Good morning, Philadelphia.

Xiente held its Prosperity Breakfast on Thursday at Billy Penn Studios, where experts discussed how guaranteed income, affordable housing, and financial coaching can help families build independence while announcing a leadership change with interim CEO Félix Quiñones replacing outgoing executive director Michelle Carrera Morales.

State funding for small arts organizations has been restored as Pennsylvania Creative Industries approved a new program called Spotlight, which expands eligibility to groups with budgets between $10,000 and $100,000 (in a vote Thursday morning) as smaller organizations now qualify for grants.

Le Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia returns Thursday, Aug.

20 with an America 250 theme and an all-white dining experience at a secret location; ticket registration opens in early July online with entry for two that includes live entertainment, food, and photo opportunities (terms apply).

Variety Pack Vol. 3 comedy festival returns with 15 acts from clown shows to stoner Dickens reimaginings plus family programming and workshops.

The event runs from July 9 to 13 at Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake and offers $15 tickets with special rates for kids and a new annual membership (Ten Dollar Club).

Memphis Street Academy charter school in Port Richmond will close next week with its last day on June 12.

The district will reopen it as a district-run middle school in the fall and continue offering community services including a health center + food programs.

Philadelphia is planning a new wave of school closures to cut costs + reallocate funds for needed facility upgrades.

This move follows lessons learned from 2013 when projected savings fell short and many closed schools remained vacant.

Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a bill that lets terminally ill patients use medical marijuana for pain management even while in hospital, a move that allowed a cancer patient to spend his final days with loved ones.

The measure now heads to the Senate + planned for further review.

A Pennsylvania law banning handheld cellphone use while driving took effect on June 5 — the law imposes a $50 fine for violations and only allows hands-free use, aiming to reduce distracted driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Delco Health Department held a ribbon cutting on Friday for its 33-foot RV mobile unit 'Wellness on Wheels' that offers screenings, vaccines and STI/STD testing in local neighborhoods.

The federally funded unit will begin visits later this month (aiming to help residents after recent hospital closures).

Matchday 2 of Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup features local action as France hosts Iraq on Monday, June 22 at 5 pm ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

France is set to secure points while Iraq chases its first win in the tournament.

Friday night, the Phillies offense erupted with an eight-run outburst in their series opener at Citizens Bank Park, rallying past the Chicago White Sox.

Interim manager Don Mattingly credited key hits—like Brandon Marsh’s two-run homer and Trea Turner’s RBI—with bailing out the pitching.

After sweeping the Padres & posting the best record in baseball over their last 34 games, the Phillies will face a surprising White Sox team in a three-game series starting today at 4:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.