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Gov. Josh Shapiro joins calls to ban Flock cameras in Pennsylvania

The cameras have fast become a major flashpoint over concerns of mass surveillance and privacy.

News

Pennsylvania&#x27;s rapid push toward limiting the use of license plate readers made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="8a0ab0f8-3277-4a62-9cb7-0c1fefe86881" data-vars-headline="Gov. Josh Shapiro joins calls to ban Flock cameras in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/21/flock-cameras-license-plate-reader-backlash" data-vars-content-id="8a0ab0f8-3277-4a62-9cb7-0c1fefe86881" data-vars-headline="Gov. Josh Shapiro joins calls to ban Flock cameras in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/21/flock-cameras-license-plate-reader-backlash" target="_self">other companies</a> just got a major backer: Gov. Josh Shapiro.Why it matters: The cameras have fast become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major flashpoint" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/flock-camera-local-opposition-surveillance" data-vars-content-id="8a0ab0f8-3277-4a62-9cb7-0c1fefe86881" data-vars-headline="Gov. Josh Shapiro joins calls to ban Flock cameras in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/flock-camera-local-opposition-surveillance" target="_self">major flashpoint</a> over concerns of mass surveillance and privacy, joining other anti-tech targets like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" data-vars-content-id="8a0ab0f8-3277-4a62-9cb7-0c1fefe86881" data-vars-headline="Gov. Josh Shapiro joins calls to ban Flock cameras in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" target="_self">data centers</a>.

How long you'll wait for ER visits at Philly, Pennsylvania hospitals

The more time it takes to see a clinician has been linked to worse patient experiences.

Health

Pennsylvania is a national leader in long emergency room wait times.<ul><li>Patients are spending a median of more than 3 hours in the ED across the state — and even longer in many Philadelphia hospitals, per new federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/dataset/apyc-v239" data-vars-content-id="f58a1573-7481-4f76-9004-ee4e5f8a0160" data-vars-headline="How long you&#x27;ll wait for ER visits at Philly, Pennsylvania hospitals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/dataset/apyc-v239" target="_blank">data</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: It goes beyond an inconvenience.<ul><li>Long waits to see a clinician have been linked to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worse patient experiences" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8205338/" data-vars-content-id="f58a1573-7481-4f76-9004-ee4e5f8a0160" data-vars-headline="How long you&#x27;ll wait for ER visits at Philly, Pennsylvania hospitals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8205338/" target="_blank">worse patient experiences</a>, health risks and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="higher costs" data-vars-click-url="https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/moore/research_and_centers/centers/sc_epic/documents/healthcare/effect_of_er_wait_time_on_cost_of_care.pdf" data-vars-content-id="f58a1573-7481-4f76-9004-ee4e5f8a0160" data-vars-headline="How long you&#x27;ll wait for ER visits at Philly, Pennsylvania hospitals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/moore/research_and_centers/centers/sc_epic/documents/healthcare/effect_of_er_wait_time_on_cost_of_care.pdf" target="_blank">higher costs</a>.</li></ul>

Weekend in Philly: Labor Day, Teddy Bear Picnic and Dollar Stroll

Fill up your weekend social calendar with these popular events.

