AGP Executive Report

Philadelphia Pride: Thousands filled the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Philly Pride March and Festival, with a massive 1,000-foot Pride flag drawing crowds as the event expanded beyond the Gayborhood and Old City. Citizenship Dinner: Over shared meals, Philadelphians gathered to “break bread” and write a recipe for citizenship, part of a city-funded series aimed at uniting diverse neighborhoods. Public Safety: A 17-year-old was killed in a shooting in Allentown, and police are investigating; in Northeast Philadelphia’s Tacony area, a man was shot multiple times and died. Water Alert: Pennsylvania American Water issued a boil water advisory for about 1,500 Clairton customers after a power loss caused pressure problems at a booster pump station. Storm Damage: A Western Pennsylvania borough declared a disaster emergency after severe storms knocked out power and left major debris behind. Sports (Philly): The Phillies beat the White Sox 9-5 as Brandon Marsh homered for a third straight day; meanwhile, the 76ers promoted Jameer Nelson to executive VP of basketball operations.

Child Death Reviews: Pennsylvania counties are falling short on a 2008 law requiring local panels to review every child death—state data says about half of childhood deaths since 2020 weren’t reviewed, with rural areas hit hardest and Gov. Josh Shapiro pushing for $2.5 million to fix it. Philadelphia Safety: North Philadelphia investigators are probing the killing of pizza delivery worker Anshul Kuncha, 28, after a delivery order was reportedly placed for a vacant apartment, with family alleging a trap and police saying no arrests yet. World Cup Countdown (Philadelphia): FIFA is building a museum-style archive from 2026 matches, while local coverage keeps spotlighting the tournament’s big schedule and Philadelphia’s role as host. Sports (Eagles/MLB): Eagles rookie Markel Bell gets a pass-pro comp in minicamp coverage, and Phillies baseball continues to draw attention as Andrew Painter struggles in a loss to the White Sox. Weather/Power: Severe storms moved through the region overnight, knocking out power for thousands across parts of Pennsylvania.

Severe Weather Watch: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect through this evening for much of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and surrounding counties, with the main threats being damaging wind gusts (up to around 58 mph or higher), large hail, heavy downpours, and frequent lightning. Storm Damage Across Western Pa.: High winds and heavy rain knocked down trees and wires, with reports of widespread power outages and a barge drifting ashore on the Monongahela River before being repositioned. Lancaster County Warning: The NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Lancaster County, citing up to 60 mph winds and nick-size hail, urging residents to stay indoors. Philadelphia Sports: The White Sox evened their series with the Phillies 6-3 as Jacob Gonzalez hit his first MLB homer and Colson Montgomery added a long shot. Local Health Access: A report highlights pharmacy access pressure in Beaver County, where closures have left residents with fewer local options for trusted care. Church & Community: The Diocese of Arlington ordained seven men to the priesthood, while a Eucharistic procession drew more than 1,000 Catholics through Washington, D.C.

Heat & Storm Watch: Philadelphia is bracing for the hottest stretch of the heat wave Saturday, with mid-90s highs and a chance for strong to severe evening storms, including damaging winds and hail. World Cup Prep in Philly: With the 2026 World Cup about a week away, Lionel Messi’s muscle injury is improving and he could see limited action in Argentina’s warmups, while Philadelphia continues rolling out safety and transit plans for fans. State Policy—SNAP Security: Pennsylvania is moving closer to chip-enabled SNAP cards to curb “skimming” theft, with a bill aiming for rollout by January 2028. Courts & Local Costs: A Pennsylvania Supreme Court stormwater ruling leaves municipalities and nonprofits facing new uncertainty over stormwater charges and whether they function like taxes. Penn Medicine Leadership: Penn has extended University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin Mahoney’s contract through June 2031. Sports—Phillies Momentum: The Phillies keep climbing after sweeping the Padres and starting a new series strong, now sitting above .500 and chasing the NL East. Local Sports/College: Penn State’s Beaver Stadium renovation is progressing, with major west-tower work expected to be done ahead of the 2026 season.

