Heatwave coming; Measles spreads in Pa.; Community murals

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Hydrangeas on Waverly Street
(Photo by @leslie.sllvn)

Scorching temps: Heat wave could make for sweaty celebration

America’s founders enjoyed a relatively mild start to July as they signed off on the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. Those planning this year’s celebrations marking the semiquincentennial anniversary of that document don’t appear to be as lucky.

Temps are forecast to hit triple digits this week, which could put a damper on tons of outdoor activities in the city leading up to the Fourth of July. Continue reading…

Sunbathing in Swann Fountain. (Peter Crimmins/WHYY)

Croatia tops Ghana in Philly’s final World Cup group stage match

Philadelphia rounded out its FIFA World Cup group stage games with a 2-1 win by Croatia over Ghana. Despite the rainy conditions on Saturday, the attendance was a fourth-straight full house of 68,324.

The results of both games put England in first, headed to play in Atlanta on July 1. Croatia finished second and will take on the second-placed team in Group K in Toronto on July 2. Ghana in third has to wait and see which team it will face and where in the round of 32.

Next up in South Philly is the big round of 16 match on the Fourth of July. Continue reading…

Croatia’s Nikola Vlasic (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Pennsylvania measles outbreak tops 70 cases, expands to more counties, as health leaders pledge to get spread “under control.” [WHYY]

• Union of 1,200 nurses at Jefferson Einstein Hospital ratify new contract, avoiding strike. [PhillyVoice]

• Venezuelan Americans in Philadelphia mobilize aid after deadly earthquakes devastate homeland. [WHYY]

• A yearlong mural project celebrating the beauty of immigration has brought together the Penn community and local residents. [Penn Today]

• This mural in Philadelphia pays tribute to a group of senior citizen bomba dancers. [9 Millones]

• An empty storefront on Market East pops up with the story of Philly’s Centennial Expo. [WHYY]

• Philly helped start the paper industry in pre-Revolutionary America. [Billy Penn]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker heads to the PMA to join friends and family of Joe Frazier for his statue unveiling at its new permanent home at the base of the museum steps. Attendees include Creative Philadelphia and the Smokin’ Joe Frazier Championship Foundation. (10 a.m.)

⚽ World Cup Daily Recap ⚽

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

The Latest:

Croatia tops Ghana in Philly’s final World Cup group stage match
Côte d’Ivoire advances for the first time in history after Philly World Cup win over Curaçao
‘Small islands, big dreams:’ Curaçao looking to make World Cup history against Ivory Coast in Philly
FIFA fan fest organizers reveal steps to cut down lines for free DIY World Cup bracelets
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:

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.
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.

ON THE CALENDAR

IT IS FOURTH OF JULY WEEK!

It’s not all July Fourth festivities this week.
There’s Free Museum Days at the Mütter Museum (Monday), National Constitution Center (Wednesday) and elsewehre.
+ A children’s movie screening at H&H Books (Monday)
+ A Pride celebration at the Plaza outside Marian Anderson Hall (Tuesday)
and more!

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