</a> for depression and suicide.

How Pennsylvania's self-ban program fails many problem gamblers

The state's only real barrier is easily exploited.

While his friends lounged in a mountain lodge jacuzzi, Tom hid inside, streaming the Packers game on his phone. He lost $2,500 that night — and some self-respect.<ul><li>&quot;It seriously felt like I cheated on my girlfriend,&quot; the 30-year-old tells Axios. &quot;I felt so ashamed.&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: Pennsylvanians like Tom are finding it harder to avoid the pull of gambling, especially with apps at their fingertips.<ul><li>And the state&#x27;s only real barrier — self-banning — is still easily exploited.</li></ul>

Getting a COVID vaccine in Philly could be more complicated this fall

New federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" data-vars-content-id="92964740-9450-4239-ac4a-f8c50296f78a" data-vars-headline="Getting a COVID vaccine in Philly could be more complicated this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" target="_self">limits</a> around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 vaccine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/covid-19-vaccine-policy-cases-rise" data-vars-content-id="92964740-9450-4239-ac4a-f8c50296f78a" data-vars-headline="Getting a COVID vaccine in Philly could be more complicated this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/covid-19-vaccine-policy-cases-rise" target="_self">COVID-19 vaccine</a> eligibility are stirring confusion about whether people will be able to get shots this fall.Why it matters: Philadelphians who want the vaccine will need a doctor&#x27;s approval — often tied to underlying health conditions — and many could end up paying out of pocket.

Trump's war on gender-affirming care targets Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

It's a showdown between federal power and patient privacy laws.

Politics

The Children&#x27;s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is in the middle of a showdown between federal power and patient privacy laws over its gender-affirming care.The big picture: The Trump administration&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/trump-transgender-youth-gender-affirming-care-cutback" data-vars-content-id="ed9c2997-4ac1-4695-af1a-94b803a5ca82" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s war on gender-affirming care targets Children&#x27;s Hospital of Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/trump-transgender-youth-gender-affirming-care-cutback" target="_self">crackdown</a> on such care is expanding rapidly as officials investigate hospitals, cut off benefits for federal workers, and pick new fights with blue states.

Health 🩺

Gut-wrecking stomach illness hits Pennsylvania

Philly nonprofit using ex-NFL players to get more men into therapy

Pennsylvania cancer patients find hope, healing through app

Philadelphia is building the backbone of next-gen cancer therapies

Pennie coverage drops amid rising health care premiums