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Rocky Balboa is back for another round

Sylvester Stallone's visit coincides with Philadelphia's official declaration of Rocky Day.

News

How Philadelphia's holiday tree gets to City Hall

Getting the city's long-time tradition ready is a feat of logistics and willpower.

Pennsylvania simplifies mail-in voting

Officials say the changes were needed in a state where elections are won by slim margins.

Closures tied to 30th Street Station redesign coming in January

The project includes upgrades to public spaces and refurbishing the Metropolitan Lounge.

Bad Bunny is coming to Philadelphia in 2024

He will take the stage at the Wells Fargo Center on April 19.

Things to Do

Reggaeton star Bad Bunny will make a stop in Philly during his Most Wanted Tour next year.What&#x27;s happening: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2023/10/bad-bunny-makes-his-return-to-the-stages-in-2024-with-north-america-most-wanted-tour/" data-vars-content-id="c3fbe3ea-08e5-476b-94af-a50a2f30a9c4" data-vars-headline="Bad Bunny is coming to Philadelphia in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2023/10/bad-bunny-makes-his-return-to-the-stages-in-2024-with-north-america-most-wanted-tour/" target="_blank">Live Nation</a> announced that the singer&#x27;s North American tour will kick off in February in Salt Lake City and span 47 shows.

Bad Bunny performing at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards. 

Meet Philly's next rap star, Blue w3rd

Axios chatted with the up-and-comer about his music.

Music

Drew Mills might be Philly&#x27;s next breakout rap star.Driving the news: The 31-year-old from Germantown, who goes by the stage name <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blue w3rD" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/bluew3rd/" data-vars-content-id="3e3e253d-9972-43e2-8457-3a221e6b0dfb" data-vars-headline="Meet Philly&#x27;s next rap star, Blue w3rd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/bluew3rd/" target="_blank">Blue w3rD</a>, is an eccentric indie hip-hop artist with a distinct look and sound.

Commemorating Philly's hip-hop dancers

"When you meet a b-boy, that's so hip-hop. You can't deny it," break dancer YNOT says.

Philadelphia&#x27;s hip-hop scene is immortalized in several murals, especially one in North Philly that features renowned b-boy YNOT and dancer-choreographer Michele Byrd-McPhee.Why it matters: The &quot;Know the Elements&quot; mural threads together four key pieces of hip-hop — MC-ing, DJ-ing, break dancing and graffiti — in a way that&#x27;s raw and gritty, clean and commemorative.

Legendary B-Boy YNOT balances himself on a can of spray paint.

Black Thought crowned the Philadelphia area's best hip-hop artist

The Roots member bested legends, street poets and maniacal lyricists.

Some of our coldest MCs made their bones battle-rapping on the mean streets of Philadelphia.Driving the news: In Axios&#x27; NCAA-style tournament bracket, readers crowned Black Thought as the Philly area&#x27;s top hip-hop artist — besting legends, street poets and maniacal lyricists.

Philadelphia Folk Festival revival up in the air

Organizers have proposed hosting a scaled-down festival in 2024.

Plans to revive the Philadelphia Folk Festival remain in limbo after the longtime annual summer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="event was canceled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/02/09/philadelphia-folksong-society-cancels-2023-folk-music-festival" data-vars-content-id="86fe384b-322c-4334-9434-d4c3e1d33f3b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia Folk Festival revival up in the air" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/02/09/philadelphia-folksong-society-cancels-2023-folk-music-festival" target="_self">event was canceled</a> for the first time.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia Folksong Society" data-vars-click-url="https://pfs.org/" data-vars-content-id="86fe384b-322c-4334-9434-d4c3e1d33f3b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia Folk Festival revival up in the air" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pfs.org/" target="_blank">Philadelphia Folksong Society</a>&#x27;s festival was the longest continuously running outdoor music festival in America, attracting some of folk&#x27;s biggest names.

Philadelphia's Made in America festival canceled

Organizers called off the two-day event due to "severe circumstances outside of production control."

Jay-Z&#x27;s Made in America festival was abruptly canceled less than a month before it was slated to take over Philly.Why it matters: The annual music festival, which brings thousands of people to Benjamin Franklin Parkway, &quot;has grown into a Philly tradition on Labor Day Weekend,&quot; the mayor said in a statement.

It's Beyoncé Day: Philly facts about Queen Bey

Remember when Sixers fans booed Beyoncé?

Bey&#x27;s back. Here&#x27;s some fast facts about the world&#x27;s biggest pop star, in Philly.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🎼 She&#x27;s a &quot;Survivor.&quot;</h2>Philly&#x27;s a tough crowd, and no one is immune from their irascible antics, not even Queen B.

Beyoncé performing during her "Renaissance World Tour."

What to know ahead of Beyoncé's tour stop in Philly

The concert is the only one in Pennsylvania. Sorry, Pittsburgh.

For one night, the Linc will turn into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BeyHive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/3/16042806/beyonce-beyhive-online-fan-forum-b7c7226ac16d" data-vars-content-id="673cd3d4-8afb-47a2-a117-20a16b59ff18" data-vars-headline="What to know ahead of Beyoncé&#x27;s tour stop in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/3/16042806/beyonce-beyhive-online-fan-forum-b7c7226ac16d" target="_blank">BeyHive</a>.Driving the news: Philadelphia is the first stop on Beyoncé&#x27;s &quot;Renaissance World Tour&quot;.

Beyoncé performing during the “Renaissance World Tour.”

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.