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No Kings protests planned throughout Philly region this weekend

The protests are expected to bring road closures and traffic delays.

Politics

The third round of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/16/no-kings-protest-philly-pennsylvania-trump-october" data-vars-content-id="8e8de9e0-267f-4b6b-8f7a-f91f73a8ff73" data-vars-headline="No Kings protests planned throughout Philly region this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/16/no-kings-protest-philly-pennsylvania-trump-october" target="_self">No Kings</a> rallies is set for Philadelphia&#x27;s Center City and other spots across the region this weekend. Why it matters: The potentially large-scale protests will prompt daylong road closures and traffic delays on Saturday.

Uber escalates fight over Philadelphia's proposed rideshare tax

The fight is shaping up as Soda Tax 2.0, echoing the battle the beverage industry waged against former Mayor Kenney.

News

Uber is launching an aggressive campaign to defeat Mayor Cherelle Parker&#x27;s proposed rideshare tax — tapping a high-powered Philadelphia lobbying firm and warning riders how the fee will hit their wallets.Why it matters: The fight is shaping up as Soda Tax 2.0, reminiscent of the bruising battle the beverage industry waged against former Mayor Jim Kenney&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signature initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/01/12/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-legacy-moments" data-vars-content-id="f0ab01d1-070f-442f-a838-54463132480c" data-vars-headline="Uber escalates fight over Philadelphia&#x27;s proposed rideshare tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/01/12/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-legacy-moments" target="_self">signature initiative</a> to fund universal pre-kindergarten, plus renovations to parks and recreation centers.

New property tax assessments are coming in Philadelphia

Bigger bills are on the way for many property owners despite Mayor Cherelle Parker not proposing a citywide tax hike.

Real Estate

Philadelphia is resuming property assessments after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taking a year off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/31/property-taxes-assessments-2025-skipped-parker" data-vars-content-id="d7c149bf-5dff-456e-9bc3-76f15742f4c5" data-vars-headline="New property tax assessments are coming in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/31/property-taxes-assessments-2025-skipped-parker" target="_self">taking a year off</a>.Why it matters: Bigger bills are on the way for many property owners despite Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/12/city-budget-cherelle-parker-business-taxes-ride-shares" data-vars-content-id="d7c149bf-5dff-456e-9bc3-76f15742f4c5" data-vars-headline="New property tax assessments are coming in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/12/city-budget-cherelle-parker-business-taxes-ride-shares" target="_self">Cherelle Parker</a> not proposing a citywide tax hike.

Phillies trade Harry Kalas' name for energy drink sponsor — fans cry foul

The move landed like a 103-mph fastball to the ribs.

Sports

The Phillies have found themselves in a pickle before the season starts over their decision to remove legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas&#x27; name from an upper-deck concessions bar as part of a naming rights deal with Ghost Energy.Why it matters: To fans, the move landed like a 103-mph fastball to the ribs — and it&#x27;s coming from their own team.

Last pennies go for big bucks at auction

Culture

Bidders doled out top dollar to get their hands on some of the final <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="circulating pennies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/11/20/penny-phasing-out-auction-mint" data-vars-content-id="3f8bcf10-1a37-4ec0-9b29-5e010ec81d70" data-vars-headline="Last pennies go for big bucks at auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/11/20/penny-phasing-out-auction-mint" target="_self">circulating pennies</a>. Why it matters: You definitely want one of these pennies for your thoughts.

Auction for last pennies could draw big money

These pieces of history will cost you much more than their face value.

Economy

This is your chance to own some of the very <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last circulating pennies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/11/13/penny-phasing-out-philadelphia-mint" data-vars-content-id="dfb1e051-9077-48bb-b835-19cee619967c" data-vars-headline="Auction for last pennies could draw big money" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/11/13/penny-phasing-out-philadelphia-mint" target="_self">last circulating pennies</a>, including those struck at the Philadelphia U.S. Mint earlier this month. Why it matters: These pieces of history will cost you much more than their face value.