Things to Do

💵 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll:" data-vars-click-url="https://www.universitycity.org/stroll/" data-vars-content-id="1d03e1c9-33ec-4ae6-ae80-22a06f97b55f" data-vars-headline="Weekend in Philly: Labor Day, Teddy Bear Picnic and Dollar Stroll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.universitycity.org/stroll/" target="_blank">Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll:</a> University City businesses roll out $1, $3 and $5 deals, plus live music and crafts tonight from 5-8pm. 🌸 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shofuso Ikebana Exhibition" data-vars-click-url="https://japanphilly.org/event/2026-ikebana-exhibition-at-shofuso/" data-vars-content-id="1d03e1c9-33ec-4ae6-ae80-22a06f97b55f" data-vars-headline="Weekend in Philly: Labor Day, Teddy Bear Picnic and Dollar Stroll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://japanphilly.org/event/2026-ikebana-exhibition-at-shofuso/" target="_blank">Shofuso Ikebana Exhibition</a>: Japanese flower arranging takes over the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cultural center" data-vars-click-url="https://japanphilly.org/venue/shofuso/" data-vars-content-id="1d03e1c9-33ec-4ae6-ae80-22a06f97b55f" data-vars-headline="Weekend in Philly: Labor Day, Teddy Bear Picnic and Dollar Stroll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://japanphilly.org/venue/shofuso/" target="_blank">cultural center</a> in Fairmount Park this weekend. An opening reception kicks things off tonight (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5-7pm, $5-$10" data-vars-click-url="https://japanphilly.org/event/2026-ikebana-exhibition-opening-reception-and-members-night/" data-vars-content-id="1d03e1c9-33ec-4ae6-ae80-22a06f97b55f" data-vars-headline="Weekend in Philly: Labor Day, Teddy Bear Picnic and Dollar Stroll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://japanphilly.org/event/2026-ikebana-exhibition-opening-reception-and-members-night/" target="_blank">5-7pm, $5-$10</a>) showcasing speakers and arrangements. <ul><li>The exhibition runs Friday-Sunday, 11am-5pm. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://japanphilly.org/shofuso/visit/" data-vars-content-id="1d03e1c9-33ec-4ae6-ae80-22a06f97b55f" data-vars-headline="Weekend in Philly: Labor Day, Teddy Bear Picnic and Dollar Stroll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://japanphilly.org/shofuso/visit/" target="_blank">Tickets</a>: Free-$15</li></ul>

Poll: Next steps for Philly's natural science museum

Take our poll and let us know what you think should be done with one of the city's most prized institutions.

The future of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Academy of Natural Sciences" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/01/academy-of-natural-sciences-to-close" data-vars-content-id="360d0574-233a-4d93-885e-8c3aa899430e" data-vars-headline="Poll: Next steps for Philly&#x27;s natural science museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/01/academy-of-natural-sciences-to-close" target="_self">Academy of Natural Sciences</a> remains unclear as its museum prepares to close for good on Sept. 30. <ul><li>So, Axios Philadelphia wants to hear your best ideas for what should be done with one of the city&#x27;s most prized institutions. </li></ul>

Inside Philly's weird new micro museum in Fishtown

A new Philly micro museum celebrates our love of booing, pole climbing and being haters.

Some of the wildest theories about why Philadelphia is the way it is will soon have a home inside a micro museum in Fishtown.<ul><li>They&#x27;re plucked from the most credible place on the planet: Reddit.</li></ul>Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Museum of the Philadelphian" data-vars-click-url="https://museumofthephiladelphian.org/" data-vars-content-id="77aaf10c-3c16-4358-8ea2-5a8faa12fc59" data-vars-headline="Inside Philly&#x27;s weird new micro museum in Fishtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://museumofthephiladelphian.org/" target="_blank">The Museum of the Philadelphian</a> is the city&#x27;s history and culture writ large — in miniature.

Next steps for Independence Mall slavery exhibit remain unclear

A federal appears court cleared the Trump administration's exhibit changes, but questions remain over what will be on display come July 4.

Politics

After months of legal back-and-forth over a slavery exhibit at Philadelphia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President&#x27;s House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/19/trump-slavery-exhibit-independence-national-historic-park-restored" data-vars-content-id="58d3cac1-5f40-47c6-9b09-afd6d303b269" data-vars-headline="Next steps for Independence Mall slavery exhibit remain unclear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/19/trump-slavery-exhibit-independence-national-historic-park-restored" target="_self">President&#x27;s House</a>, a federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration. But what visitors will see there come July 4 remains unclear. Why it matters: Independence Mall will be at the center of the nation&#x27;s 250th anniversary celebrations in less than two weeks.

Trump administration restores slavery exhibits at Independence Park

The reinstatement of the exhibits at one of America's foremost historic sites is a defining win for Philadelphia.

