Yo, Wednesday!

🌤️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny with a high temp reaching the upper 70s, lows of 62.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Bernadette Mueller!

📍Situational awareness: The Phillies are facing elimination in their Wild-Card series against the Braves today in Atlanta. First pitch is at 2pm.

☝️ Programming note: Isaac and Mike are still at the Axios retreat in Atlanta, so forgive us for not checking our emails.

Today's newsletter is 1,071 words, a 4-minute read.

AI companies, private equity firms and unions are looking beyond 2026 in the data center debate, banding together to form a new multimillion-dollar coalition to make the case for responsible growth in seven key states — including Pennsylvania.

Why it matters: The new group, the American Infrastructure Alliance, wants to partner with state and local officials to create standards and guardrails for data centers in 2027.

• In return, the coalition hopes to head off moratoriums on new construction, like those being talked about in Philly and its 'burbs amid growing opposition to the tech.

Besides the Keystone State, the group is planning initial campaigns in Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana and South Carolina.

• The alliance is backed by Blackstone, OpenAI, QTS and SoftBank Group, along with key unions, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

What they're saying: "Responsible growth requires clear expectations for everyone involved," said Tag Greason, co-CEO of QTS, the Blackstone-owned data center operator.

• "Blanket bans on necessary infrastructure projects would set back our economy and threaten good middle-class jobs," said Kenneth Cooper, the IBEW's international president. "The IBEW is committed to responsible development that benefits workers, communities and our nation."

Between the lines: This isn't an outside group built to flood the airwaves in key congressional races or battleground states ahead of the 2026 midterms.

• Instead, it represents an initial investment in a broader battle over AI and data centers that will likely bleed into the 2027 state legislative battles and the 2028 presidential campaign.
• Plus: The group appears to want to work with local officials — not against them.

What else: Unions are heavily represented in the group, with the goal of activating their members to help convince state and local officials that data centers can be built responsibly.

• In Philly, unions have significant political sway, particularly IBEW.

Zoom in: Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration declined Axios' request for comment.

Yes, but: Philly and the state are quickly moving ahead with their own regulations.

• Parker recently established a task force to make recommendations related to data center projects in the city by mid-2027.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration tells Axios it's not currently working with American Infrastructure Alliance.

• Shapiro, once a big booster for data centers in Pennsylvania, reversed course last month, signing an executive order to tighten the rules for data center development.

The Flyers are throwing a legendary season-opening rager in South Philly.

Why it matters: After ending a five-year playoff drought last season, the Broad Street Bullies are no longer an afterthought in one of America's best sports cities.

Driving the news: The Flyers are hosting a free Fan Fest at Stateside Live! ahead of tonight's season opener against in-state rival Pittsburgh.

• TNT is broadcasting its pregame show live from the venue at 6pm — part of a doubleheader that continues with Avalanche-Kings at 10pm.
• Hockey legend-turned-analyst Wayne Gretzky will be on hand, alongside sportscaster Liam McHugh and former players Henrik Lundqvist, Anson Carter and Paul Bissonnette.

🟠 Zoom in: Fan Fest kicks off at 3pm with games, photo ops, giveaways and stations where fans can get "Flyer'd up."

• Look for appearances from Gritty and Flyers alumni.
• The Flyers are rolling out the "Orange Carpet" around 4pm, when players start arriving.

Catch up quick: The Flyers made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020, knocking out the Penguins in the first round.

• They were eliminated by the eventual champion Carolina Hurricanes in the second round — an unexpected run for a team many fans thought was still years away from the postseason.

The intrigue: Cheers to cheap drinks, including $3 Miller Lite and Coors Light and $4 Peroni.

• 🎟️ Stick around for giveaways: Raffle prizes include VIP Flyers tickets and signed memorabilia.

If you go: It's free, but the Flyers are asking fans to RSVP.

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🦕 ICYMI: In yet another twist, Drexel University and the Academy of Natural Sciences officials say will continue to explore a proposal from the William Penn Foundation to fund the museum for at least a year, per a news release.

• But it's not clear how the temporary funding would address the elephant in the room: substantial financial challenges and deferred maintenance costs at the academy. So for now, the museum remains closed.

🥊 Yo, Philly. The city is throwing fall-long "Rocky Season" for the iconic movie's 50th anniversary, featuring Art Museum step races, themed bus tours and a meat-punching challenge.

• Mark the calendar: Nov. 13 brings the rededication of the Rocky statue, followed by the annual Rocky Run on Nov. 14, which is expected to draw 45,000 runners. (Inquirer)

🗣️ Quote du jour:

"The [Philly school] district is a hard sell for some families. You have a lot of families who have just unfortunately lost faith in a lot of the offerings that we have, and they're voting with their feet."

Philadelphians walk on average about two-thirds of a mile a day, according to a new report from transportation data firm StreetLight.

Zoom out: Topping the list was Orlando, which nearly tripled Philadelphia's steps — though that's more about Disney World than it is Floridians' pedestrian tendencies.

🥳 1 thing to cheer about: We're above the national average (151 miles).

Goldendoodles are the most popular breed in Philadelphia, per a new report from Rover.

Why it matters: You'll likely find a pack of these canines at your local dog park.

Yes, but: The American foxhound is having a renaissance in the city. It's Philly's top-trending breed.

What else: Philly ranks 10th on the list of top U.S. cities for dog walking, based on Redfin walkability data.

⚗️ Isaac had a great visit with family and friends in Albuquerque. He even saw one of the Cousins from "Breaking Bad" at the Frontier.

🥺 Mike is going to miss Atlanta.

Today's newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.