Thousands of Pennsylvania children could lose funding for Head Start, the decades-old federal program that provides free child care, nutrition assistance and other services to low-income families.

Why it matters: Shuttering the Head Start program — reportedly under White House consideration — would be "devastating" for the more than 35,000 Pennsylvania children who rely on it, says Kara McFalls, executive director of the Pennsylvania Head Start Association.

• Losing federal Head Start funding would worsen child care waitlists, costs and staffing, especially in rural areas where it's often the only option, McFalls says.

Driving the news: The Trump administration called for the program's elimination in a draft budget plan first obtained last week by the Washington Post, Axios' Emily Peck and Maya Goldman report.

Catch up quick: Federal layoffs, office closures and funding delays are already disrupting Head Start programs in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

• Some providers, who rely on quick turnaround to meet payroll, report that expected payments have not arrived, putting child care services at risk, says McFalls.

Zoom in: Pennsylvania offers Head Start through center-based preschools and home visits. The state provides additional funding to increase access to the program.

By the numbers: Pennsylvania got $384 million for over 23,000 Head Start funding spots in 2023-24, including about $107 million for southeastern Pennsylvania, per government data.

• About 2,500 enrolled children were experiencing homelessness and over 1,000 were in foster care statewide.
• Last year, Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional district — which encompasses most of West Philadelphia and parts of Center City, South and Northwest Philly — had the most slots at 4,600, per a CAP analysis.
• Infant care in Pennsylvania averages $1,113 a month; care for a 4-year-old averages $983 a month, per the Economic Policy Institute.

Zoom out: More than 790,000 kids through age 5 nationwide rely on Head Start for learning, meals and health care services, per a CAP report.

• Research shows Head Start boosts educational outcomes, lowers rates of teen pregnancy and criminal involvement, and increases earnings into adulthood.

Reality check: The White House proposal shows Trump's spending priorities, but Congress has the final say in how discretionary funds are allocated.

• No final funding decisions have been made, OMB communications director Rachel Cauley told Axios.

Full story

Prices for some shore rentals in New Jersey are starting to dip as bookings slow from last year, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.

Why it matters: It's a good time to look for deals for your summer beach vacation.

State of play: The majority of southern Jersey Shore towns have more inventory available compared to the same time last year, per the Business Journal.

• While asking prices are up over last year, the slowdown in summer booking rentals has pushed some owners to lower them.

What they're saying: "A lot of renters are pulling back at the current price point," Tara Hargenrader, who runs the rental booking website Renting Wildwood, tells the outlet.

• "The demand is there, but the travelers are clearly more price-conscious this year."

💰 Reality check: Renting at the beach during the peak summer season is still pricy AF and out of reach for most.

• Case in point: The average daily rate for a June rental in the Wildwoods is nearly $366, per the outlet.
• In Ocean City, it'll cost you at least $400 a night and $500 in Margate, the Business Journal found.

The intrigue: Some Jersey Shore businesses and property owners are concerned that tourism from Canada could slump this year over President Trump's tariffs and trade war, per FOX29.

Between the lines: The sky-high costs at the Jersey Shore — from rental units to pizza to beach chairs — have been turning off vacationers post-pandemic.

• Many are looking for more bang for their buck — think Europe and the mountains.

The bottom line: Homeowners may need to cut their prices further to fill their beach houses with renters this summer, per the Business Journal.

Share this story

About 200 university leaders, including UPenn and Rutgers' presidents, signed onto a Tuesday letter denouncing the Trump administration's "coercive use of public research funding." (Axios)

• "We speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education," the university leaders said in their letter.

🏗️ The city's housing authority is on track to break ground next year on a development that'll bring 75 units of affordable housing to West Philly.

• The new building will be located on a sliver of the University City Townhomes site, which drew protests for years after it closed in 2021. (WHYY)

💍 Sorry, ladies: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is officially off the market.

• The newly minted Super Bowl champion confirmed he married longtime girlfriend in February. (Men's Health)

Happy birthday to Philadelphia's bike-share program Indego!

🆓 Why it matters: Score a free 30-minute ride today on classic Indego bikes (use code 10YEARS on the mobile app or website).

By the numbers: The bike-share program has grown significantly over the past decade:

• 🚲 The system has more than 2,200 bikes, up from around 600 in 2015.
• 📈 Stations have ballooned to more than 250, up from the original 60.
• 💳 A monthly pass is now $20, up from $15.

Go deeper

Former racehorse Norway Hanover is yucking it up at Pennsbury Manor in Bucks County.

Why it matters: The retired trotter was rescued from a "kill pen" in Colorado and now gets to spend the rest of his days at William Penn's historic leafy estate along the Delaware River.

Catch up quick: The Standardbred Retirement Foundation brought the 16-year-old horse over in March after he underwent rehabilitation.

What they're saying: "He is already getting along famously with all his barnyard companions, including the barn cat," Pennsbury Manor's animal curator said in a statement.