#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Street pride
(Photo by @mediumsizeddeal)
SEPTA, transit police reach tentative deal to avoid strike
The deal will avoid a work stoppage during a summer packed with the World Cup and so many more events.
Transit police officers have been working without a contract since March 31. Union members will now vote to ratify the contract. Continue reading…

Meet the farmers ‘rooting for the grass’ at the World Cup
You likely won’t hear most people talking about how much work went into the grass on the 16 World Cup fields.
But Keith Salmon isn’t most people. He’s spent the last four years working with FIFA, the Eagles and researchers working to bring the grass that is being played on in Philadelphia and Boston’s stadiums. Continue reading…

RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Delco wastewater samples tested positive for measles. However, officials have not been able to identify who they came from. [WHYY]
• The suspect in a shooting at Delaware’s Wilmington Hospital was arrested in Philadelphia. [NBC10]
• Philadelphia had its 3rd-warmest spring on record. A hotter-than-normal summer could be coming. [WHYY]
• Philly’s Sheriff announced new top officials but kept their names secret. They have years of financial problems. [Inq$$]
• More than 60 Philadelphia high school students simulated city government on Wednesday to brainstorm solutions to urgent issues in the city. [WHYY]
• Before it opens its new building, Philadelphia Ballet stages a joint summer program with Opera Philadelphia. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker announced the confirmation of new and reappointed members to two commissions that support Philadelphia’s immigrant communities—the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs (MCACIA) and the Mayor’s Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs (MCAPAA).
Parker has no public events scheduled for Thursday.
⚽ World Cup Daily Recap ⚽
Start Here:
World Cup events guide
Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
The Latest:
- ‘Rooting for the grass:’ How the farm that grew Philly and Boston’s World Cup pitches is watching the tournament
- 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]
On the Ground:
- 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 15 to 21 is chock full of events across Philly!
Juneteenth in Germantown, at Fringe Bar, Kingsessing Rec and elsewhere (Friday)
+ a Pride AF Saturday Jam session
+ Fabric Row Summer Solstice festival (Sunday)
and more!
See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
🌈 Pride Month events guide
🥳 World Cup events guide
🛝 Kid-friendly summer guide
☕ Philly coffee guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide





