#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Hazy and bright summer days
(Photo by @kslouf)
‘It’s embarrassing, and it’s shocking’: Residents frustrated by continuing strike
Tensions — and piles of trash — grew Thursday as the strike by the city’s largest labor union, which includes sanitation workers, teachers and airport employees slogged through a third day.
One person who has kept busy: Terrill Haigler, Ya Fave Trashman, whose trash hauling business has been scheduling appointments to pick up trash that the city won’t right now. Some see him as a scab, some as a savior. Billy Penn’s Nick Kariuki spoke to him.
One person who won’t be busy today: LL Cool J, who announced Thursday night he had pulled out of tonight’s Welcome America concert. “I’m not gonna cross a picket line,” he said on Instagram.
Your guide to the 4th of July and the holiday weekend
Strike or not, the city will be celebrating the nation’s 249th birthday with plenty of events. Check out our procrastinators guide to what’s happening. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pa. leaders assail cuts to healthcare and food assistance as “Big beautiful bill” heads to President Trumps desk for signature. [WHYY/Spotlight Pa.]
• Pa. schools could lose millions as federal government withholds funds. [WHYY]
• Sixers, Comcast purchase building near proposed Market East arena site. [PhillyVoice]
• Residents, experts bash latest plans to replace Hoa Binh Plaza. [WHYY Plan Philly]
• Community farm at Bartram’s Garden offers teens refuge and lessons in agriculture. [Green Philly]
• Club World Cup’s stay in Philly culminates with big game tonight. [Billy Penn]
• PlayPenn conference allows audience to hear readings of plays, and provide feedback to playwrights. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will offer remarks on the 4th of July at the City’s official celebration on Independence Mall. She will also bestow the second annual One Philly Award to a deserving honoree. 10 a.m.
The mayor will speak from the Main Stage during the WAWA Welcome America July 4th Concert & Fireworks, on the Ben Franklin Parkway. 8:15 p.m.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎆 Fourth of July events
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Saturday, July 5: A Black Love Jawn
Support local artists on stage, live painters, 30+ Black-owned vendors, games, giveaways and community love. At Cherry Street Pier. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Saturday, July 5: Drop-In Science Workshop: Summer Styles
How does making clothing impact the global environment? What is upcycling and why is it so important? There is more than meets the eye in our choices for summer styles! Plus, bring an old pair of shorts and repurpose them into a lunch bag to take home. $24 tickets age 13+; $20 for children at the Academy of Natural Sciences. (2 to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, July 5: Sunsets at Spruce: Free Music Festival Series
Kick off this free summer music festival series on the waterfront, celebrating Philly’s Black and Brown communities at Spruce Street Harbor Park. Featuring the sounds of R&B, Hip Hop, Dancehall, Afro beats and more from DJ Twinllamas, DJ YOUNGZA, DJ Kuya and others. Through Labor Day weekend. (3 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday, July 5: Sonic Sunsets: Concert and Tour Series
Christ Church Burial Ground in Old City hosts live jazz and storytelling on the First Saturday in July, August and September. Each month features a different group of artists, marking the changing of the seasons. BYO picnic and join a guided mini tour of the musical-historical stories of this site. $7.18 or $12.51 for concert-only tickets; $10.38 or $17.85 for tour+concert tickets. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, July 6: Philly Roda de Samba e Choro
This event presents samba as it is most often performed in Rio de Janeiro, with people gathered around a table, playing tunes, singing along, drinking and having fun. Every First Sunday at Black Squirrel Club. Complimentary snacks (coxinha, pão de queijo) are first-come, first-served. $11.50 tickets. (3 to 6 p.m.)
Through Sunday, July 6: Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival
The festival features films, events and community gatherings that promise to captivate audiences and honor the diverse stories of the Latino diaspora. Dozens of films are scheduled virtually and in-person at various locations like PhillyCAM and Fleisher Art Memorial. Virtual tickets range from $5 to $50 for the full season while In-person tickets range from $10 to $120 for the full season.
Monday, July 7: Big Gay Writing Project: Open Mic Night
Tattooed Mom hosts this writing mixer, open mic night and karaoke. Come read something you wrote, sing a song, tell a joke or just watch and support! Open Mic from 6 to 8 p.m.; Sign up on-site. Karaoke from 8 to 10 p.m. $5 suggested donation. (6 to 10 p.m.)
