In Philly, putting a jersey on the Rocky statue is like poking the "Eye of the Tiger."

Why it matters: To Brazil and Haiti we say, please do not FAFO.

The big picture: Sports curses are as old as the games themselves — a way for superstitious fans to seize back a sense of control over the action on the field, pitch or court and find an easy scapegoat when things go wrong.

• And in the sportiest city in the world, we love our hexes.
• Before the Rocky Statue Curse, there was the "Curse of Billy Penn" — a long-running legend that inspired a documentary about why the Phillies were doomed after developers broke a gentlemen's agreement by building One Liberty Place taller than the William Penn statue atop City Hall.

Driving the news: Visit PA has leaned into the latest superstition, warning teams playing in Philly's World Cup not to tempt fate by draping their teams jerseys over Mr. Balboa.

• "Philadelphia can't wait to host you! (but Rocky does not need your kit)," the agency wrote on Instagram.

Catch up quick: The warning came too late for Ecuador, which became the latest team to fall victim to the curse after losing to the Ivory Coast 1-0 in its opening match in Philly.

• During a massive rally the day before the match, their fans put a yellow jersey over the Rocky statue — then lost in the in the 90th minute, breathing new life into the Rocky Statue Curse.

Threat level: Brazil, which faces Haiti on Friday night in pool play at Philadelphia Stadium, is one of the greatest soccer nations in the world, where the sport borders on religion and is tied to the national identity.

• Those are the type of diehard fans most at risk to fall prey to superstitions because they take it as a challenge.

What they might be saying: We can already hear the mighty boasts of Brazilian fans, who might be tempted to caravan over the Art Museum steps ahead of Friday's match with Haiti:

• We're Brazil; we're bigger than any little curse. It's only a handful of teams. We'll show the world, we'll be the ones to break this.

Yes, but: You know what happens when you poke an underdog boxer in the eye?

The bottom line: Ask Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago, and now, Ecuador.

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The screwworm has arrived in the U.S., and Pennsylvania is taking steps to guard against a creeping invasion.

Why it matters: The parasite is threatening the nation's cattle, a $700 million industry in Pennsylvania.

The big picture: The Department of Agriculture is gearing up for a $1 billion+ fight against the screwworm, AP reports.

• It'll cost about $750 million to set up a plant to produce and release 300 million sterile male screwworms every week.
• This technique — in which the males mate with wild females, preventing reproduction — has long been the gold standard for eradicating the pest.

Driving the news: Pennsylvania has no confirmed cases of the screwworm, but has ordered a quarantine.

• It prohibits livestock and other susceptible animals from entering or staying in Pennsylvania from states affected by the screwworm.
• The quarantine, which took effect this month, is intended to protect the health of 1.6 million cattle throughout the state.
• The order requires veterinarians to examine animals under movement restrictions and confirm they're healthy.

Threat level: The first case of screwworm in the U.S. was detected in South Texas on June 3.

• There are now 12 confirmed cases in the U.S. — mostly in cattle — including 11 in Texas and one in New Mexico.

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⚖️ The family of Barbara Friedes has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver convicted of fatally striking the CHOP physician while she was riding her bicycle in a DUI crash two years ago.

• The suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages. (Philly Voice)

🚨Police have identified the suspect in Tuesday's deadly shooting at Wilmington Hospital as 23-year-old John Wallace-Bey.

• Authorities say Wallace-Bey was arrested in Philadelphia and is being extradited to Delaware, where he is expected to face multiple charges, including murder and weapons offenses. (Fox 29)

✅ Chester County has a new voting services director. Michele DiCaprio will begin the role next month.

• Her predecessor resigned amid criticism over election-related errors and workplace complaints. (Inquirer)

At least 33 states — including Pennsylvania — and D.C. will give most state government workers a paid day off Friday for Juneteenth this year, according to the Pew Research Center.

Why it matters: States differ considerably on how to mark the day when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free.

Catch up quick: Texas made Juneteenth a permanent holiday in 1980, but most other states didn't act until 2020 or later.

• Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday in 2021.

By the numbers: 30 states plus D.C. consider Juneteenth a legal holiday, meaning it's a paid day off written into law, per the Congressional Research Service.

• As the above map reflects, most state workers in New Mexico, Kansas and Kentucky also get Juneteenth off, but without it being permanent law.
• In a few states where Juneteenth is an observance only, it's marked on the third Saturday in June instead of June 19, according to Pew.

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🎥 The two-day United We Heal Film Festival kicks off today at Underground Arts, showcasing nearly a dozen filmmakers of color, with works ranging from debut shorts to documentaries. Tickets: $30-$65.

The Wawa Welcome America festival kicks off Friday with 16 days of fun, starting with a Juneteenth Jubilee from noon-5pm at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

• Expect live performances from hip-hop pioneers Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh, plus DJ Jazzy Jeff, as well as food trucks and plenty of goodies to purchase from Black vendors.

🎈 Dad, can we go to the Chester County Balloon Festival? The three-day celebration kicks off Friday at Ludwig's Corner Horse Show Ground, and includes tethered balloon rides, pilot briefings and more. Tickets: $28.52, free for children under 6.

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