How much Pennsylvanians can expect to get in federal tax refunds

Thousands of dollars in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal tax refunds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/irs-tax-season-2025-taxes-refund" data-vars-content-id="9556d364-268a-43d6-b87b-e8b6c364f5ef" data-vars-headline="How much Pennsylvanians can expect to get in federal tax refunds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/irs-tax-season-2025-taxes-refund" target="_self">federal tax refunds</a> are on the way for many Pennsylvanians.Why it matters: Tax filing season ends Tuesday, so it&#x27;s something to look forward to.

These are the Philadelphia region's newest billionaires

Jeffrey Yass, the co-founder of trading firm Susquehanna International Group, was the region's highest-ranked billionaire.

Money

Half of the Philadelphia region&#x27;s newest billionaires are making a fortune in real estate, per Forbes&#x27; annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/" data-vars-content-id="8708506e-a00e-4ad1-8d1c-2d96ee4e5655" data-vars-headline="These are the Philadelphia region&#x27;s newest billionaires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/" target="_blank">list</a>.Why it matters: The region minted at least four new billionaires from last year.

How Trump's Social Security check order will affect Pennsylvanians

The switch risks disrupting the financial lives of some of the most vulnerable Americans.

More than 19,000 Pennsylvanians will be affected by President Trump&#x27;s order that will cease <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Social Security" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/social-security-trump-doge-elon-how-it-works" data-vars-content-id="f4f4390d-9520-408b-8405-c403cd0f76be" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s Social Security check order will affect Pennsylvanians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/social-security-trump-doge-elon-how-it-works" target="_self">Social Security</a> payments by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paper check" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/26/trump-social-security-paper-checks-direct-deposit" data-vars-content-id="f4f4390d-9520-408b-8405-c403cd0f76be" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s Social Security check order will affect Pennsylvanians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/26/trump-social-security-paper-checks-direct-deposit" target="_self">paper check</a>.Why it matters: The switch risks disrupting the financial lives of some of the most vulnerable Americans, at a time when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Social Security" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/social-security-trump-doge-elon-how-it-works" data-vars-content-id="f4f4390d-9520-408b-8405-c403cd0f76be" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s Social Security check order will affect Pennsylvanians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/social-security-trump-doge-elon-how-it-works" target="_self">Social Security</a> is cutting back services to help them.

How much you need to make to be in Pennsylvania's 1% of earners

The Keystone State's 1-percenter threshold is lower than the national average of nearly $800,000.

The cut to join Pennsylvania&#x27;s one-percenters is now $705,000. State of play: The Keystone State&#x27;s 1-percent threshold is lower than the national average of nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$800,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/05/americans-income-top-one-percent-states" data-vars-content-id="006d157e-b77c-4627-9049-cdb2f77eb6ae" data-vars-headline="How much you need to make to be in Pennsylvania&#x27;s 1% of earners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/05/americans-income-top-one-percent-states" target="_self">$800,000</a>, per IRS data. <ul><li>Just over 59,000 Pennsylvania residents made that 1% threshold.</li></ul>

Netflix's "Tires" and other film projects cash in on Pennsylvania tax credits

An arms race has broken out in recent years among states using incentives to lure film productions.

