The dog days of summer are here and an estimated 300,000 Pennsylvania households are weathering them without air conditioning, per U.S. Census figures.

Why it matters: Residents without access to air conditioning face greater health risks as extreme heat and poor air quality days become more frequent.

By the numbers: In Philly proper, more than 12,000 homes are estimated to lack cooling units, or 1.8% of homes.

• Meanwhile, air conditioning is virtually universal in the burbs of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Zoom out: An estimated 5.7% of Pennsylvania households lack AC.

• Worth noting: Air conditioning is far less common in Pennsylvania's cooler, higher-elevation regions.

Zoom in: While most households have some form of air conditioning in Philly, pockets of vulnerability remain.

• Census tract data show that sections of North Philly — including parts of Chopersville and Tioga/Nicetown — as well as slices of University City and the Gayborhood have between 4% and 6% of occupied homes lacking air conditioning.
• Some of those areas also spend a larger share of their income on utility bills, per U.S. Department of Energy data.

Between the lines: Income and our aging housing stock help explain why some neighborhoods have lower air-conditioning rates.

• Older, poorly insulated homes can trap heat. Some residents may skip window units to avoid ever-increasing electric bills.

How it works: The U.S. Census estimates AC access in each census tract by combining 2023 American Community Survey and American Housing Survey data using cross-survey modeling.

The bottom line: Use our interactive map to see how many homes in your county lack AC, then check out a few simple tips to stay cool from our friends at Axios Salt Lake City.

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Meek Mill gave Pennsylvania another glimpse of his budding bromance with Gov. Josh Shapiro, who makes a cameo in the rapper's latest video, "Nightmares to Dreams."

Why it matters: It's another high-profile appearance for Shapiro as he seeks re-election this year and builds a national profile amid speculation about his future presidential ambitions.

Catch up quick: The two have known each other since at least 2023.

• That's when Mill — one of Philly's most beloved rappers — appeared alongside Shapiro as the governor signed a probation reform bill the rapper championed after his own experience with the criminal justice system following his 2008 drug and weapons convictions.

Driving the news: The recent footage was filmed during Mill's appearance at last month's One Philly Unity Concert for America, where the rapper performed a high-energy set in the early morning hours.

• Shapiro's office told CNN that the governor's kids first spotted their dad in the video, which debuted this month.

Reality check: Shapiro hardly needs the extra publicity this year.

• He's published a memoir, hosted the World Cup, landed a basketball legend and made primetime appearances, including on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

By the numbers: With less than three months until the election, the popular Democratic incumbent has a huge campaign cash lead over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity.

What they're saying: Shapiro isn't just the governor of an important swing state anymore, political commentator Randall Miller tells Axios. He's become a bona fide celebrity in his own right.

• Palling around with Mill tells younger voters who may be on the fence that Shapiro isn't just another stuffy politician but someone who's "with it," Miller says.
• "It's an attention grabber" that keeps the governor in the public eye.

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🔍 City Controller Christy Brady will audit the Philly school district's management and operations after city lawmakers requested a closer look at its finances.

• The review will examine the district's massive deficit, the impact of school closures, and its fiscal policies and practices. (NBC 10)

⚖️ Federal prosecutors have taken over the criminal case against a Philly man whose home is at the center of the investigation into two missing women.

• This comes as the city's District Attorney's Office withdrew gun and drug charges against Eugene Horsch, who's been in federal custody since June. (Inquirer)

🛒 State lawmakers are kicking around ideas on how to lower grocery prices for residents, including suspending some state taxes for six months and lowering fertilizer prices.

• But their hands are tied on some federal policies, such as tariffs. (Axios)

Philly's Skyspace will blend light and music this weekend.

Why it matters: This one-night concert is a way to relax, unclutter your mind and experience the cool space in a new way.

Driving the news: "This Silent Music," which premieres on Saturday, is a new musical performance written specifically for Skyspace.

Catch up quick: Skyspace is a permanent art installation that opened more than a decade ago inside the Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting.

• The museum-caliber installation, designed by internationally acclaimed artist James Turrell, typically runs in silence during sunrise or sunset.

Fun fact: Philly is home to one of the world's roughly 85 Skyspaces.

1 cool thing: The one-night-only, 60-minute show blends elements of classical and heavy metal music and poetry, co-creator Liz Lang tells Axios.

What they're saying: "It becomes this meditative experience in this space," Lang says.

🎟️ If you go: A pre-concert discussion with the composers starts at 6:30pm.

• The performance kicks off at 7:30pm.
• Tickets: $25+

Worth noting: Skyspace's sunset shows are generally limited to Sundays, with occasional first Friday showtimes.

• Sunrise shows happen a handful of times a year, with the next scheduled for Oct. 24.
• Tickets: $11.20+