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Pennsylvania could be too hot to host future Olympic Games
Data: CarbonPlan. Note: Estimate uses median high WBGT from 26 climatological models. Chart: Simran Parwani and Erin Davis/AxiosThe U.S. is gearing up to host what policymakers are calling the "mega decade" of sporting events, but scorching temperatures are a big concern for the future.The big picture: With the closing of the Paris Summer Olympics, Team USA brought the Olympic Games home with them. The 2028 Summer Olympics will be hosted in Los Angeles, but before that, the FIFA World Cup in several cities including Philly in 2026.Plus, the U.S. has slated the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2031, the Women's...
These are the Philadelphia region's fastest-growing companies
The Philadelphia region is home to 139 of the U.S.' fastest-growing companies, according to the recently released 2024 Inc. 5000 list.The big picture: Of the 5,000 companies nationally, two Philly-area businesses broke into the top 50.The highest ranked in the region was Auxilior Capital Partners (26th), which is a Plymouth Meeting-based commercial finance company.Followed by Why Unified (35th), a drop-shipping platform in Newark, Delaware.How it works: The companies are ranked according to their percentage growth over the past three years.By the numbers: The regional companies on the list β spanning parts of Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware β together reported a median growth of 183% and boasted more than 13,000 jobs.Meanwhile, Philly-area's RunPod was named to Forbes' Next Billion-Dollar Startups list.The company, based in New Jersey's Mount Laurel, offers cloud-based services to developers to create artificial intelligence applications.
What's next for Philadelphia Folk Festival?
The Philadelphia Folk Festival is back after a year hiatus but questions remain whether the event will return as an annual event.Why it matters: The festival was the longest continuously running outdoor music festival in the U.S. but was canceled last year over the organizer's struggling finances.Driving the news: The three-day festival at Old Pool Farm in Montgomery County kicks off today and remains largely unchanged from previous years, festival director Kimberly Sinclair tells Axios.Yes, but: Behind the scenes, the Philadelphia Folksong Society, which has run the festival since its inception in 1962, has cut and reprioritized the budget compared to past events.Flashback: Last year, the society was teetering on bankruptcy, forcing it to pull the plug on the festival for the first time since 1962.State of play: The society has since paid off its some $200,000 debt, Sinclair says.That means ticket sales from this weekend can go toward this year's festival costs and planning for 2025.What they're saying: While Sinclair wouldn't commit to a 2025 festival, she was optimistic it would return again."We will be grateful if we can break even and pay for the festival," she says. "This is our comeback year."
15-year-old Malvern entrepreneur honored in Time magazine
If you need a bike repair or tuneup, Dominick Pecora has you covered.Why it matters: The 15-year-old bike whisperer from the Philly suburbs was named one of five honorees in Time magazine's "Kid of the Year" edition.Driving the news: Time selected six kids from nominations of those who have contributed in fields ranging from social justice to business.This year's winner was Heman Bekele, a young scientist from Fairfax, Virginia.Zoom in: Pecora's aspirations grew out of needing a quick way to make a buck to buy a new, expensive mountain bike, per Time.He learned how to fix bikes by watching YouTube...
Philadelphia adds 700 city jobs amid vacancy crisis
Mayor Cherelle Parker has beefed up the city's workforce by nearly 700 jobs amid a staffing vacancy crisis.Why it matters: Parker is reshaping City Hall during her freshman year in office while making big promises to improve city services.State of play: The number of city jobs rose 2% under Parker's first budget that took effect July 1, according to the mayor's office.Zoom in: The highest levels of city government received some of the biggest boosts in staffing, including the mayor's office (68 more jobs) and Managing Director's Office (70), which oversees day-to-day city operations.The police department kept the number of...
