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Philadelphia as a ‘sanctuary city’ for abortion access

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, many local elected officials spoke out, and one called for Philly to be an “abortion sanctuary city.”

• There’s already an influx of new patients, because Pittsburgh clinics are overwhelmed and flights to Philadelphia are more plentiful. And there’s a push in Council to provide funding for related care and costs, Lizzy McLellan Ravitch reports.

But unlike with immigration, if the next governor signs a ban of the procedure, Philly’s sanctuary ability would be severely limited.

Free Library cooling centers: hours and how to get there

There’s a Heat Health Emergency in Philly, which means utility shut offs are suspended and cooling centers open for residents to grab some free AC.

• A dozen Free Library branches will act as cooling centers, with extended hours until the advisory ends. Each location has free WiFi and a slate of programming — if the branch has enough staff.

Asha Prihar mapped all 12 locations, with how to get there on public transit, plus options for fun things to do.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• The Philadelphia School District currently has a budget surplus, a rarity possible because of pandemic education funding, but it’s expected to become a deficit within 5 years. [Chalkbeat]
• Philly’s housing market is no longer completely red hot. New data shows that price reductions on listings increased 8.5% over the last year, meaning buyers could start running into lower asking prices. [Redfin/Axios]
• Double-decker SEPTA Regional Rail cars could hit the Philadelphia area as soon as early 2023, thanks to the photos from the China factory where the train cars are being built. [Inquirer$]
• Meet BLJ Community Rowing, the country’s only Black-owned rowing club. The Boathouse Row outfit has taught over 1,500 students how to row, with more than half Black and brown. [Love Now Media]
• It’s giving metaverse: Next to the Ferris wheel at The Oval two virtual reality domes just opened, one dedicated to the life and art of Jerry Garcia. [Billy Penn/Wooder Ice]
• Mummers are the theme of this year’s “Night in Venice” boat parade in Ocean City, with Nova’s Jay Wright as grand marshal. [PhillyVoice]
• Philly’s professional ultimate frisbee team The Phoenix are headed to the playoffs next month for the first time in 9 years. [AUDL/Billy Penn]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Kenney is off in Germany attending the Cities Fortifying Democracy Forum through next Tuesday.

ON THE CALENDAR