Politics & Policy

The National Park Service began restoring the slavery exhibits at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia nearly a month after they were taken down as part of President Trump&#x27;s effort to fight &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="improper ideology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/28/smithsonian-trump-executive-order" data-vars-content-id="90de532e-eccf-46e6-b624-797d6b04e6d1" data-vars-headline="Trump administration restores slavery exhibits at Independence Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/28/smithsonian-trump-executive-order" target="_self">improper ideology</a>.&quot;Why it matters: The return of the panels at one of America&#x27;s foremost historic sites is a defining win for Philadelphia — and could strengthen a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="separate ongoing legal challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5718006/trump-national-parks-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="90de532e-eccf-46e6-b624-797d6b04e6d1" data-vars-headline="Trump administration restores slavery exhibits at Independence Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5718006/trump-national-parks-lawsuit" target="_blank">separate ongoing legal challenge</a> to the Trump administration&#x27;s attempt to rewrite American history at other national parks.

How an old Philly bread factory inspired Bethlehem's holiday baking exhibit

The curator was inspired by his dad's time working in a Philly bakery.

History

When Bethlehem museum curator <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mark Steigelman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.historicbethlehem.org/about-us/our-staff/mark-steigelman/" data-vars-content-id="b4fa3d21-1872-4c96-95f1-ae01011f61bb" data-vars-headline="How an old Philly bread factory inspired Bethlehem&#x27;s holiday baking exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.historicbethlehem.org/about-us/our-staff/mark-steigelman/" target="_blank">Mark Steigelman</a> needed inspiration for a new holiday exhibit, he turned to a story he knew well: his dad&#x27;s flour-dusted college tales of working at the old Penn Fruit bread factory.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Baked into Bethlehem&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/experience/baked-into-bethlehem/" data-vars-content-id="b4fa3d21-1872-4c96-95f1-ae01011f61bb" data-vars-headline="How an old Philly bread factory inspired Bethlehem&#x27;s holiday baking exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/experience/baked-into-bethlehem/" target="_blank">&quot;Baked into Bethlehem&quot;</a> in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christmas City, USA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/05/bethlehem-pa-christmas-village" data-vars-content-id="b4fa3d21-1872-4c96-95f1-ae01011f61bb" data-vars-headline="How an old Philly bread factory inspired Bethlehem&#x27;s holiday baking exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/05/bethlehem-pa-christmas-village" target="_self">Christmas City, USA</a> sifts through the region&#x27;s baking lineage, reaching back to Moravian settlers&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lovefeasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.moravian.org/2018/11/the-lovefeast/" data-vars-content-id="b4fa3d21-1872-4c96-95f1-ae01011f61bb" data-vars-headline="How an old Philly bread factory inspired Bethlehem&#x27;s holiday baking exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.moravian.org/2018/11/the-lovefeast/" target="_blank">lovefeasts</a> — candlelit Christmas meals capped with sweetened buns baked in beehive ovens.

This POW from Philly has dedicated his life to speaking up for vets

Ralph Galati is the grand marshal of the Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade on Sunday.

Before leaving for the Vietnam War, Philadelphian <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ralph Galati" data-vars-click-url="http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=54" data-vars-content-id="00834130-f2d5-430c-a0f8-95e1bba79481" data-vars-headline="This POW from Philly has dedicated his life to speaking up for vets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=54" target="_blank">Ralph Galati</a> warned his pregnant wife that a knock at the door signaled bad news — one that&#x27;d come days after she delivered their child.Why it matters: Galati endured 14 months of torture, interrogation and deprivation as a POW in Hanoi in the early 1970s — and has dedicated his life since to advocating for fellow veterans.

Ice skating on Philly's rivers once a pastime, but don't try it now

Bitterly cold temps are sticking this week, causing parts of the Schuylkill River to appear frozen over.

Culture

Ice skating on the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers was once popular in Philadelphia.Reality check: That was centuries ago.

When Jimmy Carter came to Philadelphia

The late former president embraced the city's "brotherly love" mantra.

Ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jimmy Carter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/29/jimmy-carter-dead-us-president-obituary" data-vars-content-id="4b762132-2214-47af-a521-06312691fc13" data-vars-headline="When Jimmy Carter came to Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/29/jimmy-carter-dead-us-president-obituary" target="_self">Jimmy Carter</a>&#x27;s national <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="funeral service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/30/jimmy-carter-funeral-plans" data-vars-content-id="4b762132-2214-47af-a521-06312691fc13" data-vars-headline="When Jimmy Carter came to Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/30/jimmy-carter-funeral-plans" target="_self">funeral service</a> Thursday morning, we&#x27;re looking back at how the late former president embraced Philadelphia&#x27;s &quot;brotherly love&quot; mantra, making heartfelt connections during visits here over the years.The big picture: Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100, is being honored Thursday with a national day of mourning.

Philadelphia's Weitzman Museum closer to joining Smithsonian

It could be the first Smithsonian museum based in Philly as well as the first focused exclusively on Jewish American history.

The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is one step closer to joining the Smithsonian.Why it matters: If it pans out, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Weitzman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/04/22/oy-yo-sculpture-philadelphia-weitzman-museum" data-vars-content-id="530efa40-c140-45ba-aed3-3beeaa3b0a5e" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Weitzman Museum closer to joining Smithsonian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/04/22/oy-yo-sculpture-philadelphia-weitzman-museum" target="_self">Weitzman</a> would be the first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Smithsonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.si.edu/" data-vars-content-id="530efa40-c140-45ba-aed3-3beeaa3b0a5e" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Weitzman Museum closer to joining Smithsonian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.si.edu/" target="_blank">Smithsonian</a> museum based in Philly as well as the first focused exclusively on Jewish American history.

Swann Memorial Fountain turns 100

The massive fountain on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway was first turned on in 1924.

Neighborhoods

Philadelphia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swann Memorial Fountain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/07/25/philadelphia-art-museum-calder-gardens" data-vars-content-id="6361fcc7-9f40-46c9-bc3d-378ff64dd452" data-vars-headline="Swann Memorial Fountain turns 100" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/07/25/philadelphia-art-museum-calder-gardens" target="_self">Swann Memorial Fountain</a> in Logan Square turns 100 years old this month.Why it matters: The popular fountain is a must-see for tourists and becomes an unofficial (and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="illegal" data-vars-click-url="https://billypenn.com/2018/07/11/no-youre-not-allowed-to-swim-in-swann-memorial-fountain/" data-vars-content-id="6361fcc7-9f40-46c9-bc3d-378ff64dd452" data-vars-headline="Swann Memorial Fountain turns 100" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://billypenn.com/2018/07/11/no-youre-not-allowed-to-swim-in-swann-memorial-fountain/" target="_blank">illegal</a>) swimming hole on sweltering summer days.

The tangled plot behind Mount Vernon Cemetery's sale

Preservationists are hopeful the sale could potentially lead to the historic yet neglected site's revival.

There&#x27;s a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once-in-a-lifetime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3301-W-Lehigh-Ave-Philadelphia-PA-19132/377435640_zpid/" data-vars-content-id="b97d4379-800f-435c-b1a6-e5be8fcd6c29" data-vars-headline="The tangled plot behind Mount Vernon Cemetery&#x27;s sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3301-W-Lehigh-Ave-Philadelphia-PA-19132/377435640_zpid/" target="_blank">once-in-a-lifetime</a>&quot; opportunity on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/real-estate" data-vars-content-id="b97d4379-800f-435c-b1a6-e5be8fcd6c29" data-vars-headline="The tangled plot behind Mount Vernon Cemetery&#x27;s sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/real-estate" target="_self">Philadelphia market</a>: All you have to do is knock on death&#x27;s door.Why it matters: Mount Vernon Cemetery, a neglected yet historic North Philadelphia burial ground to an estimated 33,000 souls, is up for sale — a big step in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="yearslong legal battle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/news/mount-vernon-cemetery-philadelphia-conservator-barrymore-20210908.html" data-vars-content-id="b97d4379-800f-435c-b1a6-e5be8fcd6c29" data-vars-headline="The tangled plot behind Mount Vernon Cemetery&#x27;s sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/mount-vernon-cemetery-philadelphia-conservator-barrymore-20210908.html" target="_blank">yearslong legal battle</a> over its future that has some preservationists hopeful for the site&#x27;s possible revival.