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Parker's big bet on Kensington's McPherson Square revamp

Despite recent public safety efforts, the square remains a haven for open-drug use and homelessness.

Public Safety

Work is now underway on the next phase of the renovation of McPherson Square in Kensington.The big picture: The rehab of the notorious public green space — widely known as Needle Park — could become the biggest test of Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/06/drug-treatment-center-philadelphia-holmesburg" data-vars-content-id="893fc9f1-b9f3-4bb5-9baa-9f4b0375da8e" data-vars-headline="Parker&#x27;s big bet on Kensington&#x27;s McPherson Square revamp" 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">Cherelle Parker&#x27;s</a> ultimate goal of shutting down <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="open-air drug markets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/29/xylazine-tranq-philadelphia-fentanyl" data-vars-content-id="893fc9f1-b9f3-4bb5-9baa-9f4b0375da8e" data-vars-headline="Parker&#x27;s big bet on Kensington&#x27;s McPherson Square revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/29/xylazine-tranq-philadelphia-fentanyl" target="_self">open-air drug markets</a> in the neighborhood.

What to know about LeBron James' preseason debut against the Knicks

Preseason or not, it doesn't matter when the Knicks are in town.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeJawn era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" data-vars-content-id="4d46a984-c985-48e1-92b3-af68782896d5" data-vars-headline="What to know about LeBron James&#x27; preseason debut against the Knicks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" target="_self">LeJawn era</a> officially starts today.Why it matters: Sixers fans will get their first peek at how much LeBron James has left in the tank when he makes his preseason debut, likely logging limited minutes against the defending-champion Knicks.

Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus

Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense political pressure from the Trump administration.

Education

Philadelphia-area universities are largely failing to create a healthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" target="_self">free speech</a> climate on campus, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" target="_self">new national ranking</a>.Why it matters: Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" target="_self">political pressure</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration and efforts by some universities to change policies in response.

Block by Block Philly competes with LA and Chicago in cleanest-city showdown

Philly is seeking redemption after losing to Chicago by just four bags in 2025.

You can call them the Fightin&#x27; Filthies: Block by Block Philly is leading more than a dozen neighborhood cleanups in a friendly competition with two other big cities.

Shuttered Shawmont Station along Schuylkill River Trail may soon get a new life

It's about time the restoration of the oldest passenger railroad station in the U.S. is moving forward.

Things to Do

Trail-goers in far Northwest Philadelphia could get a cool new pit stop along the Schuylkill River Trail in the coming years.Why it matters: It&#x27;s about time the restoration of the shuttered Shawmont Station — the oldest passenger railroad station in the U.S. — moves forward.

World Cup took a toll on Lemon Hill. Now it's getting a $7 million makeover

The $4 million legacy project is an investment in the historic city park for hosting FIFA Fan Fest.

Lemon Hill Park is getting some TLC after a half-million festival-goers shoehorned into the park for this summer&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA Fan Fest." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/06/11/world-cup-fifa-fan-festival-philly-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="35ae37fe-5c05-46c6-806f-59073b68dc87" data-vars-headline="World Cup took a toll on Lemon Hill. Now it&#x27;s getting a $7 million makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/06/11/world-cup-fifa-fan-festival-philly-what-to-know" target="_self">FIFA Fan Fest.</a>Why it matters: Residents and park caretakers say the $7 million legacy investments are long overdue, coming after years of neglect at the historic Fairmount Park site.

Spirit Halloweens haunt Philly's retail graveyard

There are more than two dozen Spirit Halloween stores in the Philly region.

Spirit Halloween is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haunting the shells" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" data-vars-content-id="63a31055-ae12-4e8e-9583-640b02379931" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloweens haunt Philly&#x27;s retail graveyard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" target="_self">haunting the shells</a> of former big-box stores again this fall as it opens 1,500 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locations" data-vars-click-url="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" data-vars-content-id="63a31055-ae12-4e8e-9583-640b02379931" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloweens haunt Philly&#x27;s retail graveyard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" target="_blank">locations</a> nationwide, including more than two dozen in the Philly region. The big picture: The stores appear and vanish each fall, so finding this year&#x27;s Spirit often means relaying directions with neighbors in retail shorthand: &quot;Where the old Party City used to be.&quot;

Now could be the best time to buy a home in Philly region

Homebuying is a slog and shoppers will take any advantage they can get.

Real Estate

Philadelphia-area house hunters, now may be the best week of the year to buy a home, per a new Realtor.com <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2026" data-vars-content-id="2f6d5be2-f372-4b5f-8cf0-3ae41091bc30" data-vars-headline="Now could be the best time to buy a home in Philly region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2026" target="_blank">report</a>.Why it matters: Homebuying is a slog and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most shoppers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/12/housing-market-luxury-sellers-high-end-homes-inventory" data-vars-content-id="2f6d5be2-f372-4b5f-8cf0-3ae41091bc30" data-vars-headline="Now could be the best time to buy a home in Philly region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/12/housing-market-luxury-sellers-high-end-homes-inventory" target="_self">most shoppers</a> will take any advantage they can get.

Fall foliage forecast: When to see peak colors

Cue the hot apple cider, pumpkin-spiced lattes and scratchy sweaters.

Leaf-peeping season is drawing nigh. Why it matters: Cue the hot apple cider, pumpkin-spice lattes and scratchy sweaters.

The bell tolls for the Academy of Natural Science's museum

Philly is losing a nearly 200-year-old institution and one of the premier museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

It&#x27;s finally here: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Academy of Natural Science&#x27;s museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/01/academy-of-natural-sciences-to-close" data-vars-content-id="f3a7be86-6e3a-440b-93a3-8d28a5d3ffa8" data-vars-headline="The bell tolls for the Academy of Natural Science&#x27;s 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 Science&#x27;s museum</a> will close this weekend.Why it matters: Philly is losing a nearly 200-year-old institution and one of the premier museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

News 🗞

Shuttered Shawmont Station along Schuylkill River Trail may soon get a new life

World Cup took a toll on Lemon Hill. Now it's getting a $7 million makeover

What to know about LeBron James' preseason debut against the Knicks

Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus

Parker's big bet on Kensington's McPherson Square revamp