School closure transition; Herr's America 250 flavors; Weekly gun violence brief

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

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(Photo by @chuckseye)

6ABC seeks viewer support amid FCC scrutiny

Philadelphia television station WPVI-TV, 6abc, is urging viewers to submit comments to the Federal Communications Commission claiming the agency is “threatening” to take the station off the air.

The call comes after the FCC began an early review of ABC stations’ licenses in April, citing an ongoing investigation into whether the network “engaged in prohibited practices by hiring, promoting, compensating, and/or providing workplace opportunities to people based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics in violation of federal nondiscrimination laws.” Continue reading…

6abc studios in Philadelphia, Pa. (6abc)

The latest Herr’s ‘Flavored by Philly’ champ

This month Herr’s released its lineup for the fifth annual “Flavored by Philly” competition with three flavors celebrating America 250: Freedom Loaded Cheese Fries, Liberty Hickory Barbecue and United Jalapeño Cream Cheese.

This year, Herr’s isn’t choosing just one winner. We at Billy Penn, however, have no qualms crowing an ultimate chip champion. Continue reading…

Herr’s 2026 “Flavored by Philly” chips for testing. (Julia Binswanger/ Billy Penn)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Philly school officials debuted a new office dedicated to preparing communities for upcoming school closures and renovations. The School Transition Office is led by Shakeera Warthen-Canty, a former assistant superintendent and elementary school principal. [PhillyVoice]

• Philly police union defends questionable expenses, blaming city ‘ineptitude’ for delayed funeral payouts for officers killed in the line of duty. [Inq$]

• ‘I was white-knuckling it’: Philadelphia patients are still struggling to get ADHD meds amid years-long shortage. [WHYY]

• One-third of short-term rental properties in Philadelphia had inactive, expired or ineligible licenses, according to a new report by the City Controller’s Office. [NBC10]

• Mayor Parker issued an emergency declaration allowing the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) to bypass some federal regulations and immediately demolish 45 vacant apartment buildings at the Bartram Village site. [West Philly Local]

• Anna Deavere Smith debuts a play about her ancestor in Philadelphia’s ‘What Now’ festival. [WHYY]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker joins Philly Asian American leaders to kick off the 8th annual Mid-Autumn Festival. (12 p.m.)

City leaders announce details on the Philadelphia Vendor Cooperative, a new support hub for businesses seeking city contracts. (3 p.m.)

Parker then attends opening night of the Philadelphia HS for Creative and Performing Arts’ “1776: The Musical” — which serves as the inaugural program of the Celebrating 1776 initiative. (6 p.m.)

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

Mayor Cherelle Parker announces recipients of Philly anti-violence grants. [NBC10]
Amid concerns over violence, Pennsylvania Supreme Court declares skill games illegal. [The Trace]
A mother’s view: No, we’ll never “get over it.” [Philadelphia Obituary Project]
PCGVR has a new research homepage breaking down how local TV news coverage of community firearm violence is systematically harmful, inequitable, and disconnected from the public health realities. [PCGVR]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

18: Shooting victims recorded from June 14 to June 20, with 4 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 18 shooting victims were recorded, including 6 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
78: Year-to-date homicides, down 29% vs. last year’s pace; down 70% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]

⚽ World Cup Daily Recap ⚽

Start Here:
World Cup events guide
Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide

The Latest:

France defeats Iraq in Philly’s weather-delayed third FIFA World Cup game
‘ICE Out’ protest art in Philly ramps up amid World Cup spotlight

On the Ground:

Over 3,100 parking tickets were issued during the first five days of Philly’s FIFA Fan Fest. Less than 6% were in error, PPA says. [WHYY]
Nearly 50,000 volunteers help make the World Cup happen. Here’s how Philly’s crew will help out.
Fairmount neighbors say Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival road closures threatens public safety.
World Cup fans can take a hike — literally. Soccer enthusiasts in Philly can access Lemon Hill fan fest and other sites via trails.
A heat wave may be the most obvious health threat. But infectious diseases can spread in a crowd, and experts are set to scrutinize wastewater, hospital visits, even social media for any signs that an outbreak might be brewing.

ON THE CALENDAR

June 22 to 28 is here!
A live-reading of 90’s classic “Twister” (Thursday)
+ Shakesqueer Pride cabaret (Friday)
+ Dress like fairies at the Philly Fairy Festival (Saturday)
and more!

See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!