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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.

Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania

Anti-data center sentiment is spiking in the Keystone State as well as across the U.S.

Politics

Pennsylvania now has 135 data centers planned across the state, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/pennsylvania#data-center-faq" data-vars-content-id="52af0356-f185-4abc-9af5-8980f3ec5e93" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/pennsylvania#data-center-faq" target="_blank">new analysis</a>.Why it matters: Anti-data center sentiment is spiking in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Keystone State" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/14/data-center-philadelphia-region-campaign-josh-shapiro-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="52af0356-f185-4abc-9af5-8980f3ec5e93" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/14/data-center-philadelphia-region-campaign-josh-shapiro-pennsylvania" target="_self">Keystone State</a> as well as across the U.S., turning the projects into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potent political issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" data-vars-content-id="52af0356-f185-4abc-9af5-8980f3ec5e93" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" target="_self">potent political issue</a> ahead of the midterm elections.

Skill games face approaching ban in October across Pennsylvania

The fight over the table-top machines in gas stations and corner stores is at a tipping point after they have gone unregulated and untaxed for years.

Business

Skill games throughout Pennsylvania are facing an effective ban in mid-October — unless state legislators find a solution.Why it matters: The fight over the ubiquitous table-top machines in gas stations and corner stores is at a tipping point after years of the games going unregulated and untaxed.

City Council returns: What we're watching

Hanging over it all is the coming May primary, where several members on the Democratic-dominated City Council could face serious challengers.

Sports

Philadelphia legislators return to work this morning and could tap into the city&#x27;s biggest issues this fall.The big picture: Hanging over it all is the coming May primary, where several members on the Democratic-dominated City Council could face serious challengers.

Data center opposition is growing in Philadelphia

These developments have become enemy No. 1 in the Philly 'burbs and across the country.

Environment

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Anti-data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" data-vars-content-id="7c3436b9-52c8-4551-80a1-66ee28ae44f6" data-vars-headline="Data center opposition is growing in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" target="_self">Anti-data center</a> fervor has arrived at Philadelphia&#x27;s doorstep.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="7c3436b9-52c8-4551-80a1-66ee28ae44f6" data-vars-headline="Data center opposition is growing in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">artificial intelligence</a> gold rush has driven demand for large data centers.

Exclusive: First lady Lori Shapiro gets an up-close look at Philly's adult literacy crisis

The surprise visit was a huge boost for Beyond Literacy in its quest to get more sustainable funding.

First lady Lori Shapiro sat on the couch in Carol&#x27;s Corner, the tutoring wing at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beyond Literacy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/05/philadelphia-adult-literacy-crisis" data-vars-content-id="0cc6309b-90a8-4280-96f2-6aac3187de94" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: First lady Lori Shapiro gets an up-close look at Philly&#x27;s adult literacy crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/05/philadelphia-adult-literacy-crisis" target="_self">Beyond Literacy</a>, listening to graduates tell their stories about how the Philly program changed their lives.Why it matters: Thursday&#x27;s unexpected visit from Gov. Josh Shapiro&#x27;s wife — which came together in whirlwind fashion — was a major boost for Beyond Literacy, an adult workforce development program aimed at giving Philadelphians the gift of learning.

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.

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>.

CDC questions Pennsylvania's 2 measles deaths

Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is challenging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two measles deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/measles-outbreak-deaths-pennsylvania-mmr-vaccine" data-vars-content-id="5d7e1e3e-d4ad-4987-b803-624d9b433592" data-vars-headline="CDC questions Pennsylvania&#x27;s 2 measles deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/measles-outbreak-deaths-pennsylvania-mmr-vaccine" target="_self">two measles deaths</a> reported by Pennsylvania late last month. Why it matters: It&#x27;s a highly unusual move and comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accused Gov. Josh Shapiro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/27/shapiro-rfk-measles-deaths-vaccines" data-vars-content-id="5d7e1e3e-d4ad-4987-b803-624d9b433592" data-vars-headline="CDC questions Pennsylvania&#x27;s 2 measles deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/27/shapiro-rfk-measles-deaths-vaccines" target="_self">accused Gov. Josh Shapiro</a> of fabricating that measles was the reasons for the deaths.

Philly among final 3 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028 

The selection is a nod to the cities' political power and a signal they're vital to Democrats' road back to the White House.

Philadelphia, Boston and Denver are the finalists to host the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2028 Democratic National Convention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/06/dnc-convention-and-a-possible-shapiro-moment" data-vars-content-id="680488b7-20f5-42d4-b85f-92657dd8b443" data-vars-headline="Philly among final 3 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/06/dnc-convention-and-a-possible-shapiro-moment" target="_self">2028 Democratic National Convention</a>, the party revealed Thursday.Why it matters: The party&#x27;s selection is a nod to the cities&#x27; political power and a signal they&#x27;re vital to Democrats&#x27; road back to the White House.

Shapiro's Latino ad blitz reaches out to voters he may need in 2028 

A political expert says Shapiro must cultivate that electorate to have a shot at the White House.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is launching a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new six-figure ad blitz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6biCnz4LU" data-vars-content-id="e7715b41-6fb2-44dd-ae45-7685e0382d66" data-vars-headline="Shapiro&#x27;s Latino ad blitz reaches out to voters he may need in 2028 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6biCnz4LU" target="_blank">new six-figure ad blitz</a> targeting Latino voters as Pennsylvania&#x27;s governor&#x27;s race shifts into high gear.Why it matters: Winning over the state&#x27;s growing Latino electorate could be key to Shapiro&#x27;s reelection — and a test of his ability to build the broad coalition he&#x27;d need for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potential presidential run." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/07/shapiro-pennsylvania-strategy-midterms-2028" data-vars-content-id="e7715b41-6fb2-44dd-ae45-7685e0382d66" data-vars-headline="Shapiro&#x27;s Latino ad blitz reaches out to voters he may need in 2028 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/07/shapiro-pennsylvania-strategy-midterms-2028" target="_self">potential presidential run.</a>

How much Trump's deportations could cost Philly taxpayers

An Economic Policy Institute estimate is fueling a debate over whether federal tax dollars devoted to deportations could instead fund other priorities, like health care or housing.

Philadelphia County taxpayers could pay roughly $1,600 each for President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="dde58eef-0f76-4d1f-8096-3d85efa83ac1" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportations could cost Philly taxpayers" 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>&#x27;s mass deportation push, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calculator tool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.epi.org/deportation-calculator/" data-vars-content-id="dde58eef-0f76-4d1f-8096-3d85efa83ac1" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportations could cost Philly taxpayers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.epi.org/deportation-calculator/" target="_blank">calculator tool</a> from the Economic Policy Institute. Why it matters: The estimate is fueling a debate over whether federal tax dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="dde58eef-0f76-4d1f-8096-3d85efa83ac1" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportations could cost Philly taxpayers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> could instead fund other public priorities, like food assistance, health care or housing.

Politics 🇺🇸

Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania

Skill games face approaching ban in October across Pennsylvania

City Council returns: What we're watching

Data center opposition is growing in Philadelphia

Exclusive: First lady Lori Shapiro gets an up-close look at Philly's adult literacy crisis