Philly Weekender: Folk festival, vegan treats and jazz
ποΈ The Women's Film Festival kicks off Thursday. Check out over two dozen flicks, events and programs over 10 days.Tickets: $8-$10 per movie; all-access badges are $100-$125πΆ Browse the best Brewerytown has to offer during the Sidewalk Social tonight from 6-8pm.The mini-festival will showcase vendors, local businesses and performances at 26th Street and Girard Avenue.Explore the waterfront estate of Glen Foerd in Northeast Philly tonight from 6-8:30pm.Count on arts and crafts, live music by Samantha Rise and lawn games. Don't forget a blanket and lawn chairs.ποΈ Mayfair is putting on a family-friendly summer night market tonight from 6-9pm at Cottman...
Philadelphphia hosting Red Bull breaking competition
Some of the East Coast's best breakers will battle it out in Philly next month.Why it matters: Breaking has a deep history in Philadelphia and reached a broader audience at the Paris Olympics.Driving the news: Two dozen breakers will go head-to-head in Red Bull BC One's knockout tournament on Sept. 7 at Dilworth Park.The field includes winners of recent competitions in Boston, Miami and New York.The top three b-boys and top three b-girls advance to the finals in Los Angeles on Sept. 26.Zoom in: The dance-off is being judged by several top breakers, including Philly's own BoxWon.Up-and-coming breakers can register to compete in prelims that'll take place before the main event.What they're saying: Local breaker and Temple alum Steve Believe, who will emcee the event, says Philly's breaking scene often lives in New York's shadow but "has never taken a back seat" to the Big Apple.If you go: Prelims: 2pm; main event: 4pm. Free with an RSVP.
Philadelphia port workers could strike in October
Unionized dockworkers at The Port of Philadelphia and across the East and Gulf coasts are threatening to strike in October. Why it matters: A strike could potentially interrupt supply chains in the U.S. β alarmingly close to Election Day. State of play: The drama is playing out on the...
Jalen Hurts helps cool Philadelphia schools
Nearly 200 Philadelphia classrooms now have air conditioning, thanks to a $200,000 donation from Jalen Hurts.Why it matters: The lack of adequate cooling systems in some district schools has interrupted teaching, led to early dismissals and made hiring educators difficult.Driving the news: The Eagles quarterback's gift is helping the Philly school district make strides in its goal to equip every school with adequate air conditioning by 2027.By the numbers: 63 district schools currently have inadequate cooling, Paul Bonewicz, maintenance director for the School District of Philadelphia, said during a news conference Tuesday.The average school building is over 70 years old...
Philadelphia region sees housing permits rise
Data: U.S. Census Bureau via housingdata.app; Note: Includes metro areas with at least 500k residents; Chart: Axios VisualsThe Philadelphia region is on track to permit more housing units than last year, bucking a national trend, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.Why it matters: That's a sign of progress for a region struggling to keep pace with high housing demand and suffering from a lack of affordable units, which is pricing out some buyers.The big picture: Higher interest rates are slowing home and apartment construction across the country, according to the National Association of Home Builders.Labor and lot shortages are also...
Philadelphia gets creative to fill vacancies in municipal jobs
Philadelphia is taking the task of driving down unemployment quite literally.Why it matters: The city has more than 120 job vacancies it's currently hiring for, and it's sending out a Hiring Bus to recruit residents.The big picture: Philadelphia's unemployment rate was 3.7% as of June β slightly below the national average of 4.1%.Data: BLS; Chart: Axios VisualsDriving the news: The Hiring Bus is making several stops at city events in the coming weeks, including today at the Fox Chase Playground during National Night Out.The mobile recruitment effort is staffed by a team of HR professionals who can look over residents'...
Penn State ranks No. 8 in AP Top 25 preseason poll
Pull out the foam fingers: Penn State is in the top 10 of the AP's preseason college football rankings.The big picture: The AP poll, released Monday, has historically been a pretty good predictor of teams that make the College Football Playoff, which is expanding to 12 teams this year.The No. 1 team in the preseason poll has made the playoffs seven times since the NCAA instituted a playoff in 2014.Driving the news: The Nittany Lions, which finished No. 13 in last season's AP poll, moved up five slots.They're the third-highest ranked team in the Big Ten, behind No. 2 Ohio...