Business

A Netflix comedy series, a historical movie and several other film projects are getting more than $9 million in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tax credits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/07/13/pennsylvania-film-tax-credit-increases-100-million" data-vars-content-id="f09adde1-eb5c-4a3a-827e-436abd57a618" data-vars-headline="Netflix&#x27;s &quot;Tires&quot; and other film projects cash in on Pennsylvania tax credits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/07/13/pennsylvania-film-tax-credit-increases-100-million" target="_self">tax credits</a> to bring their productions to Pennsylvania.The big picture: An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="arms race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/07/arts/oklahoma-texas-film-incentives-tulsa-king.html" data-vars-content-id="f09adde1-eb5c-4a3a-827e-436abd57a618" data-vars-headline="Netflix&#x27;s &quot;Tires&quot; and other film projects cash in on Pennsylvania tax credits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/07/arts/oklahoma-texas-film-incentives-tulsa-king.html" target="_blank">arms race</a> has broken out in recent years among states using incentives to lure film productions — and with them jobs and attention. Many have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanded their tax credit programs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/watch-out-hollywood-states-want-a-piece-of-the-moviemaking-action-1" data-vars-content-id="f09adde1-eb5c-4a3a-827e-436abd57a618" data-vars-headline="Netflix&#x27;s &quot;Tires&quot; and other film projects cash in on Pennsylvania tax credits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/watch-out-hollywood-states-want-a-piece-of-the-moviemaking-action-1" target="_blank">expanded their tax credit programs</a> since 2021.

How much Philadelphia-area college grads can expect to make

Local universities give grads some of the best bang for their buck in the state when it comes to early-career salaries.

Education

Philadelphia-area colleges give grads some of the best bang for their buck in the state when it comes to early-career salaries, per data from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Payscale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report" data-vars-content-id="19e6fb1e-07df-40b8-b1c0-2367240cafbe" data-vars-headline="How much Philadelphia-area college grads can expect to make" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report" target="_blank">Payscale</a>.Why it matters: With college tuition at sky-high levels, the data offers insight into how much students can expect to make after getting their diploma — or how quickly some could pay off their school loans.

Many Philadelphia millennials are faring worse than Gen Xers

Intergenerational mobility is far from a guarantee in the Philly area.

Millennials born to low-income families in the Philadelphia region have lost the most economic ground compared to their Gen X predecessors among the largest U.S. metros, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/13/upward-intergenerational-mobility-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="8499efcb-b8cd-4824-8430-bc7d0ad9ba4e" data-vars-headline="Many Philadelphia millennials are faring worse than Gen Xers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/13/upward-intergenerational-mobility-us-cities" target="_self">analysis</a> finds.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Intergenerational mobility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/13/upward-intergenerational-mobility-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="8499efcb-b8cd-4824-8430-bc7d0ad9ba4e" data-vars-headline="Many Philadelphia millennials are faring worse than Gen Xers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/13/upward-intergenerational-mobility-us-cities" target="_self">Intergenerational mobility</a> — the idea that you&#x27;ll do better than your parents, your children will do better than you, and so on — is core to the American dream, but is far from a guarantee.

Cherelle Parker's first city budget up for final vote

The nearly $6.4 billion budget will deliver some big wins for the mayor.

Philadelphia legislators are primed to approve Mayor Cherelle Parker&#x27;s nearly $6.4 billion <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/03/15/philadelphia-mayor-cherelle-parker-unveils-city-budget" data-vars-content-id="c3e28e63-4ea8-473c-9efd-0e5470cf4560" data-vars-headline="Cherelle Parker&#x27;s first city budget up for final vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/03/15/philadelphia-mayor-cherelle-parker-unveils-city-budget" target="_self">budget</a> Thursday.Why it matters: Parker&#x27;s first spending plan will keep property taxes flat, invest heavily in improving quality of life and deliver some big wins for the mayor — including $100 million for a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wellness village" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/06/drug-treatment-center-philadelphia-holmesburg" data-vars-content-id="c3e28e63-4ea8-473c-9efd-0e5470cf4560" data-vars-headline="Cherelle Parker&#x27;s first city budget up for final vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/06/drug-treatment-center-philadelphia-holmesburg" target="_self">wellness village</a>&quot; to serve people in addiction.

Axios What's Next

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the average tax refund by state for tax year 2022 among filers receiving a refund. Florida leads at about $3.9k, while Maine trails at about $2.7k. The U.S. average is about $3.3k.

Average tax refund by state, tax year 2022

Among filers receiving a refund. Data: IRS; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the number of Social Security recipients receiving paper checks as of March 2025. California leads at 44.6k, while Washington, D.C. trails at 729. About 456k recipients receive paper checks nationwide.