PECO strike ends; Devil's Pool water safety; Oddest America 250 events

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Brazil fans at the Philly Portal looking to a city in Europe
(Photo by @gpatomk)

Is swimming in Devil’s Pool a safe way to beat the heat?

Following last week’s brutal heat wave, lots of people turned to the natural swimming hole and oasis in the middle of Wissahickon Valley Park.

But, they shouldn’t. Despite the natural beauty of Devil’s Pool, the water is filled with harmful chemicals and runoff. Continue reading…

Philadelphians try to beat the extreme heat by taking a swim in Devil’s Pool, part of the Wissahickon Creek on July 3, 2026. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

The oddest America 250 events from around the country

We pushed through an intense heat wave (followed by brutal thunderstorms) to celebrate a week filled with fireworks, World Cup matches, barbecues, concerts, historical reenactments, pet parades, protests, festivals and more.

But there were also plenty of stranger, more niche events across the country for 2026’s Fourth of July milestone.

From potatoes named “Spudjamin Franklin” to a George Washington trampoline, here’s ten of the weirdest homages for the U.S.’ big birthday. Continue reading…

Contestants at a Ben Franklin look alike contest (Hanbit Kwon/for Billy Penn)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• PECO strike ends as union and utility announce deal that offers pensions to recent hires and boosts health care coverage. Union members will now vote on whether to ratify the contract. [WHYY]

• Philadelphia records 4 heat-related deaths in the first week of July. [WHYY]

• Exploding lithium-ion batteries are blamed for fires in area junkyards and drop in port traffic. [Inq$]

• Nicetown residents want answers after investigation finds PGW not responsible for deadly natural gas explosion. [WHYY]

• A rare Keith Haring mural in Point Breeze may join Philly’s historic register. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]

• Philadelphia politicians pay tribute to trailblazing legislator Shirley Kitchen, who was the second Black woman elected to the Pennsylvania state Senate. [WHYY}

• Will Smith described the moment Mayor Cherelle Parker told him to come back and perform after severe storms delayed the July 4th concert in Philly on Saturday. [NBC10]