SEPTA nears crisis over budget shortfall
State lawmakers are on the clock to fix Philadelphia's transportation system by plugging its massive budget gap.Why it matters: SEPTA could begin proposing fare increases in early fall if talks fall apart to close a $187 million deficit by June 2025.The big picture: SEPTA is facing potential cutbacks ahead of 2026, when a crush of tourists will descend on the city for the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game and the nation's 250th anniversary.State of play: Talks between state lawmakers and SEPTA are expected to pick up in late September when the legislature reconvenes, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch tells Axios.Busch...
Philly teens want to save lives through viral anti-violence videos
Philadelphia youth are taking lessons from social media influencers to help reduce gun violence and save peers' lives.Why it matters: The number of teens killed from gun violence rose 50% during the pandemic, the Pew Research Center found.The rate of teens killed in 2021 was the highest it has been in two decades.Driving the news: Five youth teams from across Philadelphia are presenting social media videos with anti-gun violence messages Monday at REC Philly.It's part of a pitch contest put on by Project Unloaded and YEAH Philly, and judged by a panel of local leaders. The winning team will receive...
What's more Philly: "Boner 4Ever" building or an iconic trio
You know the drill. It's time for this week's "What's more Philly?"The big picture: Our city can be wild, hilarious, impressive and inexplicably weird β and we want to celebrate that.How it works: For those who missed prior installments, it's easy.We pick two of the most Philly moments over the last week and let you decide: What's more Philly?π₯ The contenders: The famous "Boner 4Ever" building in North Philly living on in lore after developers pulled out of a $70 million project.Or: The Philly trinity? Gritty greeting Betsy Ross while Benjamin Franklin looked on at Philly Mag's Best of Philly party.
Delaware joins calls to lure Sixers out of Philadelphia
The Sixers' options for where to build its new arena are growing. Driving the news: Delaware Gov. John Carney made his state's open pitch to lure the 76ers to Wilmington late this week. In a social media post, Carney notes The First State's lack of sales tax and "huge Sixers...
What to know about Eagles preseason
It's hard to get hyped about preseason football β unless you live in Philadelphia.The big picture: We're still a month away from regular season, but Eagles fans can get their first glimpse of the team during tonight's preseason opener against Baltimore.What to expect: Head coach Nick Sirianni hasn't decided whether his starters, including QB Jalen Hurts, will take any snaps.Teams usually hold out their stars until later in preseason, fearing the risk of injury.Yes, but: It's Philly, and that means every game matters to fans hoping to expel memories of last year's late-season stumbles, which followed a 10-1 start that...
Pennsylvania's Nick Mead to be flag bearer in Olympics closing ceremony
Chester County's Nick Mead is one of Team USA's flag bearers for the closing ceremony at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.Why it matters: The Strafford athlete is a member of the crew team that won its first gold for the U.S. in men's four since 1960.Zoom in: The closing ceremony begins Sunday at 3pm.Team USA's flag bearers include Mead and swimmer Katie Ledecky, who won a pair of gold and other medals herself at the games.1 cool thing: Mead is the first rower to lead Team USA as a flag bearer at a closing ceremony.
Former Philly officer Mark Dial's first-degree murder charge dropped
Prosecutors are abandoning a first-degree murder charge against former Philadelphia police officer Mark Dial in the shooting death of Eddie Irizarry, per the Inquirer.The big picture: The decision is the latest twist in a case that drew protests and calls for justice in the city after a judge initially tossed all charges against Dial last year. Another judge later reinstated the charges, after ruling a jury should decide the case.The District Attorney's withdrawal of the highest charge this week paves the way for Dial's release from jail and means he'll no longer face the possibility of a life sentence if...
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