Philadelphia Budget Fight: Philadelphia City Council rejected Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposed $1-per-ride Uber/Lyft tax, dealing a major blow to her plan to fund the school district amid a looming deficit and planned staff cuts. School Culture Wars: A new Brookings study finds school-board conflicts during the pandemic years have lingered, hitting politically divided districts hardest. Judicial Nominations: Sen. John Fetterman reportedly won’t block President Trump’s federal judge pick for Pennsylvania, allowing the nominee to move forward—an unusual step for a Democrat. State Politics: Longtime Philly Sen. Anthony Williams says November will be his last run, though he’s not committing to finishing a full term. Worker Safety: Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing a bill to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat with required employer plans, including water, shade, rest breaks, and emergency training. Utility Costs: PPL customers will see higher distribution rates starting July 1 after a PUC-approved settlement. Public Health: A study links prolonged sitting in pregnancy to higher odds of complications, including preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Consumer/Community: USPS reports thousands of dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025, with Pennsylvania ranking high—especially in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Sports & Culture: Phoebe Bridgers announces a phone-free arena tour, and Philadelphia prepares for a major Pride celebration.

Housing & Rights: Residents in Pennsylvania manufactured home communities are sounding the alarm as lot rents surge and eviction fears grow, with lawmakers still debating fixes. Public Health & Policy: Pennsylvanians back medical aid in dying in polls, but lawmakers still aren’t moving it forward. Weather Watch: Pittsburgh-area officials warn severe storms could hit Saturday, with damaging wind, large hail, and even tornadoes possible. Local Safety & Crime: A Philadelphia barber, Carlos Manuel, is missing after jumping from a boat into the Delaware River during a social gathering; a recovery mission is underway. Road Rules: New Pennsylvania handheld phone penalties begin Friday, with drivers facing fines for using phones behind the wheel. Pennsylvania Economy & Tech: Penn Vet launched an AI-powered livestock behavior lab to help farmers make faster, better health and welfare decisions. Sports (PIAA): Mars lacrosse is pushing for quarterfinals in the PIAA playoffs, with key matchups set for Saturday. World Cup in Philly: Philadelphia is in the final stretch of FIFA World Cup preparations, including safety and transit upgrades for fans.

PUC Consumer Rules: Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission opened a formal public comment period on a proposed rulemaking to fold key residential utility consumer protections into its regulations. Electric Rates: PPL Electric customers are set for another near-5% monthly bill increase starting in July after a PUC settlement vote. Distracted Driving: Paul Miller’s Law fully kicks in Friday, ending the warning phase and bringing $50 fines for drivers caught holding or using phones, even at red lights or in traffic. Philadelphia Schools & Heat: With more extreme heat, 52 Philadelphia schools will switch to virtual learning Friday, and the district is still cutting 340 classroom jobs after City Council rejected a rideshare tax plan meant to fund staffing. SEPTA Labor: SEPTA transit police union leaders say a strike during major summer events, including the World Cup, is increasingly likely unless talks move to binding arbitration. EV Charging Push: Philadelphia plans to expand public EV charging access through a ChargePHL partnership, aiming for 800+ new chargers over the next decade. Public Health: Central Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak grew by 10 more cases, bringing the total to 38 since late April. Conservation: Wildlands Conservancy permanently protected 1,147+ acres in Penn Forest Township with a conservation easement to safeguard Lehigh River headwaters.

Baseball Milestone: Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez’s 50⅔-inning scoreless run finally ended, but he still won 3-2 over the Padres as Citizens Bank Park cheered the historic streak. Election Integrity: A new UPenn study says Pennsylvania “notice and cure” helps more mail ballots get counted when voters are given a chance to fix mistakes. Public Safety Funding: Centre County approved a $10M interim loan to expand its Public Safety Training Center, with grants covering the project. Elder Care Push: Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver will join Journey to Justice for an elder abuse awareness press conference at the Capitol ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Energy Relief for Small Business: ComEd announced up to $500 in matching grants for small businesses behind on electric bills, tied to rising costs linked to data center demand. Data Center Backlash: A national debate over data centers continues as states and localities weigh rules, moratoriums, and impacts like energy use and noise. Local Community & Schools: Robb Elementary 4th graders painted three murals, and Bald Eagle Area held a breezy graduation for 117 seniors. Sports Playoff Focus: Bellefonte’s Red Raiders advanced to the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals and are preparing for a tougher matchup.

