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Today's newsletter is 1,053 words, a 4-minute read.

Philadelphia just weathered one of its hottest summers on record.

Why it matters: Warming temps pose serious health risks while also driving up electricity demands and energy costs.

State of play: Philadelphia proper recorded an average temp of 78.8 degrees from June to August — the fourth-highest since 1941, per National Weather Service data.

• Center City logged at least six heat waves — or stretches where 90-degree temps lasted at least three consecutive days, per NWS data.

📈 Duh: Summer temps have been trending upward for decades.

• Case in point: Our recent summer was more than 6 degrees hotter than in 1941.

Philly proper also had at least eight heat-related deaths this year through Aug. 14, according to the city's health department.

Zoom out: The contiguous U.S. recorded both its hottest summer and hottest August to date, with record heat stretching across much of the Southwest.

🌧️ What else: Philly's summer was wetter than usual.

• 17.8 inches of rain fell in the city between June and August — more than 5 inches more than normal, NWS meteorologist Paul Fitzsimmons tells Axios.

⚠️ Meanwhile, our phones were blowing up this year with more flood warnings than usual.

• By the numbers: 146 flash flood warnings were issued this summer throughout the region, which spans Northern Jersey through parts of Delaware.
• Context: Last year, there were 78 flash flood warnings.

🍂 FYI: Summer doesn't technically end until Sept. 22.

🔮 What's next: The early fall temperature outlook in the region is slightly tilted toward above-normal temps through Oct. 9, per the Climate Prediction Center's most recent forecast.

In Philly, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle understands that the early bird gets the worm — and that's why he's already leading efforts to start planning for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

Why it matters: Ain't no party like a Philadelphian party because, apparently, planning for a Philadelphian party starts 11 years in advance.

The big picture: Boyle is turning into the city's resident party planner.

• He helped spearhead efforts to hold a special ceremonial event with Congress earlier this year at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed.

Driving the news: With the National Constitution Center as his backdrop, Boyle unveiled a bill Monday that would create a national commission to begin planning the anniversary celebrations.

• He told Axios he expects the bill — modeled after the legislation that created the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission — to draw bipartisan support and hopefully be adopted early next year.

Yes, but: Could Boyle face some unexpected opposition — namely, Philadelphians who are birthday-ed out after this year's jam-packed schedule?

Catch up quick: Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy and one of the country's most prominent sports cities, has hosted several high-profile events coinciding with the semiquincentennial, including the World Cup and MLB All-Star Game.

• Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration also poured millions of dollars into yearlong programming for the 250th, including a Fourth of July concert that has drawn scrutiny over whether city officials skirted procurement requirements in awarding the contract to a politically connected production company.

Zoom in: The anniversary binge isn't over yet: The city is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors for the revamped RockyFest, which kicks off in November to commemorate the iconic film's 50th anniversary.

Keep reading

🛜 Philly has installed free public internet at more than 170 city-owned properties, including parks and rec centers, through a partnership with Verizon.

• The goal: Add Wi-Fi access to roughly nine more spots before the end of the year, with the potential for more sites in the future. (Technical.ly)

🤸‍♀ Let the children play! Elementary school students in the state are now guaranteed at least 30 minutes of recess every day. (WESA)

🚰 The Philly Water Department hiked rates at the start of the month. The typical monthly bill is expected to rise by 7.5%, per the department's website.

🍺 Fathers Brewing, which is backed by Philly Eagles lineman Lane Johnson, has entered the Philly market for the first time.

• It landed on GoPuff ($11.99) last weekend. And it's expected to roll out to regional retailers, like bars and grocery stores, this week. (Business Journal)

The new monument we were promised for 30th Street Station is months behind schedule but coming more clearly into focus.

Why it matters: The statue for the transit hub's namesake — deceased U.S. Rep. William H. Gray III — missed the boat on welcoming an influx of tourists during Philly's busy summer events.

State of play: The William H. Gray III Memorial Foundation has yet to settle on a final design, foundation spokesperson Licy Do Canto tells Axios.

• Yes, but: The foundation has narrowed its selection down to two of the five final designs that had been unveiled in July 2025. Do Canto declined to reveal the designs being considered.
• The ETA for the final design selection is TBD, but Do Canto hinted it'll be very soon.

Catch up quick: The $1.2 million memorial is expected to stand just steps inside the station's grand hall.

• As one of the first things people will see upon entering the building, it'll likely become a rendezvous spot at the station.

Flashback: The foundation previously said it would select a winning design in the fall of 2025 and have the memorial set up in time for Philly's World Cup games and other 250th events this summer.

What they're saying: Do Canto said the timeline for the project was pushed back to work out "regulatory and legal requirements" — think safety concerns and how to maintain the future memorial.

💡 1 fun thing: The future monument will be incorporated into the Philly school district's curriculum.

Between the lines: The station is undergoing a yearlong renovation project to upgrade its South Concourse and other areas.

Read Mike's thought bubble

🎉 Isaac is tipping his cap to his co-author and friend, Mike "MJ" D'Onofrio on his work anniversary. Keep grinding for the journalism.

🎂 Mike is getting a little teary-eyed thinking that he's been at Axios Philly for five years as of today.

Today's newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.