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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Philadelphia. Written by local reporters.

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Rocky Balboa is back for another round

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

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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.

Cue the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eye of the Tiger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiIkBT-HFOA" data-vars-content-id="19d63632-3ae5-4471-8e87-d380eccea035" data-vars-headline="Rocky Balboa is back for another round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiIkBT-HFOA" target="_blank">Eye of the Tiger</a>&quot; — Sylvester Stallone is here on Sunday for the opening of the new Rocky Shop at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.Driving the news: The actor&#x27;s visit coincides with the city&#x27;s official declaration of Rocky Day, commemorating the 47th anniversary of the film&#x27;s original release.

Actor Sylvester and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney at the Rocky statue.

One lofty evergreen is plucked from a tree farm each year to grace the front of City Hall and bring holiday cheer to Philly.Why it matters: Getting the city&#x27;s longtime tradition here and ready for the holiday season is a feat of logistics and willpower.

Pennsylvania simplified its vote-by-mail process in an effort to reduce errors that led to tens of thousands of disqualified ballots in recent years.Why it matters: Election officials said in a news release the changes were needed to ensure every vote counts in our battleground state, where some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent races" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-congress-mehmet-oz-ap-news-alert-government-and-politics-7e3c6860722eba6985b299aaa3a0b568" data-vars-content-id="a811f5a3-4304-4438-9844-327ce1c04696" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania simplifies mail-in voting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-congress-mehmet-oz-ap-news-alert-government-and-politics-7e3c6860722eba6985b299aaa3a0b568" target="_blank">recent races</a> were decided by less than 1,000 votes.

Illustration of a hand crushing a ballot.

The King of South Philly gets a new mural

Jason Kelce appears between portraits of Joel Embiid and Jalen Hurts.

Sports

Nothing&#x27;s bigger in Philadelphia than sports and murals.<ul><li>We now mean that quite literally after seeing the enormous portraits of four of Philly&#x27;s most beloved sports figures plastered across the Dougherty Electric warehouse in South Philly.</li></ul>

Philadelphia limits its involvement in Palestine solidarity day

The third annual event is from noon-1pm today on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Kenney administration has distanced itself from Wednesday&#x27;s Palestine solidarity day amid tensions around the ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Israel-Hamas war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world/israel" data-vars-content-id="6388da22-db51-42eb-bcb2-e5b2986f1152" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia limits its involvement in Palestine solidarity day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world/israel" target="_self">Israel-Hamas war</a>.What&#x27;s happening: The third annual celebration of the city&#x27;s Palestinian people and culture is from noon-1pm Wednesday on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Illustration of a cracked city hall podium

Readers share their holiday decorating traditions

Not everyone is waiting with bated eggnog breath to string up lights and decorations.

Not everyone is waiting with bated eggnog breath to string up lights and decorations for the holidays — some readers told us they wait till the very last minute:<ul><li>Danielle A.: We have decorated the outside of our house as late as the week of Christmas because, without fail, my husband waits to put up the lights and decorations until the coldest/wettest day of the year. So, we wait.</li></ul>

Illustration of the Philadelphia skyline with word balloons filled with exclamation points popping up over it.

The first major construction phase of the redesign of 30th Street Station will begin in January.Why it matters: The nearly century-old West Philly station is the third-busiest in the nation and is expected to see ridership double by 2040.

A rendering of the main concourse dining area in 30th Street Station

Zipcar offers discounts to Philadelphia Housing Authority residents

The partnership is funded through a federal grant and launched last week.

Zipcar is now offering steep membership discounts and vehicles exclusively for Philadelphia Housing Authority residents.Why it matters: Studies show access to reliable and affordable transportation is key to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health equity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/28/over-skip-health-care-transportation-barriers" data-vars-content-id="a1a2225d-1434-4f75-a93d-dfc5acce00fd" data-vars-headline="Zipcar offers discounts to Philadelphia Housing Authority residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/28/over-skip-health-care-transportation-barriers" target="_self">health equity</a> and socioeconomic success.

Illustration of two hands passing off a car

Meet Philadelphia's new police commissioner

Kevin Bethel is expected to take the reins of the fourth-largest police department in the U.S.

Kevin Bethel is expected to be named Philadelphia police commissioner at a news conference Wednesday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to reports" data-vars-click-url="https://6abc.com/who-is-kevin-bethel-philadelphia-new-police-commissioner/14088120/" data-vars-content-id="2a16c563-6699-4763-b638-29c104ca9f4e" data-vars-headline="Meet Philadelphia&#x27;s new police commissioner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://6abc.com/who-is-kevin-bethel-philadelphia-new-police-commissioner/14088120/" target="_blank">according to reports</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/11/08/cherelle-parker-wins-mayor-election" data-vars-content-id="2a16c563-6699-4763-b638-29c104ca9f4e" data-vars-headline="Meet Philadelphia&#x27;s new police commissioner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/11/08/cherelle-parker-wins-mayor-election" target="_self">Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker</a>&#x27;s first appointment since winning the general election earlier this month.

SEPTA Transit Police threaten to strike

The union has said it wants salaries commensurate with what other officers make in the area.

SEPTA Transit Police hope a last-minute contract deal can be reached to avert a strike.Driving the news: The transit police union was locked in negotiations with management for hours over the weekend and resumed talks Monday after the deadline to reach a deal passed Sunday.

Illustration of a police uniform standing with no person inside it.

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.

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