War Powers Showdown: The U.S. House voted 215-208 to end the Iran war, with four Republicans—including Pennsylvania’s Brian Fitzpatrick—joining Democrats in a rare rebuke of President Trump, though the vote is largely symbolic and doesn’t automatically stop attacks. Philadelphia Budget Fight: Philadelphia City Council’s budget talks are nearing a crunch, with lawmakers still split over major taxes, especially a proposed $1-per-ride charge on Uber/Lyft-style trips that could affect school staffing. Local Crime & Courts: A man tied to cemetery break-ins is accused of also breaking into Greenwood Cemetery’s mausoleum, as investigators work to determine whether human remains were taken. Health & Research: Penn Medicine researchers report promising results for expanding CAR-T cancer therapy into kidney-failure treatment. Community & Culture: A Lehigh Valley museum series highlights Revolutionary-era history, while local farmers market vouchers are available for eligible Carbon County seniors. Everyday Life: Tidioute residents get a new clean-water supply after a long boil-water advisory, with PA American Water delivering a mobile water container.

Seneca Valley Budget Fight: Residents packed a Jackson Township work session to denounce Seneca Valley’s proposed 2026-27 final budget of $186.7 million and a 5.03 mill tax hike, arguing years of increases have become “the norm” and urging lawmakers to shift $24 million from unrestricted funds to avoid more taxes. Butler City Planning: Butler City officials met to discuss how to implement recommendations from a Pennsylvania DCED strategic planning report, with leaders weighing upgrades across departments and debating emergency services regionalization versus existing mutual aid. Officer-Involved Shooting: The Northampton County DA released details of a Lower Saucon officer-involved shooting tied to a mental health warrant call, describing a barricade standoff and gunfire that struck police vehicles. Columbia Data Center Backlash: Columbia Borough residents rallied against a $6.35 million bid to buy McGinness Innovation Park, fearing a data center plan; council ultimately voted 7-0 against accepting the bid. Food Safety: Federal health agencies reopened a salmonella investigation linked to imported moringa leaf powder supplements after additional illnesses, bringing totals to 119 sick across 36 states. New School Phone Law: Pennsylvania’s Paul Miller’s Law takes effect Friday, fining drivers $50 for handheld device use and expanding restrictions to interactive phone use even when stopped. Philadelphia Pride Roots: Philadelphia’s Pride celebrations this June are tied to earlier “Annual Reminders” protests outside Independence Hall, with activists credited for shaping the national movement. Philadelphia Sports: Eagles teammates reacted to A.J. Brown’s trade to the Patriots, mixing relief the saga is over with praise for his impact in Philadelphia.

NFL Trade Shock (Philly to Foxborough): A.J. Brown is officially a New England Patriot after the Eagles sent him for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. He hit the practice field fast, saying he’s “still in awe” and ready to move on, while also addressing his relationship with Jalen Hurts—no “bad blood,” just drifting apart. Local Sports (Philly baseball): Nick Castellanos returned to Philadelphia with a nostalgic tone, recalling Phillies highlights and saying the club’s decision to release him came down to more than performance. Public Safety (Chases & shootings): Police say a Hanover man led a high-speed, cross-state chase with a child in the car, and four Lehigh Valley men face homicide charges tied to a March drive-by. State Politics (Phones in schools): Pennsylvania House passed a bell-to-bell cellphone ban for K-12; Cumberland Valley’s board moved ahead with its own policy right after. Health & Consumer Alerts: A new study links GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to lower breast cancer risk, while federal authorities reopened a salmonella investigation tied to certain supplements and added more brands. Gaming Enforcement: State police escorted a woman off a Pennsylvania casino after she won a jackpot despite being on a lifetime self-exclusion list. Community & Culture: Hulu’s “Deli Boys” won a Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation storytelling award, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens continues Isaiah Zagar’s legacy.

