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

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Philly man fought nearly 5 decades to overturn murder conviction

Michael White's conviction was overturned twice, most recently in 2022.

News

Rocky Balboa is back for another round

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

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.

Philadelphia Union look to avoid 10-day hangover

A win puts the Union in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Sports

The Philadelphia Union have waited a season to avenge last year&#x27;s gut-wrenching loss in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MLS Cup." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/11/07/phillies-2022-world-series-union-mls-cup" data-vars-content-id="a987a123-3674-43c2-9fec-52a2348ced51" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia Union look to avoid 10-day hangover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/11/07/phillies-2022-world-series-union-mls-cup" target="_self">MLS Cup.</a><ul><li>So what&#x27;s 10 days between playoff games?</li></ul>

Eagles vs. Cowboys: The battle of NFC East's best

This weekend, it's Jalen vs. Dak; the Birds vs. the Boys.

This weekend, it&#x27;s Jalen vs. Dak; the Birds vs. the Boys.Driving the news: Sunday&#x27;s contest will be a quarterback battle royale between Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott, featuring the NFC East&#x27;s top teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.

Philadelphia ships off Harden in "blockbuster" trade

The teams had been trying to complete a deal since Harden said he wanted out of Philly this summer.

James Harden is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="going back to Cali." data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDiy_jZNfB8" data-vars-content-id="3fdb0073-9e22-4023-bba9-43bccf23c3e8" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia ships off Harden in &quot;blockbuster&quot; trade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDiy_jZNfB8" target="_blank">going back to Cali.</a>Driving the news: The 76ers offloaded the disgruntled guard in what ESPN called a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;blockbuster&quot; trade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38784569/philadelphia-76ers-agree-trade-james-harden-la-clippers" data-vars-content-id="3fdb0073-9e22-4023-bba9-43bccf23c3e8" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia ships off Harden in &quot;blockbuster&quot; trade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38784569/philadelphia-76ers-agree-trade-james-harden-la-clippers" target="_blank">&quot;blockbuster&quot; trade</a> with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Hot take: NJ strikes out by removing Phillies post

What's the world coming to when neighboring states can no longer trade witty sports trash talk?

New Jersey&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="official Twitter account" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/NJGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" data-vars-content-id="c40d75dd-cc01-4e5f-b920-9822ca6482d8" data-vars-headline="Hot take: NJ strikes out by removing Phillies post" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/NJGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">official Twitter account</a> used to play hardball, but now they seem to be playing softball.Driving the news: After Philadelphia <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lost" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38739172/philadelphia-phillies-lament-lost-opportunity-nlcs-loss" data-vars-content-id="c40d75dd-cc01-4e5f-b920-9822ca6482d8" data-vars-headline="Hot take: NJ strikes out by removing Phillies post" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38739172/philadelphia-phillies-lament-lost-opportunity-nlcs-loss" target="_blank">lost</a> Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, the folks running Gov. Phil Murphy&#x27;s digital team beaned Phillies fans with a well-timed post on X, formerly known as Twitter — the Spirit Halloween sign imposed over Citizens Bank Park, captioned &quot;RIP.&quot;

Illustration of a shocked eagle looking at a phone, reading a message bubble that has flame emojis.

Exclusive: Wells Fargo Center kicks off new marketing campaign boasting arena upgrades

The future of the  76ers at the Wells Fargo Center is at stake.

The Wells Fargo Center is launching its first major marketing campaign Thursday to highlight the $400 million redevelopment of the South Philly arena, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The future of the Wells Fargo Center is at stake as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="76ers are pushing to ditch their longtime home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/04/sixers-stadium-wells-fargo-center" data-vars-content-id="c25f6666-4bca-49ef-ac15-ddb4dc296df7" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Wells Fargo Center kicks off new marketing campaign boasting arena upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/04/sixers-stadium-wells-fargo-center" target="_self">76ers are pushing to ditch their longtime home</a> to build their own arena.

A rendering of upgrades to the Wells Fargo Center

Fans upset after Wells Fargo Center removes commemorative bricks

Some say they were told their gift would be part of the stadium forever.

The Wells Fargo Center quietly removed hundreds of commemorative bricks near the arena&#x27;s entrance.Why it matters: Fans are bummed, especially people who paid for the bricks decades ago and say they were told their gift would be part of the stadium forever.

Philadelphia Eagles fans' chance meeting leads to heartwarming friendship

Sleuthy Eagles fans tracked down Rick Santiago in seven minutes.

Rick Santiago&#x27;s phone was blowing up last week with texts from friends saying someone was looking for him.<ul><li>His heart sank until he found out who it was — and then it filled with joy.</li></ul>

Kellirae, left, with Eagles cheerleader KelseyRae. On the right, Eagles fan Rick Santiago with his coaster.

Purdy low: Eagles are underdogs at home against 49ers

The Eagles will need another big performance from QB Jalen Hurts.

Talk about D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T.Driving the news: San Francisco will find out what it means to the one-loss Birds, the team with the NFL&#x27;s best record that enters Sunday&#x27;s highly anticipated home matchup against the 49ers as underdogs.

The King of South Philly gets a new mural

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

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 Eagles battle Dallas Cowboys for NFC East lead

The Eagles are coming off a lopsided loss to San Francisco, only their second defeat of the season.

In the words of Eagles turncoat Terrell Owens: &quot;Getcha popcorn ready.&quot;Why it matters: The Eagles and Cowboys square off for the second time this season for Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is at 8:20pm.

3 places to ski and snowboard within 4 hours of Philadelphia

Blue Mountain Resort in the Poconos also has tubing.

Things to Do

Pennsylvania has a handful of options for those wanting to take a quick trip to the mountains. Here are three ski resorts located within four hours of Philly.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]"><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blue Mountain Resort" data-vars-click-url="http://www.skibluemt.com/" data-vars-content-id="24da397b-7e6f-4d9b-8fe9-b4e356f4c4d6" data-vars-headline="3 places to ski and snowboard within 4 hours of Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.skibluemt.com/" target="_blank">Blue Mountain Resort</a>, Poconos</h2>Season: November-March.

Dozens of skies with neon poles and one snowboard are left abandoned in snow.