Philadelphia Public Safety: Police recovered a light-blue SUV tied to a deadly South Philadelphia hit-and-run that killed a 72-year-old woman crossing Oregon Avenue near Broad Street; investigators are now focused on identifying the driver. Local Governance: Mayor Cherelle Parker is pushing a package of hotel and short-term rental tax changes plus fees on delivery and rideshare services to help close a looming budget gap, but City Council support is far from assured. Sports Business (Philly): The Eagles agreed to trade A.J. Brown to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, a move that reshapes Philadelphia’s receiving plans and sets up a Vrabel reunion. Education & Tech: Jupiter Ed says it’s expanding AI cheating prevention in Pennsylvania classrooms with built-in controls that can block or log AI-generated text inserted into student work. Community & Culture: Philadelphia is gearing up for a massive July 4 run-up tied to America’s 250th, with Wawa Welcome America spanning dozens of events and multiple fireworks nights. Statewide Crime/Justice: A woman was charged after allegedly impersonating a Pennsylvania Game Commission officer to avoid a traffic ticket, police say.

NFL Trade: The Eagles officially traded star WR A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, ending a four-year run in Philadelphia and setting up a reunion with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. State Politics: Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools, passing a bill that would require districts to adopt restrictions by the 2027-28 school year, with local control and exemptions for medical and disability needs. Education & Community: Philly is expanding support to keep students in school, including an online alternative for families dealing with barriers like trauma and transportation. Public Safety: Search crews are still looking for a missing 14-year-old swimmer in Wildwood, New Jersey, after a distress call near Schellenger Avenue. Consumer Protection: Pennsylvania’s attorney general is warning residents about online employment scams tied to “work from home” offers and fake applications. Local Notes: A Philadelphia man is among thousands of former federal workers waiting on full retirement benefits, highlighting ongoing delays after workforce cuts.

Philadelphia Public Safety: Police are searching for a woman accused of stabbing her mother to death in West Philadelphia, and say the daughter fled before officers could locate a weapon; investigators are also trying to find the victim’s children to ensure their safety. Philadelphia Crime: A separate North Philadelphia incident left a 19-year-old dead after a shootout involving teens in a U-Haul van outside a house party, with police saying gunshot detection recorded dozens of shots. Power & Utilities: PECO plans to raise rates by about 3.1% starting Monday, according to officials. Local Government & Schools: The School District of Philadelphia approved a $4.6 billion operating budget, continuing the fight over classroom cuts and closures. State Policy: Rep. Analilia Mejia says she saw poor conditions at ICE’s Delaney Hall detention center, challenging federal claims as immigrant-rights groups prepare for heightened scrutiny around summer enforcement. Sports (Philly): The Phillies fell to the Dodgers 9-1 in Los Angeles, with J.T. Realmuto exiting after being hit by a pitch.

MLB Labor Watch: Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper says owners and players need to agree fast on the next CBA after MLB floated a cap-and-floor plan, warning the sport could lose momentum if 2027 gets dragged into a fight. Local Sports Update: J.T. Realmuto left the Phillies’ Dodgers game with a bruised left wrist after a hit by pitch; the team says he’ll get further evaluation. Philadelphia Neighborhoods: A new look at South Philly shows incomes rising in parts of Graduate Hospital, Grays Ferry and Point Breeze—while longtime residents warn rents and taxes are pushing people out. ICE Detention Protests: Newark imposed a curfew around Delaney Hall after clashes; family visitation is set to resume, but tensions remain high. Roads & Safety: PennDOT and State Police highlighted Operation Yellow Jacket enforcement, urging drivers to slow down in work zones as new rules take effect. Outdoor Recreation: PennDOT approved seven new ATV connector routes in Tioga County, adding 7.5 miles to the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail system. Community & Culture: Catholic Social Services in northeastern PA reported major meal and shelter numbers, highlighting ongoing help for people facing hunger and homelessness.

World Cup Ticket Fight: New Jersey and New York attorneys general are probing FIFA’s World Cup ticket pricing and fees for MetLife Stadium games, but officials say already-purchased tickets remain valid with no refunds or price changes announced. Philadelphia Sports: The Phillies kept rolling in Los Angeles, rallying late to beat the Dodgers 4-3, with Roki Sasaki taking the early lead before Tanner Scott faltered in the eighth. Public Safety & Health: Experts warn Trump’s proposed cuts to community violence intervention could reverse recent homicide declines, while a new study finds fog droplets can host living bacteria that may help process air pollutants. Pennsylvania Food Safety: Dauphin County restaurant inspections flagged repeat issues, including old residue build-up on deli slicers and can openers. Local Culture & Business: Fabric Row in Philadelphia is evolving as small shops and boutiques reshape the historic textile corridor. Arts & Community: A State College man was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing child pornography.